PART 18 CHURCH TEACHINGS

PART 18 CHURCH TEACHINGS

THE TRUTHS THAT WILL SET US FREE

I don’t know what this means, but this study was written during the Covid Virus quarantine. Initially, I had no idea that I would be writing on the subject of Church Teachings. At the time, I was attempting to rewrite a study I had written years earlier called, Why Should We Go to Church? One thing led to another, and voila.    

I can’t stress how important it is for an unbeliever to find a place where one of the foundational Teachings of the Christian Faith, i.e., the gospel of Christ (of repentance and belief), is presented so that if they respond to it, they’ll receive the indwelling Spirit along with additional benefits. Furthermore, once this person is saved, it’s as crucial for them to learn about the various classifications of doctrines that will ground them in the foundational teachings, intellectualize them to become more knowledgeable about the faith, mature them to spiritual adulthood, help them in being able to discern the difference between lawful teachings and grace teachings, protect them from deceptive teachings that would bring about spiritual destruction, and become aware of teachings that would ensnare them in destructive sexual addictions.

You might be newly converted, or maybe you have been a Christian for a long time, and yet something is missing in your walk with God. You have received the indwelling Spirit, but His co-laboring with you is essentially non-existent. So, forgive me when I ask you this question, what are the teachings that you are listening to when you attend church? If you say, I’m not sure. Well, let me help you find out what some of the content of these teachings should be about.

What I would like to provide for you is a summary of the various classifications of doctrine that have been brought forth in this study so that you’ll be able to recognize those teachings that will be spiritually beneficial and those that won’t. This presentation will be in the form of a checklist so that you can make a copy of it and take it with you when you assemble together with other believers. You can use this in one of two ways. Check a box when the content in the list matches up with the expressed content of the teaching from the pulpit. And depending on the classification of the doctrine taught, you’ll be able to determine whether it will bring about spiritual growth in your walk with God.

I’m sure when someone reads about this idea of a checklist, they might say something like, well, this author thinks he knows it all. Honestly, I don’t profess this to be the case. My response to this insinuation is, test what I’m about to present in the checklist according to Scripture. Pray to God the Father about the information contained therein. Ask Him to provide you with assistance as you undertake to check for biblical accuracy by means of personal study and the discerning ministry of the Holy Spirit. If there is something in this checklist that doesn’t line up with Scripture, then don’t support it.

Are you ready to read about the various classifications of the doctrines of the Christian faith that should and shouldn’t be presented to you in the teachings from the various leaders in the church or churches you might or are attending?

 

CHECKLIST

CHURCH TEACHINGS THAT WILL SET US FREE AND THOSE THAT WON’T

 

FOUNDATIONAL TEACHINGS

□The Trinity

• One God exists as three persons �" coequal, coinfinite, and coeternal �" all three possessing the essential nature.²⁸² Each member possesses the same divine attributes (sovereign, righteous, just, love, eternal life, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotence, immutable, and truth). 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 1:8; John 4:24
• However, they don’t have the same roles. God the Father is the originator of the plan, God the Son is the executor of the plan, and God the Holy Spirit, is the revealer of the plan. John 6:38; Philippians 2:5-8; John 14:26
• We’re not talking about three distinct Gods, but one God as a triune being.

 

□The Deity of Christ                       

• Jesus existed before creation with God the Father, meaning that He was uncreated. John 1:1; John 8:58
• Jesus is called God (Theos). Hebrews 1:8
• Jesus is deity who was with God the Father and was God, meaning that He has the same essence and nature as the Father. Some would say that when this verse was translated into English, it would read that the Word was a God. This is not correct.

When translating from Koine Greek to English, if the subject has the definite article the before it, followed by the predicate that has no definite article, then the predicate acts like an adjective. In this sense, the meaning of the word God refers to the essence of the Word. As an adjective, this tells us that Jesus has the same divine nature and attributes as the Father. John 1:1

 

□The Deity of the Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit is a person. John 15:26
• He’s called God (Theoo). Acts 5:1-4
• He’s deity (has the same nature and attributes as the other members of the Trinity). Acts 5:1-4

 

□The Deity of God the Father

• God the Father is a person. John 4:34
• He’s one of the members of the Trinity. John 5:16-18
• He’s deity. John 5:16-18

 

