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Doctrine is an unpopular word these days. Comparatively few Christians wish to discuss doctrine. The buzz word of this generation is experience. As the 'charismatic wave' sweeps country after country, these or similar all-to-familiar words will be heard:

"I've been baptized in the Holy Spirit and you haven't. So don't talk to me about doctrine, because I know. The Holy Spirit teaches me all I need to know about doctrine. He shows me what is right and what is wrong. It's experience that counts, not obsolete doctrine."

This article is not attempting to dismiss another's experience. Rather it is an attempt to set the record straight on the vital issue of DOCTRINE.

Strange as it may seem YAHUSHUA the Messiah only taught doctrine. In fact all religious instruction, of whatever faith, is based on 'doctrine,' on a 'set of principles.' I'm sure no religious leader worthy of his position would advocate abandoning religious principles - doctrine! But What Is Sound Doctrine?

The answer is: Sound doctrine is the unique set of religious principles which originated from the Elohim of the Bible, YaHuWaH the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. Sound doctrine, in short, is the set of principles by which the Almighty lives. They form an integral part of His character; and He alone has the right to define them. True believers may subsequently adopt and teach those sacred principles, but only the Almighty has the authority to define them: because they originated in His mind.

When YaHuWaH 's only begotten Son, YAHUSHUA the Messiah, came to earth He confirmed this fact. He practiced and taught His Father's doctrines - nothing else! All his sermons were based on the 'religious principles' he had learned from his heavenly Father. They were not His own ideas: they were His Father's. Listen to the Savior's own testimony:

The Savior's famous Sermon on the Mount is an example of His Father's doctrine.

Why is Doctrine so Important?

The answer is: because YaHuWaH's principles motivate all His actions and laws. They give us insight into His plans and methods. Consequently when you study divine law, you are also studying the motivating principles and will of the Almighty YaHuWaH ! You are studying eternal principles which uphold and govern the present and the future universe. No subject could possibly compare with the study of divine law: because it is the study of YaHuWaH 's own will and character.

Sad to say, the self-worshiping human mind thought it could do better than the Almighty. It began to conceive doctrines of its own. In this article these are called man-made doctrines. Yes, believe it or not, man set about to design his own doctrines, principles, laws and standards of morality. It wasn't long before the church joined in and jettisoned long established Biblical principles (doctrines) handed down by the prophets and Apostles of old. The church adopted the 'doctrines of men:' and to each incoming doctrine it gave a Christian title. Let me list a few of the doctrines the church adopted from heathenism.

• Mother and Child Worship: This began in ancient Babylon and spread to the ends of the Earth.
• Christmas: This popular festival came directly from paganism.
• Sunday Observance: The weekly rest day of sun-worshiping pagans.
• Infant Baptism: Nowhere in the scriptures will you find infants being baptized. YAHUSHUA the Messiah was baptized at the age of 30 years! In Scripture infants are dedicated, adults baptized.
• The Rosary: Another practice adopted from paganism.

These are a few of the man-made doctrines the fallen church adopted as it jettisoned the sacred doctrines of the Almighty. It is quite impossible to tell the catastrophic effect this action has already had on the human race. Church leaders thought that by accommodating pagan ideas and doctrine it would attract souls to its fold. It certainly did: but millions in the church are still in darkness as far as the truth is concerned. Who knows how many - or few - of these teeming millions will make it to the Kingdom of Heaven! The result of this tragic policy is that the world is in moral darkness and almost on the point of self-destruction. The church has rejected the living waters of YaHuWaH 's truth and embraced paganism instead. This is the underlying cause of humanity's problems: and this is why most worship - in and out of the church - is vain and futile! One might compare the 'doctrines of men' to spiritual contraceptives. They not only stifle life, but their long term effect is 'virtual impotency' in every sector of human society. Hearken to the Savior's words in Mark 7:7 concerning the doctrines of men.

"Howbeit in vain do they worship Me,
  teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

What does this verse mean for this generation? It means this: if we attempt to worship the Creator in a way that He has not authorized, no matter how popular or exciting that way may happen to be, our worship is vain, worthless and a total waste of time. We may dance around in Baal-like frenzy, we may beat the air, laugh, sing, shout, clap our hands or collapse in ecstatic delirium: but we will accomplish nothing of any value, no matter how feverishly we work at it. Because the fact is, 'worship that is not based on genuine faith and obedience to the commandments of YaHuWaH is vain, futile and worthless worship!' That is what the Scriptures teach!

