Making Merchandise of Souls (The Methodology of the False Teacher)

Introduction False Doctrines Kill False Teachers seek to Profit from Others Destruction We must recognize their methods or fall prey to their deceit

Deceive and Destroy “Secretly introduce destructive heresies” Secretly – Used of “spies or traitors introducing themselves into an enemies camp” (Vincent) Heresy is the introduction of a choice or opinion different from that usually received This heresy would lead people to deny the Lord Himself " 1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” 2 Peter 3:1–2 (NASB95)

Deceive and Destroy " 1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” 2 Peter 3:1–2 (NASB95) “If no one ever accuses us of excusing sin by our doctrine of grace, perhaps our teaching on grace is different than Paul’s (Ro. 3:8; 6:1). If no one is moved to greater obedience and sanctification by our doctrine of grace, perhaps our teaching on grace is different than Paul’s” (Ro. 6:1-23; 8:5-14).

Introduce Doubt Rather Than Speak from Conviction The Judaizer did not seek to save souls but to place doubt in the minds of the saved They could not use the Gospel to advance their doctrine “bewitch” –slander, malign…envy, grudge, use ill words to another (Vincent) " 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” Galatians 1:6–8 (NASB95)

Introduce Doubt Rather Than Speak from Conviction " 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” Galatians 1:6–8 (NASB95) “I wonder if our anti brethren ever preach on the duty of the church to give? Do they use: 1Corinthians 16:2?” (Ben Vick)

Twist and Destroy Distort – to torture by twisting Untaught – “They are untrained and unskilled in hermeneutics and, therefore, arrive at distortions of what is actually said” (Hamilton) Unstable – lack of true conviction which allows their teaching to change to meet their behavior " 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16 (NASB95)

Twist and Destroy " 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.” Romans 14:15 (NASB95) “It is interesting that the word "judge" is used here as in Romans 14: 3, where "the impotent" are told not to "judge" those who are "strong" in their refusal to observe religious dietary laws. Who was doing this "judging" (condemning) of the Christians for their non- participation in observing dietary laws and religious days, months, and years? It was not Jews, either unconverted or converted, but the pagan brethren of converted pagans…”

Twist and Destroy " 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.” Romans 14:15 (NASB95) “… These condemned the converted pagans for their non- participation in such religious activities. Paul's command "not to judge" the Christian in Colossians 2: 16, 17 is the same as Romans 14: 3. It is not a case of one Christian judging another Christian, but of pagans judging Christians.” (Stephen Garrett earch?q=Romans+14)

Twist and Destroy " 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.” Romans 14:15 (NASB95) “In this chapter an analysis of Romans 14: :1 will be presented. It will be shown that "the weak," in this section, is a reference to the class of the unsaved, to unbelievers, or to non-Christians, as in I Corinthians, and that "the strong" is a reference to the class of the saved, to believers, or to Christians.” (ibid)

Twist and Destroy " 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.” Romans 14:15 (NASB95) on verse 3 – “Paul is warning the Christians about how they should regard their lost pagan neighbors and brothers, not how they should regard fellow Christians…”

Twist and Destroy " 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.” Romans 14:15 (NASB95) “… As has been observed in previous chapters, regarding this same issue in the Corinthian epistles, Paul is countering the attitude of Christians towards pagans, which attitude was one of superiority, of standoffishness, of unconcern for their salvation….” (idbid)

Assume and Assert 1 st Century version of the no resurrection doctrine was likely drawn from writings like Romans 6 and Gal 2 These false teachers had no way to prove their doctrine They were forced to rely on circular reasoning and ignoring facts that would have disproved them " 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.” 2 Timothy 2:17–18 (NASB95)

Who is a False Teacher Is every one with a false idea a false teacher? Honest men have honest methods The honest mistaken man changes when presented with the truth, the false teacher continues in his error " 24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;” Acts 18:24–25 (NASB95)