□The Gospel of Christ

• The gospel is the good news that Christ, who is the Godman, paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world and canceled their debt (provided forgiveness), thus satisfying the justice of God. 1 John 2:2; Ephesians 1:7
• This gospel could also be called the gospel of repentance and faith. Whosoever repents of their sins to God the Father and believes in His Son as to who He is and what He has accomplished will be saved. Romans 1:16; Acts 17:30; John 3:16

 

□Salvation

• Salvation refers to the receiving of the indwelling Holy Spirit along with a bundle of other spiritual benefits when an unbeliever responds to the gospel of repentance and faith. John 7:37-39; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 1:3
• The parents or head of a household aren’t able to make a free-will decision to repent and believe either for their child or the entire family for salvation. Salvation is an individual personal decision. Acts 8:36-37; 1 Samuel 12:15-23
• If a child dies before he/she reaches the age of accountability (the age of reason), they’ll automatically go to heaven. 1 Samuel 12:15-23; Acts 8:27; Acts 8:35-37
• Sprinkling or immersion at water baptism does not bring about salvation or cause someone to become a child of God. Salvation is by repentance and faith. John 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13
• Water baptism does not forgive sins. All sin was forgiven at the cross. Sins that are committed in time are forgiven when we confess them to God the Father. The purpose of this forgiveness is to recover the filling of the Spirit and fellowship with God the Father. Colossians 2:13; 1 John 1:9

 

□The Atonement

Jesus is the atonement, the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world that removed the penalty, the punishment (the suffering) upon the entire human race due to satisfying the justice of God. God the Father made Christ be sin for us, a sin offering, meaning that He bore the punishment due to them in our stead. 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

□Redemption

This word means deliverance, liberation, or to let one go free from the judgment of their sins. Ephesians 1:7

 

□The Blood

The blood is the payment (the price paid to divine justice) that provided redemption. The blood can also be referred to as the ransom required, of Christ’s death on the cross, or of the giving of His life. Ephesians 1:7

 

□Forgiveness of Sins

• Forgiveness of sins means to blot them out; not to remember them any longer; to throw a person’s sins behind one’s back, or to carry away our sins so that they might never again be seen. Forgiveness of sins for all mankind took place on the cross. Colossians 2:13
• This is not the same as the forgiveness a believer receives from God the Father when he/she confesses known sin to Him. This will be addressed later under the Spiritual Growth doctrines.

 

□The Resurrection of Christ

• After Jesus suffered and died on the cross on our behalf, His spirit went to hell, where he resided. After remaining there for three full days, His spirit re-entered His physical body, and thus He was raised again (bodily resurrection) by means of the quickening (to make alive) of the Holy Spirit for our justification (in order to reconcile mankind to God). 1 Peter 3:18-19
• This reconciliation meant that the barrier between God and mankind, which was sin, had been removed. The reconciliation appropriated between mankind and God the Father does not mean that all mankind was saved or will go to heaven at physical death. Romans 5:10
• The resurrection was validation that the redemption paid by Christ on the cross was accepted²⁸³ by God the Father.

 

□There is Only One Way to Get to Heaven

• There is only one way to get to heaven. John 14:6
• And there is only one person to believe in whom God the Father has accepted as to His nature (undiminished deity and true humanity), His sinless life, and atonement for sin, and that is Jesus. Acts 4:12

 

□Eternal Security

• Eternal salvation, the receiving of the indwelling Holy Spirit along with a bundle of other spiritual benefits, cannot be lost/removed because of sins that are committed in time. John 10:27-28; Romans 8:38-39
• The sin issue and the record of it were addressed by Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. Ephesians 1:7
• Sins committed in time are addressed by confession and recovery. 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 12:1-11; Ephesians 4:22-24

 

INTELLECTUAL DOCTRINES

□These Doctrines Will Help Us Learn More about Our Faith.

They’re the doctrine of Spiritual Blessings; the doctrine of Baptisms, the doctrine of the Seven Crowns, the doctrine of a godly Mouth, the doctrine of Divine Guidance, the doctrine of Defense Mechanisms, the doctrine of Complaining, the doctrine of Spiritual Growth, the doctrine of the Virgin Birth, the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper, the doctrine of Bitterness, the doctrine of Creation, the doctrine of Dispensations, the doctrine of Angelic Observation, the doctrine of Divine Discipline, the doctrine of Rebound, the doctrine of Sanctification, the doctrine of the Faith Rest Technique, the doctrine of Inspiration, the doctrine of Satan, the doctrine of the Millennium, the doctrine of Foreknowledge, the doctrine of the Old Sin Nature, the doctrine of the Gifts of the Spirit, the doctrine of Ambassadorship, the doctrine of Death, the doctrine of Divorce, the doctrine of the Fruit of the Spirit, etc. just to name a few.

