Bible Encyclopedia: Doctrine

◄ Doctrine ►

Jump to: Topical • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

BAPTISM (LUTHERAN DOCTRINE)

I. THE TERM

1. The Derivation

2. The Meaning

3. The Application

4. Equivalent Terms

II. THE ORDINANCE

1. The Teaching of Scripture

(1) An Authoritative Command

(2) A Clear Declaration of the Object in View

(3) A Definite Promise

(4) A Plain Indication of the Scope

(5) A Prescribed Formula for Administering the Ordinance

2. The Biblical History of the Ordinance

3. Types of Baptism

III. DIFFICULTIES

1. Are Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15, 16 Genuine?

2. Was the Trinitarian Formula Used in New Testament Times?

3. Was Christian Baptism Really a New Ordinance?

4. Should Infants Be Baptized?

5. Why Did Paul not Baptize?

6. What Is the Baptism for the Dead?

I. The Term.

1. The Derivation:

The word "baptism" is the Anglicized form of the Greek baptisma, or baptismos. These Greek words are verbal nouns derived from baptizo, which, again, is the intensive form of the verb bapto. "Baptismos denotes the action of baptizein (the baptizing), baptisma the result of the action (the baptism)" (Cremer). This distinction differs from, but is not necessarily contrary to, that of Plummer, who infers from Mark 7:4 and Hebrews 9:10 that baptismos usually means lustrations or ceremonial washings, and from Romans 6:4 Ephesians 4:1 1 Peter 3:21 that baptisma denotes baptism proper (Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (five volumes)).

2. The Meaning:

The Greek words from which our English "baptism" has been formed are used by Greek writers, in classical antiquity, in the Septuagint and in the New Testament, with a great latitude of meaning. It is not possible to exhaust their meaning by any single English term. The action which the Greek words express may be performed by plunging, drenching, staining, dipping, sprinkling. The nouns baptisma and baptismos do not occur in the Septuagint; the verb baptizo occurs only in four places, and in two of them in a figurative sense (2 Kings 5:14; Judith 12:7; Isaiah 21:4; Ecclesiasticus 31 (34): 25). Wherever these words occur in the New Testament, the context or, in the case of quotations, a comparison with the Old Testament will in many instances suggest which of the various renderings noted above should be adopted (compare Mark 7:4 Hebrews 9:10 with Numbers 19:18, 19; Numbers 8:7 Exodus 24:4-6 Acts 2:16, 17, 41 with Joel 2:28). But there are passages in which the particular form of the act of baptizing remains in doubt. "The assertion that the command to baptize is a command to immerse is utterly unauthorized" (Hodge).

3. The Application:

In the majority of Biblical instances the verbs and nouns denoting baptism are used in a lit sense, and signify the application of water to an object or a person for a certain purpose. The ceremonial washings of the Jews, the baptism of proselytes to the Jewish faith, common in the days of Christ, the baptism of John and of the disciples of Christ prior to the Day of Pentecost, and the Christian sacrament of baptism, are literal baptisms (baptismus fluminis, "baptism of the river," i.e. water). But Scripture speaks also of figurative baptisms, without water (Matthew 20:22 Mark 10:38 Luke 12:50 = the sufferings which overwhelmed Christ and His followers, especially the martyrs-baptismus sanguinis, "baptism of blood"; Matthew 3:11 Mark 1:8 Luke 3:16 Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16 = the outpouring of the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, which was a characteristic phenomenon of primitive Christianity-baptismus flaminis, "baptism of wind, breeze," i.e. "spirit"). Some even take Matthew 21:25 Mark 11:30 Acts 18:25 1 Corinthians 10:2 in a synecdochical sense, for doctrine of faith, baptism being a prominent feature of that doctrine (baptismus luminis, "baptism of light").

4. Equivalent Terms:

Scripture occasionally alludes to Christian baptism without employing the regular term. Thus in Titus 3:5, and Ephesians 5:26 we have the term loutron, "washing," instead lent terms of baptisma. From this term the Latin church derived its lavacrum (English "layer") as a designation of baptism. In Hebrews 10:22 we have the verbs rhantizo and louo, "sprinkle" and "wash"; in Ephesians 5:26 the verb katharizo, "cleanse"; in 1 Corinthians 6:11 the verb apolouo, "wash" are evidently synonyms of baptizo, and the act has been so denominated from its prime effect.

