Christian Living

---

Acts 2:41-42 Acts 2 informs us of the coming of the Holy Spirit and also of Peter’s address (sermon) at Pentecost. The key verses for this message are verses 41 and 42: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
The Doctrine: The word doctrine derives from the Latin term used for teaching and refers to the content that was taught in the New Testament. The proper teaching of Scripture was called “the Apostles doctrine,” meaning that which the apostles taught. This contrasted with erroneous (false) teaching called “doctrines of devils” (I Timothy 4:1) meaning that teaching whose source is not God but the messengers of Satan. Satan has a desire to substitute false religion in place of Christianity. 1. The apostles doctrine was true, not because an apostle taught or preached it, but because it was consistent with the Scriptures. 2. The Bereans examined Paul’s teaching in light of the Scriptures before accepting his teaching (Acts 17: 10-11).  3. The church at Ephesus examined some who called themselves apostles and found them to be liars (Rev. 2:1-2).
A Christian should purpose to understand and believe true doctrine and reject everything that disagrees with the Word of God. I John 4:1 states “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
The Discipline: One of the first religious exercises of the New Testament church after Pentecost was persevering in the apostle’s doctrine. Doctrinal purity was imperative to a New Testament church. The local churches placed themselves under God’s authority by accepting the discipline of the Word of God. Proclaiming the Scriptures became a positive discipline and it (the proclamation) developed correct belief and life-style. When Christians need to be confronted and rebuked for sin or false belief, be it individually or corporately, proper discipline will correct the error and bring the church back to its biblical role. When an assembly of people removes itself from the authority of Scripture, that assembly ceases to be a New Testament church. 1. Although the church at Sardis had quite a reputation in its community, Jesus saw the church as already dead (Rev. 3:1). 2. All Christians should carefully evaluate the beliefs and practices of a church by the standard of God’s Word. Then they should associate with and support the one that meets the New Testament standards.  In order to receive salvation a person must hear the plan of salvation, line that plan up with the Scripture, understand what he has heard and believe and accept what he has heard. This is “the apostles’ doctrine.” In Romans 1:16 Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
The discipline requires that every New Testament church and every born again believer continue to walk and live according to the doctrine that brought them to salvation. The Word of God (doctrine) will never change. So therefore, we should continue to live the doctrine itself and not live by the messenger who brings the gospel. For it is possible for that messenger to preach a false doctrine. Likewise, it is possible for the church and/or believer to be outside of the will of God if rebuke and discipline according to the Word of God is not adhered to.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE