Colossians 1:18 [ESV ]

Colossians 1:18[ESV] 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Colossians 1:13-18 [ESV] 13“For He delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. …

Colossians 1:13-18[ESV] 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. …

Colossians 1:13-18[ESV] 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. …

Colossians 1:13-18[ESV] 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

THE CHURCHS DOCTRINE

Definition of doctrine. A doctrine is a belief or set of beliefs that are held and taught by a church, an organization, a political party, or other groups. Doctrines define and at times divide us. Without doctrines we are a rudderless ship or a hot air balloon.

The word “doctrine” is used nine times in Scripture Ephesians 4:14 1 Timothy 4:3; 6:1,3 2 Timothy 4:3 Titus 1:9; 2:1, 7 and 10

Ephesians 4:14 [NASB] 14As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

1 Timothy 4:3 [NASB] 3men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 6:1,3 [NASB] 1All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. 3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,

2 Timothy 4:3 [NASB] 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

Titus 1:9 [NASB] 9holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Titus 2:1, 7 and 10 [NASB] 1But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 7in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 10not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

What we believe about the Scriptures • The Bible is the revealed Word of God to man. • Psalm 119:89 • Matthew 5:18 • Jesus Christ is the author • John 1:1-4; 14

Psalm 119:89 [NASB] 89Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

Matthew 5:18 [NASB] 18For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

John 1:1-4 [NASB] 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 1:14 [NASB] 14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

What we believe about the Scriptures • The human authors God used • DID know they were speaking by God’s Spirit • “Thus saith the LORD” – 2856 times • 2 Samuel 23:1-3 • Romans 15:4 • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • 2 Peter 1:16-21

2 Samuel 23:1-3 [NASB] 1Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse declares, The man who was raised on high declares, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, 2“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. 3 “The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,

Romans 15:4 [NASB] 4For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NASB] 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:16-18 [NASB] 16For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” 18and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

2 Peter 1:19-21 [NASB] 19So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

What we believe about the Scriptures • The human authors God used • Some did not understand everything they were writing • 1 Peter 1:10-12

1 Peter 1:10-12 [NASB] 10As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

1 Peter 1:10-12 [NASB] 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

God’s Word is the ultimate authority Ephesians 6:17 Hebrews 4:12 Revelation 19:11-16

Ephesians 6:17 [NASB] 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 [NASB] 12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Revelation 19:11-16 [NASB] 11And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.12His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:14-16 [NASB] 14And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

We must stand on the authority of the Word of God!

Colossians 1:18 [ESV ]