CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

1. 8.1.0 MEANING OF DOCTRINE

Doctrine is a set of teachings of the basic tenets of the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Biblically, doctrine is defined in the following scriptures as: -

1. a. (Deuteronomy 32:2). Translated doctrine as “instructions” culled

from the Greek word LEQACH

2. b. (Acts 16:4). “Ordinances and decrees” culled from the Greek word

Dogma

3. c. (1 Timothy 4:13,16 and Titus 2:1). Translated doctrine as “learning

and teaching” culled from the Greek word ‘Disdaslia’

1. 8.2.0 BEING ESTABLISHED UPON THE TRUTH (Ephesians 4:14; Acts

20:28-32)

In John 14:6, Jesus said "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE", and in John 1:14 he was revealed as the Word of God who became flesh (Matthew 16:15-18). When Peter revealed the person of Jesus by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost "Jesus said, "thou art Peter" upon this rock I will build my Church". This Rock literally means "The TRUTH that was revealed. It can be deduced from this that Jesus Christ intended to find and build his Church and people upon an unshakable truth whose author and inspiration is the Holy Ghost.

1. 8.3.0 THE FOUNDATIONAL DOCTRINES OF CHRIST (1Cor 3:11; Hebrews

6:1-2)

The book of John 1:14 reveals Jesus as the Word of God made flesh that dwells amongst us, and we know it is not possible to separate a person from his word. No wonder Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and my Father are one”. Peter reveals him as the Son of God (Matthew 16:15b).

1. 8.3.1 Repentance from dead works (Hebrews 9:12-14; Luke 5:32; Luke 24:47)

Repentance is “remorse of the mind leading to a change of heart from sinful and wrongful actions and ideas towards the relationship with God”. While dead work is anything we do that is not initiated by God or void of the life of God.

Steps in repentance

1. a. Remorse (2 Corinthians 7:10)

2. b. Confession of sins (1 John 1:9)

3. c. A willingness to give up sin (Proverbs 28:13)

4. d. Repugnance and hatred for sin (Ezekiel 20:43)

Dead works are

1. a. Our former (evil) ways before we got born again (John 3:8; Galatians

5:19-21)

2. b. Sins (Romans 6:23)

3. c. Sin consciousness and motives (Proverbs 23:7; Hebrews 9:19; John 3:20-1)

In conclusion, we have to refrain ourselves from dead works because they will hinder our growth to maturity. You must repent immediately you find yourself in any manner of dead work. Also note that Jesus started his ministry preaching repentance (Matthew 4:19) and

gave us as a commission to preach it (Luke 24:47).

1. 8.3.2 Faith towards God (Hebrews 11:1-6; Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

This is a total truth, reliance, assurance, confidence and submission to God and His word (Hebrews 11:1-6). It is interesting to note that through out the ministry of Jesus on earth till the cross, His doctrine was predominantly on teaching people to have faith towards God.

And through this He could discern people's levels of faith. There are different levels of faith,

such as:

1. a. Faith not found in Israel Matthew 8: 10

2. b. Great faith Matthew 15: 28

3. c. Little faith Matthew 8: 26, Matthew 15: 31

4. d. Faithless generation Mark 9: 19

Note: Faith comes only by the hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

1. 8.3.3 Baptisms (Matthew 28:19; john 3:5)

The word baptism is culled from the Greek word "Baptizo" which means to immerse, to dip or bury in There are two types of baptism:

1. a. Baptism of the Holy Ghost (new birth) (1Cor 12:13; Eph 4:4-5; Act 1:5).

This occurs at conversion, i.e., when a man gives his life to Christ (Romans 10:9-10). At this point the Holy Ghost comes and overshadows the person and reactivates the person's spirit, which was dead to sin (Act 1:5).

1. b. Water baptism (1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 3:13-17; Romans 6:3-5)

It takes place by dipping a believer into water and raising him up in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Ghost. Baptism represents an outward sign of inner grace to fulfill all righteousness, indicating that we identify with Christ in the reality of his death, burial and resurrection.

Note: Water baptism does not guarantee heaven but it is important because Jesus being 100% man and 100% God gave himself for this baptism.

In conclusion, both baptisms are pre-requisite to enter heaven (John 3:5). The baptism of the Spirit guarantees the salvation of the soul i.e. to see heaven (John 3:3, Romans 10:9-10), because in heaven there are 3 witnesses that bear record: the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost.

1. 8.3.4. Laying of hands

This is an act in which a person places his or her hands upon the body of a person for some definite purposes by either prayer or giving of prophetic words or both. Every spirit-filled Christian or minister can lay hands.

Reason for laying of hands

1. a. For healing (Mark 16:17 –18; Luke 4:40; Luke 13:13 & Act

28:8-9)

It is worthy of note that Lord Jesus Christ did a lot of this during his ministry on earth and he commanded us to do likewise (Mark 16:18).

1. b. For the infilling of the Holy Ghost (2Tim 1:6, Acts 19:6 & Acts 1:8).

2. c. For anointing

Hands could be laid upon someone to receive anointing. The receiving of this anointing is vital for the greater special works of the ministry.

d For the impartation of spiritual gifts (1 Timothy 4:14; 2Timothy 1:6).

The release of (God's Power) the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands either

by a spiritual leader, or a person with the same gift, or a minister of God.

1. e. For ordination into the ministry (Acts 13:1-3, Acts 6:5-6)

This is the separation and sanctification into the works of the ministry by the laying on of hands. The Holy Spirit expressly comes upon such a person and sanctifies him or her (Acts1:8). Such ordination could be for Cell leaders, Deacons and Deaconesses, Church Workers, Pastors etc.

1. 8.3.5 Resurrection from the dead (John 5:28-29; 1Thesselonians 4:13-16;

1Cor 15:19)

Resurrection means restoration of life from dead or a revival from death to life i.e. raising up from the dead. There are two kinds of resurrection: Spiritual and Physical.

1. a. Spiritual resurrection

Spiritual resurrection is that of the spirit being quickened from death in trespasses

and sins. Such resurrection causes one to be renewed in the glorious likeness of God. After

physical death, the person cannot experience this spiritual death because it takes place only

in this life.

1. b. Physical resurrection

There are two kinds of physical resurrection: the righteous to life before the

millennium and the wicked to damnation after the millennium. There will be 1000 years

between the two resurrections. The righteous souls at the physical death, goes straight to

heaven to wait for the second resurrection while the souls of the wicked goes to heir

1. 8.3.6 Eternal judgment

This is a time after the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ when every soul will be

recompensed or retributed for their works on earth according to the gospel of God. There

would be two judgments:

1. a. Christian Judgment for reward (Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-16).

This judgment, which is for the souls, will take place in Heaven after the rapture. (Romans

8:1).

1. b. Judgment of the unbelievers for condemnation (Rev. 20: 11-15).

This is the retribution for the rebellion of men that did not believe in Christ or receive the gospel.