Doctrine

What is doctrine?

The Greek word used in the Bible for Doctrine states this.

did-akh-ay'
From G1321; instruction (the act or the matter): - doctrine, hath been taught.

Doctrine, from Latin doctrina (compare doctor), means "a code of beliefs", "a body of teachings" or "instructions", taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system. –Wikipedia

The Lord Jesus and his doctrine.

Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Apostles Doctrine.

Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Sound Doctrine.

Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

What does it mean to have sound doctrine?

The word sound used in the Greek is.

hoog-ee-ah'ee-no
From G5199; to have sound health, that is, be well (in body); figuratively to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine): - be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole (-some).

Health - In any organism, health is the ability to efficiently respond to challenges (stressors) and effectively restore and sustain a "state of balance," known as homeostasis

homoios (same, like, resembling) and stasis (to stand, posture). -Wikipedia

I know this is a mediacal definition but the same is true for health in any application including doctrine.

So with the definition of sound doctrine in mind what tests does doctrine have to be able to withstand in order to be sound?

a. For one it needs to be able to withstand the healthy test. Sound doctrine would have to be able to withstand attacks or criticism and be able to restore or sustain itself. If not then the doctrine is unsound. This is why it is important that people be very critical of doctrine, otherwise will get sick unsound doctrine that corrupts our minds and those around us. Is this not self evident today with cults inreasing daily.

b. Sound doctrine has to pass the uncorrupt test, it has to be honest. If a person teaches something they don’t belive then that is unsound doctrine. As well as hypocritical.

c. Whole - including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete; - Answers.com Sound doctrine has to be whole, encompassing all parts which all come together to make up one doctrine.

Tit 1:9 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.