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“The Apostles’ Doctrine”
The Apostles’ Doctrine
David Sproule
We should never elevate anyone above where God does. Nor should we demote anyone below where God does. Just as we are humans, so were the apostles, as they were not perfect or infallible on their own. We see examples of their imperfection as humans periodically (in Peter’s impetuous behavior, in the apostles arguing over greatness, in their forsaking of Jesus in His moment of greatest need, etc.). However, when it came to their doctrine, it was infallible in every way.
The doctrine preached by the apostles was not their own. Peter said that “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man” (2 Pet. 1:20-21). In fact, Jesus told them, “Do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak” (Mark 13:11). Truly, the apostles’ doctrine was “not…the word of men” (1 Thess. 2:13).
The doctrine preached by the apostles was given to them directly from God. Peter affirmed, “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). Jesus told the apostles, “But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11). The Holy Spirit would “teach” the apostles, “bring to [their] remembrance all things” that Jesus told them, “guide [them] into all truth” and “tell [them] things to come” (John 14:26; 16:13).
The doctrine preached by the apostles carried the very authority of its origin—God Himself. Paul delighted to pronounce the word that he spoke and wrote was “in truth, the word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13), for it had “been freely given” to him “by God” (1 Cor. 2:10-13). Thus, the authority inherent in “the things which I write to you,” said Paul to his Corinthian brethren, “are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37).
The doctrine preached by the apostles was singular in nature. The definite article “the” is used in Acts 2:42 of “the apostles’ doctrine,” and it is used repeatedly in the New Testament of “the doctrine” of Christ (1 Tim. 4:16; 6:3; 2 John 9). Truly, there is “one faith” (Eph. 4:5), which is “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). There is “no other doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:3) given by and acceptable to the God of heaven than the apostles’ doctrine.
That is why the doctrine preached by the apostles is that in which we must “continue steadfastly” (Acts 2:42), which we must preach in love (Eph. 4:15), and for which we must “contend earnestly” (Jude 3). We must not “receive…nor greet” anyone who does “not bring this doctrine” (2 John 9). The apostles were imperfect, but their doctrine is perfect!
