Glenn wrote: > My faith is personal rather than doctrinal > --centered in the Person of Christ.
Nothing wrong with you centering your faith upon the person of Jesus Christ, but faith must be based upon knowledge, and knowledge comes through both preaching and teaching. Teaching is doctrine, so faith also is based also upon doctrine. Consider the following passages of Scripture: 2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, 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. 2Jo 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this DOCTRINE, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: What does the phrase "doctrine of Christ" mean to you? How do you understand this passage? Doesn't this passage infer that our relationship with the person of Christ comes about because of sound doctrine? Consider this other passage also: 1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome WORDS, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the DOCTRINE which is according to godliness; 1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. I realize that it is politically correct in these days to be against doctrine in Christianity, but it seems to me that this is simply a fulfillment of the prophecy that in the last days, they will not endure sound doctrine but having itching ears, they will cling to teachers who teach other things, such as this "free to sin in Christ - everybody sins" doctrine: "we are saved by faith alone, plus nothing, minus nothing." Clearly this "doctrine" which nobody seems willing to admit is a doctrine itself, is not a doctrine found in Scripture. It is a doctrine propagated by men who twist the writings of Paul out of context and use his words to say things which he never said by adding subtle words like "alone" (not in your case, but in others who hold to this erroneous teaching) and "plus nothing minus nothing." Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
