“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for it is in Your church that we grow in Your doctrine. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Act 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
We continue to consider some passages of scripture of the doctrines of God that we must embrace.
The doctrine of setting apart of His church.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
The Lord is setting apart His church from ungodliness and worldly lusts. He is purifying for Himself His own special people, who are zealous for good works. The task of His church is to be a light to the nations.
I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
The church is the pillar and ground of the truth.
We have known that Jesus is the truth and when we know Jesus by applying His words, to our lives, we are set free. John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
The church is also the place for truth because the church is built on Jesus Christ. When people come into the fellowship of His church, they are set free.
I Timothy 3:14-16 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; (15) but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
The doctrine of the church is to wage war against the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 3:9-11 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; (10) to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, (11) according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
One of the amazing mysteries of God, which had been hidden by God but which is now revealed is that *the manifold wisdom of God must be made known by His church to the powers of darkness. The Lord’s purpose is that His creation must be ruled by His church.
In Christ, we have been set free from the clutches of the evil one. Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
We are set free to wage war against the devil and bring back the rule of God here on earth. Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
The doctrine of His Holy Spirit in His church.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. As His church we are led by His Holy Spirit for it is in the manifestation of the life of His Holy Spirit in our lives that we are able to live out the righteousness of God. Romans 8:4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Timothy was to give attention to doctrine so that as the leader of the church at Ephesus, he would be able to save himself and those who hear him.
I Timothy 4:13-16 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (14) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. (15) Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. (16) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Timothy was to always preach the doctrine of God. II Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
It is in His church that we are built up in the doctrine of God.