II. The Ordinance.

1. The Teaching of Scripture:

Christian baptism, as now practiced, is a sacred ordinance of evangelical grace, solemnly appointed by the risen Christ, prior to His entering into the state of glory by His ascension, and designed to be a means, until His second coming, for admitting men to discipleship with Him. Matthew 28:18-20 and its parallel Mark 16:15, 16 are the principal texts of Scripture on which the church in all ages has based every essential point of her teaching regarding this ordinance. The host of other baptismal texts of Scripture expand and illustrate the contents of these two texts. We have in these texts:

(1) An Authoritative Command

An authoritative (Matthew 28:19) command, issued in plain terms: "Make disciples. baptizing." This command declares (a) speciem actus, i.e. it indicates with sufficient clearness, by the use of the term "baptize," the external element to be employed, namely, water, and the form of the action to be performed by means of water, namely, any dipping, or pouring, or sprinkling, since the word "baptize" signifies any of these modes. On the strength of this command Luther held: "Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command"; and the Westminster Shorter Catechism (Ques. 94) calls baptism "a washing with water." Water is distinctly mentioned as the baptismal element in Acts 8:38; Acts 10:47 Ephesians 5:26 Hebrews 10:22. "There is no mention of any other element" (Plummer). The phraseology of Ephesians 5:26, "the washing of water with the word," shows that not the external element alone, nor the physical action of applying the water, constitutes baptism; but "the word" must be added to the element and the action, in order that there may be a baptism. (Detrahe verbum, et quid est aqua nisi aqua? Accedit verbum ad elementum, et fit sacramentum, "Remove the word and what is water but water? The word is added to the element and it becomes a sacrament" Augustine). "Without the Word of God the water is simple water, and no baptism" (Luther). The command prescribes (b) exercitium actus, i.e. it enjoins a continued exercise of this function of the messengers of Christ for all time.

(2) A Clear Declaration of the Object in View.

The participle "baptizing" qualifies the imperative "make disciples," and expresses that, what the imperative states as the end, is to be attained by what the participle names as a means to that end. The participle "baptizing," again, is qualified by "teaching" (Matthew 28:20). The second participle is not connected by "and" with the first, hence, is subordinate to the first (Meyer). Discipleship is to be obtained by baptizing-teaching. There is no rigid law regarding the order and sequence of these actions laid down in these words; they merely state that Christ desires His disciples to be both baptized and fully informed as to His teaching.

(3) A Definite Promise:

Salvation (Mark 16:16), i.e. complete and final deliverance from all evil, the securing of "the end of faith" (1 Peter 1:9). This is a comprehensive statement, as in 1 Peter 3:21, of the blessing of baptism. Scripture also states, in detail, particular baptismal blessings:

(a) Regeneration, Titus 3:5 John 3:3, 5. Despite Calvin and others, the overwhelming consensus of interpreters still agrees with the ancient church and with Luther in explaining both these texts of baptism.

(b) Remission of sins, or justification (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16 1 Corinthians 6:11 Ephesians 5:26 Hebrews 10:22). This blessing, no doubt, is also intended in 1 Peter 3:21, where eperotema has been rendered "answer" by the King James Version while the Revised Version (British and American) renders "interrogation." The word denotes a legal claim, which a person has a right to set up (SeeCremer under the word and Romans 8:1).

(c) The establishment of a spiritual union with Christ, and a new relationship with God (Galatians 3:26, 27 Romans 6:3, 4 Colossians 2:12). In this connection the prepositions with which baptizein in the New Testament connects may be noted. Baptizein eis, "to baptize into," always denotes the relation into which the party baptized is placed. The only exception is Mark 1:9. Baptizein en, or baptizein epi, "to baptize in" (Acts 10:48; Acts 2:38), denotes the basis on which the new relation into which the baptized enters, is made to rest (Cremer).

