RPG Adults
TRUE DOCTRINE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7
Mark 1:21-28
Psalm 119:9-16
“…they were astonished
at his doctrine.”
TRUE DOCTRINE
Jesus preached the Gospel, but He also taught the Scriptures. The people “were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). Jesus’ doctrine was not from man—not from the academy (i.e. the scribes), but from God—from heaven itself. Doctrine is vital to the Christian Faith, and it is important for Christians to know doctrine. The problem is that there is a whole lot of false doctrine out there (like there is fake news). So, how can we tell whether a doctrine is true or false?
First, true doctrine is based on the Book. Jesus taught according to the Book—the Holy Bible. He did not teach like the scribes who cooked up their own doctrines by misinterpreting and misapplying the Bible. Today we see them in the liberal and modernistic professors of theology who deny the inerrancy of Scripture, the virgin birth of Christ, His miracles, the substitutionary atonement, and the resurrection. They write commentary after commentary undermining the truth of the Gospel and of the Bible.
The Bible is self-authenticating and supremely authoritative because it is the very Word of God—“thy word is truth” (John 17:17). The power and authority of God’s Word is demonstrated by Jesus’ divine fiat (Mark 1:23-26). By just speaking the word, the demons were cast out. “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him” (Mark 1:27). God’s Word has power over all creatures, be they angels, demons, or humans. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12). Therefore, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).
THOUGHT: How has God’s Word changed my life?
PRAYER: (Pray using Psalm 119:9-16.)