Ninth in a series of studies of Paul's instruction to Timothy
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. "Till I come give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:12- 13).
Third in the list of matters to which Timothy is to give attention is "doctrine," which is defined as "a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church...." So, doctrine refers to all teachings of the New Testament given for the benefit of those of us living in the Christian Age-including the teachings of Jesus as well as all teachings of the inspired writers.
Doctrine is broader than morality. All moral teachings in the New Testament become doctrine, but doctrine includes more than just teachings on morality: doctrine also includes academic instruction on any New Testament subject that has to do with basic beliefs, worship, and lifestyle.
Learning the doctrine, however, is not enough- the context of these instructions shows that Timothy must also believe and/or practice the principles of each point of doctrine and teach others to do the same.
Paul's teaching to this young preacher packs a powerful punch for Christians today as well for those of every generation since he gave them: we are not at liberty to accept the points of doctrine with which we agree and to ignore those we do not like.
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