With all of that said, as sort of a New Year's resolution of sorts, I have decided to begin a new emphasis and to begin discussing those elements that specifically pertain to what I believe is biblical ministry, i.e., word and power. In that vein, this post will start a series exploring specific applications of the same. Today I will discuss doctrinal absolutes.
What exactly do I mean by doctrinal absolutes? Basically, I mean that any individual, church, ministry, etc... will be committed to certain propositional truth statements about important biblical topics. I know I know; how horribly foundationalist, fundamentalist, literalist, etc.., Nevertheless, that is how the Bible speaks. It tells us certain things about itself, God, creation, humanity, sin, salvation, the Church, and so on. It certainly offends (post)modern Western sensibilities, but I hold to it without apology. Any ministry of word and power will also hold without apology doctrinal standards that are enforced and that are in harmony with the historic Christian faith of the creeds and reformation era confessions.
So what does the Bible exactly say about the doctrinal aspect of the Church's ministry? I am glad you asked! Here is a small sampling:
“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:25-27 NKJV)
Please notice how Paul reasons. He declares to the elders of the Church at Ephesus that he is innocent of their blood should they fall away and be destroyed. He can say this because He has not withheld anything profitable (Acts 20:20). Indeed, he has declared to them "the whole counsel of God." Eternal destinies are at stake in maintaining doctrinal absolutes and teaching them boldly.
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. (Romans 6:17 NKJV)
What does this verse imply except that there is, in fact, a "form of doctrine" which exists and which is taught to the churches.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. (2 Timothy 1:13,14 NKJV)
One thing I like about this passage is that Paul tells Timothy that it is through a special work of the Holy Spirit that he is able to hold fast to the "pattern of sound words". Having a strong doctrinal basis is not something that we do on our own. God the Holy Spirit Himself is assisting us.
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:24 NKJV)
This passage is yet another exhortation to hold on to something previously given. In this case, John is instructing the churches under his care to cling to that which they had heard from the beginning. What was it that they had heard from the beginning? Among many other things is that God is light and in Him is no darkness (1:5), that Jesus Christ Himself is the propitiation for our sins (2:2), that they must not love the world nor the things in the world (2:15), that Jesus is the Christ and implicitly is one with the Father, and that anyone who denies that is the antichrist (2:22,23).
Again, these are but a small sampling of Scriptures that make plain that part of the mission of the Church is to maintain a healthy, sound doctrinal basis. It must have no part of watering down the unpopular truths of the Bible to suit the whims and fancies of the world. As the passage from 2 Timothy makes plain, all of this is done by and through the power of the Holy Spirit who has been given to the Church. Amen.
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