“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so differences you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
1 Timothy 1-5
Paul here is writing to Timothy and emphasizes the need to speak out and correct false teachers.
Speaking against false teaching in the church is a big thing for Paul. He wants to make sure the pure word of God is taught. This is how it should be today.
Today the threat from false teachers is greater than ever before because of the easy access to the media. That is why we as Christians need to be on the alert for those who would lead others away from the faith.
Having said that I know within the Christian faith there are different interpretations of some minor doctrines. That’s to be expected.
There however should be no debate on the central beliefs of Christianity. The apostles creed although not written by the apostles, I believe sums these basic beliefs up when it says,
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
The third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
I believe in the Holy Ghost:
I believe in the holy catholic* church (*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places.): the communion of saints:
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body:
And the life everlasting.
Amen.
In the apostle Paul’s day as it is today there are many people who are out there particularly trying to part Christians from their money. There are others who are out there deliberately trying to lead Christians astray.
I remember a preacher in the late seventies named Jim Jones who was a good orator who so misled people that he took them down to place in a south American country where they all committed mass suicide.
Today there are men and women in the media in particular that all they want to do is get rich. They do this by convincing Christians that by contributing to their ministry God will bless them ten, twenty, or even a hundred fold. Looking on God as if he were a ‘sugar daddy’. A divine banker who gives a hundred percent interest on their money. This is simply garbage.
As Christians we need to be watching and carefully listening to what is being preached. We need to be looking at the evangelist, preachers and teachers to see if they are truly living up as far as possible to the word of God.
We from time to time need to question them about where the money they are collecting is really going. Not only is the money being spent legally according to the laws of the country they are in, but are they doing what is morally right with the money they receive.
Is most of the money collected for example going to the ministry or is the evangelist or pastor taking the lions share?
When it comes to teaching the scriptures we need to be asking them to explain their reasoning behind what they are teaching.
I know when I teach the adult mid week bible study at our church we encourage questions. I am frequently asked how I came to the conclusion I did. We will even stop and discuss a point for as long as it takes for everyone to understand.
I and my pastor are also open to correction as we expect everyone who comes out to it to be. No one is perfect we all make mistakes.
I was always taught that a teacher of the Gospel of Christ is held up to a higher standard. This is what we should be doing to every one who is preaching or teaching Gods word.
Please think about it.
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