Correct Doctrine Important by Dudley Marvin Canright

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 24, 1878

Correct Doctrine Important.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THERE is a very marked and strong tendency in this age to what is called "Liberalism." It has come to be considered of no essential importance whether a man holds a correct doctrine or one that is not true, provided he really believes it. Character, we are told, should be the test, and not the doctrine.

I know a church that will receive members without baptism in any form, or even conversion, and whose doctrine is directly opposite to that of the church. Universalists, Restorationists, Trinitarians, Unitarians, and in fact, all kinds of theology, may come into the church, though of course, their own doctrine is preferred. Now this strikes my mind as being very contrary to the teachings of the Bible on this subject.

Sound doctrine is repeatedly spoken of as being very important. Christ warns his disciples to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Saducees. Matt. 16:12. He also says, John 7:17, 'If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.' This shows that the knowledge of doctrine was esteemed important by Christ.

Of the early disciples it is said, that "they continued steadfast in the apostle's doctrine." Acts 2:42. Paul preached a form of doctrine, and thanked God that they had received it. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." Rom. 6:17. Timothy, he exhorts thus: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 1:13. This form of sound words was to be held fast by Timothy, and to be taught to others.

In reproving the Corinthians, Paul says, "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine." 1 Cor. 14:26. This evil he reproves. But such a state of things may now be found in many churches of our land. Not only does it go unreproved, but in many instances it is even commended, and thought to be necessary. Paul instructed Timothy to abide at Ephesus that he might "charge some that they teach no other doctrine." 1 Tim. 1:3. Paul was careful in this matter. He knew there was importance attached to it.

Again, he exhorts that young minister, "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 1 Tim. 4:13, 16.

Again, he tells Timothy that all Scripture is profitable for doctrine. 2 Tim. 3:16. And then he tells him to "preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." Chap. 4:2-4.

To Titus he gave similar advice: "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity." Titus 2:7. Christ said that he hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. And Paul denounces a curse against any one, though he be an angel from heaven, if he should preach any other gospel. Gal. 1:8. In perfect accordance with this, again he gives his advice: "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Titus 3:10, 11. This is pretty strong language; but to the Romans he writes equally as strong against those who teach false doctrine. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." Paul was afraid of men who had false doctrines, and would allow the church to have no fellowship for them. John is even more severe. He says: "Whosoever trangresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that bideth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 9:10, 11.

The reason why the sacred writers were so fearful of false doctrine; and condemned it so severely, and exhorted their followers to have no fellowship with those who held or taught it, manifestly was because false doctrine always leads to wrong practice. If a man holds a wrong theory he will certainly go wrong. As the telling of one falsehood leads to the telling of another, to cover that up; so the receiving of one false doctrine leads to the reception of another, and so on, till the most important doctrines of the Bible are undermined and overthrown. Correct doctrine, sound doctrine, therefore, is of great importance. Error should not be lightly regarded. We believe the judgment will prove this to be true. D. M. CANRIGHT.