There are many professing Christians who believe that the tradition of men is of equal authority with or superior authority to scripture. This was the problem with the Pharisees in Mk 7:5-13. They were “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” [Mk 7:7].
You can see the preference for tradition over scripture when you quote the Bible to people who hold to tradition. They will not believe what the Bible verse or passage you show them says in the context where it appears and compared with the verses that cross reference it. Instead, they believe their tradition and will change the words in the verse you show them or lift the verse out of its context in order to make the verse line up with their tradition. Professing Christians who follow the tradition of men read into the verses things that are not even there. That’s exactly what the Pharisees did. And by doing that they made the word of God of none effect.
The greatest culprit of teaching the tradition of men is the Roman Catholic Church. The priest reads from scripture but the doctrine of the church is predominately tradition. For instance, Paul never once, anywhere in his epistles, mentions anything about prayers for the dead, making the sign of the cross, use of images, the exaltation of Mary, priests (as a clergy), extreme unction, purgatory, prayers to Mary, popes, holy water, cardinals, canonization of dead saints, lent, celibacy (except in a negative sense as the doctrine of devils), the rosary, killing believers (except in a negative sense), the sale of indulgences, the sacraments, transubstantiation, auricular confession, adoration of the wafer, the scapular, immaculate conception, assumption of Mary, or Mary as the mother of the Church or as the mother of God.
Paul doesn’t mention any of these traditions because these are the traditions of men warned against in Col 2:8. Tradition is mentioned 13 times in the Bible, and 11 times it is in a negative context. Specifically, Paul says, “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,” [Col 2:8].
Of course, many Catholics believe that the church has the authority to establish these traditions and, therefore, that tradition is of equal authority with scripture (declared by the Council of Trent in 1546). But Jesus rejected tradition outright. Catholic Church tradition is used by the Catholic Church in the same way that the Pharisees used tradition in Mk 7, and with the same results. Jesus said, “laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men” [Mk 7:8]; “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” [Mk 7:9]; and “making the word of God of none effect through your tradition” [Mk 7:13].
Jesus always spoke against tradition but never against the scriptures. When Jesus revealed himself to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, he “expounded unto them IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES the things concerning himself,” [Lk 24:27]. When challenged by the Pharisees, he said, “Search THE SCRIPTURES; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me,” [Jn 5:39]. After the Lord’s ministry, the scriptures, not tradition in the Catholic sense, were what the people believed.
When the Bereans wanted to “check out” Paul’s preaching, they “searched THE SCRIPTURES daily, whether those things were so,” [Acts 17:11]. When Apollos preached Jesus, he showed the people “by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ,” [Acts 18:28]. When Philip dealt with the Ethiopian eunuch, he “opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus,” [Acts 8:35].
Catholics believe that there are other sayings and writings that were referred to by the apostles. True enough, but every time something is referred to in the Bible that was not written in the canon of scripture [i.e., Acts 17:28], it is NEVER used to contradict, subtract from or add to scripture. Yet in the Catholic Church, tradition commonly does all three of these based on its own authority. Just look:
- Catholic Church tradition demands that its priests be called Father absolutely contrary to the command of Jesus in Matt 23:9.
- Catholic Church tradition teaches that Mary was a perpetual virgin absolutely contrary to Mk 6:3, Jn 2:17 and Ps 69:8-9.
- Catholic Church tradition allows for images and genuflection before those images upon being seated in the church absolutely contrary to Ex 20:4-5 and multitudes of scriptures showing the results of using images as “aids to worship.”
- Catholic Church tradition teaches the use of the rosary which is absolute confusion when compared to Matt 6:7.
- Catholic Church tradition teaches transubstantiation, and therefore the consumption of literal blood, in absolute contradiction to Gen 9:4, Lev 17:10 and Acts 15:20.
And on and on this list goes.
If I were a follower of the tradition of men, upon seeing these verses, I would reject tradition full scale – and so I have. I was in St. Anthony’s Seminary in San Antonio, in 1968, studying to become a priest. In the entire year of schooling we never ONCE opened a Bible. Not one time!! You know why? The reason that we didn’t open a Bible is that the Bible is less important in the practice of Roman Catholicism than the tradition that contradicts it. Just ask a Roman Catholic how many times he has read through the Bible cover to cover.