(d) The sanctifying gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13 Titus 3:5). All these blessings Scripture declares to be effects of baptism (Wirkung der Taufe, Riehm, Handworterb.). "Baptism is called `washing of regeneration,' not merely because it symbolizes it, or pledges a man to it, but also, and chiefly, because it effects it" (Holtzmann, Huther, Pfleiderer, Weiss). "Regeneration, or being begotten of God, does not mean merely a new capacity for change in the direction of goodness, but an actual change. The legal washings were actual external purifications. Baptism is actual internal purification" (Plummer). To these modern authorities Luther can be added. He says: "Baptism worketh forgiveness of sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe, as the words and promises of God declare" (Smaller Catech.). In Titus 3:5 the King James Version the force of the preposition dia, "by," deserves to be noted: it declares baptism to be the regenerating, renewing, justifying, glorying medium to the heirs of eternal life. The baptismal promise is supported, not only in a general way, by the veracity and sincerity of the Speaker, who is the Divine Truth incarnate, but also in a special way, by the Author's appeal to His sovereign majesty (Matthew 28:18), and by the significant assurance of His personal ("I" = ego, is emphatic: Meyer) presence with the disciples in their afore-mentioned activity (Matthew 28:20; compare Mark 16:20).

(4) A Plain Indication of the Scope:

"All nations," "the whole creation" (pase te ktisei to be understood as in Colossians 1:23 = "all men"). Baptism is of universal application; it is a cosmopolitan ordinance before which differences such as of nationality, race, age, sex, social or civil status, are leveled (compare Colossians 3:11 with 1 Corinthians 12:13). Accordingly, Christ orders baptism to be practiced "alway" (literally, "all days"), "even unto the end of the world," i.e. unto the consummation of the present age, until the Second Advent of the Lord. For, throughout this period Christ promises His cooperative presence with the efforts of His disciples to make disciples.

(5) A Prescribed Formula for Administering the Ordinance:

"Into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The belief in the Trinity is fundamental to Christianity; accordingly, the sacred rite by which men are initiated into the Christian religion justly emphasizes this belief. The three Persons are mentioned as distinct from one another, but the baptismal command is issued upon their joint and coequal authority ("in the name," not "names"), thus indicating the Unity in Trinity. This ancient baptismal formula represents "the Father as the Originator, the Son as the Mediator, the Holy Ghost as the Realization, and the vital and vitalizing blessing of the promise and fulfillment," which is extended to men in this ordinance (Cremer).

2. The Biblical History of the Ordinance:

After the Lord had entered into His glory, we find that in the era of the apostles and in the primitive Christian church baptism is the established and universally acknowledged rite by which persons are admitted to communion with the church (Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 8:12, 36, 38; 9:18; 10:47; 16:15, 33; Acts 18:8; Romans 6:3 1 Corinthians 12:13 Galatians 3:27). Even in cases where an outpouring of the special gifts of the Holy Spirit had already taken place, baptism is still administered (Acts 10:44; Acts 11:15 f). "Thus, baptism occupied among the Gentile converts to Christianity, and later among all Christians, the same position as circumcision in the Old Covenant (Colossians 2:11 Galatians 5:2). It is, essentially, part of the foundation on which the unity of the Christian society rested from the beginning (Ephesians 4:5 1 Corinthians 12:13 Galatians 3:27 f)" (Riehm, Handworterb.). 3. Types of Baptism:

In 1 Corinthians 10:1, 2 the apostle states that the Israelites "were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." Farrar attempts the following solution of this type: "The passing under the cloud (Exodus 14:19) and through the sea, constituting as it did their deliverance from bondage into freedom, their death to Egypt, and their birth to a new covenant, was a general type or dim shadow of Christian baptism (compare our collect, `figuring thereby Thy holy baptism'). But the typology is quite incidental; it is the moral lesson which is paramount. `Unto Moses'; rather, into. By this `baptism' they accepted Moses as their Heavensent guide and teacher" (Pulpit Comm.). In 1 Peter 3:21 the apostle calls baptism the antitupon of the Deluge. Delitzsch (on Hebrews 9:24) suggests that tupos and antitupon in Greek represent the original figure and a copy made therefrom, or a prophetic foretype and its later accomplishment. The point of comparison is the saving power of water in either instance. Water saved Noah and his family by floating the ark which sheltered them, and by removing from them the disobedient generation which had sorely tried their faith, as it had tried God's patience. In like manner the water of baptism bears up the ark of the Christian church and saves its believing members, by separating them from their filthy and doomed fellow-men.

