NOTE.-The Bible is the test of all doctrine. Whatever does not harmonize and square with this, is not to be received. "There is but one standard of the everlastingly right and the everlastingly wrong, and that is the Bible."-T. DE WITT TALMAGE.
5. Of what kind of doctrines should we beware?
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every _wind of doctrine_." Eph. 4:14. See also Heb. 13:9.
6. What is a "wind of doctrine"?
"And the prophets shall become _wind_; and _the word is not in them_."
Jer. 5:13.
NOTE.-Calling a doctrine a wind of doctrine does not make it such.
That is a wind of doctrine which is not sustained by the Word of G.o.d.
7. For what is all scripture profitable?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of G.o.d, and is _profitable for doctrine_." 2 Tim. 3:16.
8. What advice was given to Timothy while preparing for the gospel ministry?
"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to _doctrine_.... Take heed unto thyself, and unto the _doctrine_." 1 Tim.
4:13-16.
9. What solemn charge was given him concerning his public work?
"I charge thee therefore before G.o.d, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; _Preach the word; ... reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine_."
2 Tim. 4:1, 2.
10. Why did the apostle say this duty was so imperative?
"_For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine_; but after their own l.u.s.ts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; _and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables_." Verses 3, 4.
11. What similar instruction was given to t.i.tus?
"But speak thou the things which become _sound doctrine_: ... in all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: _in doctrine showing uncorruptness_, gravity, sincerity." t.i.tus 2:1-7.
12. What will sound doctrine enable the faithful teacher to do?
"Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able _by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers_."
t.i.tus 1:9.
13. What danger attends the teaching of false doctrine?
"Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and _overthrow the faith of some_." 2 Tim. 2:18.
14. Who are the disciples of Jesus, and what gracious work does the truth do for those who receive it?
"_If ye continue in My word_, then are ye My disciples indeed; and _ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free_." John 8:31, 32.
15. Through what are they to be sanctified?
"Sanctify them through _Thy truth_: Thy word is truth." John 17:17.
16. What kind of worship results from false teaching?
"_But in vain they do worship Me_, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. 15:9.
17. Can we close our ears to truth, and remain innocent before G.o.d?
"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, _even his prayer shall be abomination_." Prov. 28:9.
18. What did Christ say of those who will to do G.o.d"s will?
"If any man willeth to do His will, _he shall know of the teaching_, whether it be of G.o.d, or whether I speak from Myself." John 7:17, R. V.
See also Ps. 25: 9; John 8:12.
19. What will G.o.d allow to come to those who reject truth?
"Because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause G.o.d shall send them _strong delusion_, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be d.a.m.ned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:10-12.
20. By what doctrines are some to be misled in the last days?
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and _doctrines of devils_." 1 Tim. 4:1. See 2 Peter 2:1.
21. What fate awaits blind teachers and their followers?
"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, _both shall fall into the ditch_." Matt. 15:14.
22. To whom will the gates of the heavenly city finally be opened?
"Open ye the gates, that _the righteous nation which keepeth the truth_ may enter in." Isa. 26:2. See also Rev. 22:14.
Truth is the gem for which we seek, O tell us where shall it be found!
For this we search, and pray, and weep, That truth may in our hearts abound.
We want the truth on every point, We want it all to practise by; Do thou, O Lord, our eyes anoint With a fresh unction from on high.
CHARLOTTE HASKINS.