This is where the majority of our churches, in general, and spiritual leaders, in particular, have failed us - big time. We get a lot of instruction (religious indoctrination) on what to do and how to do it. Spiritual instruction is seldom the focus of our assembling. See
Hebrews 6:1-10 for the direction in which we should be moving.
While the Apostle Paul communicated to a number of the congregations he established through his preaching and teaching, most of what he write in his letters was in response to questions and reported problems. Very little of his writings were devoted to basic covenant doctrines. He was also liberal in expressing his own personal ideas and positions, as apposed to Spirit revelation.
So the question becomes, what did all of the other apostles teach in the churches they established and/or visited? What was the 'core doctrines' that every single apostle, and the other disciples as well, who remained trued to their calling preached and taught? I have yet to find a single preacher/minister who could or would answer that question. The answer is appalling.
We spend so much time on such a small part of the book of Acts, and only specially selected passages out of the rest of the Bible, that most life-long Christians have no clear idea what the book actually contains. Why? Because Bible interpretation has become the sole responsibility of the local pastor and 'approved' organizational instruction.
Okay, the answer to the question, exactly what did all of the disciples of Christ teach? List or identify. A two part answer. First, they were to teach all nations (everyone) everything the Jesus commanded his disciples to observe and to do (See
Matthew 28:19-29. There is some controversy concerning the origin of verse 19, but verse 20 stands approved.)
Therefore, what the disciples taught everyone else, was what Jesus taught them. Is there any controversy over that statement? Does anyone believe that any of the disciples went around making up new doctrines to fit their own points of view or personal experiences? When Paul went to Jerusalem and met with Peter and the others, he shared what he had been preaching and teaching for years, and upon examination, no one took exception to Paul's gospel doctrines (
Galatians 2).
What were these doctrines? Again it was what Jesus taught. See
Matthew 4:23; 9:35;
Romans 15:16 as examples. To discover what Jesus and His disciples preached, simply read - STUDY - the gospels. I especially love the teaching of Jesus as recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7. Here we can see the marriage of the old covenant and the new, of the Law (written and oral) and Grace, of religious performance and of spiritual (personal) relationships. Lessons concerning the acceptable exercise of spiritual authority (also see
Luke 22:24-30), and of submission.
As one studies these chapters, word by word and sentence by sentence, examine yourself and your assembly on each point. Is the life you are living ordained by Spirit of God, or by the religious philosophies of man?
I am currently undertaking a detailed study of the major Christian doctrines and making people upset all over the place, because if a doctrine does not exist in scripture, I simply throw it out. If a doctrine contains error, I toss out the part in error (teaching/conclusions,instructions unsupported by scripture) and keep only that which is biblical. When a doctrine is supported by (or requires) the twisting of scripture (doing violence to the word of God) in order to validate it or make it acceptable, I declare that doctrine for what it is, a false teaching. This approach to Bible study does not receive much encouragement among the religious elite. You undertake such a study, you might even find yourself under fire (in rebellion, spreading contention and discord, as well as spreading 'false doctrine', back sliding, etc.) from those who should taking the lead in such studies.
So, I leave everyone with this -
May your studies be fruitful - and may your life be a testimony to the grace, mercy and love of God.
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