III. Difficulties.

1. Are Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15, 16 Genuine?:

Feine (PER3, XIX, 396) and Kattenbusch (Sch-Herz, I, 435) argue that the Trinitarian formula in Matthew 28:19 is spurious, and that the text in Mark belongs to a section which was added to this Gospel at a later time. The former claim had first been advanced by Conybeare, but later research by Riggenbach has established the genuineness of the Trinitarian formula in Matthew. Feine still maintains his doubts, however, on subjective grounds. As to the concluding section in Mark (16:9-20), Jerome is the first to call attention to its omission in most Greek manuscripts to which he had access. But Jerome himself acknowledged Mark 16:14 as genuine. Gregory of Nyssa reports that, while this section is missing in some manuscripts, in the more accurate ones many manuscripts contain it. No doctrinal scruple can arise on account of this section; for it contains nothing that is contrary to the doctrine of Scripture in other places on the same subject; and it has always been treated as genuine by the Christian church. The question is a purely historical one (see Bengel, Apparatus Criticus, 170).

2. Was the Trinitarian Formula Used in New Testament Times?:

No record of such use can be discovered in the Acts or the epistles of the apostles. The baptisms recorded in the New Testament after the Day of Pentecost are administered "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38), "into the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16), "into Christ" (Romans 6:3 Galatians 3:27). This difficulty was considered by the Fathers; Ambrose says: Quod verbo tacitum fuerat, expressum est fide, "What had not been expressed in word, was expressed by faith." On close inspection the difficulty is found to rest on the assumption that the above are records of baptismal formulas used on those occasions. The fact is that these records contain no baptismal formula at all, but "merely state that such persons were baptized as acknowledged Jesus to be the Lord and the Christ" (Plummer). The same can be said of any person baptized in our day with the Trinitarian formula. That this formula was the established usage in the Christian church is proven by records of baptisms in Justin (Apol., I, 61) and Tertullian (Adv. Prax., XXVI). 3. Was Christian Baptism Really a New Ordinance?:

Baptism was practiced among the Jews prior to the solemn inauguration of this ordinance by the risen Christ. The ceremonial washings of the Jews are classed with the transient forms of the Levitical worship (Hebrews 9:9, 10), which had not been intended to endure except "until a time of reformation." They were removed when Christian baptism was erected into an abiding ordinance of the church of God (Colossians 2:11-13). It is erroneous to say that those ancient washings developed into Christian baptism. A shadow does not develop into a substance. Nor do we find the origin of Christian baptism in the baptism of proselytes, which seems to have been a Jewish church custom in the days of Christ. Though the rite of baptism was not by unknown to the Jews, still the baptism of John startled them (John 1:25). Such passages as Isaiah 4:4 (1:16); Ezekiel 36:25; Ezekiel 37:23 Zechariah 13:1 had, no doubt, led them to expect a rite of purification in the days of the Messiah, which would supersede their Levitical purification. The delegation which they sent to John was to determine the Messianic character of John and his preaching and baptizing. Johannic baptism has been a fruitful theme of debate. The question does not affect the personal faith of any Christian at the present time; for there is no person living who has received Johannic baptism (Chemnitz). The entire subject and certain features of it, as the incident recorded Acts 19:1-7, will continue to be debated. It is best to fix in our minds a few essential facts, which will enable us to put the Scriptural estimate on the baptism of John. John had received a Divine commission to preach and baptize (Luke 3:2 John 1:33 Matthew 21:25). He baptized with water (John 3:23). His baptism was honored by a wonderful manifestation of the holy Trinity (Matthew 3:16, 17), and the Redeemer, in His capacity as the Representative of sinful mankind, the sin-bearing Lamb of God, accepting baptism at John's hand (Matthew 3:13 John 1:29). It was of the necessity of receiving John's baptism that Christ spoke to Nicodemus (John 3:3). The Pharisees invited their eternal ruin by refusing John's baptism (Luke 7:30); for John's baptism was to shield them from the wrath to come (Matthew 3:7); it was for the remission of sin (Mark 1:4); it was a washing of regeneration (John 3:5). When Jesus began His public ministry, He took up the preaching and baptism of John, and His disciples practiced it with such success that John rejoiced (John 3:22, 25-36; John 4:1, 2). All this evidence fairly compels the belief that there was no essential difference between the baptism of John and the baptism instituted by Christ; that what the risen Christ did in Matthew 28:18-20 was merely to elevate a rite that had previously been adopted by an order "from above" to a permanent institution of His church, and to proclaim its universal application. The contrast which John himself declares between his baptism and that of Christ is not a contrast between two baptisms with water. The baptism of Christ, which John foretells, is a baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire, the Pentecostal baptism. But for the general purpose of begetting men unto a new life, sanctifying and saving them, the Spirit was also bestowed through John's baptism (John 3:5). 4. Should Infants Be Baptized?:

