Why study Bible doctrines?

Why Study Bible Doctrines?

• “Doctrine” derives from the Greek didache or didaskalia meaning
“teachings” or “instructions,” 1 Tim 4:13; 5:17.
• Whose teachings? The “teachings of Christ,” “doctrine” 2 John 1: 9.
• So bible doctrines are the teachings of Christ not just for an
intellectual exercise, but to understand God better in order to
have intimate relationship with him.
• Why relationship with God?
• Because “God is the God of relationship” and he desires to have
intimate relationship with human beings whom he had created. This
is the core of the bible doctrines: For example, creation of human,
marriage, Sabbath, church, baptism, second coming, etc.
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Why Study Bible Doctrines?
1. To Better understand who God is
 The bible is all about God. It
explains who God is. It is more like
the jigsaw puzzles, when one
accurately puts the puzzles
together, it gives a complete view.
So it is with the bible teachings,
when one puts the teachings
together and interpret them
correctly, it gives a complete
understanding of who God is.
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 Why Study Bible Doctrines?

2. Knowledge Enhances Relationship

even relationship with God.
• Deep relationship with a person is
determine by how much knowledge is
acquired of him.
• Without correct understanding of God,
there is no relationship with him.
• So having a correct understanding of
God helps a person to have relationship
with Him, “without faith it is impossible
to please God,” Heb. 11:6.
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 Why Study Bible Doctrines?
3. Truth and practical are closely
related.
• Bible doctrines inform our practice and
belief. That means our actions are
determined by what we believe.
• Our words and behaviour reflect what
we believe.
• Belief that Christ’s resurrection really
took place will mean that ours will also
be the same.
• The bible gives us the basic instructions
how to live on this earth
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 Why Study Bible Doctrines?

4. Doctrines Guide how Christians should behave and what they

should choose
 The bible doctrine provides guidelines, teachings for Christians
how to behave, what to choose and what not to choose. All our
behaviour and choices must go in harmony with God’s will.
 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18. The Second coming provides comfort to
the grieving.
 Exod. 23:12 – Sabbath provide rest for slaves and work animals

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 Why Study Bible Doctrines?
5. Understand the World we live in
 The bible deals with big questions like why there is evil in our
world? Will evil ever come to its end?
 Devil deceives human and death has passed to all human
beings. He continues to do so.
 Coronavirus pandemic destroys so many lives, Christians can
understand it.

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Why Study Bible Doctrines?

• 6. Share with others what we know.

 Peter tells us that we must be ‘prepared to give to every man
a reason for the hope that is within us’ (1 Peter 3:15)

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Reference
Erickson, Millard J. Introducing Christian Doctrine. Baker Academic,
2008.
Rice, Richard. The Reign of God: An Introduction to Christian
Theology from a Seventh-day Adventist Perspective.
Michigan: Andrews University Press, 1985.

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