What is Apostolic Doctrine?

Q: ______________________________________What is Apostolic Doctrine/Teaching?

A: Apostolic doctrine is the ministry that Jesus provided to His disciples/apostles as recorded in the New Testament (NT). The entire apostolic doctrine is found in the Holy Scriptures (aka the Bible) particularly in NT and nothing can be added or taken away from God's word.

Revelation 1:18 -20 (HCS) "I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them,
God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book. He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.”

There are many old testament (OT) prophesies that remain to be fulfilled but most are referenced in the NT - particularly in the book of Revelation. In a nutshell "apostolic doctrine" is what the apostles of Jesus Christ preached, beginning at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. The apostles doctrine includes their understanding of what Jesus taught them from the day He first chose them as disciples - to their receiving of the Holy Spirit which Jesus poured out on them on Pentecost and His further revelations to them by His Spirit which are recorded in Acts (especially Paul's recruitment/conversion) and the apostles epistles (letters) from Romans to Revelation.

Jesus faithful "disciples" - some later known as "apostles" wrote Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John many years after Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. In fact John's gospel was written when he was about 90 years old. These gospel accounts infuse the Holy Scriptures with the NT covenant relationship between God and His people - us!

[Although Mark & Luke were not of the original 12 disciples, they were disciples and in time recognized as leaders in the early Church.
Anyone who is a faithful and obedient follower/student of Jesus/Yeshua is a 'disciple' - in fact the scriptures call believers 'saints' as in "the saints of the Most High"].

John 8:31 (NKJV) "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

[Note: Apostolic doctrine has nothing to do with modern day preachers who call themselves "apostles", and many denominations or churches that use the word "apostolic" in their brand name in fact may very well be contrary to sound scripture.]

Apostolic Doctrine:

Acts 2 (KJV) 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. " [Note that all the Apostles were in agreement as noted by Luke in Acts 2:14 - the book of Acts was recorded by a disciple of Jesus: Luke - see Acts 2:14] So this just wasnt Peter's take-further the Holy Gohost fell on those obedient to Peters instructions signifying that was truly the will of God for the building of His Church...the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit." (Apostle Paul)

Acts 1:21-26 (NIV) "Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection. 23So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles."

2Timothy 3:10-16 (NKJV) (Apostle Paul speaking to Timothy)
"But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."   (Apostle Paul)

1Corinthians 11:23-25 (NIV) "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (Apostle Paul preaching the words of Christ to the church in Corinth)

Revelation 22:18–19 (ESV) "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."    (Jesus Christ)

1Timothy 1 -10 (KJ2)   "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to myths and endless genealogies, which cause questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talk; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor the things they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For fornicators, for homosexuals, for slave traders, for liars, for perjurers, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust."

God confirmed the spoken word of the apostles with miraculous signs and wonders - allowing them to perform tremendous miracles from raising the dead to healing all manner of sicknesses and deliverance from demonic possessions. Also they established many churches and believers were filled with the Holy Spirit when they received the gospel the apostles preached.

Acts 8:4-8 (HCS) "So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the message of good news. Philip went down to ad city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city."

Acts 5:12-15 (NAS) "And at the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number; to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets, and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. And also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits; and they were all being healed."

The scriptures also strictly warn the church about those who depart from following the apostles teachings to promote themselves and their own false doctrines:

2 Peter 1:19-21 (NAS) "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. " 2Peter 2:1,2, 20,21 (NAS) 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them."

The same gospel the apostles preached is what the church is to be preaching today. It is easy to see what denominations, people or groups are teaching false religion by comparing their teachings to the apostles doctrine as recorded in the scriptures.

Jesus and the apostles warned that after their departure false Christs and teachers would arise - deceiving many and blaspheming God's word. Satan will use any means at his disposal to deceive the nations especially false religions.

Revelation 12:9 (KJV) "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV) "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."

2 Peter 2:1 (NIV) "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves."

Revelation 2:2 (NIV) "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false."

Acts 20:29-31 (NIV) "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. "Therefore be on the alert,..."

Jesus and the Apostles today through the written Word teach us that the spirit of antichrist will be at work in the world to deceive the nations from receiving/believing and to deny the salvation that is found only in Jesus Christ. They would deny that God was manifest in the flesh as the Son of God, Jesus Christ. They would deny Jesus and in doing so also deny the Father   (the Spirit of God).

Matthew 24:5 (Holman)   "For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Messiah,' and they will deceive many."

Matthew 24:24 (ASV) "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect."

1 John 2:22 (NIV)   "Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist--denying the Father and the Son."

1 John 4:3 (NIV) "but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."

2 John 2:17 (KJ2) "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."

1 Timothy 1-5 (NLT) "Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer."

So now we can see why knowing the Scriptures are essential to keep ourselves from Satan's deception in these "last days". In fact millions upon millions have been lost to deception through false apostles and teachers since Jesus walked the earth - just as the Lord predicted and warned would happen. Further the scriptures also teach that there will be a huge falling away from the truth that will happen at the final stage of the "last days". If we stick to the scriptures we will avoid much heartache and be good stewards of the faith. We are to be vigilant to avoid being deceived by those who do not teach "sound apostolic doctrine" - even as the Lord Jesus commended the church at Ephesus in Revelation chapter 2.for..." you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false."

You may have come across some who say "I only believe the words of Jesus not the disciples", but all the words of Jesus were actually written by the disciples...so either you believe them or you don't ...There is no middle ground. But it is like John recorded :

John 22:24 "This is the disciple who testifieth of these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

Yes, it can be difficult to find a good scripture based "home church" these days. Because of this many people are now doing home groups which are smaller groups similar to the early church meetings. Hopefully you will be fortunate to find a sound bible based church or group where you live. Amos 8:11-13 says that in the last days (now) that there would be a famine for being able to hear the Word of the Lord preached/taught so that is why many people go from place to place looking for somewhere they can fellowship with like minded believers.