(2 Timothy 1:13-14)…..13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
The words of Paul (and the other apostles) are sound words and we must hold fast to them. So with that, what are sound words, and what is sound doctrine? The word sound means, sound health, to be well, to be uncorrupt. The word that Paul spoke (concerning the gospel) were sound because….
- They are the words of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
- They are the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37)
We are to hold fast to them (the pattern of sound words, doctrine) by continuing in them (2 Timothy 3:14) (Titus 1:5-9). This is what characterized the early church from the beginning (Acts 2:40-43)
The faith (that doctrine given to us to believe) has been delivered, once for all. We don’t need to look for any new teaching, or any new revelation that supposedly comes from God. Why? Because God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:1-4) (2 Timothy 3:16-17) What is our duty as believers in Jesus Christ? Our duty is to contend earnestly for the faith. Why? Because of the times we are in (1 Timothy 4:1) (2 Timothy 4:1-4). The question then is….“Are you holding fast the words of the apostles by both continuing in them and contending for them?