How the Bible Uses the Phrase "Sound Doctrine."

There are four times in the New Testament that the phrase “sound doctrine” is used.  Let’s quickly look at them:

1. 1 Timothy 1:10 - Paul is writing to the young (1 Timothy 4:12) whom he placed in Ephesus to serve most likely as their pastor/minister (1 Timothy 1:3; 4:6) even though never expected Timothy to necessarily stay there permanently (2 Timothy 4:9,13, 21).  Timothy was clearly a young man with great passion (2 Timothy 1:4) and yet a tremendous responsibility (1 Timothy 6:20) to watch for the truth being taught.  So here in 1 Timothy 1:10 Paul shows the great contrast between what sound doctrine is and what it is not.  It is interesting that Paul does not define what IS sound doctrine but what happens in the lives of people when sound doctrine is being rejected.  So sound doctrine is clearly a safeguard against sin.
2. 2 Timothy 4:3 - Here Paul explains that there will be a time when men will desire to have teachers sharing what they want to hear because they will bear with sound doctrine.  Now, it is true, that these verses are speaking of last days, as Paul wrote in verse 1 “in the latter days” and in verse 3 “For the time will come.” But is is also true that falling away from sound doctrine has been going on ever since sound doctrine was given!  Remember the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day rejected His sound doctrine (Matthew 26:65) as did the pagans (Acts 16:19-24) of Paul’s time as well.  Sound doctrine has always been rejected by those who desire to live their own lives in their own way (Mark 8:31; Luke 17:25; Romans 8).  Sound doctrine WILL be rejected by those who desire their own doctrine.
3. Titus 1:9 & 2:1 - Titus was a Gentile believer (Galatians 2:3) that was a precious companion to Paul (2 Corinthians 2:13) who appears to be the pastor of the church on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5).  In the book written to Titus, Paul gives two distinct commands about sound doctrine.  First in 1:9, Paul tells Titus to hold fast sound doctrine as a pastor (elder) must do.  It is clear that the first person that sound know and hold strongly to sound doctrine is the man whom God has given pastoral duty to!  This does not mean a pastor is infallible, but that he should clearly know and hold to sound doctrine.  Second in 2:1, Paul tells Titus to speak sound citrine so that those in the church can do their duty within the church body.  Obviously God has given to each person a duty to serve the Lord and sound doctrine MUST be the foundation of that duty.

Over the next several posts we will begin to share this sound doctrine.  In time, it will come in the form of a series of short videos with worksheets so that you can have both a visual and paper method of studying sound doctrine.  I pray that it will be a blessing as you seek to find your place of service within your local church.