In Colossians 2:8-23, Paul is warning against the false teachings that are beginning to infiltrate the church. Gnostics believed that salvation came through knowledge and are preaching contrary to the Truth the church has heard. These teachings confuse the church because of their attempt to incorporate these false teachings with the message of freedom in Christ. Paul reminds the church that Gnosticism goes against everything they have been taught; wisdom and knowledge comes from God, and salvation is in Jesus Christ alone.
Paul also explains that the church has been given fullness of life in Christ. There is no longer any need to be held captive to the law. Paul uses the example of circumcision to make his point. “In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Verses 11-12).
In today’s world there are many false teachers who proclaim to know “the truth”. We are bombarded with everything from “your personal truth” to Heaven and Hell not being real. As believers in an omnipotent God who is creator and ruler over all, the gift of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and the Bible, we can challenge the doctrine of the false teachings of today. It is an opportunity to share the Good News and prayerfully win souls for Christ.
In your opinion what is the biggest danger to the church today as far as false teaching, I know there is a lot of it? I believe outside the church it is this whole idea of relativity that there is no absolute truth. As well as this push for intermingling religions like Chrislum a blend of Christianity and the Muslim faith. But within the church I believe we are facing the push to conform to society as far as homosexuality which is even being preached as o.k. from the pulpit. The abuse of grace as a license to sin is very real. We want to remove the blood, remove the word sin, remove the cross, because it's offensive and we want to be entertained for an hour with some personal motivation. We must take Paul's advice to Timothy and guard against such false ideas. (1 Tim. 6:20) This is why it is so crucial for us to study the Word and grow in the grace and Knowledge of Christ. (2 Pet. 3:17-18) as well as to separate ourselves who teach it. (2 John 10) I believe if Jesus came back he would cleanse the pulpit first ,for judgement begins at the house of God. May we keep the course and not compromise the truth.
Derek, I believe the biggest danger to the church today regarding false teaching, is the church. There are so many preachers who want to keep everyone happy. There are congregations that are being taught the love of God, but the pastor refuses to teach of God's judgement. This desire to "not rock the boat" can cause many to feel good now, but loose their souls for eternity.
We as Believers, must not become arrogant in our salvation, but we must remain humble as God places us in situations where witnessing is required.
Hi Danel-My apologies for my comments not posting sooner. It seems as if they never got published. False teaching is a problem that we will always have unfortunately, until Jesus returns. I agree with both your original post and reply to Derek when you speak of the church being the biggest problem. Too many churches have chosen to water down the Gospel, add to the Gospel or simply teach whatever is on their mind. As Paul reminds young Timothy, we must hold fast to what we know to be true, for this is the only defense against false teaching. Do you see any particular false teachings in the church as being particularly prevalent today? (for example: prosperity Gospel, etc)? How can we stand against false teaching while still speaking the truth in love?
Grade for part one of this assignment: 100
Hey Lady!!
What do you think about this....Another problem that has given rise to False Teaching is the watered-down version of Christianity that some believers live and lead. When believers are living one life and preaching another, the world is left to make their own decisions about the Bible based on bad examples.
Danel-You've provided some excellent points and questions for others to consider as you have interacted with their posts. Grade for 2nd part of this assignment is 100
A DIFFERENT GOSPEL? A quote by Douglas S. Winnail:
Some of modern Christianity's most "progressive" ideas are rooted in heresies taught by false teachers who opposed Christ's gospel. Gnosticism is not just an ancient false philosophy—it is a force that has corrupted true Christianity almost from its beginning, and may affect the religion you practice today!
You chose a topic that is close to me when it comes to peraching the word of God to the saved and the lost. I can see the apostle Paul locked in spiritual combat with the false teachings of his day. I believe Christians today don't fully grasp what gnosticism ( a radical belief system that mixed pagan ideas, Greek philosophy, mysticism and human reasoning with twisted explanations of Scripture) really is. Winnail further states "numerous scholars acknowledge that Gnostic ideas are alive and growing inside Christian churches and seminaries today." New Testament Professor Peter Jones documents the "striking parallels between the ancient heresy of Gnosticism and the spirituality of New Age thinking and the post-modern worldview" (Spirit Wars, 1997, p. vii). "The dangerously deceptive doctrines battled by Paul, Peter, John and other early Apostolic leaders are being revived today with a vengeance—yet the average person is largely unaware of the real source of ideas promoted under the guise of progressive Christianity!"
I believe the misuse of spiritual gifts and widespread prosperity teaching boarderline gnosticism. My former church teaches that you can be a Christian and be saved but not have the holy Spirit until you've discovered your prayer language and can speak in tongues. The pastors wife (Prophetess) would try to teach you how to speak in tongues and encouraged everyone to learn to do it. !st Cor. 14 is completely disregarded. We as believers must be on guard and recognize good sounding, ear pleasing teaching (false teaching) from the true word of God and be bold enough to walk away and /or rebuke false teaching. We must be like the Berean Jews in Acts 17:11.