GOSPEL OF GOD and Doctrine of C H R I S T or Religious doctrines? “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the [GOSPEL OF GOD]”? (1 Peter 4:17).

Over time numerous religions have evolved in this world with an emphasis on hierarchical organizations and their own doctrines. During his time here Jesus admonished his disciples against such things when they wanted to know who among them would be the leader, he provided an answer by drawing a comparison of the religious practices of that day.

Jesus spoke to his disciples and said: “[BUT ALL THEIR WORKS THEY DO FOR TO BE SEEN OF MEN]; they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [AND CALL NO MAN] your father upon the earth: [FOR ONE IS YOUR] Father, [WHICH IS IN HEAVEN]” (Matthew 23:5–9).

The House of God is not in physical buildings with different names, but in Jesus the Son, who is over his own house, whose house are we, and we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end (Hebrews 3:6).

James, the brother of Jesus explained it best about religion said: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:26-27).

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20).

When King Jesus was here on this earth he was asked about his doctrine.

“Jesus answered them, and said, ‘My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him’” (John 7:16-18).

“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:29-31).

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9).

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:16-19).

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:2, 4).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3–5).

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21).

“For ye are all the children of God by [FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS]” (Galatians 3:24).

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Philippians 4:23).