MODULE 5
Christian Doctrine and Moral Issues
Learning Objectives
At the end of this class, the students are expected to:
Understand the meaning of Doctrine
The Christian Doctrine explained
Classification of Christian Doctrines
Doctrine A doctrine is a recognizable principle of beliefs, teachings, values, or
instructions that are adhered to, believed, taught and practised by a given set of
people.Mostly doctrines are transferable, i.e. handed down formally or
informally.Christian doctrines explains the practice of Christian faith, in fact no Christian
ethic without a foundation of Christian doctrine.The daily practice of this faith,is the
daily living out of its doctrine.
Christian belief cannot mean one thing to one person and something different to
another.
Major Doctrines
Doctrine of Righteousness Doctrine of Sanctification. Heb.10:10, 1Cor.1:30,
1Thes.5:23, 1Cor.6:11
Doctrine of Deliverance. Col.1:12-13, Mark. 16:17
Doctrine of Holiness 1Cor.6:19, Heb.3:1
Doctrine of Law Roman 8:1-3, Eph.2:15, Heb. 7:18-19
Doctrine of Righteousness Heb.5:17Righteousness is the nature of God that gives us the
right standing in His presence.It is righteousness that gives the ability to reign in life, and
being in God's presence without condemnation or feeling guilty. We are God's
righteousness Righteousness is a gift bestowed upon us by God irrespective of whatever
good we have done, it's a gift received by faith and not by walks. Romans
5:17Righteousness gives us boldness, access to God's presence and peace Heb.
10:19Romans.5:1
Doctrine of Righteousness include:
Foundational Doctrines of Christ
1. Repentance from dead works- What does Repentance Mean? Heb. 6:1-2;Acts
3:19 Thess. 1:5-10. It is a firm conscious and personal decision to change from sin
(obedience to the devil) to righteousness in obedience towards God.Living holy is
not an emotion.
Repentance must involves the steps of:
(a) Acknowledging the fact that you were born a sinner and you have been
sinning till date Rom.3:23,(b) Confessing your sins 1John 1:9.
(c.) Asking God for forgiveness and His
mercy.lsa.55:7.(d.)Asking for divine ability to forsake your
sins. Prov.28:13
2. Faith towards God- The doctrine of baptism- We believe in baptism in water,by
water immersion in the Name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy
Ghost.MatthewN 28:19. The teaching is revealed in New Testament and that all
Christians must obey this rule of the Lord. Acts 2:24; 16:15; 30-33; Acts 18:8; 19:4-5.
There is a baptismal class at the end of the Believers 'classes.
3. Laying of hands and anointing the sick- We believe in the laying of hands and
anointing the sick on the head in the Name of the Lord and that the prayer of faith
shall save the person. James 5:14-16; Mark 16:17-18
But we do not use any other method which are not in accordance to Bible teaching.
Such traditions include sanctification of water for the sick to drink,or to perform
special washing for the sick in the following river, the use of robe or garment or to
carry small stick in form of cross about or the candle and such things. They are not
Biblical.
The order of the Lord is thatwe should heal the sick free of charge. Matt.10:8.We
do not receive money or charge money before we offer prayer for anybody. All
those using the above materials for healing shall perish with them. Mark
16:18;James 5:14; Matt. 10:7-8;Mark 6:13.
4. There is resurrection of the Body- Jesus taught us plainly that the buried also
explained this to us. Acts 24:15; I Cor. 15:22, 42-44; Phil.3:21;Dan.12:2.when He
appears; but the sinners shall resurrect as people whose names are not found in
the Lamb's Book. Rev. 20:4-5; Jn. 5:28-29; Rev. 20:12-15
5. Eternal judgement-The Bible teaches us that there is in existence eternal
life.Matt. 25:41-46. The wicked people will be sent to hell fire made of sulphur
and be tormented both day and night in the presence of the Holy Angel and the
Lamb. The punishment will continue forever and ever. Rev. 14:10-11;
Lk.16:24;Mark 9:43-44.
MORAL ISSUES:Adultery: What is adultery? Does it belong to the Old Testament
period? Exodus 20:14,1Cor. 6:9-10, 15-16 it involves breaking solemn marriage vows
and defiling the conjugal bed. Heb.13:4, Prov. 6:20-35.
Fornication: What is fornication? Is virginity outdated? 1 Cor. 6:13, 18a, Eph.
5:3,Rom.12:2. The fact that fornication is a common practice does not make it
acceptable to God. Keep yourself pure, no sex before marriage, and no sex with
Sexual Perversion: What does it mean? Lev. 18:22-23, Rom. 1:26-27. Remember
someone you are not married to.
Sodom and Gomorrah.
Flirting: Flirting is defined as showing attention or affection without serious
intentions or emotional commitment; love is too serious for play acting. Paul warned
Timothy 1Tim. 5:2 don?t send out the wrong signals. Rom. 14:16; Eph.4:27.
