This class deals on the lifestyles we should or should not live by, which have become doctrines in the church of God; and especially this local assembly Christ embassy.

WHAT IS DOCTRINE

Doctrines: this means a recognisable principle of beliefs, teachings, values or instructions that are adhered to, believed, taught and practiced by a given sect of people. (Luke 1:1-4, I Tim4:13, Acts2:42).

Luke 1:1-4 “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed”.

Doctrines can be basically classified into three groups:

Ø Scriptural doctrines

Ø Man made doctrines

Ø False doctrines.

Scriptural doctrines: are founded in the word of God and its context, handed down to us from the apostles; who where taught by our Lord Jesus Christ in the very beginning. Act 1:1

Two types: foundational doctrines of Christ and Pauline doctrines.

The Foundational doctrines of Christ are:

i. Repentance from dead works: Gal2:16. It is essential for a Christian to realize that he is justified by his faith and not by anything that he did or does. Heb 9:13-14- “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

ii. Faith towards God: Heb11:1-2. The life of a believer is the life of faith; and has called us to live in the realm of faith. (2Cor5:7, Rom12:3). It is every believer’s responsibility to develop his faith.(Rom10:17).

iii. Baptism: the word “baptize” is derived from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to immerse completely into or to be completely plugged into something. There are two types:

1. Baptism of the Holy Spirit: this happens when a man is born again, by Holy Spirit. (Rom 6:3-4, 1 Cor12:13).

2. Baptism of water: water baptism is to be totally immersed into water. It’s an identification with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom6:3-4 and Col2:12).This is the final separation from the world unto God.

Importance of water baptism

· It is one of the sacraments of the Church of Christ.

· Jesus commanded it (Matt 28:19)

· It is an act of identification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord (Rom6:3-5).

· Jesus was baptized to fulfil all righteousness therefore set a standard of the baptism He desired of believers.

· It is a way of giving public confession of your faith in Christ.

Note: water baptism is no substitute for salvation. It does not remit sins.

iv. Laying on of hands: there are four main reasons for it:

Ø To minister healing:Mark16:17-18

Ø To minister the Holy Spirit:Acts9:16

Ø To impart spiritual gifts:1Tim4:14

Ø Ordination into the ministry:Acts13:2-3

v. Resurrection of the dead: Heb9:27, 1Thess4:13-16, John5:28-29.

vi. Eternal judgement.Heb9:27 there are two types:

Ø Judgement seat of Christ: where Christians receive rewards for the deeds they performed while on earth.1cor.3:13-15.rom8:1, Rom14:10.

Ø The great white throne judgement: this is where the non-Christians will be judged or condemned for not accepting Jesus Christ as their lord and savior.1cor 6:2-3.

Pauline doctrines of Christ

1. Righteousness: is the nature of God imparted to a man’s spirit that gives him the ability to stand in the presence of God without a sense of guilt, inferiority complex or condemnation.2Cor5:21. Rom 4: 5. This is a free gift. Rom 5:17. Every born again child of God is as righteous as Jesus is and cannot grow in it but can grow in the consciousness of it. (Phil1:6, Rom3:21-22, Rom1:17, Rom8:1-4, 5:17, 2Peter1:4, Rom10:10).

2. Sanctification: this means consecration or separation from others for a special use. It is in two folds. (a) The separation of the believer from the world when he gets born again (1Cor6:11, Heb10:10, Jude1) (b)The ultimate separation of the believer unto God (John17:17)

3. Forgiveness: to forgive means to overlook a wrong as though it were not done and therefore to waive the penalty (1John1:9-10).

4. Redemption: this means to deliver or set free by paying a price (Titus2:13-14, Heb9:12).

5. Justification: This means being declared not guilty, discharged and acquitted (Acts13:38-39).

Reference Materials/study Guide:

· Recreating your world(book)by Pastor Chris

· Prophecy(book)by Pastor Chris

· A different sets of rules(vcd)by Pastor Chris

· Attitude (audio Tape)by Pastor Chris

· Promise land(book)by Pastor Chris

· Understanding righteousness(Tape)by Pastor Chris