The command in Matthew 28:19 Mark 16:16 is all-embracing; so is the statement concerning the necessity of baptism in John 3:5. After reading these statements, one feels inclined, not to ask, Should infants be baptized? but Why should they not be baptized? The onus probandi rests on those who reject infant baptism. The desire to have their infants baptized must have been manifested on the day when the first three thousand were baptized at Jerusalem, assuming that they were all adults. The old covenant had provided for their children; was the new to be inferior to the old in this respect? (SeePlummer in Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (five volumes).) The baptism of entire households is presumptive evidence that children and infants were baptized in apostolic times (Acts 16:15, 33; Acts 18:8 1 Corinthians 1:16). The arguments against infant baptism imply defective views on the subject of original sin and the efficacy of baptism. Infant faith-for, faith is as necessary to the infant as to the adult-may baffle our attempts at explanation and definition; but God who extends His promises also to children (Acts 2:39), who established His covenant even with beasts (Genesis 9:16, 17); Christ who blessed also little children (Mark 10:13), and spoke of them as believers (Matthew 18:6), certainly does not consider the regeneration of a child or infant a greater task than that of an adult (compare Matthew 18:3, 4).

5. Why Did Paul not Baptize?:

Paul did baptize Crispus, Gaius and Stephanas with his household. These baptisms he performed at Corinth alone; we have no record of his baptisms at other places. What Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 1:14-17 is, that by his baptizing he could not have become the cause of the divisions in the Corinthian congregation, because he had baptized only a few persons at Corinth, and, moreover, he had not baptized in his own name, hence had attached no one to his person. The statement, "Christ sent me not to baptize," is made after the Semitic idiom, and means: "not so much to baptize as to preach" (Farrar in Pulpit Commentary). If they are taken in any other sense, it is impossible to protect Paul against the charge that he did something that he was not authorized to do, when he baptized Crispus, etc.

6. What Is the Baptism for the Dead?:

1 Corinthians 15:29 is sometimes taken to mean that the early Christians practiced baptism by proxy. After they had been converted to Christianity, it is held, they desired to convey the benefits of their faith to their departed friends who had died in paganism, by having themselves baptized "in their behalf," perhaps on their graves. We have no evidence from history that such a practice prevailed in the early Christian churches. Nor does the text suggest it. The Greek preposition huper expresses also the motive that may prompt a person to a certain action. In this case the motive was suggested by the dead, namely, by the dead in so far as they shall rise. The context shows this to be the meaning: If a person has sought baptism in view of the fact that the dead are to rise to be judged, his baptism is valueless, if the dead do not rise.

SeeBAPTISM FOR THE DEAD.

W. H. T. Dau

DOCTRINE

dok'-trin: Latin doctrina, from doceo, "to teach," denotes both the act of teaching and that which is taught; now used exclusively in the latter sense.

