1 JOHN 2
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
IDENTIFYING THE DECEIVERS
How can you identify false teachers?
What is their distinguishing feature?
All through the NT, many false teachers came to deceive the church. The Church in Galatia was troubled by the Judaizers who taught that it was Jesus plus, today we would class them as the Roman Catholic church, indeed Roman Catholicism is the plus religion.
In Galatians 1 verses 6-9 Paul pronounces a curse on these people, strong words, yes, but these are true words.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
These people went forth from the church, because they couldn’t stand discernment in the church or discipline from the church.
These false preachers went forth from the church, so that they would be outed by the Lord.
Paul warns the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, that even some of them will turn out to be false teachers:
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
It is a warning to us, that not everyone, even though they may be a so called bible teacher, may not be all, they say they are.
My dear friend Victor Jack, has a wonderful ministry in Suffolk England, a Christian conference Centre and he is an active evangelist, but still he is active and committed in his local church.
The distinguishing feature, will be that they will persevere, they will continue with the church, they will be accountable to the local church and work under it’s auspices.
So many come and share today and you say” well, what church are you with”?
They say “oh I’ve no church”.
Be aware that ministry is usually connected to a biblical local church, yes I have this ministry, but I am accountable to the local church.
Be a member of your local church, don’t leave it to go out on your own.
KK