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Jesus Christ, during the last days of His ministry on earth, right before His betrayal, arrest and trial, lifted up His eyes to heaven and prayed to His Father, God (Jn. 17:1). A major concern was that all of those who would believe in Him, through the words of the apostles, would be one as He and God are one. His exact words were: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their words; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" (Jn. 17:21,22). The apostles, in their letters of instructions to the churches, admonished them, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among them, but that they be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10). How have the professed followers of Christ responded to the purpose of God, the prayer of Jesus Christ and the plea of the apostles to be one? Not very good!! Professed followers of Christ are all divided up into many different denominations and there are numerous divisions within denominations and fellowships. It is no wonder that there are so many in the world who are not convinced that Jesus is the Lord. "And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mk.3:25). Doctrinal differences divide believers. The "Classified Doctrine" study will enable a student of the Scriptures to determine which doctrines are "essential" to religious faith and practice, where there should be "freedom" to differ in a religious belief or practice without creating divisions among individuals and churches ("Stand fast…in the liberty by which Christ has made us free," Gal.5:1,13) and when we should "separate." It will be vitally important for all Christians to be able to make these distinctions. Our inability to agree on the "essentials" and where there should be "liberty," is the major reason for "divisions" in fellowships and the creation of denominations. All who profess to be Christians are obligated before God to help fulfill the purpose of God, the prayer of Christ and the plea of the apostles. You are invited to engage your mind and heart in this study and determine for yourself if the "Classified Doctrine" approach to understanding New Testament Doctrine is a valid way for Christians to adhere to essentials, stand for liberty, establish unity, and eliminate divisions. Achieving this goal will give the church a greater witness to the world and result in more abundant glory given to God! (1Cor.10:31-33; Rev.4:11). All Scripture references in this study are from the New Kings James translation unless another translation is indicated. The red print indicates statements of Jesus, the black print represents the words of the apostles, the green print Old Testament Scriptures and the blue print denotes introductory statements, explanations, Scriptural summary or personal comments. The first page (front and back) lists the twelve categories in the "Classified Doctrine Concept" with examples of doctrine in each category. The number at the end of each category indicates the number of individual doctrines in that particular category in the larger study of "Classified Doctrine."
Arranged by Eugene Lockling
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