HOW IMPORTANT IS DOCTRINE?

It has been my observation that the vast majority of those who attend local churches, do so based upon their tastes in music, aesthetics, and/or music.  I have rarely heard of someone joining a local church because of the Pastor's knowledge of God's Word.  And sadly, I have seen far too many leave a church where the Pastor was faithful to the doctrines of the Bible, because of petty differences such as the men not wearing suits, the women wearing pants, the music being too fast, too slow, or having the "wrong" instruments, etc.  Worse yet, many leave sound churches because someone hurt their feeling, and instead of handling the situation according to Scripture, they simply go elsewhere. 

The word "doctrine" is translated from the Hebrew לֶקַח (leqach), or from the Greek διδαχή (didachē), and it means "teaching or instruction."  Doctrine is sort of a "what to do and what not to do" list.  When genuine biblical doctrine is taught, it carries with it, both power and authority (Mk. 1:22).  In addition, Mark states that Jesus taught His doctrine in both clear language and also in parables (1:47; 4:2).  We read that the doctrine of Jesus was "new truth" to the Jews (Mt. 5:33-34).

But was the doctrine of Jesus different than the doctrine of the Old Testament?  No!  Jesus clarified the old, but what He taught was the full or complete teaching of His Father (Jn. 7:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2).  The writers of the New Testament wrote what the Holy Spirit brought to their remembrance (Jn. 14:26; 2 Tim. 3:16).  Luke in Acts, Paul, James, John, Jude, and the writer of Hebrews, all taught the same doctrine:  the doctrine of Christ.

Born again believers need to know the teaching of Christ!  It is knowledge of the Lord's doctrine that protects the believer from false teachers (Mt. 16:12; Heb. 13:9; 2 Jn. 1:9-10).  It is upon the authority of the Lord's doctrine that leaders are to reprove and rebuke the brethren who fail to follow Christ's teaching (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 4:2). 

So, which do you think is more important, to attend a church where no one offends you, where the "dress code" is satisfactory, where the music is "proper," or, where the Word of God's doctrine is faithfully taught?

As for me and my family, we will worship where we are taught the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth, so help me God!