Be wise, ensure you keep a safe distance from members of the opposite sex you are
not convinced you are going to marry (No physical intimacy until you are fully
married).
Danger of Moral Indecency
God regards it as a waste of resources. Prov. 29:3
As a vow breaker, you are under a curse.Isa.54:5,Mal.2:14
It desecrates the blood purchased property of Jesus and attracts destruction.1Cor.
6:19-20.It is a sin against one's own body. 1 Cor. 6:18
It opens doorway for Satan's attack. Eccl.10:8b.
·People may outwardly laugh at you yet inwardly admire you as a Christian who has
the courage to stand up for their moral chastity.
Marriage
1. Holy Marriage-God initiated marriage.Gen.2:18,24-25.
Marriage should be between a man and a woman. Lev. 18:22-24 homosexuality is
an abomination to God, God detest sexual perversion. Rom. 1:26-28. A
Christianshould marry only one wife. 1 Tim.3:2, Gen. 2:18,24-25
2. Why should we marry? We should marry for the following reasons and
more:1Cor.7:1-15
To obey the commandment of God Gen.1:28
For fellowship and partnership, it takes two to make “ oneflesh" Eccl. 4:9-
11,Gen.2:18,24-25.
For the propagation of the human race Gen 9:1. To satisfy creation and sexual desires
that are good, holy, and legitimate but it can only be satisfied in marriage 1Cor.7:1-
15
Courtship:
1. What is Courtship?
Courtship is a time for the man and woman of getting better acquainted and
ascertaining whether or not they are prepared for marriage.
2. What is the Bible approved way of getting engaged to be married as a Christian?1
Sam. 16:7, Gen. 24:1-4, 1Thess. 4:1-7. Ensure that you and your intending spouse have
a common understanding of the key doctrines ofthe Bible.Heb.6:1-
2;Petting,romance,sex,should be strictly avoided during courtship.Prov.9:17-
18,Heb.13:4.
Who should we marry?
Can a Christian marry a non-Christian? AChristian should marry a Christian
only.No marriage should be contracted with an unbeliever. 2 Cor.6:14-17,Amos
3:3,Deut.7:3-6.Any marriage contracted outside of God's plan will often give birth
to troubles.
4. When should a Christian marry? Discuss
5. Marriage done before becoming a Christian:
If you are already married to an unbeliever, God can use you to bless your
unbelieving partner.1Cor.7:14,10-17.
6. Divorce and Separation:God initiated marriage. Gen. 2:24. God is against
divorce. Mathew 19:6, 5:32,Mal.2:1316.Putting away and remarriage constitute
adultery. Mark 10:11-12.Only death should separate a couple. Rom 7:2-3,Love
renders divorce irrelevant in marriage.1 Cor. 13:4-7
MORAL VALUES OF A CHRISTIAN
Prayerfulness. Thes.5:17
·Honesty.James 5:12
·Longsuffering,
Gentleness,
Faithfulness,
·Love,and
·PeacefulnessGal.5:22-23Matt 5:9, Luke 10:6,John 14:
Money Matters:Money is considered in its simplistic form as a measure of wealth and
riches. The bible emphasizes that the Love of money is the root of all evils. 1 Tim 6:10.
Lovefor money and riches of this world affectsChristian's moral values as well as
disrupts God plan for peaceful coexistence of human being.The following are some
points to take note of.
1. The Bible does not condemn money but gives some safe guidelines on the
attitude of a Christian towards money
BELIEVERS CLASS LECTURE MANUAL
2. Do not love money. 1 Tim. 6:6-10. The remedy is contentment with what God has
provided you.
3. Do not be too pre-occupied with searching for money at the expense of
God.Mathew 6:33
4. Do not hoard Money.Matthew 6:19-21,1Tim.6:17.your financial strength has
no bearing in heaven or hell.
Take note of the following.1 Tim.5:8,Eccl.7:12
a. Do not worship money. Mathew 6:24, Prov. 11:28. Money should not be your
God.No idolater shall inherit the kingdom of God.
b. Do not live in debts as a way of life. The Holy Bible recommended us to owe no
debt,but to love one another.Rom.13:8
c. Remember you have been bought with a price 1 Cor. 6:20, your money is the
property of your master. You are only a custodian 1Cor.4:2-7,Deut.8:18
e. Do not put your trust in money. 1Tim.6:17,Psalm 62:10b
f. Do not be involved in extortion,bribery and corruption.Isa.33:15.
g. Love of money hinders salvation Mark 10:24
h. Cares for riches and pleasures of this world destroy relationship with God. Matt
6:24
i. True riches is found in God's wisdom and knowledge. Rom 11:33, Luke 16:11
J. Care for money breeds fruit of imperfection. Riches of this world brings failure and
sorrow. Rom.11:12,James 4:4
