Wednesday, April 20, 2011

False teachers...then and now

How do ‘false teachers’ during biblical times differ from ‘false teachers’ today?

Our Apostle Paul warns us about those teachers who deny his distinct Apostleship/ministry/message—those who do not rightly divide the scriptures, but who mix law and grace together.

1 Timothy 1:1-7
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;  Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrineNeither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:  From 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.

They won't necessarily deny who Jesus Christ is (as most will actually be saved brethren), but they will deny the "preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery"

Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

They will be "enemies of the Cross." The crosswork of our  Lord Jesus Christ did it all!  That means that we no longer need to perform to please God during our Christian life to stay saved (works).

Philippians 3:17-19
Brethren, be followers together of me [1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1], and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly [the Law] things.)

Whereas, James/John/Peter tells the Jews that their false teachers will deny that Christ came in the flesh or that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ/Messiah.

So you see, Satan's false-teacher tactics change, depending on the dispensation--whether in times past (prophecy/Law) or the present (mystery/Grace).




Hopefully this helps!

No comments:

Post a Comment