What is the purpose or function of christian doctrine?

[concretecamper]

Some Christian believe that its faith alone that saves.

Other Christians add into that faith various works like water baptism, tithing and so on and so forth, to stay saved.

That is the part that doctrine plays.

The Church followed Christ's teaching and taught Water Baptism is required for salvation. And it was practically Universally believed for the first 1900 years 9f Christianity.

I think a better description is that the necessity of Water Baptism was subtracted from the faith by some who call themselves Christian.

 

[Guojing]

The Church followed Christ's teaching and taught Water Baptism is required for salvation. And it was practically Universally believed for the first 1900 years 9f Christianity.

I think a better description is that the necessity of Water Baptism was subtracted from the faith by some who call themselves Christian.

From these scripture verses, would you consider Paul as an example of some who call themselves Christian?

1 Corinthians 1:17
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Romans 4:5

 

[atpollard]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula? Are we saved by doctrine? What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality and experience?

Judges 21:25 [NASB] “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

• Bad things happen when there is no “doctrine”.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 [NASB] "You shall therefore take these words of mine to heart and to soul; and you shall tie them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. You shall also teach them to your sons, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your sons may be increased on the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.”

• Good things happen when we train up our children to follow sound doctrine.

2 Timothy 2:15 [NASB] “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

• The goal of sound doctrine is to train workers to handle the word of truth and to identify and combat error.

Here is the First Paragraph of the First Chapter of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, an example of actual “DOCTRINE” held by many Baptist Churches. Decide for yourself if it is “Biblical” or “Worldly” and if it teaches “Truth” or “Error” …

Chapter 1 – The Holy Scriptures​

1. The Holy Scriptures are the only sufficient, certain, and infallible standard of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.1 The light of nature and the works of creation and providence so clearly demonstrate the goodness, wisdom, and power of God that people are left without excuse; however, these demonstrations are not sufficient to give the knowledge of God and his will that is necessary for salvation.2 Therefore, the Lord was pleased at different times and in various ways to reveal himself and to declare his will to his church.3 To preserve and propagate the truth better and to establish and comfort the church with greater certainty against the corruption of the flesh and the malice of Satan and the world, the Lord put this revelation completely in writing. Therefore, the Holy Scriptures are absolutely necessary, because God’s former ways of revealing his will to his people have now ceased.4
12 Timothy 3:15–17; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Ephesians 2:20. 2Romans 1:19–21; Romans 2:14,15; Psalm 19:1–3. 3Hebrews 1:1. 4Proverbs 22:19–21; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19, 20.

 

[concretecamper]

From these scripture verses, would you consider Paul as an example of some who call themselves Christian?

1 Corinthians 1:17
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Romans 4:5

Paul was water baptized himself. And as you rightly point out, his mission was as a layman to preach not to baptized. But this has nothing to do with its necessity.

Not sure what this has to do with my post.

Do you care to address the nearly universal teaching of the necessity of water Baptism for the first 1900 years of Christianity?

 

[Guojing]

Paul was water baptized himself. And as you rightly point out, his mission was as a layman to preach not to baptized. But this has nothing to do with its necessity.

Not sure what this has to do with my post.

If what Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 4:5 is understood literally, believing the DBR of Christ is sufficient for salvation.

And if faith without works is sufficient for salvation, then water baptism is no longer necessary for salvation.

You understand now how that has something to do with your post?

Do you care to address the nearly universal teaching of the necessity of water Baptism for the first 1900 years of Christianity?

You probably have heard my answer in the past already.

Many Christians want to believe that everything, that is instructed at the start of the New Testament, are instructions for all of them to obey as well.

That is why they believe water baptism was necessary, from passages like Mark 16:16 as I have earlier gave.

 

[concretecamper]

If what Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 4:5 is understood literally, believing the DBR of Christ is sufficient for salvation.

Belief requires that you follow what He said. The demons believe in the DBR of Christ. Many who call themselves Christians believe in the DBR of Christ. But as He said, many will call out Lord Lord to no avail.

And if faith without works is sufficient for salvation, then water baptism is no longer necessary for salvation.

Anti-gospel. Faith without works is dead.

You understand now how that has something to do with your post?

Not really, I just follow what Paul says and the Gospels proclaim that and you side track things by spamming scripture verses that don't address the topic at hand.

Many Christians want to believe that everything, that is instructed at the start of the New Testament, are instructions for all of them to obey as well.

Only believing what He taught is needed. Believing in what you think the gospel says, or Pastor Billy Bob says what the gospel says is irrelevant.

That is why they believe water baptism was necessary, from passages like Mark 16:16 as I have earlier gave.

Water Baptism is taught by Christ himself, Peter, and Paul. Don't take it personally if I trust them and not you.

 

[Guojing]

Not really, I just follow what Paul says and the Gospels proclaim that and you side track things by spamming scripture verses that don't address the topic at hand.

That is because you interpret what Paul meant differently from me.

You believe that Jesus was addressing you in his first coming, and thus, when Paul comes later, you interpret what Paul really meant by what Jesus earlier said.

That is fine. I am just trying to explain to the other guy how doctrine can matter when it comes to salvation.

 

[concretecamper]

That is because you interpret what Paul meant differently from me.

You believe that Jesus was addressing you in his first coming, and thus, when Paul comes later, you interpret what Paul really meant by what Jesus earlier said.

That is fine. I am just trying to explain to the other guy how doctrine can matter when it comes to salvation.

We agree on that, that doctrine DOES matter when it comes to salvation.