At what point does False Doctrine effect salvation?

[stmatthew]

I seem to be full of questions lately.


It is commonly stated that some doctrines are "salvational" or "heaven or hell", while others have no bearing on our salvations. This would mean that some doctrines are not important in the scope of salvation, right?

So my question is, Can one continue to walk in a false doctrine, rejecting the true doctrine, and continue to be saved? Would not the rejection of a true doctrine over a false doctrine constitute that one is rejecting being led by the Spirit, thus constituting one is now being led by another force?

[Pragmatist]

When you are going farther away from God rather than closer to Him.

[pelathais]

I think your question really gets at the heart of a big problem, not only among Apostolics but in Christendom in general. Of course, even the Muslims and Hindus have similar types of questions they ask among themselves.

From WT Witherspoon's last letter as Sup of the PAJC at the time of the merger:

"While much more could have been done, yet in view of the terrific spiritual battle and division among brethren, I think the P.A. of J.C. has accomplished wonders."

This sounded to me like he was trying to put a brave face on the "divisions among the brethren."

In light of that, I wonder how far can someone go in dividing the body of Christ before it becomes a "salvational issue?"

[MissBrattified]

You cannot accept false doctrine or reject true doctrine and be saved. That seems like a weird question to me...doesn't it have an obvious answer?

Now, the REAL question is: What constitutes "accepting false doctrine" and "rejecting true doctrine?"

e.g., is attending a church that teaches false doctrine equivalent to accepting their doctrine? Does it have to be a verbal acceptance or rejection? Passive? If you have/keep friends with folks who teach false doctrine, are you accepting their doctrine? I wouldn't think so...or else a sinner could have friends that teach the truth and thus *accept true doctrine.*

I'm not sure that going the wrong direction constitutes being lost, but if you continue on the wrong path, you will arrive at the wrong destination...eventually.

I would say that if you know what is true, and you deliberately deny it or denounce it, then that is certainly a salvational issue. Denying Christ, for instance, would be fairly detrimental to one's salvation. (But obviously not unforgivable. See: Peter.)

[OneAccord]

The problem with the question posed in this thread is this: What constitutes false doctine? And, conversely, what contitutes true doctrine? Until a consesus is reached as to what false and true doctrines are, there can never be a satisfactory answer to the question. Except from the Bible itself. And true doctrine, according to the Bible, is any doctrine... any doctrine... that brings us closer to the Lord. True doctrine, as was preached at Pentecost will unite God's people in the Word. False doctrine is like the wind, as compared by Paul . It scatters people... it carries people away from God. It divides the Body of Christ. True doctrine unites them.

Wonderful thread... and remember that God spoke with great concern about those who 'believe a lie' causing them to 'be damned'.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

How much do you know? And what do you reject on basis of what you know?
However, that's not accounting for deception. One could say, "I know the trinity is right" but they're sadly decieved. I could say, "I know so-and-so about divorce and remarriage." Now if I teach/preach otherwise I'm damned. If I prove it to you in the Scriptures, and you reject it, you are damned. If I fail to lift my voice and cry aloud the truth of GOD's Word I am damned. Today I had to tell someone the truth about this, and how she was still bound to her first husband as long as he lives. She didn't take it too well since she had married a second time. However, she is currently divorced from the first and the second. I prayed that GOD would give her the strength to stay single- she didn't like that very much, but it was the truth. Now, she's not Apostolic to begin with, so she's already in trouble, but if this teaching can save her from the sin of adultury and if she can eventually be brought into the Church, then the goal will be fufilled.
Also, although convictions and standards are not doctrines, they can lead one to damnation if not followed, or if not rightgeously implemented, or at least that's how I see it. If I am convicted that long-sleeves is the right way to go and I wear short sleeves, well... It's a hard thing to say I'd go to hell over it, but it's something to consider. I haven't been convicted in this way, so I have liberty on the matter, although I judge when to wear long-sleeves to the best of my discretion, if I was truly convicted for life or for a season and I disobey, well, I'm at least at a bad place spiritually I don't want to be at, eh?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

You cannot accept false doctrine or reject true doctrine and be saved. That seems like a weird question to me...doesn't it have an obvious answer?

Now, the REAL question is: What constitutes "accepting false doctrine" and "rejecting true doctrine?"

e.g., is attending a church that teaches false doctrine equivalent to accepting their doctrine? Does it have to be a verbal acceptance or rejection? Passive? If you have/keep friends with folks who teach false doctrine, are you accepting their doctrine? I wouldn't think so...or else a sinner could have friends that teach the truth and thus *accept true doctrine.*

I'm not sure that going the wrong direction constitutes being lost, but if you continue on the wrong path, you will arrive at the wrong destination...eventually.

I would say that if you know what is true, and you deliberately deny it or denounce it, then that is certainly a salvational issue. Denying Christ, for instance, would be fairly detrimental to one's salvation. (But obviously not unforgivable. See: Peter.)

Good words Miss Bratti.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

How much do you know? And what do you reject on basis of what you know?
However, that's not accounting for deception. One could say, "I know the trinity is right" but they're sadly decieved. I could say, "I know so-and-so about divorce and remarriage." Now if I teach/preach otherwise I'm damned. If I prove it to you in the Scriptures, and you reject it, you are damned. If I fail to lift my voice and cry aloud the truth of GOD's Word I am damned. Today I had to tell someone the truth about this, and how she was still bound to her first husband as long as he lives. She didn't take it too well since she had married a second time. However, she is currently divorced from the first and the second. I prayed that GOD would give her the strength to stay single- she didn't like that very much, but it was the truth. Now, she's not Apostolic to begin with, so she's already in trouble, but if this teaching can save her from the sin of adultury and if she can eventually be brought into the Church, then the goal will be fufilled.
Also, although convictions and standards are not doctrines, they can lead one to damnation if not followed, or if not rightgeously implemented, or at least that's how I see it. If I am convicted that long-sleeves is the right way to go and I wear short sleeves, well... It's a hard thing to say I'd go to hell over it, but it's something to consider. I haven't been convicted in this way, so I have liberty on the matter, although I judge when to wear long-sleeves to the best of my discretion, if I was truly convicted for life or for a season and I disobey, well, I'm at least at a bad place spiritually I don't want to be at, eh?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Going to hell over wearing short sleeves, is something to consider?? NOW THAT IS SOME FALSE DOCTRINE.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I seem to be full of questions lately.


It is commonly stated that some doctrines are "salvational" or "heaven or hell", while others have no bearing on our salvations. This would mean that some doctrines are not important in the scope of salvation, right?

So my question is, Can one continue to walk in a false doctrine, rejecting the true doctrine, and continue to be saved? Would not the rejection of a true doctrine over a false doctrine constitute that one is rejecting being led by the Spirit, thus constituting one is now being led by another force?

Our first focus should be to KNOW Jesus, that is our most important task, "Come to me" Jesus said. If the church will preach "Jesus", folks will be saved and lives will dramatically change. Why is it so hard to see? Paul called the gospel the "ministry of reconcilation", no matter what one has done, no matter who they are, "Jesus died and paid for your sins, come and be reconciled to God". It is all about what He has done!!

This is the gospel, all the rest is commentary!!!!