1. Meaning of Terms:

(1) In the Old Testament for

(a) leqach "what is received," hence, "the matter taught" (Deuteronomy 32:2 Job 11:4 Proverbs 4:2 Isaiah 29:24, the American Standard Revised Version "instruction");

(b) she-mu`ah, "what is heard" (Isaiah 28:9, the Revised Version (British and American) "message," the Revised Version, margin "report");

(c) mucar, "discipline" (Jet 10:8 margin), "The stock is a doctrine" (the Revised Version British and American) "instruction" of vanities, i. e. "The discipline of unreal gods is wood (is like themselves, destitute of true moral force" (BDB)).

(2) In the New Testament for

(i) didaskalia =

(a) "the act of teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13, 16; 1 Timothy 5:17 2 Timothy 3:10, 16), all in the Revised Version (British and American) "teaching";

(b) "what is taught" (Matthew 15:9 2 Timothy 4:3). In some passages the meaning is ambiguous as between (a) and (b).

(ii) didache, always translated "teaching" in the Revised Version (British and American), except in Romans 16:17, where "doctrine" is retained in the text and "teaching" inserted in the margin =

(a) the act of teaching (Mark 4:2 Acts 2:42, the King James Version "doctrine");

(b) what is taught (John 7:16, 17 Revelation 2:14, 15, 24, the King James Version "doctrine"). In some places the meaning is ambiguous as between (a) and (b) and in Matthew 7:28 Mark 1:22 Acts 13:12, the manner, rather than the act or matter of teaching is denoted, namely, with authority and power.

2. Christ's Teaching Informal:

The meaning of these words in the New Testament varied as the church developed the content of its experience into a system of thought, and came to regard such a system as an integral part of saving faith (compare the development of the meaning of the term "faith"):

(1) The doctrines of the Pharisees were a fairly compact and definite body of teaching, a fixed tradition handed down from one generation of teachers to another (Matthew 16:12, the King James Version "doctrine"; compare Matthew 15:9 Mark 7:7).

(2) In contrast with the Pharisaic system, the teaching of Jesus was unconventional and occasional, discursive and unsystematic; it derived its power from His personality, character and works, more than from His words, so that His contemporaries were astonished at it and recognized it as a new teaching (Matthew 7:28; Matthew 22:33 Mark 1:22, 27 Luke 4:32). So we find it in the Synoptic Gospels, and the more systematic form given to it in the Johannine discourses is undoubtedly the work of the evangelist, who wrote rather to interpret Christ than to record His ipsissima verba (John 20:31).

3. Apostolic Doctrines:

The earliest teaching of the apostles consisted essentially of three propositions:

(a) that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 3:18);

(b) that He was risen from the dead (Acts 1:22; Acts 2:24, 32); and

(c) that salvation was by faith in His name (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:16). While proclaiming these truths, it was necessary to coordinate them with Hebrew faith, as based upon Old Testament revelation.

The method of the earliest reconstruction may be gathered from the speeches of Peter and Stephen (Acts 2:14-36; Acts 5:29-32; 7:2-53). A more thorough reconstruction of the coordination of the Christian facts, not only with Hebrew history, but with universal history, and with a view of the world as a whole, was undertaken by Paul. Both types of doctrine are found in his speeches in Acts, the former type in that delivered at Antioch (Acts 13:16-41), and the latter in the speeches delivered at Lystra (Acts 14:15-17) and at Athens (Acts 17:22-31). The ideas given in outline in these speeches are more fully developed into a doctrinal system, with its center removed from the resurrection to the death of Christ, in the epistles, especially in Galatians, Romans, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. But as yet it is the theological system of one teacher, and there is no sign of any attempt to impose it by authority on the church as a whole. As a matter of fact the Pauline system never was generally accepted by the church. Compare James and the Apostolic Fathers.

4. Beginnings of Dogma:

In the Pastoral and General Epistles a new state of things appears. The repeated emphasis on "sound" or "healthy doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:3 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:3 Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1), "good doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6) implies that a body of teaching had now emerged which was generally accepted, and which should serve as a standard of orthodoxy. The faith has become a body of truth "once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3). The content of this "sound doctrine" is nowhere formally given, but it is a probable inference that it corresponded very nearly to the Roman formula that became known as the Apostles' Creed. See DOGMA.