The question I have regarding these doctrines is, are these teachings being presented to you by those in leadership?

 

SPIRITUAL GROWTH DOCTRINES

These could also be called personal sanctification doctrines, i.e., learning how to address areas of human weakness or human strength.

 

□Confession of Known Sin

• Confession of known sin, whether mental, verbal, or overt, restores fellowship with God the Father, recovers the filling (control; rule) of the Holy Spirit, and removes divine discipline (chastisement) from God the Father. 1 John 1:9
• Confession of sin is to be made directly to God the Father unless we have sinned against someone personally. In this case, we should go to the offended person and confess to them whatever we have said or done. Matthew 18:15-17; 1 John 1:9
• Some believers contend that confession of sin is unnecessary because the penalty for all sin was taken care of at the cross. This is simply a misunderstanding of the forgiveness provided on the cross and the forgiveness provided in time due to confession. Penalty for sin on the cross paid a debt owed to satisfy God’s justice. Confession of sin in time is for personal restoration.

 

□Recovery from Sin

• Recovery from sin means the believer chooses to reflect upon in their thoughts God’s perspective derived from the Word as it relates to a particular area of human weakness or human strength. Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:5
• This is otherwise known as renewing one’s mind. This causes the thoughts of the mind to keep on being made anew by reflection or meditation on God’s Word. Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3

 

□Being Under the Spirit’s Rule

When we confess known sin and recover, this activates the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This doesn’t mean that He hasn’t been there for us all along, but rather that He’s now co-operative or co-laboring with us experientially. As we serve God in spiritual energy and control, we’re set free from the persistent oppression of the sin nature. 1 John 1:9; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:18

 

DISPUTABLE DOCTRINES

These are doctrines that are manipulative. The main reasons for supporting such are a misinterpretation of Scripture as pertaining to Jewish culture and dispensations (emphasizing aspects of the covenants between God and various peoples at various times²⁸⁴). Some might think what the harm is if only one of these mandates is imposed. The harm is that this will probably lead to another area of control, and another, and another.

 

□A Believer is Not Allowed to Drink Alcohol.

     Scripture tells us that a believer is allowed to drink alcohol, albeit in moderation. John 2:1-11; 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7                    

 

□A Man Must Not Have Long Hair. A Woman Must Wear Certain Clothing. And Neither is She Allowed to Wear Jewelry.

These restrictions were based on cultural practices at the time, and they had specific connotations. They no longer apply to us today. 1 Corinthians 11:4-12; 1 Timothy 2:9-10

 

□A Believer Must Tithe, i.e., Give 10% of What One Received for Their Labor.

• A believer is no longer under obligation to obey any of the commands of the Mosaic Law for salvation or sanctification. By sanctification, I mean a believer is not under compulsion to obey rituals and rules for spiritual growth. Acts 15:1-32; Romans 7:6
• Financial giving is based on giving as one chooses with a cheerful heart while operating under the rule of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22; 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3
• When a believer learns and appropriates the Word of God and is led by the Spirit, they’ll give graciously whatever the amount is. They’ll also be responsible for paying their own bills and will cheerfully help their fellow believers when they’re in spiritual or physical need. Galatians 5:22-24; 2 Corinthians 9:7
• A Spirit-filled leader will let the assembly know about the financial needs of the church, will teach them how to rely on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and will trust God for what is needed financially without pressure, condemnation, or ridicule. 1 Peter 5:2-3
• This doesn’t mean that the Old Testament Scriptures have no benefit for us today. They evidence their authenticity by means of the fulfillment of the prophecies of the coming Messiah. They evidence by the illustration of stories, God’s faithfulness. They give evidence of certain Old Testament saints who followed God’s instructions and, because of such, how He came through for them with real-life examples for us of deliverance and victory. They evidence as a reminder to us of the resulting detrimental effects upon those Old Testament believers who didn’t follow God or obey Him. They can also provide us with practical advice as to what actions we should avoid making. Matthew 5:17; 1 Timothy 1:8

 

□Good Works Evidence and Secures Our Salvation.

