The Bible details Jesus' doctrine. Will Christians continue to forsake it?
- Sean Esposito
- Jul 22, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 27, 2023
Sound doctrine. Most church-goers know how important it is to have sound doctrine. Many have heard the warning from the pulpit, that we must not abandon sound doctrine—the doctrine that our Messiah taught and lived out. But, what really is this sound doctrine? Are we confident that we know it and apply it in our lives today? Do we know what Holy Scripture declares Jesus' sound doctrine to specifically be? Praise Yahuah, our Father, that he always provides us clear answers through his perfect Word!
Sound doctrine is the same as saying sound teaching. Many believers know to trust the Bible as the only source for their doctrine. However, because we know that there are over 45,000 Christian denominations, one can quickly and easily recognize that there must be many differing doctrines. There is division for a reason. Some denominations are shy about pointing out their differences, whereas others are very vocal about their doctrinal differences. The reality is that they all believe that they have sound doctrine. Unfortunately, that is clearly not the case... out of 45,000 denominations and growing... many are in error.
We all hope to understand, live, and even teach correct doctrine. So, who is our best teacher to receive such doctrine? Think about it. Who is the BEST teacher that we could trust to give us perfect instruction?
If you said Jesus, you're actually wrong.
Don't scream blasphemy just yet! Try to recognize that this wrong answer has been drilled into our minds and give me a chance to show you that it is in error. I know you'll have an "oh, okay, that makes sense moment," so hang tight.
Most Christians today would immediately say that the best instructor would be Jesus—so you're not alone. I used to give the very same answer!
But scripture told me that I was wrong.
We must have the courage to ask ourselves, who does scripture say our best teacher is? It's not Jesus. The Bible, through the life and ministry of Jesus, informs us that the BEST teacher that we can place all our trust in, is actually... Yahuah, Jesus' Father.
Think about it. It is easy to look at the feet of Yahusha (Jesus) and marvel at him! To hear his parables and sound instruction and kneel before him in worship and praise because of the perfect words that leave his lips! We are not wrong to recognize that he is the best teacher to ever walk this earth! There is no doubt about it! But we must recognize where he received his instruction. We must recognize who taught him, and what exactly he was taught!
Scripture is clear, his doctrine is the same doctrine of Yahuah's. Everything Jesus did was in accordance and obedience of his Father. He learned everything from Him. He completely submitted to everything his Father told him to do. He did not do or say a single thing that was different than what his Father told him. Again, Jesus' doctrine is the exact same as his Father's!
Listen to Yahusha's own words:
Jesus answered them, and said, "My doctrine is not mine,
but his that sent me." John 7:16
Yahusha proclaimed that the doctrine he taught, the sound teaching he received and breathed, is from Yahuah his Father. In fact, we know for sure that he is the son of Yahuah because he teaches according to our heavenly Father's Word. So, what does scripture tell us Yahuah's sound doctrine actually is?
"For I (Yahuah) give you good doctrine,
forsake ye not my law." Proverbs 4:2
The word law in the Hebrew text, is Torah. Yahuah's doctrine is the Torah (Law)! That is why the Torah, commonly referred to as the "Law of God" or the "Law of Moses", is called perfect.
The law of the LORD (Yahuah) is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahuah is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
If you add anything or take away a single thing to something that is perfect... it is no longer perfect!
No wonder we quickly recognize that Yahusha's teachings are flawless, and that he gives the best instructions... because he gets them directly from his Father! His instructions are the same as Yahuah's: the Torah. Yahuah taught his Torah, and Yahusha rightfully taught the same Torah. Simply put, Yahusha received his doctrine from his Father, and his Father's doctrine is the Law of God. Scripture is clear. We are to put ourselves under Yahusha's perfect instructions, but we must also put ourselves under the same authority our teacher Yahusha did: his Father's! We learn from Yahusha's perfect instruction and flawless example while recognizing that his teachings and how he lived his life reflect our Father's Torah and his perfect image! Like father like son! Yahusha's teachings are exactly the same as Yahuah's!
The problem? 45,000+ denominations don't teach the whole Law of God. Some split it up, twist it, distort it, keep some of it, or even reject the whole thing. In fact, most Christians, pastors, and Bible professors have demonized and trampled the Law of Moses! Most proclaim the Law of God is done away with and no longer applicable—that Yahusha kept it for us so believers do not have to. The reality? If we listened and obeyed Yahusha's teaching, we would be striving to keep Torah. And because we can do all things through Messiah because he strengthens us, we have an excellent shot at being the obedient children he calls us to be. If we all endeavor to keep sound doctrine, we would all be unified in it—no need or place for a single denomination. We would be walking in the same accord. We would all be striving to walk in the image of our flawless Messiah. The same footsteps of obedience to the perfect instructions (Law) he gave his children Israel!
Hear the warning 2 Timothy gives:
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; 2 Timothy 4:3
45,000+ denominations include many many itching ears! It is important that we heed the warning and cling to the sound doctrine thatYahusha lived and taught! The Law of his Father!
Listen to Yahusha's grave warning:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus is talking about turning away believers! Many who call themselves Christians will cry out to Yahusha screaming, "YOU ARE MY LORD!!!" But they will not be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven! Yahusha proclaims that only those who do the will of his Father who is in heaven will be allowed to enter. The Christians will cry out again, "BUT JESUS! YOU ARE MY LORD! Did we not do mighty works in your name???!!" And he will declare to them, "I never knew you, leave me, you who do not do the will of my Father—you who break the Torah (law) of my Father!"
Folks. Many of those that are denied access to heaven are people who recognize Jesus as their Messiah, call him their Lord, and even live their life in a way that they believe is serving him! Those who call themselves Christians! But Jesus REJECTS THEM! Why? Because they did not have or keep the sound doctrine that he taught them. These Christians recognized him as Lord and Master, but they did not keep Jesus' doctrine! They did not do the will of Yahuah! They did not keep his Law (Torah). They were workers of lawlessness! And Jesus is clear: the lawless people, even if they call him "LORD!!!" will be rejected by him and never enter the kingdom of heaven.
These are the words of scripture. Not mine. These are the words of Jesus Christ. Not Sean's. This is a declaration of the utmost importance!
Do you have ears to hear? Will you humbly accept the sound doctrine that your Messiah lived and taught? Will you recognize that the Torah is the will of our Heavenly Father: perfect instructions from a perfect teacher?
Will you do this today?
We pray that you will! We pray that you humble yourself right now in prayer before our merciful and loving Father, and ask him to give you eyes to see and ears to hear his perfect instructions. Ask Him to give you his perfect doctrine. Seek it out yourself in earnest prayer and study of his perfect and Holy Word. This is one thing in life we cannot be wrong about!
Nobody wants to live a life that they sincerely believe they are serving Messiah to at the end hear these piercing words:
"I never knew you; depart from me, you worker of lawlessness."
Please, take Jesus' words seriously. He said them for a reason. He wants you to make the right decision. He wants you to do the will of his Father. May we all submit ourselves to our Messiah Yahusha, submitting also to our merciful Father.
Sean is a former Atheist who was finally awoken to the reality of our Creator—which lead him to the one place he thought he would never step foot: “Bible College.” During his studies, our Heavenly Father flipped his Christian worldview upside down in order to reveal the Whole truth of His perfect Word. As a follower of Messiah Yahusha (Christ Jesus), Sean encourages believers to deepen their faith, seek the truth, test everything, and be willing to walk in the true image they were created: the image of the Most High and his flawless son.