In Christendom, doctrines abound regarding the message of the Bible. I suppose no local church has 100% sound doctrine. Nevertheless, there are some that are closer than most.
Dr. David Cooper, president of the Biblical Research Society, gave this advice as a guideline for studying the Scriptures: “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense seek no other sense; therefore take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual meaning unless the facts of the immediate context and related passages clearly indicate otherwise.”
I have tried to use Dr. Cooper’s guideline in writing my articles. There are some doctrinal differences that have little impact concerning eternal life, but there are others that are vital and you don’t want to get these wrong. For instance, whether you believe the world was created in 6 literal days, as we define a day, or some other measurement, it really has little to do with one’s salvation.
However, if you’re trusting that you can gain eternal life based on the very popular belief of winning God’s favor through your own efforts, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it abundantly clear that salvation by personal effort is wrong doctrine: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
A popular doctrine is that there are many “roads” to Heaven. Some believe as long as you’re sincere in your faith, no matter what it is, God will accept you. The Bible proposes no such notion. On the contrary, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)
Someone would have to have a very vivid imagination to find ambiguity in the above verse. The apostle Peter said, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Again, it would be difficult to interpret this verse any other way than that which is plainly stated.
The articles listed under “True Doctrine” form the foundation for the way to Heaven.