Sound Doctrine Part 3

This is still churning and fermenting in me. So, some more questions came to mind.

• Who does sound doctrine come from? Essentially, Christ and the revelation of who He is and what He has done for us. Scripturally, Eph. 2:20 states the foundation of the Church is built on the apostles and prophets. Apostles and prophets impart (Phil. 1:7) foundational, sound doctrine. Sound doctrine comes from Christ the apostle (Heb. 3:1) or prophet (Matt. 21:11) within the apostle or prophet. Paul says over and over again the phrase, “In Him” or “In Christ” for a reason.
• How does sound doctrine universally effect the church? It fulfills the purpose of its Creator. It creates Eph. 4:4-6 which states “[There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.” Sound doctrine does not create or cause schisms, dissensions, factions or divisions. As Paul says in Gal. 1:6-7, there is another gospel that really isn’t another gospel. I am of the opinion this other gospel creates the divisions in the Body of Christ. This gospel points to self-justification and self-promotion that causes strife and discord.
• What is another attribute of sound doctrine? As mentioned in the previous blogs, the Greek root word of ‘sound’ means growth. Luke 8:11 indicates the Word of God is likened to a seed. A seed is organic. The organic nature of a seed implies it is Alive! If true sound doctrine is received then its organic nature is received as well. Well, that’s nice. In essence, this means LIFE is received or imparted supernaturally with sound doctrine, 2 Cor. 3:6. If sound doctrine is not being delivered then there is a likelihood the attribute of life will not either. So, what is this life that is received? Gal. 2:20, John 14:6, Philippians 2:16, 1 John 1:1. It is His life received by grace through His faith.
• What else does it produce? Colossians 1:5-6 indicates sound doctrine brings forth the fruit of the Spirit. It produces and imparts His righteousness, Eph. 5:9. Out of this righteousness, comes forth fruit of the Spirit.

This is a totally, absolute contrast to a doctrine that preaches and teaches works. If I am self-justified by what I do alone (Gal. 3:11-12) then I am under the Old Covenant. Christ is the Testator of the New Covenant, Heb. 9:16-17. We are ministers of the New Covenant, 2 Cor. 3:6. A spiritual house or body built on works is arbitrary, disorderly, misguided, deviant, carnal, internally divided, deformed, incomplete, fragmented and lacks structural integrity. It is a house that looks like a house, but is actually a straw house that can be blown away or burnt. 1 Cor. 3:12-13.