Bible Thoughts

January 31, 1999

False doctrines taught by false teachers existed even in the days of the apostles. It is incredible that one could witness the miracles, hear the inspired word, and see the results of the gospel and still teach something contrary to the New Testament of Jesus Christ. Time has not changed the attitude that is found in the multitudes. False teachers, with their false doctrines, are not only tolerated, but approved, accepted, and followed. In proportion to those who were abiding in the "teaching," the majority rejected the simple message of truth being spoken by the apostles. So it is today.

The directions from God on what one is to obey and how one is to live is available to all of mankind. While faced with the thousands of doctrines that are proclaimed by men, it is not difficult to take the New Testament and separate the truth from error. When one frees the mind of pre-conceived ideas, resolves to find the truth in the word of God, and determines to live as Christ has commanded, the word of God becomes the spiritual guide for such an individual. So long as one is burdened with teachings not found in the New Testament and corrupts the word of God in the light of those teachings, the spread of error will continue.

"He that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son" is the way that John encouraged "the elect lady and her children" to follow the Lord. The commands of Christ are a guideline for disciples. In order to be faithful, one must stay within the guidelines. No preacher, no elder, no disciple, has the right to change the teachings of the Son of God. And they certainly have no right to encourage anyone to follow what cannot be proven from the scriptures to be right in God's sight. If there is no book, chapter and verse for a teaching or practice, one goes beyond the "teaching of Christ" when he/she so engages. Denominations ignore the teachings of Christ when following the doctrines of men. Brethren also stray from the truth by following the paths opened by denominational doctrines and practices.

John is also instructing about the treatment of false teachers in his day. If one comes to the home of a disciple and brings not the "teaching of Christ," the faithful are not to "receive him into your house, and give him...greeting." John is not forbidding one trying to teach the false teacher the truth; rather, he is instructing Christians not to do anything that would approve a false teacher. "Receive him" would be to accept him(with his teachings) in your home; "no greeting" conveys the idea that one is not to ask God's blessings to be with him in his work. The Christian does not support a false teacher; the Christian does not approve the false doctrines of such a teacher. No faithful disciple should do anything that would convey the idea to one whose teachings are contrary to the New Testament that he is being approved in his evil work.

False teachers cannot always be identified by outward appearance. While some wear religious garb that identify them immediately, in most cases this does not happen. Very often, the false teacher is a personable individual, well-liked and respected(of course, there are exceptions). Finding it hard to believe such a person would tell someone a falsehood, they accept, often without question, the instructions of such a leader. These teachers are, many times, humanitarian and very active in the community in trying to ease the burdens of their fellow humans. They will often make sacrifices in order to assist others in their struggles and problems. For those who are not acquainted with the scriptures, they become prey for such men, often ensnared and indoctrinated with error.

John further points out that when a false teacher is accepted and approved, that one "partaketh in his evil works." How essential is it to say, when listening to a religious teacher, where is that in God's book? If the teacher cannot produce a scripture to justify the teaching and/or position, he is to be rejected. We need to understand that not all false teachers are identified with denominationalism(such did not exist in the days of the apostles). John is telling these disciples to be alert in regard to all teachers. No matter the reputation, no matter how long one has preached, and no matter how much ability is possessed, a teacher is to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Paul had to warn the Ephesian elders, "I know that after my departing,grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them"(Acts 20:29-30). If such a danger could exist among those who had lived among the apostles, can we not expect the danger of such happening today?

Over the years, I have personally observed those who were once faithful to God drift away from the faith and teach false doctrines. Prior to their departure, one would have thought that nothing could move them. Even close friends among the brethren tried to excuse them for their errors. Once one gives up the attitude that says, "We must find what God says in His book about this subject and stick with it," the course has been set that leads away from faithfulness to the word of God. Let each of us remember: "He that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son."