The Bible says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works [2 Tim 3:16-17]. In the seminary they were trying to furnish us unto all good works and yet they never once opened a Bible??!! Who were they trying to kid?? The Bible was on the forbidden book list in the Catholic Church (Council of Valencia 1229). Isn’t that weird considering that Jesus himself said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” [Matt 4:4]. So, the Catholic Church, at that time, cut off the people from their very source of life!!
Today, things have changed and the Bible is being utilized more in CCD classes and Bible studies. But when it comes to tradition, the Bible is used to prove what Catholics already believe. They are not being taught to believe the Bible. Thus, they will justify what they already believe or argue against what they don’t believe. But that is a waste of time. The Bible is to be believed [Lk 24:25] not used by unbelievers to justify their unbelief.
Now, the Catholic Church is not alone in its teaching of tradition. Many other religions and doctrinal positions are taught exactly the same way. They reject the clear doctrine of scripture by inserting words, changing words and removing words in verses in order to “prove” their tradition. Rather than study the teachings of these traditions, why don’t you just pick up a Bible and read it for what it says. Then line your doctrine up with the Bible rather than making the Bible line up with your doctrine. I believe that’s what Jesus was getting at in Mk 7.
God nowhere speaks of making Christmas a part of Christianity, nor does He say to celebrate His Son's birth. He does tell us, though, not to add to His worship anything that is a tradition of the heathen. Such additions hinder rather than enhance our journey to God's Kingdom.
What are the fruits of keeping Christmas? Has Christmas helped to glorify God? Has it clarified and aided man's spiritual life? We have a record of the fruits of the Jews' additions. Their intent may have been better than those who accepted Christmas into Christianity, since they at least attempted to obey the law of God. Still, when Jesus walked among them, they did not recognize their own Messiah! Adding to and subtracting from God's Word changes God's intended focus.
Christmas is no better. When the so-called Christians added Christmas to Christianity, it had nothing to do with true Christianity at all. It was a ploy to win converts from paganism. It was a deliberate grab for power. From the beginning, Christmas, rather than promoting the true God and His way of life, has only led people away from the truth.
Peter writes that we are redeemed from these very traditions (I Peter 1:18). These traditions, inherited from our fathers, are a part of our culture. Jesus used His ministry to repudiate every addition, subtraction, and distortion that had attained any kind of specious, "divine" authority, and He did this by clarifying and magnifying the truth. Christmas seems to have "divine" authority because "Christians" are doing it, but it is part of a world that is anti-God, anti-Christ. It is not a part of what God has shown is true.
RESPONSE: The Bible isn’t explicitly against human traditions—only those traditions which contradict the Word of God. Jesus said, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? … by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition” (Mt. 15:3, 6). Here Jesus judges their accepted human tradition by the superior authority of Scripture. Likewise, Paul writes, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men” (Col. 2:8). As we noted above, this does not mean that all tradition is ungodly, anymore than all philosophy is ungodly. However, this does teach that human tradition is not equal to or more authoritative than Scripture. If tradition ever disagrees with Scripture, then this tradition is always wrong.
Catholic apologist Jim Blackburn writes, “Jesus rightfully condemned [false tradition], but his condemnation was not meant to be applied to every tradition.”[1] However, we feel that Blackburn has missed the point. The Pharisees were placing tradition abovethe Bible, and Jesus was using the Bible as a higher standard for correcting their false view. We do not believe that all traditions are ungodly. However, we do hold that traditions should be subservient to Scripture.
By contrast, Paul’s apostolic “tradition” here was the word of God. This is why NIV translates this word paradosis as “teachings.” Later in 1 Corinthians 15:3, Paul uses this same language (“I delivered… what I received”) to refer to the basic teaching of the “gospel” (1 Cor. 15:1); that is, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He is referring to the core gospel message. Furthermore, Paul uses this same language (“I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you”) to refer to the biblical teaching of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23). Paul isn’t referring to a “tradition” (i.e. teaching) which is alien to the Bible.
While the first-century church had the privilege of living apostles teaching the word of God verbally (Acts 2:42), we do not have this luxury today. This is where we differ with Roman Catholicism: the office of apostleship only existed in the first-century—not today. We have apostolic succession only insofar as each believer teachs what the apostles wrote in Scripture. For more on this topic, see our earlier article “Sola Scriptura.”