T. Rees

Greek

1322. didache -- doctrine, teaching
... doctrine, teaching. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: didache Phonetic
Spelling: (did-akh-ay') Short Definition: teaching, doctrine Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1322.htm - 7k

2085. heterodidaskaleo -- to teach other doctrine
... to teach other doctrine. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: heterodidaskaleo
Phonetic Spelling: (het-er-od-id-as-kal-eh'-o) Short Definition: I teach ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2085.htm - 6k

3466. musterion -- a mystery or secret doctrine
... a mystery or secret doctrine. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: musterion
Phonetic Spelling: (moos-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: anything hidden, a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3466.htm - 7k

1319. didaskalia -- instruction (the function or the information)
... Cognate: 1319 (a feminine noun derived from 1321 , "teach") -- properly -teaching;
Christian doctrine (teaching) as it especially extends to its necessary ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1319.htm - 7k

1108. gnosis -- a knowing, knowledge
... knowing, knowledge. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: gnosis Phonetic
Spelling: (gno'-sis) Short Definition: knowledge, doctrine, wisdom Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1108.htm - 7k

2583. kanon -- a rule, standard
... Spelling: (kan-ohn') Short Definition: rule, regulation, province Definition: (lit:
a level, ruler), a rule, regulation, rule of conduct or doctrine, (b) a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2583.htm - 7k

90. adiaphthoria -- soundness, purity
... of a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of diaphtheiro;
incorruptibleness, ie (figuratively) purity (of doctrine) -- uncorruptness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/90.htm - 6k

5199. hugies -- sound, whole, healthy
... sound, whole. From the base of auzano; healthy, ie Well (in body); figuratively,
true (in doctrine) -- sound, whole. see GREEK auzano. (ugieis) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5199.htm - 6k

5198. hugiaino -- to be sound, healthy
... From hugies; to have sound health, ie Be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt
(true in doctrine) -- be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole(-some ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5198.htm - 8k

3056. logos -- a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a ...
... a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (ie Christ)
-- account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3056.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

8052. shemuah -- a report
... 1), what it means (1). bruit, doctrine, fame, mentioned, news, report, rumor,
tidings. Feminine passive participle of shamem; something ...
/hebrew/8052.htm - 6k

3948. leqach -- a learning, teaching
... teaching (3). doctrine, learning, fair speech. From laqach; properly, something
received, ie (mentally) instruction (whether on the ...
/hebrew/3948.htm - 6k

4148. musar -- discipline, chastening, correction
... reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint -- bond, chastening ((-eth)),
chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke. ...
/hebrew/4148.htm - 6k

Library

On Christian Doctrine In Four Books.
On Christian Doctrine In Four Books. . On Christian Doctrine In
Four Books. St. Augustine. Translated by Rev. Professor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /

On Christian Doctrine, in Four Books
On Christian Doctrine, in Four Books. <. On Christian Doctrine, in
Four Books Saint Augustine. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/

Doctrine.
... Doctrine. The following is the "Profession of Belief," adopted by the General
Convention of Universalists in the United States, at the session holden in 1803. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/doctrine.htm

The Doctrine of Justification
The Doctrine of Justification. <. The Doctrine of Justification Arthur W.
Pink. Table of Contents. Title Page. 1. Introduction. 2. Its Meaning. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/

The Doctrine of Christ.
... The Doctrine of Christ. 2 John 9-11. "WHOSOEVER transgresseth and abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the doctrine of christ.htm

The Antiquity of the Doctrine
... 5. THE ANTIQUITY OF THE DOCTRINE. Let the antiquity, the propagation, the
preservation, and the truly admirable defense of this doctrine ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/5 the antiquity of the.htm

The Doctrine
... THE DOCTRINE. OF THE LAW AND GRACE UNFOLDED; OR,. A DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE
LAW AND GRACE; THE NATURE OF THE ONE, AND THE NATURE OF ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

High Doctrine
... High Doctrine. A Sermon (No.318). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, June 3rd,
1860, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. At Exeter Hall, Strand. TO ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/high doctrine.htm

The Doctrine Adorned
... V The Doctrine Adorned. 'But shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn
the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.' (Titus 2:10.). ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/v the doctrine adorned.htm

The Agreement of this Doctrine in Its Parts
... 2. THE AGREEMENT OF THIS DOCTRINE IN ITS PARTS. Let us compare the parts
of this doctrine together, and we shall discover in all ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/2 the agreement of this.htm

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Teaching; instruction.

