THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS
Christianity is faith in a set of objective facts.
I agree, Mark, well put. Our faith is not based on personal opinons or feelings, rather on divine revelation from God, i.e. God spoke the truth to mankind, recorded in what we know as the Bible (and with that, we have recorded the very life and words of the one who was the Word became flesh, Jesus).
It seems that a lot of problems that we, as humans, have is that we can not see clearly and therefore speak or act in ineffective, and sometimes harmful, wrong directions.
Isn't that the issue that is the cause for the strife in this very thread? If we all could see the truth clearly and had a heart to do what is right, no doubt there would be no problems.
Perhaps a careful study into the claims of some in this thread would reveal if what they said was true.
As for Christians adhering to sound doctrine, take a look at the following verses. (There are many also in the O.T. but I thought I'd cut the list down for brevity
Of particular interest to me are the verses in I and II Tim and Titus. Paul exhorts both to hold to sound doctrine, to live it, and to never stop preaching it.
Also, from the passages in Galatians, we see just why it is that Paul is so adamant about taking his stand for the truth of the gospel. Because Jesus paid so great a price to set us free, Paul would never taint or twist in any way the simple and clear message of what Jesus did for us. THAT is the sound doctrine that we need to cling to and proclaim.
You can just hear Paul saying with passion, "I do NOT frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain!" No way would Paul give in to that. Why? Because, as he said, Jesus "loved me and gave himself for me."
Matt 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matt 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
John 8:31-32
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 20:31
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Rom 6:17
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but
ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Rom 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Gal 1:6-12
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again,
if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 2:4-5,14,21
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour;
that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 14 But when I saw that
they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Eph 2:20
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
I Tim 1:9-11
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
I Tim 4:6
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
I Tim 4:13
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. I Tim 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
I Tim 6:2b-5
These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
II Tim 1:13-14
13
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
II Tim 3:10a, 13-17
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life,...
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Tim 4:1-5
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Titus 1:9-16
9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore
rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Tit 2:1
1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: Tit 2:6-8
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Heb 13:9
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
II Pet 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. II John 1:9-10
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
