Doctrine Divides

A common phrase in American Christianity is "doctrine divides." Almost always the idea behind this is an appeal to not argue about theological differences but to love one another. If we would only set aside our doctrinal differences then we would come to the unity that Jesus prays for in John 17. "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." ( John 17:21 NKJV) Certainly believers in Christ can get enmeshed in endless debate about relatively unimportant matters. Yet the New Testament is replete with warnings about false teachers and the need to follow true apostolic teaching. For example, the early church "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine." ( Acts 2:42a all quotations NKJV) The Bereans were commended for searching "the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." ( Acts 17:11) One of the strongest statements in the whole Bible, repeated twice is found in Galatians 1:8-9. "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you that what we have preached to you, let him be accursed (or eternally condemned). The Thessalonians are commanded "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us." ( 2 Thess 3:6) Timothy is told to remain in Ephesus to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine." ( 1 Timothy 1:3.) He is also told that "if you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." ( 1 Tim 4:6) He is to "take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will both save yourself and those who hear you." ( 1 Tim. 4:16) In Paul's second letter to Timothy he charges him, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine..." ( 2 Timothy 4:2-3a) Titus is likewise told to "speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine." ( Titus 2:1) The letter to the Hebrews says "Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. ( Hebrews 13:9)Peter warns of false teachers (2 Peter 2:1) as does Jude. Doctrine divides, and it should.