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Should We Have Fundamental Beliefs?
Should We Have Fundamental Beliefs?
Should We Have Fundamental Beliefs?
PURPOSE: This paper examines the origin, validity, authority, and use of a statement of fundamental beliefs based on Bible principles.
What is doctrine?
In the Bible, the word doctrine means teaching or instruction. Doctrine is what is publically taught. Therefore, when teaching the Bible, doctrine cannot be avoided. If a person is teaching the Bible, they are teaching doctrine, or teachings. These doctrines fall into two broad categories: behaviors and facts. One category is found here: Prov. 4:2 For I give you good doctrine: do not forsake my law. What is doctrine? Gods law. Whatever He gave us to follow is considered doctrine. This includes the 10 Commandments, but anything He gave as authoritative would count. This instantly turns the 10 Commandments, as well as all of the statutes and judgments, into doctrine. The law focuses on what a person does or does not do. There were laws governing stealing, idolatry, witchcraft, marriage, sacrifices, and more. Therefore, doctrine teaches us what we can and cannot do. The other category is found here: Heb. 6:1,2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Repentance, faith, baptism, laying of hands, and perfection are actions. The last two, however, are statements of belief. Only Jesus acts out the resurrection and the judgment: we simply show up for those events. Therefore, doctrine is not only what we do: it also includes what is true.
1Tim. 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. Doctrine can also be bad: Col. 2:20-23 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, which all concern things which perish with the usingaccording to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. What is the difference? These passages present two differences: 1.) Words of faith vs. commandments and doctrines of men 2.) Nourished vs. no value against the indulgence of the flesh The first difference is where they come from. Good doctrine comes from God. This makes the Bible our ultimate source of doctrine, as the Bible comes from Him. 2 Timothy 3:15,16 clearly states this. Bad doctrine comes from somewhere else. 1 Timothy 4:1 speaks of doctrines of demons. Men may speak the bad doctrine, but Satan came up with it first. Either way, it does not come from the Bible. The second difference is the principle behind good doctrine: it should make a person stronger. If they follow or believe it, they should be more protected against sin. Bad doctrine does not do this. People may practice teachings or hold views that are of no value against sin. They think they are protected when they are really not. The benefits of commands, such as not stealing, are obvious. But facts can be just as useful as commands. If a person knows the state of the dead, Satan cannot trick them with a dead relative. If a person knows the truth about hellfire, it will save them much mental anguish about the future, both for themselves and for lost loved ones. If a person knows the truth about the judgment, they know that a time will come where sin must be completely erased. This encourages us to live without sin.
2Tim. 3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, The apostles had doctrine: Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers The Bible is clear: individuals held onto doctrine. Their doctrine was connected with who they were. But did they ever make a statement of doctrine? The apostles give us an example: Acts 5:28-32 saying, Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Mans blood on us! But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. Here, the apostles succinctly state their belief on salvation, repentance, forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and obedience. It took the form of a list. It was helpful, as it allowed them to quickly state their beliefs to an impatient, angry council. Another statement of doctrine can be found in Acts 15: Acts 15:28,29 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. This statement took the form of an official letter to be delivered to the churches. Since it was from the council of church elders, all churches were expected to follow it. Notice that it says, If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Again, doctrine was intended to strengthen us. A third statement of doctrine is found in 1 Corinthians 15: 1Cor. 15:3,4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, Here, Paul condensed Scriptural beliefs into a statement of doctrine. Like the apostles before the council, it allowed Paul to quickly state fundamental beliefs that they held in common. Therefore, it is not wrong to have a statement of beliefs. A statement of beliefs, such as
the 28 Fundamental Beliefs, greatly simplifies teaching and witnessing. It is not possible to have an hour-long Bible study with every person that you meet to see where they stand doctrinally. A concise statement of beliefs lets others know where you stand in little time. It streamlines fellowship. This principle is built into our name, Seventh-Day Adventist. Our name gives two doctrinal points: we worship on the seventh-day Sabbath, and we wait for the Advent of Christ. The name makes no attempt to explain these doctrines. It only states our position. This is the purpose of the Fundamental Beliefs. They give an explanation of our belief on different points of doctrine. Each Fundamental Belief has scripture references as to why we believe it is true. They are carefully worded, using much scriptural language.
John 9:35-38 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, Do you believe in the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him? And Jesus said to him, You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you. Then he said, Lord, I believe! And he worshiped Him. Jesus question is a doctrinal one. He asks the blind man if he believes on Him as the Son of God. Not only was doctrine used to remove people from the Jewish church, but it was also used to add the formerly blind man to Jesus church. Another example of this can be found in Acts 10, when Peter preaches to the Gentiles for the first time. They hear the beliefs, receive the Holy Spirit, and are baptized into the church.
2.) Insubordinate teachers are not shaky in their beliefs. When we teach, we solidify our views about a subject. By restricting disfellowshipping to the insubordinate, it targets only those who are clearly opposed to sound doctrine. 3.) 1 Corinthians 13:9 tells us, For we know in part. No one person has all knowledge and experience. By combining our parts, we are more likely to make correct decisions.
Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things Jesus taught simply. Likewise, Fundamental Beliefs should be simple. Instead of being a great burden, they should be necessary.
rejecting truth. As Acts 11 and 15 show, this is easier to say than to do.
Summary
There is a vast amount of support for statements of doctrine throughout the New Testament. There is also good support for their use as tests of fellowship. As long as these statements are from the Bible, applied correctly, and subject to Gods leading, Fundamental Beliefs streamline the churchs efforts to teach Jesus Christ to the world.