• Our salvation, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and additional benefits aren’t based on any merit on our part but on the finished work of Christ on the cross. There is nothing we can do to earn it, and there is nothing we can do to lose it. Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 5:9
• Obedience to Christ in this regard refers to our response to the gospel of Christ. Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 4:17
• The receiving of the Holy Spirit secures our salvation, while the manifestation of His fruit operating in our life evidences our salvation. Ephesians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13
• Good godly works are produced when we’re operating under the rule of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
• A Christian’s works will be judged and rewarded for their quality, whether they were performed under the power of the Spirit or under the power of the flesh. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

 

DOCTRINES OF DESTRUCTION

These are doctrines that will deny an unbeliever from receiving the indwelling Spirit along with additional benefits and subsequently have no assurance of eternal life. I can’t stress enough the importance of recognizing these teachings and removing yourself from the environment and group that promulgates them.

 

□Sprinkling or Immersion in Water Causes a Baby or an Adult Become a Child of God.

• Salvation is by an unbeliever’s response to the gospel. Romans 1:16
• A person enters into the kingdom of God by water (figurative of the gospel) and the (indwelling) Holy Spirit. John 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13
• The baptism that now saves us is the Baptism (the indwelling) of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 3:20-21; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:1-4
• If someone says that there is a Scripture which indicates that if someone believes and is baptized in water is saved, let them know that this verse, along with others from the book of Mark, is not found in the original oldest manuscripts of the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus. Mark 16:16

 

□Someone Else Other Than Jesus Proclaims to Be the Messiah

• The Messiah/Savior of both the Jews and Gentiles has already come whose name is Jesus. He fulfilled the Father’s plan, having died on the cross for all mankind paying the debt owed for sin by His blood along with providing forgiveness. Matthew 16:13-16; John 4:34
• Whomever else proclaims to be the Messiah, albeit a false one, will probably ask you to observe some or all of the tenets of the Mosaic Law. If you are a female, he will probably ask you to be his 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th … wife. Matthew 24:4-5

 

□Christ is Not Deity; God Come in the Flesh.

• Christ is deity. He pre-existed time and came to earth being born of a virgin. Colossians 1:17; Matt 1:18-23
• He has the same attributes that make up the divine nature (deity) of each person of the Trinity, i.e., sovereignty, righteousness, justice, love, eternal life, omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, immutability, and veracity. John 1:1; Philippians 2:6
• He’s referred to as the Son of God, which refers to His divinity. Luke 22:52, 54, 70-71
• He’s also referred to as the Son of man, which was a title of the Messiah, the anointed one of God who the Jews thought would free them from Roman oppression and set up an earthly kingdom. 2 Samuel 7:12�"13
• He’s God’s Son in His role as one of the members of the Trinity. However, He’s not the literal offspring of God the Father. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20
• He has two natures, each of which has its own attributes, the attributes of deity and the attributes of humanity with no sin nature. Philippians 2:6
• He provided redemption from the judgment (the consequences due) of the wrath of God concerning the penalty of sin. 1 John 2:2; Revelation 20:12-13
• Three complete days after His death, His human spirit re-entered his physical body, which was quickened by the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

 

AUTHORITATIVE DOCTRINES

These doctrines will severely hinder a believer’s walk with God. Unfortunately, they cause clicks in the church and bring about power struggles.

 

□The Teachings and Decisions from Leadership Cannot Be Questioned.

