The Sound of the Trumpet:  To preserve, publish, proclaim, plant, protect, and propagate the Abrahamic
Faith.  A publication of the Carolina and Georgia Conferences of the Churches of God of the Abrahamic Faith.
DOCTRINE VERSUS FAITH
J.R. LeCrone

BECAUSE of certain abuses in the past, the word "doctrine" and what it stands for has come into disrepute in the hearts and
minds of many honest people. These people have concluded that, since it appears to be differences of doctrine, or teachings,
that is holding the various denominations apart, they will solve the problem by abandoning doctrines altogether. They have
found in Scripture certain passages that would appear, at first glance, to justify such an attitude.

One such passage is found in Romans 1:16,17, where we find the Apostle Paul declaring, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein
is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith."

Another such passage is found in Galatians 3:11. "That no man is justified by the law in the sight of God,it is evident: for, The
just shall live by faith."

On the basis of such passages, some have reasoned that doctrines (that is definite teachings) are unimportant, that they may
even prove to be a hindrance. We shall ignore doctrines and live by faith. And since we do not need to be taught doctrines,
we do not need to concern ourselves with the teachings of the church. We shall live a life of faith which is independent of all
doctrines.

But what is faith? Webster's unabridged dictionary defines "faith" as, "Inward acceptance of a personality as real and
trustworthy; of an idea as true and obligatory, of a thing as beneficial." This definition is in harmony with the Scriptural use of
the word.

Of the "inward acceptance of a personality as real and trustworthy" the writer of the letter to the Hebrew Christians declared,
"Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him." (11:6). We call your attention to the fact that a belief in God, that is, accepting His personality
as being real, is not sufficient to please Him. We must also believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. But
diligently seeking Him goes far beyond the passive belief that there is a God, and is moved to actively and persistently
engage in those activities by which we are brought into close contact with Him.

The Scriptural definition of faith is found in the first verse of the same eleventh chapter of Hebrews. "Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Weymouth's translation of this verse makes the thought more
clear and emphatic. It reads, "Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality
of things which we do not see."

He who has faith, as the Scriptures use the word, is not the one who more or less arbitrarily decides which view of the future
pleases him most, and then decides that he will have faith that all will work out as he decides he wishes it to. Rather, he who
has faith is the one who has a well-grounded assurance for that for which he hopes. The only source of such a well-grounded
assurance is the Holy Scripture which contains the only sure knowledge that men possess concerning the future of man. Upon
the words of Scripture stands the only conviction of the reality of things which we have not yet seen which is acceptable to
God.

We agree heartily that it is wrong for the Christian churches to fight and quarrel over their interpretation of Biblical doctrines.
But we are firmly convinced that Christians are equally mistaken when they attempt the impossible task of maintaining faithful
Christian lives without definite teachings (doctrines, if you please) of the Bible to support and undergird their faith. Trying to
stand upon a faith which is not solidly founded upon the teachings of Scripture is like trying to go up another step after we
have reached the top of the stair. We find our weight unsupported, and we can rise no further. Our faith can rise no higher
than the Biblical teachings that support it.

Over and over again, we have heard people make some such remark as this, "I don't think that it makes much difference what
we believe, so long as our belief is sincere." With all due honor and respect for the kindly and tolerant attitude that prompts
such statements, I am sure that it is possible for anyone to make such a statement only because he has never taken the time
to think it through to its logical conclusion.

This eleventh chapter of Hebrews contains many illustrations of what I mean. Let us take, for an example, verse 7. "By faith
Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet [this warning of God was Noah's evidence or firm conviction of what he
had not seen], moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world and became
heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

Who can doubt that the other inhabitants of the earth were as sincere in their conviction that there would never be a flood as
Noah was in his conviction that destruction by water would come upon the earth? But Noah's conviction, firmly based upon the
Word of God, moved him to obey God in building an ark, with the result that he and his family were preserved from destruction.

At the same time, the equally sincere convictions of his neighbors that there would never be a flood led them to ignore
repeated warnings. But the sincerity of their mistaken convictions was of no value whatsoever to them when the Flood came
and destroyed them all. Noah's belief was based firmly upon God's Word, while theirs had no firmer foundation than their own
wishful thinking, plus the fact that it had never happened before. They could not believe in the reality of something that they
had never seen.

The Bible provides literally hundreds of such examples of the necessity that faith, in order to be acceptable to God, must be
undergirded with the firm support of Scriptural doctrines. Beware of becoming a member of any church, simply because it is
convenient to your home or because you find its members congenial. It is of vital importance to your eternal welfare that you
inquire thoroughly with regard to its doctrinal teachings and demand well-documented Scriptural proof for each of them. It is
perfectly in order that you also ask for strong Scriptural evidence for the moral and business practices that are either
permitted or forbidden by that church. Any pastor who is worthy of his high calling will gladly submit his Scriptural evidence for
your careful and prayerful consideration. Personal opinions, unsupported or doubtfully supported by Scripture, are of very
little value, and can never bring about your salvation.  

We lay strong emphasis upon the doctrinal teachings of the Bible and we do so without apology. Indeed, we would feel that we
were not giving a fair deal if we did not encourage people to become familiar with their Bible, and to judge every word that we,
or others, speak on the basis of what saith the Lord?