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In this passage, Paul warns Christians not to be taken in by deceptive arguments. These claims are attractive, but are merely tricks: they sound true, but they are not. Arguing for self-denial, legalism, visions, and other practices only looks good to observers. None of these are the real source of spiritual growth. Paul emphasizes the way Christ accomplished everything we need to be justified before God. As a result, there is no reason for believers to pursue these false, shallow ''shadows.'' We have the real substance: Jesus, so we should follow Him.
Standing Fast and Holding the Traditions - 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Standing Fast and Holding the Traditions – 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Tradition Identified
Paul urges the Thessalonians to “stand fast and hold the traditions” (2 Thess. 2:15). A tradition is a teaching or practice handed down from one person to another. The verb that underlies the noun “tradition” is to “transmit,” “pass down,” “hand over,” or “deliver.”
In Matthew 15 and Mark 7 the Pharisees criticized Jesus because He did not follow “the tradition of the elders” with respect to hand washing. Mark explains: “And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables” (Mark 7:4). Jesus neglects the tradition of the elders because they conflict with the Word of God: “Laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men” (v. 8) and “Full well ye reject the commandment of God that ye may keep your own tradition” (v. 9).
In Colossians 2:8 Paul warns about merely human traditions: “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.” A human tradition is not to be kept if it is contrary to the Word of God.
Because we remember Christ’s condemnation of the Pharisees, we are tempted to reject all traditions and to have a negative view of tradition. We might have legitimate concerns about the misuse of tradition and prefer to avoid tradition altogether. But the Bible also speaks about tradition in a positive way, so it would be wrong to throw out all tradition
In 1 Corinthians 11:2 Paul writes, “Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” The word “ordinances” in that verse is “traditions.” Paul delivered certain ordinances/traditions to the Corinthians, which they kept. They did not reject them. They did not corrupt them. They did not change them. They kept them. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Paul commands the Thessalonians to “hold” the traditions. He makes reference to traditions in 2 Thessalonians 3:6 also: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us.” Paul often refers to traditions as those truths that he has delivered to the churches.
For example, there is the “tradition” concerning the Lord’s Supper: “For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you” (1 Cor. 11:23). There is also the “tradition” of the gospel: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel, which I have preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand… For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1, 3). There is also the “tradition” of the gospel as “the form of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:12), about which Paul writes, “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (v. 13). Finally, there is the whole “tradition” of the apostle Paul, which Timothy must pass on to others: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).
So here is how truth is passed down. Jesus is the truth. Jesus reveals truth to the apostles by the Holy Spirit, who leads the church into all truth. The apostles preach the truth to the churches and record it for posterity in the New Testament Scriptures. Thattruth the churches are called to keep or to hold.
Paul refers to two—and only two—sources of “tradition” in 2 Thessalonians 2:15. There are two—and only two—ways in which the truth is transmitted or handed down to the church. These are (1) by word and (2) by our epistle. In these two ways, by word and by epistle, the Thessalonians were “taught.” They were “taught” the “traditions.”
The first way is “by word.” Word is logos, which is a word uttered, spoken, or communicated. The idea of “logos” is that of an intelligible proposition: a logos or word is not something mysterious or incomprehensible. “Christ died for our sins” is a word or logos. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” is a word or logos. “The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” is a word or logos. “A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” is a word or logos. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” is a word or logos. “God hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world” is a word or logos. “God hath highly exalted Jesus and given him a name which is above every name” is a word or logos.
In other words, the word or logos is the instruction that the Thessalonians had heard when the apostle Paul was in Thessalonica. He had preached to them: that was his word or logos to them. It was not Paul’s word, but God’s Word, as we see in 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God, which effectually worketh in you that believe.”
That word is tradition.
Now we know that Paul—not to mention Silas, Timothy, and others—preached many sermons in Thessalonica. However, the only record of the content of that teaching is in Acts 17:2-3: “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead, and that this Jesus whom I preach unto you is Christ.” Paul also makes reference to his word or logos also in verse 5: “Remember ye not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”
Those words, however, record Paul’s missionary labors in the region, not what he preached in the church of Thessalonica. No sermon of Paul in Thessalonica has been recorded. No one today can say, “I heard a sermon by the apostle Paul in Thessalonica where he said this or that.” The record of Paul’s words is found only in the Bible.
The first part of the “traditions,” therefore, concerns the public preaching and private teaching of Paul and his companions, the essence of which is found today in the Bible alone.