• A church leader should not operate according to an unreasonable abuse of power. A church [leader’s] authority should be by the influence of reason, persuasion, and example.²⁸⁵ 1 Peter 5:2-3; 1 Timothy 4:12-13
• Moses received direct revelation from God and was a type/mediator for the Jewish people and their God (Jehovah). Exodus 4:12; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2
• In the early church, the apostles and prophets received direct revelation from God, but it’s Christ and not them who is the mediator between the church and God the Father. 1 Timothy 2:3-5; 1 Corinthians 2:5-16
• Once the New Testament canon was completed, those in church leadership no longer receive direct revelation from God. 1 Corinthians 2:15
• What is now received by them or any member of the church are two things. The first is called a rhema, which is a word that God has already spoken, which He conveys to members of the body of Christ personally. Ephesians 6:17 And the second is called illumination. Illumination means that the Spirit conveys divine insight about a word or words in a verse or section of Scripture to members of His church. Luke 24:31
• Those in leadership communicate truth to us. However, it’s by means of the anointing (of the person of the Holy Spirit) that the believer is provided with judgment and discernment to test what the leader has said. 1 John 2:27
• Each believer is responsible for making careful and exact research against the Scriptures concerning what has been taught to them by those in leadership. Acts 17:10-14
• Those in leadership should not use commands from the Old Testament to support a doctrinal position for a New Testament saint to follow concerning salvation or sanctification. The protocols for salvation and sanctification are delineated for the believer in the book of Acts, the Epistles, and the book of Revelation. Acts 15:1-30
• In this dispensation, God wants to put his laws, the perfect law of liberty, [or, teaching] that sets us free from sin and death²⁸⁶ into our minds and write them in our heart (our soul). Hebrews 8:10

 

□The End Justifies the Means.

• The end result of promoting the kingdom of God is not justified by using sin as the means for such. James 4:17
• The means for promoting God’s kingdom is developing and evidencing the fruit of the Spirit while operating in His power and guidance. Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22-25
• Daniel remained faithful in praying to Jehovah (Yahweh) three times a day, even though this was against a proclamation that anyone who prayed to someone else other than the king for thirty days would be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel 6:1-28
• The harlot Rahab hid the two Jewish men who came to spy out the city of Jericho on her rooftop and lied to the king’s messengers in response to the question as to whether she knew where they might be. She was probably an unbeliever. However, if she was a believer, then this response should not have been what characterized her. Under the circumstances, she should have prayed to God for direction in this matter. Sinful thoughts, words, or decisions should not be an alternative approach or solution when addressing tribulations (trials). Joshua 2:1-24

 

□There is New Revelation.

• Revelation is the transmission of truth [particular knowledge and information] from the heart of God [by means of the Holy Spirit] to the heart of the believer,²⁸⁷ which could not be found by means of scientific investigation or human reason. 1 Corinthians 14:6; 1 Corinthians 2:5-16
• In the early church, new direct revelation was given to the apostles and prophets, some of whom wrote it down and communicated it to the churches. 1 Corinthians 14:6; Galatians 1:11-12
• Once the canon of Scripture was completed, there was no new revelation. When those in leadership communicate the Word to us, the words are merely men’s words, but the Holy Spirit is especially present to help our infirmity in conveying the best sense or meaning. Furthermore, [it’s] impossible for God to be present in that which is untrue or unbiblically impossible that false and unscriptural teaching be anointed teaching at the same time.²⁸⁸ It’s the Holy Spirit who is our true teacher helping us to test the truth that was spoken by comparing what was said with Scripture. 1 John 2:27
• Our response to those leaders who claim they have received new revelations from God should be to confront them or leave the premises, a.s.a.p. Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 3:1-5

The following are new revelations that they might proclaim, which are actually false teachings.

• Saying that something needs to be observed or obeyed from a tradition that is not found in Scripture. Matthew 15:1-9
• Taking the Word of God and using it inappropriately for personal reasons (e.g., not helping others who need financial assistance; getting back at others; using it for dishonest gain) while giving the appearance that what was done was for God’s glory. Matthew 15:1-9
• Using commands from the dispensation under the Mosaic Law and incorporating them into the dispensation of grace pertaining to salvation and sanctification. Galatians 3:3
• Replacing divine wisdom with human wisdom. Colossians 2:8
• Adding to the revelation of Christian teachings with various beliefs and rituals from Jewish, pagan origin, or other faiths. Colossians 2:8

CORRUPTIBLE DOCTRINES

□Eros Love.

God’s Love �" Divine Love

Agape is the noun form, and agapao is the verb form. Some of its characteristics are that it:

• Lays down its life (by giving our time, care, prayers, substance²⁸⁹) for the brethren. 1 John 3:16
• Doesn’t operate in the sin nature and continue in corrupt passions. Galatians 5:13
• Doesn’t love the sensual and impure desires of the depraved nature. 1 John 2:15-16
• Isn’t kindled by the merit or worth of its object, but it originates in its own God-given nature.²⁹⁰ Galatians 5:22-23

Philadelphia Love �" Love of the brethren �" Love of friends

Philia, a noun, is the transliteration of the Greek word. The verb form is phileo. This love is a deep friendship kind of love, where we love the brethren or family because that person is like himself [herself] in the sense that this person reflects in his [her] own personality the same characteristics, the same likes and dislikes that he [she] himself [herself] has²⁹¹ in respect to spiritual qualities of character. Titus 2:4; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:9

 

Family Love �" Love of husbands and wives �" Family affection for the brethren

Sterge is the noun form, and stergo is the verb form. This love is natural family affection for husband, wife, child, and fellow believers. Romans 12:9-10

 

Sexual Love or Romantic Love

Eros is the noun form, and eros is the verb form.

