Bible Doctrines—What Are They? How Are They Determined and by Whom?

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Understanding Biblical Doctrine

Biblical doctrine refers to the body of teaching drawn from the Bible itself. It is not speculation, tradition, or ecclesiastical invention. Rather, it consists of truths that arise directly from Scripture, derived by careful and accurate exegesis using the objective historical-grammatical method of interpretation. These teachings represent what the Bible affirms on particular subjects, whether about God, salvation, creation, sin, humanity, or the future. Doctrine is not developed by theology committees or voted upon by councils. It is revealed truth—fixed, timeless, and authoritative because it comes from the unchanging Word of Jehovah.

Doctrine shapes our understanding of reality. It answers questions such as: Who is God? What is man’s purpose? How is a person saved? What is sin? What happens at death? The Bible’s answers to these questions constitute its doctrine. All sound doctrine must be rooted in the proper interpretation of Scripture and must reflect the intention of the original authors inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16–17). That means doctrine is not fluid or evolving. It is not culturally conditioned. It is absolute truth that applies to all people in all times.

The Authority for Determining Doctrine

Only the Bible determines doctrine. Jehovah is the sole source of revelation, and His Word alone is sufficient for establishing truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17). The question “By whom is doctrine determined?” has but one correct answer: by God, through His inspired written Word. Men do not have the authority to invent or develop doctrine. Even the apostles, when speaking or writing, were only authoritative because they were directly inspired by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by signs (2 Peter 1:20–21; Hebrews 2:3–4). Since the death of the apostles, there is no longer divine inspiration in new writings. All that believers need for doctrine is already contained in the completed canon of Scripture.

The early church did not create doctrine—they recognized it. Councils such as Nicaea and Chalcedon may have defined or defended doctrine in the face of heresy, but they did not originate it. The faithful remnant throughout history—teachers, scholars, translators, and believers—have only been stewards of the truth, not the creators of it (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). The faithful exegete, then, must interpret the Scriptures in context, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and faithfully teach only what the Word says, not what tradition, culture, or denominational bias imposes upon it.

How Doctrine Is to Be Properly Determined

Doctrine is determined by exegesis—not eisegesis. The interpreter must allow the text to speak for itself. The historical-grammatical method is the only objective approach. It seeks to understand the original author’s intended meaning in his historical and linguistic context. This includes studying the grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and literary structure of the text, as well as the historical and cultural setting in which it was written. From this proper understanding, doctrine can be formulated.

This process must begin with a literal translation of the biblical text, avoiding paraphrases or dynamic equivalents that blur the author’s original intent. Doctrines are not derived from isolated verses ripped from context but must arise from a consistent reading of Scripture as a unified and self-consistent whole. That means interpreting individual passages in harmony with the rest of Scripture. Since God does not contradict Himself, His Word will not teach opposing doctrines.

All doctrines must conform to the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). For instance, the doctrine of justification must account for Romans, Galatians, and James together, not selectively. The doctrine of creation must harmonize Genesis 1–2 with other Scriptures such as Psalm 104 and Job 38–41. When doctrines appear to be in tension, it is not the Word that is unclear, but the interpreter who must go deeper in study.

Dangers of Man-Made Doctrine

Many doctrines in Christendom today are the result of tradition, philosophical reasoning, or ecclesiastical authority rather than Scripture. The Roman Catholic Church is a chief example of this error, as it places the authority of the church above Scripture. By doing so, it introduces doctrines such as purgatory, indulgences, transubstantiation, and the Marian dogmas—all absent from Scripture. These are not Biblical doctrines; they are human traditions masquerading as divine truth (Mark 7:7–13).

Liberal theologians have also corrupted doctrine by embracing higher criticism and rejecting the inerrancy of Scripture. They see doctrine as fluid and evolving, shaped by human progress and cultural shifts. In contrast, true doctrine is not subject to redefinition. It is not shaped by human opinion but grounded in the Word of God.

Charismatic and prosperity movements distort doctrine by imposing experiences and emotions over the text. Doctrines such as continuing revelation, modern-day apostleship, and the health-and-wealth gospel arise not from the Scriptures, but from personal feelings and deception.

The Role of the Church in Doctrine

The true church is the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). However, it is not the source of doctrine but the guardian and teacher of it. Church leaders are to teach sound doctrine (Titus 1:9; 2:1), refute false teaching (1 Timothy 1:3), and model godly behavior consistent with sound doctrine (Titus 2:7–10). Every believer also bears the responsibility to test what they are taught against the Scriptures (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1).

The local church is where doctrine is taught, explained, and lived out. But no denomination, church council, or pastor has the authority to invent or override what Scripture teaches. Faithful shepherds will always point people back to the Word of God and teach it accurately.

Why Doctrine Matters

Sound doctrine is vital for salvation, sanctification, and discernment. The gospel itself is a doctrine (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). A wrong understanding of the gospel results in a false hope. Scripture warns repeatedly that false teachers and false doctrines will infiltrate the church (2 Peter 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 4:1). Without sound doctrine, believers are like children tossed by the waves of false teaching (Ephesians 4:14).

Right doctrine leads to right living. Paul closely links doctrine with godliness (1 Timothy 6:3). The Christian life cannot be lived correctly apart from a proper understanding of what God has said. The Scriptures, being inspired and sufficient, equip the man of God for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). But to be equipped, one must know what the Word says and what it means.

Conclusion

Biblical doctrine is the teaching that arises from the literal, grammatical, historical interpretation of God’s inspired Word. It is not determined by councils, traditions, or individual experiences. It is revealed by God, discovered through diligent study, and preserved by faithful teaching. Every believer is responsible to know doctrine, live by it, and test all things by the standard of Scripture. Only then can one stand firm in the truth and guard against the many false doctrines that threaten the church today (Jude 3–4).

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).