Much discussion, some good and some not so good, surrounds these verses.  There are many that recognize what these verses say in truth and others that deny that truth.  We are going to look at these verses, and what doctrine and fellowship are.

I. A COMPARISON OF THE KJV AND THE ASV 1901
KJV 2 John 9-11
 9.  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.
 10.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
 11.  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

ASV 1901 2 John 9-11
 9.  Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. 
 10.  If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: 
 11.  for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works. 

II. What is the doctrine of Christ?

Many say that the context of II John dictates that what is being talked about is the coming of Christ in the flesh.  Let us look at the context.

KJV 2 John 1:1-13
 1.  The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
 2.  For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
 3.  Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
 4.  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
 5.  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
 6.  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
 7.  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
 8.  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
 9.  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.
 10.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
 11.  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
 12.  Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
 13.  The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

He talks of truth.  He does mention the error of Christ not coming in the flesh.  But, if we notice verse 8.  The message is to look and not change from what they had wrought (formed or shaped).  Then he tells that if what does not abide (continue or remain) in the doctrine (teachings ASV 1901) of Christ, has not God.  It is simple!

Let’s look at some passages that mention doctrine 

AFTER TALKING ABOUT JUDGING V 1-11, THE GOLDEN RULE V 12, THE STRAIT GATE V13-14, FALSE PROPHETS V15-20, THOSE DENIED ALTHOUGH THEY WERE “GOOD” V21-23, AND THE TWO FOUNDATIONS THEY STATE THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT "HIS DOCTRINE” NOTHING OF THE COMING IN THE FLESH MIGHT I ADD
KJV Matthew 7:28
 28.  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

CHRIST DOES NOT APPROVE OF MAN MADE COMMANDS
KJV Matthew 15:9
 9.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

THERE WAS OTHER DOCTRINES THAN CHRIST
KJV Matthew 16:12
 12.  Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

JESUS CASTING OUT DEMONS AND THIS WAS DOCTRINE
KJV Mark 1:22
 22.  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

HE TAUGHT HIS DOCTRINE THROUGH PARABLES AS WELL
KJV Mark 4:2
 2.  And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

CHRIST STATES THAT IT IS THE FATHERS DOCTRINE
KJV John 7:16-18
16.  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
 17.  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
 18.  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.

THE DEPUTY WAS ASTONISHED AT THE PREACHING ABOUT OUR LORD
KJV Acts 13:12
 12.  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

DOCTRINE NEEDS TO BE OBEYED IF FROM ABOVE
KJV Romans 6:17
 17.  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

OTHERS WILL TRY TO TEACH DOCTRINES OF DEVILS
KJV 1 Timothy 4:1
 1.  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

WE NEED TO PRACTICE DOCTRINE WITH READING AND EXHORTATION
KJV 1 Timothy 4:10-13
10.  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
 11.  These things command and teach.
 12.  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
 13.  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

WE ARE TO MARK THOSE WHO ARE WRONG IN DOCRTINE
KJV Romans 16:17
17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

III. HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH and WITHDRAW FROM

HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP
KJV Ephesians 5:11
 11.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

WITHRAW FROM
KJV 2 Thessalonians 3:6
6.  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
 

KJV 1 Timothy 6:5
5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Conclusion:

It is obvious that we are to not walk with those who teach things contrary to the word of God.  Those that oppose such truths are false teachers themselves.  The only way to be right in the sight of God is to continue in truth, which is the word and teachings of Christ.

KJV John 17:17
17.  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
.

THE WORD OF TRUTH IS BY THE POWER OF GOD
KJV 2 Corinthians 6:4-7
4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

THE WORD IS THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL
KJV Colossians 1:5
5. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Hear and obey the truth today if you have not done so!

Hear and believe – Mark 16:15-16
Repent- Luke 13:3
Confess and be baptized – Acts 8:35-39
 
 

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