“…that
thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…which some having
swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the
law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” – 1st Timothy
1:3, 6-7
The following articles seek to address the underlying cause of prejudice and apathy in
religion. Religious convictions are developed from what is heard
from the pulpit. The role of preaching is seen from Romans
10:14-15:
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and
how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they
preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet
of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad
tidings of good things!”
Today, there are those who
preach “another gospel” (Gal. 1:6-9) as opposed to
the SAME GOSPEL that was preached by the apostles of Jesus. This is
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 warns of false teachers and false doctrines; “other” gospels and
departures from “THE” faith. False teaching causes people to
become ignorant of God’s will and skeptical of whether or not His will can be
known. Doubting this possibility, people will
not put forth the effort to study and a lack of study results in shallow
convictions.
Notice from the following
scriptures, the clear statements of false teachers and their motives as well as
admonitions to earnestly contend for THE faith:
Acts 20-28-30 - Take heed
therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost
hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall
men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Rom. 16:17-18 - Now I
beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to
the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that
are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
1st Cor. 4:6 - And these
things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for
your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is
written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
2nd Cor. 11:13-16 - For such
are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an
angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works. I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a
fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
Gal. 1:6-9 - I marvel
that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ
unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you,
and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let
him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any
other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Eph. 4:14-15 - That we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in
all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph. 5:6-7 - Let no
man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath
of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with
them.
Phil. 1:27; 4:9 - Only let
your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come
and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast
in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel...those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and
seen in me, do.
Col. 1:23 - If ye
continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope
of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature
which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.
Col. 2:8 - Beware
lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition
of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
1st Thess. 2:5-6 - For
neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of
covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor
yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
1st Thess. 2:14-16 - For ye, brethren, became
followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye
also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the
Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have
persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding
us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins
alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
2nd Thess. 1:7-9 - And to
you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that
know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall
be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and
from the glory of his power.
to be continued...
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