Christ’s Doctrine as Revealed in His New Testament Commands Bible Study #57 prepared by Nolan McFadden When we think of the word “doctrine” we often equate it with “theology.” Theology refers to the study of God or a theological theory or system (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1200). There are many theologies offered among denominations today. But, is there a difference between Christ’s doctrine and a religious theology? Moreover, is it possible to know theology without understanding and practicing the teachings of Jesus? As we study the Holy Bible, we must not allow the theological theories of men to become the standard or mental grid by which we understand the Scriptures. Rather, let’s ask our Father in Heaven to give us understanding as we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us from the Scriptures in the same manner in which they were originally received (I Thessalonians 2:13). We would do well to recognize that the man made theological systems of our day did not exist in the First Century. Christians living during the time that the New Testament was written were taught directly from the Scriptures as they were copied and circulated among the churches (Colossians 4:16, I Thessalonians 5:27, II Thessalonians 2:15).” Thus, early Christians were discipled primarily from the Scriptures rather than the theological writings of men. Subsequently, all of Jesus Christ’s teachings were regarded as normative for all Christians in the early churches (Luke 6:46-49). In John 7:16 Jesus revealed the Father in Heaven to be the source of his doctrine. It follows that we must be willing to do the will of the Father in order to understand Christ’s doctrine (John 7:17). What is the doctrine that Jesus taught as revealed in the New Testament Scriptures? The word doctrine is translated in the New Testament from the Greek words δίδάχήέ (didache) and δίδάσκάλιά (didaskalia). These refer to teaching. Both words are used to refer to that which is taught (teaching) and the act of teaching. See Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (333-334). Christ’s doctrine refers to the New Testament teachings of Jesus Christ. This includes what Jesus taught about himself and the Father, believing in Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of the Father and keeping his New Testament commands (Matthew 28:19-20, John 8:58-59; 10:30-33; 14:15-23; 15:10; 20:30-31). One aspect of Christ’s doctrine is becoming his disciple (John 15:7-10; 8:31-32). What is a disciple? A disciple is one who follows the teachings of another. In the New Testament a disciple of Jesus is a born again follower of Jesus and his teachings (Acts 11:26; 14:20-23). The words “disciple” and “disciples” are used more frequently than any other words to identify Christ’s followers in the New Testament. This is important when we consider the fact that the title Christian is found only four times in the New Testament. Likewise, the term believers is used only twice in the New Testament. Whereas, the words “disciple” and “disciples” are used over two hundred times in referring to Christ’s followers in the New Testament Scriptures. In addition, the terms “Christian” and “disciple” are used synonymously (Acts 6:1-7; 11:26; 16:1). Therefore, every genuine Christian is a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 28:20, John 8:31-32; 15:10, Acts 6:1-7). What is necessary to become Christ’s disciple? First, repent and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation (Mark 1:15, John 3:3-18). You must be born again of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13; 3:3-7). Being born again is the entryway into the LORD’s kingdom. It is the first step in truly following Jesus. Then, by the Holy Spirit and grace of the Lord, learn to live by his New Testament commands (Matthew 28:20). Subsequently, we experience authentic Christianity, Christ’s marvelous, healing love and the dynamic ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The true essence of Christianity is discovered in a genuine, personal relationship with Jesus Christ (John 14:21-24; 17:3, Philippians 3:10, II Timothy 1:12, I John 1:3). The real essence of Christianity is expressed in daily obedience to Christ’s commands so that we become living epistles, known and read of all (Matthew 7:24; 28:19-20, Luke 8:15; 11:28, John 17:6-8, II Corinthians 3:2-3, James 1:21). Another aspect of Christ’s doctrine is making disciples. In Matthew 28:19-20 we find what is called the great commission of Jesus. Christ’s disciples are instructed to, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,…” Here the word teach is translated in the New Testament from the Greek word μάθητευσάτε (matheteusate). This is the second person plural first aorist active imperative of μάθητευω (matheteuo). The word means to teach in such a way as to make disciples. How are Christ’s followers to disciple? By, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: (Matthew 28:20)…” The “all things whatsoever I have commanded
2 you” in Matthew 28:20 refers to all the commands that Jesus gave his disciples during his earthly ministry. These are the New Testament commands of Jesus Christ. Yet, it is necessary to have faith in order to keep Christ’s commands. Faith involves choosing to believe the LORD’s promises in the Scriptures (Romans 4:20-21, Acts 27:23-25, Hebrews 11:1-11). The Christian life is a life of faith (Romans 1:17, Hebrews 11:6). We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). By faith, we abide in Christ and allow him to live his life through us (John 15:1-10). Likewise, faith is essential in order to obey Christ’s commands, and our faith grows as we practice them (I John 2:5-6). Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated that a life of faith is different than an ordinary life. It involves depending on our Father in Heaven to care for us from day to day (Matthew 6:24-33). It means denying self and choosing to trust and obey our LORD (Luke 9:23). We’ve been called to be his disciples. Therefore, by faith, let’s seek to follow Jesus Christ according to his New Testament teachings. This study presents a list of the New Testament commands of Jesus as recorded in the King James Bible. These commands are not necessarily listed in chronological order. Nor is this list exhaustive. Some of the commands are repeated in the list because they include additional data not recorded in the reference verse. Each command of Jesus must be studied in its context, history and grammar in order to correctly apply it to the Christian life. By the LORD’s grace, let’s prayerfully study and obey these commands: 1. Repent (Mark 1:15, Matthew 4:17). 2. Believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). 3. “Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again (John 3:7).” (the new birth) 4. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19).” See also Mark 1:17. 5. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,…(Matthew 28:19).” 6. “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:(Matthew 28:19).” (baptism) 7. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:…(Matthew 28:20)” (discipleship) 8. “When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil (Luke 11:2-4).” 9. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness;…(Matthew 6:33).” 10. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).” 11. “Give, and it shall be given unto you;…(Luke 6:38).” 12. “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matthew 22:37).” 13. “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12).” (love for other Christians) 14. “…Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 22:39).” 15. “Love your enemies,…(Matthew 5:44).” 16. “…forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37).” See also Mark 11:25. 17. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother…(Matthew 18:15-17).” (The aim is for reconciliation.) 18. “…first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift (Matthew 5:24).” (reconciliation) 19. “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (Matthew 19:6).” (This is Christ’s command not to divorce. See also Mark 10:9.) 20. “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him;…(Matthew 5:25).”
3 21. “Fear not,…(Luke 12:7).” 22. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:…(Matthew 10:28).” (Don’t fear people). 23. “…but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).” (Fear the LORD!) 24. “…Swear not at all:…(Matthew 5:34).” 25. “But let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil (Matthew 5:37).” 26. “And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also (Matthew5:40).” See also Luke 6:29. 27. “And whosoever will compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain (Matthew 5:41).” 28. “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away (Matthew 5:42).” 29. “…bless them that curse you,…(Matthew 5:44).” 30. “…do good to them that hate you,…(Matthew 5:44) 31. “…pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44).” 32. “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:36).” 33. “…condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:…(Luke 6:37).” 34. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48).” See Matthew 5:44-45 to understand context. 35. “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 6:1).” 36. “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:3-4).” 37. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:6).” 38. “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 6:7).” 39. “But thou, when thou fastest,anoint thine head, and wash thy face: that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:17-18).” 40. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12).” 41. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (Matthew 6:19).” 42. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20).” 43. “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Matthew 6:25)” 44. “Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1).” (This command refers to hypocritical judgment. See Luke 6:42.) 45. “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine,…(Matthew 7:6)” 46. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Matthew 7:7)” 47. “Enter ye in at the strait gate:…(Matthew 6:13)” 48. “Beware of false prophets,…(Matthew 6:15)”
4 49. “…be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).” 50. “But beware of men:…(Matthew 10:17).” 51. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).” 52. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:29).” 53. “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven (Matthew 18:10).” 54. “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14).” 55. “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (Matthew 20:27)” 56. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matthew 25:13).” 57. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).” 58. “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).” 59. “…Pray for them which despitefully use you (Luke 6:28).” See also Matthew 5:44. 60. “And to him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; (Luke 6:29).” See also Matthew 5:39. 61. “…and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also (Luke 6:29).” See also Matthew 5:40. 62. “…and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again (Luke 6:30).” 63. “…Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15).” 64. “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth (Luke 12:33).” (This command was given in the context of Christ’s warning regarding covetousness. See Luke 12:13-15 and Matthew 19:16-24. Apparently, this command was interpreted literally and practiced by early Christians. Notice Acts 2:44-45; 3:6; 4:31-37; 5:1-11, Romans 12:13. *However, this does not mean that we must neglect the needs of our families or of ourselves in order to give alms (Ephesians 5:25-29, I Timothy 5:8). 65. “…Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s (Luke 20:25).” 66. “…ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you (John 13:14-15).” 67. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me (John 15:4).” 68. “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love (John 15:9).” 69. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).” See Acts 1:8. 70. “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren (Matthew 23:8).” 71. “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven (Matthew 23:9).” 72. “Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ (Matthew 23:10).” *The commands of Jesus Christ may seem radical to many people. But we must recognize that there is a spiritual purpose for each command. The LORD is glorified in the keeping of his commands. © 2002, 2003, 2008 revised Nolan McFadden