BIBLE inSITE

Scriptural lessons from the Internet

Volume 1, Number 4, August 2, 1998

Identifying False Teachers ­Part 1 (Is 2 Peter 2 the Only Passage to Consider?)

Tom Roberts (http://www.watchmanmag.com/0105/010501.htm)

Throughout the ebb and flow of inspired history, men have been pulled in separate directions in their religious beliefs by their teachers. "How shall I, unless someone shall guide me?" was the response of the Ethiopian to Phillip when asked, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" (Acts 8:30-31). On this occasion, the teacher was a man true to God who led the Ethiopian into the truth about Jesus Christ and who baptized him into the Lord.

Others have not been so fortunate. From time immemorial, other teachers have been as Balaam (Nu. 22; 31:16; 2 Pt. 2:15; Rev. 2:14) who taught Israel to sin. False teachers are legion.

Jesus confronted those of his day who placed their traditions on the same par with God's word: "In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Mt. 15:9). These commandments were identified on one occasion as the "doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Mt. 16:12).

The Hebrew writer warned that we should not be "carried about with various and strange doctrines" (13:9)

Even today, false doctrines abound and have their advocates. Paul warned that "perverse things" would be taught, even within the church by its leaders (Acts 20:30). The "winds of doctrine" of which he warned in Ephesians 4:14 have not diminished in all the centuries that followed inspiration. Encompassing both past and future, Peter warned "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies..." (2 Pt. 2:1).

However the counterfeit does not supplant the true. Just as false gods do not inveigh against Jehovah, the living God, false doctrines do not supplant the word of God. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away" (Mt. 24:35). The word of God "liveth and abideth forever" (1 Pet. 1:23).

The first century church avoided apostasy so long as it "abided in the apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42), which was the apostles' witness and preaching about Jesus. They were accused of filling Jerusalem with "your doctrine" (Acts 5:28) which is identified as "the words of life" (v. 20), "in his name" (v. 28). John further identified what they taught as the "doctrine of Christ" (2 Jn. 9-11) and warned that we must not "go beyond." The apostle Paul warned the Romans to "mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned, and turn away from them" (16:17 ASV).

Now We Have A Problem!

How Do We Recognize False Doctrine?

If we are to be held accountable for accepting or rejecting false doctrines, how can we be sure which they are? Shall we know intuitively which is right and which is wrong? Is there an "office of orthodoxy" which stamps its imprimatur upon a canon? Are there certain colleges or papers that have the power to speak for God in such matters? Does a cult leader have inside information about truth? Does the Holy Spirit whisper a soft confirmation into each heart? No, to each of these. Since New Testament Christianity is a brotherhood of saints who answers to Christ and no earthly headquarters, we cannot pass responsibility to any man or group of men to identify truth for us. Each of us is responsible directly to God for knowing and understanding truth.

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free" (Jn. 8:32). "Hereby, when you read, you may perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4). "Be not foolish, but understand the will of the Lord" (5:17). "If anyone wants to do his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on my own authority" (Jn. 7:17).

Thus, the true doctrine of Christ is knowable.

Likewise, the true doctrine of Christ is identifiable, as distinct from that which is false. This fact addresses the nature of truth. "God is light and in him is no darkness at all" (1 Jn. 1:5). "I

Truth is teachable, as when it was first revealed. In the parable of the sower, truth is called the "seed, the word of God" (Lk. 8:11). God's law of nature (which applies to the animal, vegetable, human and spiritual worlds) is that like begets like, "according to its kind" (Gen.1:21). When the word of God (the seed) is planted in the hearts of honest men and women, the result will be taught citizens in the kingdom (James 1:21; Heb. 8:10-11; 1 Pet. 1:22-23). The Great Commission is predicated upon the ability of all men to respond to "teaching" (Mt. 28:18-20).

With these scriptural facts before us, it should be evident that if truth can be known, error can also be known, for error is opposite to truth. If I may know up as distinct from down, cold from hot and light from darkness, I may also know truth from error. Not only so, but God holds us accountable for making that distinction and will judge us on the basis of our relation to truth. "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth" (1 Jn. 1:6). With animals, what they know must be impressed (we call it instinct) but with man, knowledge must be expressed. God has expressed his truth to man and holds him accountable for either obeying or disobeying through the free will that is given to each of us.

What Relationship Does A False Teacher Sustain to False Doctrine?

It has been said by some that one cannot call a person who teaches error a "false teacher" unless that teacher can be proven to be a dishonest person. Consequently, there is a reluctance on the part of some to characterize those who, admittedly, teach false doctrine as a false teacher. The result is a timidity about calling one a false teacher even though he may be "marked" or otherwise identified as leading people astray. I believe this to be a difference without a distinction. Further, the fact that some people seem to be honest does not mitigate against the error that they propagate. The end result is certainly the same: people are led astray and souls will be lost due to false doctrine. A reluctance to identify such men as "false teachers" is a disservice to the cause of truth and allows some to masquerade as teachers of truth when they are, in fact, false teachers. There is a need to examine the concept that a false teacher can only be identified as such when it is proven that he is dishonest, deceitful or impure in his motives. There are a number of reasons why this is not a scriptural idea.

[Editor's note: Bro. Roberts will began to discuss those reasons next week in Part 2]

Bro. Jim Yopp (Lisa and Doug's dad) is posting his weekly bulletin, Bible Thoughts, to the web at: (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/3700/bibthind.htm)

Blurred Vision ­ excerpted from 30 Best Inspiring Anecdotes of All Times (http://www.liraz.com/Anecdote.htm)

A businessman was highly critical of his competitors' storefront windows. "Why, they are the dirtiest windows in town," he claimed. Fellow business people grew tired of the man's continual criticism and nitpicking comments about the windows. One day over coffee, the businessman carried the subject just too far. Before leaving, a fellow store owner suggested the man get his own windows washed. He followed the advice, and the next day at coffee, he exclaimed, "I can't believe it. As soon as I washed my windows, my competitor must have cleaned his too. You should see them shine."

Jesus said: (Lu.6:41, 42; NAS)

"And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye."

Back to [Volume 1 Index]