This is a synopsis of a message preached at Kilskeery Annual Conference.
An audio recording of this message is available - click here.
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me,
in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been
assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 2 Timothy 3:14.
There were ‘
things’ which Paul taught Timothy which he wanted this young man to ‘
hold fast’ and to ‘
continue…in’. These ‘
things’, which Timothy had heard preached and taught by Paul, are described as ‘
sound words’ in
2
Timothy 1:13.
By ‘
sound words’ are meant doctrines, namely, the great doctrinal truths which make up the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. This is not referring to mere words, for the servants of the Lord are warned against striving about
words, to no profit:
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they
strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers,” 2 Timothy 2:14. The Greek word translated ‘
words’ in
2 Timothy 1:13, is translated as ‘
doctrine’ in
Hebrews 6:1: Therefore
leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation
of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.