____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ October 3, 2004 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Reaction to Heresy (Irven Lee) 2) Special Religious Titles and Garments (Clarence R. Johnson) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- Reaction to Heresy by Irven Lee "Heresy must needs come" (I Corinthians 11:19). Paul said, "I know this," when he warned the elders that wolves would enter the flock (Acts 20:29-32). Peter said, "There shall be false teachers among you" (2 Peter 2:1-3). John said, "Many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). What are we to do? Prevalence of Heretics It is not so easy to detect the false, to distinguish from the true. It is very easy to be deceived. The Lord knows this, so He has warned more often in the New Testament concerning the sin and danger of heresy than He has of the sin of lying, drunkenness, murders and stealing combined. It must be serious! Are we awake to the danger? "Many shall follow their pernicious ways" (2 Peter 2:1-3). Will the time ever come when you will stand with a factious man in his evil way? Are you sure? Maybe you have stood there already. Paul knew that good people (disciples) might be led away by these grievous wolves, so he warned night and day with tears at Ephesus (Acts 20:29-32). He commended them to the word and warned them, but later he was leaving Timothy at this very place (Ephesus) to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (I Timothy 1:3). The grievous wolves would speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them, he said. The perverse things may not have been believed by these heretics. They would speak them to get a following -- "to draw away disciples after them." Believe this! Men may be found who will "speak things which they ought not for filthy lucre's sake" (Titus 1:11). They will make merchandise of the souls of men. This is true but many follow their pernicious ways. Diotrephes had a following. Skill of Heretics Do not minimize the skill of some heretics. Paul marveled at how soon the churches of Galatia were disturbed and how seriously by the perverters. They ran well for a time, and had treated Paul as if he were an angel, but the time soon came when those who "desired to make a fair shew in the flesh" and to avoid persecution were turning them back to the weak and beggarly elements (Galatians 6:12). Watch for the ulterior motives in heretics. If it happened to the churches of Galatia, it can happen to us. "Beware of false prophets." The apostle to the gentiles had occasion to warn the good church at Philippi. In their case, he reminded them of his example, and warned them with tears as he mentioned these enemies of the cross of Christ who minded earthly things. Their appetites were their god. They gloried in the things of which they should have been ashamed. Are there people like that now? The answer is an emphatic yes! (Philippians 3:17-19.) Some at Ephesus said they were apostles, but they were liars. This blunt word is found in the Lord's special message to the Ephesian church after He was in heaven (Revelation 2:2). Such men are called false teachers, grievous wolves, enemies of the cross, heretics, and deceitful workers. These are not pretty words. No wonder He asked that we withdraw ourselves from every brother that walks disorderly (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Even the deceived man who is in error must not be allowed to lead the church into error. The "disorderly" were those who manifested an insubordinate spirit. (See definition in Vine's Dictionary of New Testament Words.) Heretics are not good people. There are good and honest hearts that need teaching. These are not the heretics. There are deceived men in error that can learn. These are not the grievous wolves of which we are so often warned. All should know of the "sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Ephesians 4:14). These men are given to trickery and unscrupulous conduct. Having their conscience seared, they speak lies in hypocrisy (I Timothy 4:2). Preachers have not said enough of this evil group. Precautions to Take The deceitful workers were of the contrary part, watching through their desire to find occasion against Paul (2 Corinthians 11:12). The Lord's servants need to be as harmless as doves so that those of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say (Matthew 10:16; Titus 2:7; Philippians 2:15). It is evident that all need the whole armor and the skill in discernment to fight the good fight (Hebrews 5:12-14; Ephesians 6:10-17; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Many follow their pernicious ways, but if the blind lead the blind both shall fall. Some who know the truth may lack self-control, so these who are using cunning craftiness may set on fire the whole course of nature and provoke them to railing. The heretic may cause men who mean well to behave so as to destroy their good influence. Churches that have gone through great struggles in fighting errors of doctrine may then be destroyed by men who sow discord. The root of bitterness brings the envy and strife which can lead men to bite and devour one another. Faithful brethren are often falsely accused and abused by men who plan division for personal advantage. Heresies must come so we should do all that is possible to be prepared to stand. The heretics may use "good words and fair speech," and appear as ministers of righteousness. Are you prepared to recognize the factious man, and are you willing to take the proper steps to stop his mouth? -- Via Truth Magazine, XV: 5, pp. 2-3, December 3, 1970 ____________________________________________________ -2- Special Religious Titles and Garments by Clarence R. Johnson In Mark 12:38-40, Jesus told His listeners, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." Matthew in chapter 23 of his account of the gospel gives a much longer and more detailed account of this speech. He shows that Jesus rebuked both the scribes and the Pharisees, not only for wearing special religious garb to attract attention to themselves -- and the other matters mentioned by Mark -- but also for appropriating to themselves special religious titles as well. "They love...to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' But you, do not be called 'Rabbi': for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven...'" See Matt. 23:6-10. Jesus had spoken similarly even earlier, in His sermon on the mount, cautioning His hearers not to practice acts of religion for the purpose of being seen and praised by men. See Matt. 6:1-18. Now, back to our text. Certainly Christ's followers are to adorn themselves in modest apparel, 1 Tim. 2:9. If the world in general begins to wear robes (or dresses) so short as to be immodest, then God's people will have to dress differently. But they should never dress differently just to call attention to themselves. God had authorized special garments in Old Testament priests, but in this New Testament age, all Christians are priests, 1 Pet. 2:9, and special priestly garments not only are unauthorized, but actually violate the principle taught in Mark 12:38. The same goes for special religious titles. Paul, Peter and John all referred figuratively to their converts as their "children" but there is no evidence whatsoever that these men used the term "Father" as a spiritual religious title for themselves. They could not have done so without clearly violating the principle Christ taught in Matt. 23:9. And while most Protestants would heartily agree with us on this point, the vast majority of them have nevertheless set their preachers apart by special titles, and in many cases, special religious garments. One never reads in the Scriptures of "Father Peter," "Reverend James," or "Doctor Paul." Though there obviously were different gifts and abilities given to various New Testament Christians, enabling some to be apostles and prophets, some to be evangelists or preachers, some to be pastors (elders) or teachers -- none of these words constitute religious titles, and none were used to elevate one faithful Christian above another. Jesus said, "You are all brethren... And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Matt. 23:8-12). Better to humble oneself before men, and let God do the exalting in the day of judgment. -- Via The Susquehanna Sentinel, September 12, 2004 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes Harold Peal (Eloise Craver's brother) passed away October 2. Let those of us who are Christians be remembering in prayer all of the family and friends. After a week in the hospital for a pulmonary embolism and a bout with pneumonia, my mother (Marion Edwards) is now back home, but will continue seeing doctors frequently for a while. Her blood has recently shown to be hypercoagulate, so she is adjusting to Coumadin to thin it. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________