Home/Topics/Doctrines

What the Bible Says About Doctrines

Overview

The Bible addresses doctrines across 26 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Acts and John. Closely related themes include Circumcision, Council, Justification Before God and Law. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Paul, Barnabas and Silas.

Key Bible verses about doctrines

New Testament

Acts

Acts 15:6

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

Acts 15:7

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Acts 15:8

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

Acts 15:9

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Acts 15:10

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Acts 15:11

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Acts 15:12

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Acts 15:13

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

Acts 15:14

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Acts 15:15

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Acts 15:16

After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

Acts 15:17

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Acts 15:18

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Acts 15:19

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

Acts 15:20

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:21

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Acts 15:22

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Acts 15:23

And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Acts 15:24

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Acts 15:25

It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Acts 15:26

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:27

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. mouth: Gr. word

Acts 15:28

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:29

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

People in the Bible and doctrines

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying doctrines for yourself

  • Begin with John 7:16, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Acts and John each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus, Paul and Barnabas and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Circumcision, Council, Justification Before God and Law.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about doctrines?

The Bible addresses doctrines across 26 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Acts and John. Closely related themes include Circumcision, Council, Justification Before God and Law. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Paul, Barnabas and Silas.

How many Bible verses are about doctrines?

The Bible references doctrines in 26 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention doctrines?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is John 7:16: “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with doctrines?

Jesus, Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Peter.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on doctrines.

Preach a series on Doctrines