PRÉCIS ON THE CALL TO THE AMERICAN SHEPHERD III: TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH – SO HELP YOU GOD!

SCRIPTURE. “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” – 1 TIMOTHY 4:16, NKJV

KEY TERM: “DOCTRINE.” ‘Didaskalia’ [διδασκαλίᾳ]: “From a primitive root meaning, ‘The Instruction or Teaching from a doctor or master [of God’s Law];’ also, the art of manner of teaching; with the sense of warning or admonition; education or training; coming from God, Divine directions or requirements;  properly applied-teaching; Christian dogma (teaching) as it especially extends to its necessary lifestyle (applications).”

QUOTATION. “‘If we are not grounded in Sound Doctrine, we will be easily deceived and led astray — susceptible to False Doctrine.’ We won’t know how to discern Truth from Error when we hear a popular preacher or read a bestselling book that is not fully aligned with Scripture. Without Sound Doctrine, we can’t know how to live in a way that pleases God. That’s why we so often see professing Christians falling prey to off-base teaching and justifying unbiblical and immoral choices—‘Because they have fallen away from Sound Doctrine and its life implications.’” ― NANCY DEMOSS WOLGEMUTH, Adorned Book and Study Guide Set, 2018; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them.’—‘Thy teaching’ is a more accurate rendering of the original Greek word than ‘The doctrine.’ The Apostle in these words sums up the Two Chief Pastoral Requisites and then points out the mighty consequences which will result from faithfully carrying them out.

(1) The minister of Christ must keep his attention fixed on his own demeanour and conduct; (2) And at the same time give equally careful heed to the quality and character of his Teaching. This Teaching must be True and Manly, and, above all, it must be Faithful in doctrine; and he himself must exemplify it in word and deed. ‘Without true and efficient teaching, the pure and upright life of the Christian pastor will fail to win souls for his Master.’ And, on the other hand, the most efficient instruction will be of no avail unless the life corresponds to the words publicly uttered.

‘For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.’—Thou shalt save’—That is, in the Great Day of Judgment; for only one meaning, and that the highest, must be given to ‘THOU SHALT SAVE!’ Eternal Happiness for Pastor and Flock is the double reward offered to the faithful servant of the Lord. ‘In striving to save others, the minister is really caring for his own salvation.’” – CHARLES ELLICOTT,  An Old and New Testament Commentary, 1878, 1897; edited

DK’S TAKE. I will go straight to The Point: The Catastrophic Abandonment of Sound Doctrine in exchange for the rancid Political Dogma of Trump Christian Nationalism is the Greatest Disaster in the entire history of the American Church. We have already documented this “GREAT APOSTASY” in previous studies, so no need to go over old ground here (cf. Matthew 24:12, 24; 2 Thessalonians 2;1-4). Suffice for now to say, once more:

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not be a partner in her sins and receive her plagues; for her sins (crimes, transgressions) have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness and crimes [for judgment].” – REVELATION 18:4-5, AMP

AMERICAN SHEPHERDS: Depart immediately from blending the filthy Leaven of Antichrist Ideology with the Sacred Gospel of Jesus Christ, lest your Fall from His Grace be fixed for all time and even all of Eternity.

‘Times for Repentance are nearly vanished!’ SELAH.