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           The word “doctrines” in our title means “teaching.” In other words, some people attribute doctrines to the New Testament that are not there. This is not a new problem. Jesus told the Pharisees that they worshiped God in vain because they taught the “commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9). They weren’t teaching God’s will but merely said it was God’s will. The same thing occurs today. Let us take a moment and examine what we are taught by men (I Jn. 4:1, 6). Perhaps we are being taught doctrines that are not found in the New Testament.

            Some examples of men’s doctrines that are not found in the New Testament include:

Salvation by faith “only.” While many verses teach that faith is necessary for salvation (Heb. 11:6; Jn. 3:16; Eph. 2:8), there is not a single passage in our Bibles that says salvation is by faith (or anything else) “alone”! If you’re not sure, do some study and look up what saves you in a  concordance or other reference book, and you will discover the only time in the English Bible where the phrase “faith only” is found, James said we’re not saved by it (Jas. 2:18-24)!

Instrumental music in worship. Would it surprise you to learn that the use of mechanical instruments in worship is a relatively new thing? Though instruments have existed for millennia, when the Lord’s New Testament came into effect, we see an emphasis placed upon singing praises to God without the instrument (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 13:15; Jas. 5:13). God knew how to tell us to use instruments if He wanted them, but He left them out. People like John Calvin, Adam Clarke, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and many others wrote commentary books and other works stating that God did not permit mechanical instruments in worship. Friends, if these men could understand such simple passages, why can’t we? Why do men insist on teaching a doctrine not found in the New Testament?

Baptism being unnecessary. I suppose the one subject that upsets the most people is the subject of baptism. We are told by multitudes that baptism is unnecessary, that it is for saved people, and the like. This is not taught in the New Testament, though. In fact, just the opposite is taught. We see in Mark 16:16 that “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Peter told the Jews who believed in Christ (Acts 2:36) to “repent and be baptized … for the remission of sin” (Acts 2:38). This same Peter would later write a letter stating that “baptism doth also now save us” (I Pet. 3:21). Such passages as these are hard to deny! After reading them, how can some people turn around and say that baptism is not essential?

            These are but three examples of doctrines not found in the New Testament. I chose three of the most popular to make the point. Simply put, we need to reject the doctrines of men and only accept the doctrine of Christ! How is this done? We accept the doctrine (teaching) of Christ when we listen to His word (Rom. 10:17), believe it (Heb. 11:6), and obey it (Heb. 5:9; Rev. 22:14)! Let us not accept what men say simply because they said it! Let us examine all things that are said and hold fast to the truth of God’s word (I Thess. 5:21; I Pet. 4:11)!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167