A Policy is defined as, “A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government; A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions, especially in politics, economics, or business. ... A deliberate system of guidelines to guide decisions and achievement of rational outcomes. A policy is a statement of intent and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. a deliberate system of guidelines to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. Rules of order are all examples of policy”. Policy, however, differs from law (Doctrine). While the law can compel or prohibit behaviors (e.g. a law requiring the payment of taxes on income), policy merely guides actions toward those that are most likely to achieve the desired outcome. Therefore, a doctrine is defined as, “A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group (e.g. “the doctrine of predestination")”.
In John’s second epistle he teaches us: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine [not policy] of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (v9-11). Quite the warning! A doctrine is simply a point of truth from God‘s Word about the purpose and plan of God. Doctrines explain various aspects of man’s relationship to God (see Hebrews 6).
Notice the often-quoted Deuteronomy 16:16 which states, “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed”. Given this biblical teaching how would we differentiate between a policy and a doctrine? The point of truth (doctrine) relates that we are commanded to give a free will offering at the three main harvest seasons of the year. This is a stated doctrine from God the Father, His Son and through Christ’s apostle. This we cannot change! However, when exactly do we present and collect these offerings? On which days? As a matter of church policy, it was decided to collect the offerings on the seven annual Holy Days, which fall within the three seasons. Do we see the difference? How about another example? Doctrine states: we must keep the Sabbath holy. Church policy states: we shall hold a two-hour service on the Sabbath with a specific format to be followed by all congregations to foster unity. The difference should be clear! Notice the battle Mr. Armstrong faced:
September 15, 1980
TO ALL CHURCHES WORLDWIDE:
Dear Brethren in Christ:
For the past two years I have been laboring very hard to be Christ's servant and apostle in SETTING GOD'S CHURCH BACK ON THE TRACK. The entire Church had been derailed. A LIBERAL spirit from Satan had been injected into some in high positions under me at Headquarters in Pasadena. Instead of wholeheartedly OBEYING Christ through HIS WORD, THE BIBLE, there was creeping in, during years when I was in other parts of the world up to 300 out of the 365 days in the year, a LIBERAL spirit of SATAN.
Those leaders to whom I had delegated the responsibility of ADMINISTERING the POLICIES and DOCTRINES Christ had set in God's Church through His apostle, went way BEYOND the authority given them. They started CHANGING POLICIES and watering down God's TRUTH, changing DOCTRINES, compromising—seeing HOW CLOSE they could go —and lead the Brethren in going—to the ways of SATAN! They wanted to be more LIBERAL —more like THIS WORLD OF SATAN.
This was kept from me. Those I left in charge to administer policies and teach doctrines Christ had set through me threatened to fire any employee who communicated to me what was going on.
The true doctrine of Christ is the truth, which He reveals through His Word (John 17:17). Unless every doctrine we believe fits perfectly together as revealed in the Bible, unless what we have learned only further serves to clarify and expound the whole pupose of God—reproducing Himself—then it is not “truth,” but error.
HWA Library: “Fundamental Doctrines”
Church of God - Study Tools
Preface: The Doctrine of the Church of God is based entirely on God's word, the scriptures of the bible, as God inspired the various writers to enter into the pages thereof. While the churches of the world have much tradition in their doctrine, the Church of God rejects any and all worldly tradition, adhering to the spirit of the admonition made by Jesus Christ.
BAPTISM ; BORN AGAIN; CHRISTIAN, WHAT IS ; CHURCH — CIVIL GOVERNMENT; CHURCH NAME; COMMANDMENTS, LAW — OBEDIENCE; COVENANT — OLD, NEW; FAITH; FASTING (SPIRITUAL) STUDY; GOSPEL; GRACE, LAW; HEALING; HELL; HOLY DAYS; HOLY SPIRIT; KINGDOM OF GOD; LAYING ON OF HANDS; MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, CHILD REARING; MILLENNIUM; PRAYER; PROPHECY; REPENTANCE; RESURRECTION; SABBATH; SATAN, DEMONS, ANGELS; SIN; SOUL
TITHING [policy: gross vs. net]; TRIALS; WORLDLINESS
OTHER DOCTRINES:
· Unclean Meats: Genesis 7:2, Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14, Acts 10:14
· Smoking: 2 Cor. 3:6, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, Matt. 5:27-28, Rom. 6:14
· Birthdays: Gen. 40:20-22, Job 1:4, 3:3, Matt. 14:6-11
· Makeup: I John 2:15-16, I Peter 3:3-4, Romans 9:12
· Voting: I Timothy 2:4, II Corinthians 5:20, Micah 4:1-14
· Military Service: John 18:36, I Corinthians 7:23, 2 Timothy 2:3-4
· Interracial Marriage: Genesis 10:32, Deuteronomy 32:8, Acts 17:26
· Real Love: I John 4:8, 5:3; Romans 13:10; I Corinthians 13
· Heaven: Matthew 5:5; Revelation 2:26, 22:12
· Scripture Cannot Be Broken: II Timothy 3:10; John 10:35; II Peter 1:20
· One Church: John 17:11; Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 1:10, 12:12
· Christ Could Have Sinned: Heb. 2:18, Matthew 4:1, I John 4:3, Luke 22:44, Heb. 4:15
· Restitution Rules: Exodus 22
A doctrine is just one more point of truth by which we may be born again into the Kingdom of God! A “doctrine” is not an utterly disconnected “idea” or philosophy about some completely irrelevant and vague sounding sanctimonious something based on some man’s whim, at the time! A doctrine is not a cherished argument, a weapon you use with which to fight against some other doctrine! A doctrine is a simple truth from God’s Word! A policy is a set of ideas that is used as a basis for making decisions or setting procedures. Funny thing, I cannot think of one policy Mr. Armstrong ever wrote an entire booklet about. A doctrine (e.g. Truth About Makeup) is a fact, a truth, which further explains the whole purpose of God, and the great plan He is using to work out that purpose here below!
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