"... false doctrine is never content to be alone; it always multiplies until the heart and core of the gospel is denied." (Professor Daniel Deutschlander)
[Jesus said] "If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples" (Jn 8:31b)
You search the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them. They testify about me! (Jn 5:39)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I told you. (Jn 14:26)
... breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' (Jn 20:22)
He spoke about these things the same way in all of his letters. There are some matters that are hard to understand in his letters, which the ignorant and unstable distort, as they also do with the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Pe 3:16)
1. False doctrine must be _____________________.
1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised according to the law handed down by Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Because this brought about a serious argument and debate between Paul and Barnabas and these men, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some other men from the church to go up to Jerusalem, to see the apostles and the elders concerning this controversy. (Ac 15:1–2)
... false brothers (Ga 2:4)
After they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they described in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers. (Ac 15:3)
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that took place at the time of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. (Ac 11:19)
4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything God had done through them. 5 But some of the believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. (Ac 15:4–5)
6 The apostles and the elders gathered together to look into this matter. 7 After there had been much discussion, Peter stood up and said to them, "Gentlemen, brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you, that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, testified on their behalf by giving them the Holy Spirit, exactly as he gave him to us. 9 He also showed that there is no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. (Ac 15:6–9)
Now then, why are you testing God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? (Ac 15:10)
On the contrary! We believe that we are saved in the same way they are—through the grace of our Lord Jesus." (Ac 15:11)
The whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul, who reported all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. (Ac 15:12)
13 After they finished speaking, James responded, "Gentlemen, brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has reported how God for the first time has visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: 16 After these things I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord—even all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord who does these things. 18 "Long ago he made these things known. (Ac 15:13–18)
So it is my judgment that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God. (Ac 15:19)
Points to Ponder
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
2. Ultimately, what does a false teaching do?
3. How can you spot false teaching? What do you personally need to do to better be able to determine what is a false teaching?
4. What happens to a church that tolerates false teaching? Who will God hold accountable for this?
