Orthodoxy, in NT

Acceptance of the truth, especially about Jesus Christ, that is revealed by the Holy Spirit in the gospel and is passed on through the teaching of sound doctrine.

Orthodoxy is based on Jesus Christ who is the truth

Ephesians 4:21 See also John 1:14, John 14:6

Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him— in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—

Orthodoxy is revealed in the gospel

Galatians 1:11–12; 2 Timothy 1:13–14 See also 2 Corinthians 11:3–4; Galatians 1:6–9, Galatians 2:5, Galatians 2:14; Colossians 1:5–6; 1 Timothy 1:9–11

For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Orthodoxy is expressed in simple summaries of faith

1 Timothy 3:16 See also Romans 1:3–4; 1 Corinthians 15:3–5; Philippians 2:5–11

By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

Orthodoxy is maintained through God's true ministers

1 Timothy 2:7 See also 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:15

For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.

Orthodoxy must be defended against error

Titus 1:9 See also 1 Timothy 6:20–21

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

Orthodoxy is shown by the attitude to the incarnation

1 John 4:2–3 See also 1 John 4:15, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:10

By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

Orthodoxy is revealed by the Holy Spirit

John 16:13 See also John 14:17, John 14:26, John 15:26; 1 John 2:27

However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Orthodoxy is demonstrated in believers' behaviour

Walking as children of light

John 3:19–21; Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:7

Following Jesus Christ's example

John 13:15; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6

Loving and obeying Jesus Christ

John 14:15, John 14:21, John 14:23, John 15:10; 1 John 2:3–5

Right belief requires right action

James 2:19 See also James 2:14–18, James 2:20–26

You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.

Signs of a fall from orthodoxy

False prophecy

1 John 4:1 See also Matthew 7:22–23; Mark 13:21–22 parallel Matthew 24:11

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Empty religion

Matthew 15:9 parallel Mark 7:7 See also Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:8–9 parallel Matthew 15:3

They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

False teaching

1 Timothy 4:1–2; 2 Timothy 4:3–4 See also 1 Timothy 1:6–7, 1 Timothy 6:3–5; Titus 1:10–14; 2 Peter 2:1–2

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Examples of false teachings contrary to orthodoxy

Christians are obliged to obey the entire OT law

Galatians 5:1–12

Justification comes only through the OT law

Galatians 2:15–21

The resurrection has already taken place

2 Timothy 2:16–18

Christians do not sin

1 John 1:8–10

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.