As was pointed out in Part 1, there are those today who preach “another gospel” (Gal. 1:6-9), as opposed to the SAME GOSPEL that was preached by the inspired apostles of Jesus. This is the reason why there are so many denominational bodies in the world. They were started by men who preached a different message than what was preached by the apostles. As is true in the physical realm, when a particular seed is sown, the fruit will be after the seed. In the spiritual realm, when the same doctrine is preached, the same fruit will follow. Paul told Timothy to charge some that THEY TEACH NO OTHER DOCTRINE. He stated that there were some who DESIRED TO BE TEACHERS, BUT UNDERSTOOD NEITHER WHAT THEY SAID NOR AFFIRMED!
The fact that FALSE TEACHING would arise is seen from the fact that EVERY NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLE warned of false teachers and false doctrines; “other” gospels and departures from “THE” faith. The fact that there is “true” teaching (i.e. truth; the ‘faith’) as opposed to “false” teaching, can be seen from such passages as 1 Tim. 2:4 and Philemon 1;8-9, 21. False teaching causes people to become ignorant of God’s will and skeptical of whether or not His will (truth) can be known. Doubting this possibility, people will not put forth the effort to study, and a lack of study results in shallow convictions.
The reality is, FALSE TEACHING abounds today! As a result, people are divided religiously. There is also prejudice and apathy present; there are shallow convictions, bible ignorance, both of which are on the increase. Last week I listed the passages from the book of Acts thru 1st Thessalonians. Now I will continure with 2nd Thessalonians thru the book of James.
2 Thess. 2:2-12 - That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2 Thess. 3:6 - 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.
1 Tim. 1:3-4 - As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
1 Tim. 2:4 - Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2 Tim. 4:2-4 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Titus 1:10-16 - For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Philemon 1:8-9, 21 - For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, I appeal, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus...since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Hebrews 2:1-4 - Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
James 5:19-20 - Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
to be continued...
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copyright 2011
copyright 2011
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