In Revelation 2 and 3, we find letters to seven
representative churches. Thirty years after Paul’s death, five of the seven
had drifted away from the basic doctrines and practices they started with. Revelation 2:13-16 tells us about the church
at Pergamos. “I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is:
and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days
wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan
dwelleth. But I have a few things
against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam,
who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat
things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine
of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly,
and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
The church had remained faithful to Christ, even though they
were persecuted for their beliefs.
Unfortunately, false teachers were undermining their doctrinal and moral
standards. Balaam believed God’s command
could be changed so that he could get the rewards and approval of Balaam. As a result, he inadvertently told Balak how
to cause Israel to lose God’s blessings by getting them to ignore God’s
command. The church at Pergamos was
dropping God’s commands in order to appeal to a larger audience. The Nicolaitanes were focused on improving
their reputation and prestige than with teaching their people. Though it was still a good church, God warned
that continuing on their present path would result in his turning away from
them and destroying what they were doing.
II Peter 2:1-3 warns that there are false teachers in every
group. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there
shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves
swift destruction. And many shall follow
their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken
of. And through covetousness shall they
with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time
lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” Their adapt their teaching to attain
their own goals, whether to make themselves wealthy, or to advance their
positions in the political or religious world, with some even going to so far
as to deny the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as atonement for
sin. Peter warns that many will adopt their
teachings, and the biblical standards such as the prohibitions against abortion
or homosexuality will be condemned.
Today we see Peter’s warning being fulfilled.
As pastor of the church at Ephesus, one of Timothy’s most
important jobs was to prevent the spread of false teaching in the church,
according to Paul’s statement in I Timothy 1:3-7. “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. 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.”
God’s teachings are for the purpose of enabling us to stand
before God with a pure heart, a clear conscience, with real deep rooted faith and
love for both God and other people. The
teachings that are brought in from the world, whether they be based on
tradition, or modern science and psychology, only cause confusion and doubt as
to the truth of God’s word, and should be avoided. Many of the popular teachers have little or
no real understanding of the things of God, or of the results of their
teaching. People follow them because
their teaching appeals to the old sinful nature, but for spiritual purposes, it
is just distracting noise. Ultimately,
those Christian fads actually hinder Spiritual growth.
Paul said that it was vital that a pastor be doctrinally
sound, in his listing of the qualifications for a pastor in Titus 1:9-11, to
prevent the spread of false doctrine. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath
been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to
convince the gainsayers. 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.”
If his beliefs are not solidly rooted in the scriptures, he will not
be able to correct and silence those who are adapting their teaching to please
the people and gain wealth and prestige.
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