This kind of love is passionate love. It’s comprised of pleasure. It’s a sensual type of love that could seek its pleasure in such sexual avenues as marriage, fornication (having sex outside of marriage), lesbianism or homosexuality (sex with someone of the same gender), incest (sex with someone of the immediate or extended family), adultery (sex with someone other than one’s husband or wife), prostitution (sex with someone who sells their body for pleasure), rape (forcible sexual assault), pedophilia (sex with a child), and polygamy (having more than one wife).

□God’s Love Condones All Sexual Relationships.

• Some church leaders believe that God’s love condones and encourages various kinds of sexual relationships (e.g., polygamy, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, etc.). John 13:34; 1 John 3:11
• This indicates that there is a misunderstanding of scriptural exegesis (hermeneutics). Exegesis has to do with scriptural interpretation based on an analysis of the grammatical features of the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek along with the historical background (cultural context). 2 Timothy 2:15
• In the Old Testament, believers, whether kings, prophets, etc., were only allowed to have one wife. Polygamy was not sanctioned according to the Word of God. (Genesis 2:7, 18, 22-24; Deuteronomy 17:14-17a)

Adultery, incest, homosexuality, and fornication were also considered sinful actions. Deuteronomy 22:22-24; Leviticus 18:6-22

• In the New Testament, the word love has been used by some churches to condone sexual relationships between believers with believers or believers with unbelievers on the basis of societal norms and not on the basis of the norms of Scripture. 2 Peter 2:10; 18-22
• In many cases, there is an unawareness that the word love in Scripture can have four different meanings. Depending on what Greek word was used from which the word love was expressed will determine its meaning and give us a clearer understanding as to whether it reflects godly qualities and actions or whether it does not.

One of these types of love, called eros, connotes a sensual type of love that seeks its pleasure in many different sexual avenues. With that said, here is the question to consider. 

What are those sexual behaviors that God condones, and what are those that He doesn’t?

• God condones marriage between a man and a woman. He does not condone fornication. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2
• Homosexuality and lesbianism are considered sinful actions. Romans 1:18-33; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
• Someone who is seeking a leadership office should be qualified as having been married to one spouse. If divorce has occurred, then the conditions for what was considered scripturally valid would need to be met. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
• Incest is not an approved sexual relationship. Leviticus 18:1-16; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
• Adultery is another sexual practice that God doesn’t condone. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
• Prostitution is not a sexual avenue that a Christian should be participating in. 1 Corinthians 6:15
• The sexual practice of pedophilia, which could also refer to the predatory sexual abuse known as rape, is condemned. 1 Corinthians 6:9

This concludes the checklist. I think this condenses the large amount of information that has been presented to you about the seven doctrinal classifications. I hope that you copy this and take it with you to church and do your due diligence as to whether what has been presented in it will confirm whether the teachings you are listening to are based in Scripture for your spiritual benefit or not. It’s that simple.

Will everything you hear from the pulpit line up with what is contained in the checklist? Probably not.

I think that the only classification that I might give some leeway on is the Disputable Doctrines, i.e., those pertaining to drinking alcohol or tithing. I’ve attended churches where alcohol consumption was forbidden, and tithing was commanded. And because I liked the other teachings and functions (outreaches), I went along with these two restrictions. However, what I found out over time were two things. The first was that if there were certain prohibitions like these, usually there were more that would eventually be evidenced over time. And second, if somehow either of these mandates was violated, the offending Christian would be approached and questioned for their disobedience and disloyalty. Usually, this doesn’t end well.

While no church is perfect, the teachings that are being espoused should ground us in the Christian faith, should set us free from the strongholds of our sin nature, and should help us to recognize and protect us from deceitful, destructive teachings and practices. May the church we attend and those who communicate truth bring us to the reality of this verse.

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Amen!