The second way is by “our epistle.” An epistle is a letter. Paul wrote two letters to Thessalonica, which we know as First Thessalonians and Second Thessalonians. In addition, Paul wrote other letters to other churches. These letters were copied and distributed to the other churches. Paul expected the Thessalonians to read the letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Corinthians, for example. Paul expected the Romans to read the letters to the Galatians and the Ephesians. Moreover, Paul was not the only letter-writer. Peter wrote letters also—two of them—and in 2 Peter 3:15-16 he recommends Paul’s letters: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things: wherein are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
James, Jude, and John wrote letters also. James wrote one letter, Jude wrote one letter, John wrote three letters, plus a gospel, plus the book of Revelation.
These letters contain a wealth of teaching on many subjects. They contain instruction concerning God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the incarnation, salvation, justification, sanctification, the church, the sacraments, and the last things. They also contain instructions on worship, prayer, godly living, and warnings about sin and false teachings.
These two things—the word and the epistles or letters—constitute “tradition.” In other words, tradition is simply the instruction of Christ received by the apostles through the Holy Spirit and handed down or delivered to the church.
Tradition Explained
But why did Paul not simply write, “Hold the Holy Scriptures,” or “Hold the Bible”? Why mention “traditions”? We need to understand the historical context. When Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians, the New Testament Scriptures were not yet complete. At that point in history, direct revelation continued in the church. Therefore, the people were still instructed by means of word or logos and epistle. What the apostles said was in the memory of the people. The people knew the gospel and the apostles expected them to know it. However, the apostles also knew that the people’s memory was not infallible and that a permanent record of the gospel was necessary. Therefore, they committed their teachings in writing in letters or epistles.
An interesting example of this is found in the prologue of the gospel according to Luke, where he explains the reason for writing to Theophilus. In Luke 1:1 the evangelist refers to “those things, which are most surely believed among us,” which is a reference to the oral teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In 1:2 he speaks of these things as having been “delivered” through “eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.” In 1:3-4 he explains his purpose to Theophilus: he intended to write a full account of the things “that [he might] know the certainty of those things wherein [he had] been instructed.”
Do you see what Luke is saying? Theophilus, a Christian, was already instructed in the truth: the Greek word is “catechized.” Certain truths were “most surely believed” in the Christian community and by Theophilus. But Theophilus had not read the New Testament yet, for it has not been written. The gospel accounts had not yet been written, and only a few of the epistles had been circulated. Therefore, Luke writes an orderly account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ: he is qualified for this work because he had “perfect understanding of all things from the very beginning” (v. 3) and because the Holy Spirit inspired him to write. The result is an infallible, inerrant, inspired, authoritative account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, which is a permanent record and, therefore, “more sure” than anything that Theophilus had heard up until that point. If later someone claimed secret traditions and teachings not recorded in the Scriptures—as the Gnostics did—the answer is clear: nothing the Gnostics say is reliable because their teachings contradict the sacred writings.
Peter makes a similar point in 2 Peter 1: in that chapter he refers to the word that he, James, and John had heard on the Mount of Transfiguration (1:17-18). What an amazing experience! Yet, only three men had heard that word, and one of them, James, had already died. Peter reassures his readers—and us—that it is not necessary to be on the Mount of Transfiguration because we have the Scriptures, which constitute a “more sure word” (1:19). The word is “more sure” because it is recorded permanently in writing for us. And remember that Peter includes Paul’s writings among the Scriptures (3:15-16)
Apply those facts to our situation. The apostles have died. John was the last apostle. Furthermore, everyone who knew the apostles has died also. It is no longer true to say about the eyewitnesses of the resurrection: “the greater part remain unto the present” (1 Cor. 15:6), although that was the case when Paul wrote it. Since all the eyewitnesses of the events recorded in Scripture—whether Jesus’ miracles, his sufferings, his resurrection, or his ascension—have died, the only place we can find the teachings of the apostles, which Paul calls the traditions, is in sacred Scripture. Paul did not leave any other source where we find his traditions, or Peter’s traditions, or John’s traditions, for example.
In fact, if anyone, even in the apostolic age, preached contrary to the received apostolic traditions of the gospel, he fell under the divine curse: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than thatwhich we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 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” (Gal. 1:8-9).
Therefore, the gospel that the Corinthians must believe is the one that Paul preached—the “traditional gospel”—and the one that they had received. They must not receive a different gospel from any other source. In 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 Paul expresses alarm at the possibility: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another Spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might bear with him.” Again, notice—the Corinthians had received a certain message about Jesus. That message they had received by word and epistle. They must nottolerate or listen to a different message, which is a different gospel from the traditional gospel, which is the one handed down to them.