2. (n.) That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the doctrine of atoms; the doctrine of chances.

Topical Bible Verses

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Topicalbible.org

John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Topicalbible.org

1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 5:8
But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Topicalbible.org

Thesaurus

Doctrine (52 Occurrences)
... or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of
knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the doctrine of atoms ...
/d/doctrine.htm - 57k

Dogma
... 1. (n.) A statement of religious belief set forth by a church or council; a tenet;
a doctrine. ... In Greek theology "doctrine" and "dogma" meant the same thing. ...
/d/dogma.htm - 10k

Immaculate
... It is proclaimed "by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed Apostles
Peter and Paul and in our own authority, that the doctrine which holds the ...
/i/immaculate.htm - 16k

Conception (6 Occurrences)
... It is proclaimed "by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed Apostles
Peter and Paul and in our own authority, that the doctrine which holds the ...
/c/conception.htm - 19k

Heresy (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An opinion held in opposition to the established doctrine, and tending to
promote a division or party, as in politics, literature, philosophy, etc ...
/h/heresy.htm - 12k

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)
... Antichrist in the Old Testament: As in the Old Testament the doctrine concerning
Christ was only suggested, not developed, so is it with the doctrine of the ...
/a/antichrist.htm - 26k

Exaltation (9 Occurrences)
... ASCENSION OF OUR LORD 1. Its Actuality 2. General Doctrine of the Church 3. Lutheran
Doctrine 4. Theory of Laying Aside the Existence-Form of God 5. Necessity ...
/e/exaltation.htm - 27k

Stoics (1 Occurrence)
... In the 2nd century BC the doctrine was brought to Rome by Panaetius of Rhodes (circa
189-109 BC), and in the course of the two succeeding centuries it spread ...
/s/stoics.htm - 15k

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)
... bap-tiz'-mal re-jen-er-a'-shun: As indicated in the general articles on BAPTISM
and SACRAMENTS, the doctrine ordinarily held by Presbyterians ...
/b/baptismal.htm - 24k

Predestination
... This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties.
It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we ...
/p/predestination.htm - 26k

Bible Concordance

Doctrine (52 Occurrences)

Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
(KJV DBY WBS)

Matthew 15:9 And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Matthew 22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
(KJV DBY WBS)

Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
(KJV DBY WBS)

Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
(KJV DBY WBS)

John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
(KJV DBY WBS)

John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
(KJV DBY WBS)

John 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(KJV WBS)

Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
(KJV WBS)

Acts 17:19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
(KJV DBY WBS)

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
(KJV WBS)

Romans 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV)

1 Corinthians 1:5 that in everything ye have been enriched in him, in all word of doctrine, and all knowledge,
(DBY)

1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
(KJV WBS)

1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
(KJV WBS)

Ephesians 4:14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
(KJV WBS)

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
(KJV WBS NIV)

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
(KJV WBS)

1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn't consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS NIV)

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
(KJV WBS)

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
(KJV WBS)

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(KJV DBY WBS)

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS NIV)

Titus 1:9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Titus 2:1 But say the things which fit sound doctrine,
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
(KJV ASV WBS NAS)

Titus 2:10 not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
(KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
(KJV DBY WBS)

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
(KJV DBY WBS RSV)

2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
(KJV DBY WBS RSV)

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain. My speech shall condense as the dew, as the small rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Job 11:4 For you say,'My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Proverbs 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
(KJV WBS)

Isaiah 29:24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
(KJV WBS)

Subtopics

Related Terms

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Heresy (2 Occurrences)

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)