Today, the word “doctrine” is often viewed as a negative. “The doctrine divides” is the objection of a generation indoctrinated with postmodern thought with its epistemological and moral relativity. Although the carnal division caused by a lack of mercy and prudence among Christians is regrettable, not having a doctrinal definition can be a spiritually fatal error. Scripture commands us to learn, know, retain, preach, and defend sound doctrine (2 Thess. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4: 6, 4:16, 6: 3-4; 2 Tim. 4: 2-3 ; Titus 2: 1), refute those who contradict it (1 Tim. 1: 3; Titus 1: 9) and break fellowship with those who deny or adulterate the main doctrines of the faith (2 Jn. 1: 9-11 ). Doctrinal clarity and depth is essential for the believer’s discernment and spiritual growth (Heb. 5: 12-14). The lack of love for theological definition in contemporary Christianity is the product of conformity to the philosophies of the world and is indicative of a lack of love for the Word of God in which such theology is contained. And it is not enough just to say that “we believe the Bible”; the same is said by other Nominations such as Unitarian’s , Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and all the sects.
It is imperative that the church of God be founded on a firm doctrinal foundation. Belief statements that contain a systematic explanation of the doctrine have a biblical basis and a long history of use in the church.
When the apostle Paul says that the church of the living God is “the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15), then quotes the words of some type of oral creed that was confessed or sung congregationally in the early church (1 Tim. 3 : 16). Confessions of faith (“creeds”) began to develop in the first century under the apostles, being useful for the instruction of believers and necessary to define the Christian faith in order to defend it from heresy. For these reasons, among others, we have adopted a historic confession as a statement of our convictions. Scripture alone is the infallible Word of God, and it is the final authority of all things. A doctrinal statement is rubbish if it does not faithfully reflect the Word of God in accordance with sound exegesis of the biblical text. We are convinced that our Confession generally contains the theological substance of the faith that was once given to the saints and relates sound doctrine with sufficient definition and clarity.
