That FORM of Doctrine (Part 1- Form)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 1 - Form)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

The term "form of doctrine" describes the particular way biblical teachings are structured and presented. Romans 6:17 emphasizes this, where Paul speaks of believers obeying “that form of doctrine” to which they were committed. "Form" here means a set pattern that informs and directs a believer's faith and actions. 

This doctrine involves fundamental biblical concepts, including the nature of God, the work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the path to salvation. These teachings are organized systematically, offering a clear blueprint for understanding and applying the Christian faith. In essence, the form of doctrine serves as a guide, helping believers align their lives with biblical truths and principles.

Have a look at the scriptures below, taking note of the highlighted words. One cannot deny that there is a very specific structure (or arrangement, or shape), to it and that Paul's 'form of doctrine' is highly specialized, requiring study and training to fully master it.

Rom_12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office [position, function, authority]:

1Co_12:5  And there are differences of administrations [managements, directions, dispensations] , but the same Lord.

Eph_4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation [calling, ability, trade, craft] wherewith ye are called,

1Ti_6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession [career, business] before many witnesses.

1Co_4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards [curators, supervisors, custodians] of the mysteries of God.

2Ti 2:3-4  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  (4)  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

1Co_9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery* [degrees, doctorates, specialties] is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. ------- 2Ti_2:5  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (* Heb_5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; )

2Ti_2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

All the above require specialized, highly technical education through training and teaching in order to excel in the appropriate skill.

Similarly, with these terms Paul uses, it points that we need to be trained and taught by God to fulfil the vocation we are called for. This has no bearing on salvation but has all to do with our eternity; to be godly, to put off the old man and put on the new man, to have Christ formed in you, to know the will and ways of God, to walk by the spirit, to mortify the flesh.

Eph 4:20-24  But ye have not so learned Christ;  (21)  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  (24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

We cannot simply fill our own positions in God’s kingdom. We cannot determine the good works we must do. Serving God according to our own imagination, and according to what we deem is right and good does not mean anything to God’s will and purpose for us. These offices and vocations have been preordained since the beginning of the world. We need exercise and training, and we are to be honed into the purpose for which we are called to.

Col 1:9-12  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  (11)  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  (12)  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Before we can walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, we first need to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Paul says, “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” A mature believer knows how to walk worthy of the Lord and prove God’s will, having been renewed in the mind by correct doctrine, knowledge, and understanding, applying it in daily living through choices and actions unto the glory of God.

Pertaining to our mind; there is a very specific form that God wants your mind to be in. There are things you are not allowed to think or believe. In Rom 6 and 7 Paul says repeatedly, “knowing this”, “know ye not”, “knowing that”. The form of doctrine is defined by a very specific knowledge set.

Now that we have defined a 'form of doctrine', the next logical step is to be 'informed' about it. The next part of this lesson series will delve into this.