Part 5 - Conclusion

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Doctrinal Truth Divides.

I’ve heard some say; “Doctrine is not all that important, what counts is, did you receive the Lord”; but do you really want to minimize doctrinal truth as they do? Think about the confusion that has been brought by corrupt doctrine, and then the answer will become apparent. Just consider that most Christians understand so little that they can’t clearly tell you if they will ultimately dwell in heaven or on the new earth (cf. Phili. 3:20-21), or how they actually got into “the body of Christ” (cf. 1Cor 12:13). The reason for this is ignorance of the truth.

They have not been taught the truth of the rightly divided … “word of truth” (2Tim 2:15), not dividing that which in the Bible applies to the Nation Israel … from that which applies “to the church, the body of Christ.” So, many are taught and they then think that they will dwell eternally on the new earth… but that’s Israel’s destiny. Paul here clarifies the matter for the members of the Gentile “body of Christ” saying;

“For our conversation (citizenship) is ‘in heaven’; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21 (KJV)

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)

Lacking in knowledge of the truth (doctrine), confusion and contradiction reigns throughout Christendom.

  • I’ve seen a few church splits and I’ve also been shown the door more than once. It was always a matter of fiefdom control exerted on the basis of doctrinal error.
  • Consider that if you simply compare the text of Bible versions you will see that Satan has easily corrupted the truth by simply changing just a single word of Bible text (as seen the modern Bibles, NIV, NASB, NKJV, etc.). It was so-called Bible scholars who do not rightly divide the word of truth who have overseen the creation of these corrupt Bibles, that minimize the blood of Christ and His divinity as the Son of God, and Paul’s unique ministry toward the Gentile “body of Christ.”

We should strive to be pure doctrinally, never winking at doctrinal error. Error like the leaven of leavened bread is easily swallowed when error is mixed with a little truth, corrupting the whole.

So yes, standing for Paul’s pure grace doctrine, as he commended the Ephesians to “stand,” may mean leaving a local assembly, sometimes parting from family and friends; didn’t Jesus said that’s the way it would be for His followers (Matt. 10:35). His disciples came out from Apostate Israel. Our loyalty is to the truth of our Lord alone. So, if a gathering does not honor Him in doctrine (truth), we should have no interest in joining with them.

To those who claim to know the truth of God’s pure grace gospel but choose to keep going to a denominational church for song, fellowship, and social functions… know that God’s grace gives you liberty to do as you please (1Cor 6:12). But, we should heed Paul’s words of caution and instruction as seen here in the verses below.

-  2 Cor. 6:14-18: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore Come Out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (Note v17, Come Out From Among Them, And Be Ye Separate!”)

- 1 Timothy 6:3-5: “If any man teach otherwise (than Paul), and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to (real) godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, (yet) supposing that gain is godliness: From Such Withdraw Thyself.” (Notice that phrase in verse 5, From Such Withdraw Thyself!”)

- Romans 16:17-18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned (from Paul); and avoid them. 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (self-interest); and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Pay close attention to that phrase, Mark [Identify] Them and Avoid Them!”)

- 2 Timothy 3:1-7: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a (external) form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: From Such Turn Away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (Note: verse 5, “from such turn away”)

So, it’s abundantly clear that the Holy Spirit through Paul endorsed our separation from Apostasy, from false religious teaching as doctrine.

Some ask, “But, what if many leave and a denominational church closes” (as thousands have already). Frankly, I believe the elimination of tax deductibility for church offerings would be a good thing. It likely would expose the real believers and those who have only a (external) form of godliness.” And some churches may well ‘go out of business.’ Of course, a loss of such a tax deduction for giving to the organization would have absolutely no effect upon ‘home churches’ where the believers give of themselves in their faithfulness to gather, study and support as necessary… to build up “the church, the body of Christ.”

As “ambassadors for Christ” while we are yet on this earth… this below is our twofold interest!

  1. Paul’s gospel of Christ and His Cross and God’s pure Grace for salvation during this age of “the grace of God” must be clearly proclaimed to the lost, that they may be eternally saved from their sins and from eternal judgment.
  2. Then, the Word of God “rightly divided” needs to be taught to the saved believers so they may be delivered from ‘institutional spiritual ignorance and corruption’… to understand God’s grace and eternal purpose for them.