8. I don’t like to discuss or debate doctrine. I just want to be close to Jesus.
The apostles tell us dozens of times that we MUST have their doctrine. Without the doctrine of the apostles, it is impossible to be close to Jesus. Here is just one such example – “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Timothy 4:16)
If you have accepted a preacher who tells you that your sins are forgiven at the moment you believe on Jesus, and the apostles say that forgiveness of sins comes in water baptism through the name of Jesus, how can you be close to Him? How can you be close to Jesus when your sins aren’t forgiven and you’re not a partaker of the Covenant, but an uncircumcised Philistine? A true relationship with God is impossible without obedience to the commandments of the apostles’ doctrine. I John 2:4 states: “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Read Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-49, and then read the first two chapters of Acts. You will see the New Testament Church, plain and simple. And from the very beginning, they “Continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.”