New Testament Survey
Doctrine
A Comment or
Two About
Doctrine
What we refer to as doctrine is a concept which occurs both in the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew word translated “doctrine” conveys the idea of “what is received” (Deut 32:2; Job 11:4; Prov 4:2; Isa 29:24). The intent of this usage is to understand that God has revealed to mankind a body of teaching. In the Old Testament this body is usually referred to as “law.”
There are two words translated as doctrine on the New Testament. One, didaskalia, is used to refer to the teachings of the Pharisees (Matt 15:9; Mark 7:7). It is also used in Colossians, Ephesians, and the Pastoral Epistles. The context of its use shows this word expresses both the act and content of the teaching involved. A second Greek word, didache, is used more often. It, too, conveys the idea of both the act and / or content of teaching. In general, this teaching in biblical terms means the revelation of God which is to be used as the standard of one’s beliefs.
Doctrine, then, is the teaching revealed through the Bible which is to be the standards of our understanding of all the Bible teaches. It is important that we, as students of the Bible, understand what God is trying to teach us. This applies to many different topics. There are, indeed, mini-doctrines within larger doctrines. As such, while the formation and teaching of doctrine might be viewed as belonging to a systematic theology study, I have attempted to highlight in abbreviated form many of these doctrines. By viewing these in the contexts of their revelation, you may be better able to understand the intent behind the teachings.
Doctrines which are covered in mini-form and the general location where the explanations of the doctrine will be found are as follows:
| Doctrine/Book | Doctrine/Book | Doctrine/Book |
|---|---|---|
Adoption - Ephesians Anti-Christ - 2 Thessalonians Assurance - John’s Epistles Atonement - Romans Christology - Ephesians Church - Matthew, Ephesians Covenants - Introduction Day of the Lord - 2 Thessalonians Day of Christ - 2 Thessalonians Discipleship - 1 Thessalonians Dispensations - Revelation Election - 1 Peter Endurance - Galatians Eschatology - Miracles Faith - Hebrews Foreknowledge - 1 Peter Forgiveness - Philemon Glorification - 1 Corinthians Grace - Philemon |
Holiness - 1 Corinthians Holy Spirit - Titus Hypostatic Union - Luke Illumination - 2 Corinthians Imminence - 2 Thessalonians Imputation - Philemon Inspiration - 2 Corinthians Judgments - Revelation Justification - Romans, Galatians Kenosis - Philippians Kingdom - Matthew Mercy - Philemon Millennial Kingdom - Revelation Oneness in Christ - 2 Corinthians Peace - Philemon Pentecost - Acts Predestination - 1 Peter |
Propitiation - Romans Rapture - 1 Thessalonians, Revelation Redemption - Romans Regeneration - Titus Repentance - Revelation Resurrections - 1 Corinthians Righteousness - Philemon, Romans Salvation - Romans Sanctification - 1 Corinthians Satan - Ephesians Security - John’s Epistles Separation - 1, 2 Corinthians Sin - John’s Epistles Substitution - Philemon Theology - Romans Tribulation - Revelation Trinity - Ephesians |
These are not all of the doctrines of Scripture. Nor do the explanations contained in these survey materials contain much detail. But, it is important that you understand the reasons behind what it is you believe. The example to follow is that provided about the Bereans in the book of Acts.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:11
Can you say the same about yourself?
Are you a student of Scripture?
