Answering Doctrinal Questions (Part 9) Stan Crowley But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (1 Pet 3:15 NKJV)

 Paul admonishes the Romans: (Rom 12:9 KJV) … Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (Rom 16:19 KJV) … I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.  How do we do that—protect from the evil?  In the preceding verses (16:17-18), Paul tells us Should those who teach doctrine contrary to the N.T be marked (noted, ASV) and avoided?

 Paul instructs (commands): (Rom 16:17 KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Rom 16:18 KJV) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.  We are told to be vigilant against a great danger Should those who teach doctrine contrary to the N.T be marked (noted, ASV) and avoided?

 Let us consider: [1] What is in danger? [2] What is the source of the danger? [3] How can the danger be neutralized? [4] In what forms does this danger appear today? Should those who teach doctrine contrary to the N.T be marked (noted, ASV) and avoided?

 Souls are in danger. They are in danger because men can be deceived. (Mat 24:4 KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (Col 2:8 KJV) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Cunning men purposefully deceive. 5 What is in danger?

 Who are most in danger? Those most vulnerable are the “simple” (the unsuspecting). They are innocent, and thus not suspicious; often they are gullible.  The results can be spiritually fatal! The word translated “offenses” in verse 17 means deathtraps. Souls can be lost. 6 What is in danger?

 The danger comes from believing a corrupted form of the gospel.  There is only one valid gospel. (Gal 1:6-7 KJV) … unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Rom 16:17 NKJV) … divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, … (1 Tim 4:1 KJV) … depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (Jude 1:3 KJV) … the faith … once delivered … 7 What is the source of danger?

 There are many pleas for unity. (John 17:21 KJV) "… all may be one, … (1 Cor 1:10 KJV) … no divisions among you, … (Jude 1:3 KJV) … earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (2 John 1:10 KJV) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (Rom. 16:17-18) … divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; 8 What is the source of danger?

 The source of the danger is: … the perversion, … the distortion, … the “spinning” of true doctrine … into something that will appeal to men in order to lure them away from the truth of the gospel 9 What is the source of danger?

 The way to avoid damage from a physical danger is: Take notice of it. Stay away from it. Warn others about it.  The same is true for spiritual dangers. (Rom 16:17 KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 10 How can the danger be neutralized?

 What does it mean “to mark”? “Mark” is from a Greek word that means to “notice carefully, watch out for, be concerned about, keep thinking about.” The NKJV has “note.” The word is consistently used that way (Luke 11:35, II Cor. 4:18, Gal. 6:1, Phil. 2:4). The word means “take notice of,” with no implication of the item noted being bad. (Phil 3:17 KJV) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 11 How can the danger be neutralized?

 Some have misunderstood the word in this text as meaning to place a visible mark or stain upon, or to stigmatize someone as disgraceful or evil. The English word “mark” can have that meaning. That is not the meaning of the Greek word in this passage.  The Greek word refers to something I do within myself (take notice), not some- thing done to others (put a mark on). 12 How can the danger be neutralized?

 “Note” is no mere academic exercise!  The “taking note” is not the end, but a means toward an end. In Philippians, it is a step toward following. In Romans, it is a step toward running away from!  For those who represent danger, neither tolerance nor indifference is an acceptable response: “avoid them.” 13 How can the danger be neutralized?

 Avoiding them neutralizes the danger: We protect ourselves. We protect our influence. We draw attention to their error. We send those in error a warning.  These people are too dangerous to tolerate; Paul says: “avoid them.” 14 How can the danger be neutralized?

 The root of the danger is a philosophy of men that is guiding their decisions.  There are two fundamentally opposite philosophies: Selflessness Selfishness  Our text speaks of those who serve either Jesus Christ or their own bellies. 15 In what forms does the danger appear today?

 There are many “’isms” today— philosophies that seek to avoid restrictions.  Man denies there is a God, hence avoiding responsibility to a Creator. Atheism  Man denies there is absolute truth, so devises whatever “truth” suits his purpose. Relativism 16 In what forms does the danger appear today?

 There are many “’isms” today— philosophies that seek to avoid restrictions.  Man claims things are not objective, but subjective, preventing any constraints by any absolutes. Existentialism  Man claims that any religious belief must pass his test of reason (he puts himself above God). Modernism 17 In what forms does the danger appear today?

 One “’ism” is particularly dangerous.  We often do not recognize it for what it is!  The problem is Gnosticism.  We may think of Gnosticism as an ancient abandoned philosophy. Not so!!  Gnosticism is claiming to have “special knowledge.”  Because only they have this knowledge, the world must come to them. 18 In what forms does the danger appear today?

Catholicism  Councils and “the pope” are claimed to receive direct guidance.  They have the “teachings of the church.”  Even priests are believed to have special God-given insights.  They claim to have special knowledge not available to anywhere else. 19 In what forms does the danger appear today?

Continued Revelation  Many religious groups have preachers who contend that God has directly “laid a message on their hearts.”  Some have modern day “apostles.”  Some have books of “new revelation.”  Many claim authority for their “pastors” or “priests” or councils.  Many claim to have unique information. 20 In what forms does the danger appear today?

Gnosticism in the Church  Many are claiming direct revelation (enlightenment/understanding).  Often this is attributed to a direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the person’s mind.  Some claim they can discern when the Holy Spirit is or is not giving them understanding. 21 In what forms does the danger appear today?

Gnosticism in the Church  Many claim their academic achievements give them a superior ability to understand the Scriptures.  They claim such knowledge cannot be attained without completing the same curriculum.  This has contributed to the conclusion that our “old hermeneutic” is fatally flawed. 22 In what forms does the danger appear today?

 The errors that corrupted sound doctrine in the days of Jesus, Paul, and John, have grown and spread.  They continue to appear in new forms, even within the Lord’s church.  The gullible are persuaded by the appeal of these “fables”; they seek to avoid the constraints that come from the truth (II Tim. 4:4). 23 CONCLUSION

 The Lord’s church is paying a high price for failing to heed the warning of the apostle Paul in Rom. 16:17: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark {note, NKJV} them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 24 CONCLUSION