False doctrine always leads to sin; and more often than not to sexual sin. Indeed that is the very reason why Satan works so hard at getting mankind to adopt falsehood. But YaHuWaH hates false doctrine. Therefore, no matter how attractive or exciting false doctrine may appear, it must be put out of our lives. Only then will we be able to stand in the Day of Judgment.

In other words, the Nicolaitans introduced 'sexual freedom' into their worship. Their 'man-made doctrines,' initially inspired by the false prophet Balaam, appeared quite harmless at first: but it wasn't long before they were involved in illegal sexual acts which accompanied the worship of BAAL...The Pagan god of Fertility,. Let me repeat: false doctrine always leads to sin, especially sexual sin!

The Savior taught sound doctrine; that is, the spiritual principles he learned from his Heavenly Father. Never did he conceive a doctrine of his own: though he often needed to magnify, explain and demonstrate his Father's doctrines and the laws based on them. Here is proof of this astonishing fact.

Sound doctrine is best understood by the obedient; by those who really want to do the Father's will. You have absolutely no chance whatsoever of appreciating the value of true spiritual principles and divine law if you blatantly practice sin or do not wish to give it up. Only the obedient understand the Father's will. (Daniel 12:10)

Devils are evil angels who have revolted against the Almighty. They are spirit beings and they posses enormous powers. In the distant past millions of evil angels rejected YaHuWaH 's authority and His laws. Ever since, they have done their utmost to ruin His creation and frustrate His work. The Set Apart (Holy) Spirit warns us about the increased activity of evil spirits (devils) in the days just prior to the return of YAHUSHUA the Messiah to earth.

One such doctrine of devils is 'enforced celibacy.' Another is to 'forbid eating meat.' These two doctrines are widespread in pagan lands, where they originated. They are classified in Scripture as the 'doctrines of devils.' Sad to say the Christian church adopted these two doctrines. The tragic consequences of this adoption continues to this day in communities around the world.

We are commanded to preach sound doctrine. The world is perishing because of a lack of sound doctrine; those divine principles which teach us how to regulate our behavior. The popular church has departed from the doctrines of the Bible and are now wallowing in the unclean doctrines of men and angels. Because of this, sin in its myriad forms is smothering the life out of billions of souls! We dare not remain silent; even if it means upsetting some readers, a reaction we deeply regret.

• YAHUSHUA the Messiah taught sound doctrine
  

  Mark 1:	22: And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
  Mark 12:	38: And He said unto them in His doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces.

• Scriptural advice concerning doctrine

  2 John 1:	9: Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Messiah, hath not YaHuWaH. He that abideth in the doctrine of Messiah, he hath both the Father and the Son.
  2 John 1:	10: If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him YaHuWaH speed.
  Revelation 2:	14: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

• Sound doctrine is a set of moral principles which comes from YaHuWaH the Almighty Elohim of Israel. It forms the basis of His character, His will and His Instructions (Torah).
• The Messiah YAHUSHUA always taught sound doctrine; which he received from His heavenly Father. He never introduced a single doctrine of His own: but always magnified His Father's laws in order that mankind would appreciate their meaning.
• Sad to say the Christian church set aside the doctrines of the Almighty and adopted in their place the 'doctrines of men and angels' (Sunday observance, Christmas, Easter, Ash Wednesday, relic/idol worship, celibacy of the priesthood etc.).
• Teaching and living by the 'doctrines of men' results in vain, futile and worthless worship. Believers may delude themselves and each other; but we cannot delude the Almighty. The Savior's warning was: 'Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted will be rooted up.' This applies to all false doctrine, be it of men or angels.
• The Bible admonishes us to live by sound doctrine:- the principles of YaHuWaH.
• If you really wish to understand the will of the Almighty you must begin to obey His commandments: which are simply the divine definitions of His own principles.
• You may have had some extremely exciting experiences. I'll not doubt them. But if you are relying on personal experiences instead of the Word of YaHuWaH, then you are in for a big surprise on the soon-coming Day of Judgment.