The Roman Church claims to have the traditions; in fact, she claims unique access to and authority over the traditions. While the Bible is useful, says Rome, it does not include everything necessary. The apostles supposedly left traditions as a sacred deposit, which only the Roman Church knows. But Paul says to the Ephesian elders: “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you” (Acts 20:20), and “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (v. 27). Are we to believe, then, that Paul neglected to tell the church—and the other apostles also neglected to tell the church—the important doctrines for which Rome claims apostolic authority, but which have no place in the Scriptures?
Rome boasts of “unwritten tradition.” Unwritten tradition is a sacred deposit of truth kept in the church and passed down through the church especially through the teaching office of Peter in the succession of popes and in the Roman Magisterium. The Roman Catholic Council of Trent made the following declaration in 1546 (some 17 years before our Heidelberg Catechism was written):
The truths and rules [of Christ and the apostles] are contained in the written books and in the unwritten traditions, which, received by the apostles from the mouth of Christ himself, or from the apostles themselves, the Holy Ghost dictating, have come down to us, transmitted as it were from hand to hand. Following, then, the examples of the orthodox fathers, [the Council] receives and venerates with a feeling of piety and reverence all the books both of the Old and New Testaments, since one God is the author of both, also the traditions, whether they relate to faith or to morals, as having been dictated either orally by Christ or by the Holy Ghost, and preserved in the Catholic Church in unbroken succession.
Rome added an anathema—a curse—to anyone who denied her claim.
In Vatican 2 (1962-1965) Rome repeated her claim concerning tradition:
The Church does not draw her certainty about all revealed truths from the Holy Scriptures alone. Hence both Scripture and tradition must be accepted and honored with equal feelings of devotion and reverence. Sacred tradition and sacred Scripture make up a single deposit of the Word of God which is entrusted to the Church.
Therefore, this is a question of authority.
The authority in Rome is not the Bible. The authority in Rome is not the word or the epistle of the apostles of 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Rome does nothold the traditions that the apostles have taught. Rome holds her owntraditions, but she does so in a very clever—and in a very evil—way: she defines her own traditions and places them on a par with, and even above, the Word of God. The Magisterium, which is the name that Rome gives to her teaching office, determines what truth is. If Rome determines that the Apocrypha is the Word of God, so be it! If Rome determines that justification is by faith and the good works of faith, so be it! If Rome determines that Mary is the Immaculate Mother of God, Mediatrix of all graces, and declares the bodily assumption of Mary to be a dogma, so be it! If Rome determines the existence of the place called purgatory and promises indulgences to escape it and promises to release people from purgatory at a price, so be it! If Rome proclaims seven sacraments instead of the two that Christ instituted, so be it! If Rome teaches baptismal regeneration, transubstantiation, and the need for priests to forgive sins, let it be so! If there is not a shred of biblical evidence for such dogmas, it does not matter because Rome reserves to herself the sole right to interpret the Bible. If there is no historical evidence—and even if the church fathers write against such dogmas—it does not matter, because Rome determines what tradition means. And if you ask to see the tradition, the answer is, “The tradition is unwritten. You must believe what the Church teaches. The Church is the authority. The Church has the gift of infallibility in Peter and his successors the popes. Only the Church has the right to interpret the Word of God and tradition.”
There is a great word to describe that: ipsedixitism. Ipsedixitism comes from the Latin for “he himself said it.” It is a dogmatic assertion without proof. Rome’s doctrine is: “The church said it; therefore, you must accept it. Ipsedixitism!” The truth is not ecclesiastical ipsedixitism, but “Thus saith the Lord.” We believe and we do because God said it: and God said it in Scripture. God did not say it Rome’s spurious “unwritten traditions.”
Keith A. Mathison comments:
“Scripture cannot be appealed to as a higher law because the Church tells us what Scripture is and what it really means. Tradition cannot be appealed to as a higher law because the Church tells us what tradition is and what it really means. The fathers cannot be appealed to as a higher standard because the Church tells us what the fathers really mean. God cannot be appealed to because the Church is said to be the voice of God on earth. And because there is no higher ethical or doctrinal standard to which anyone can appeal, the Church becomes autonomous—a law unto herself.” (The Shape of Sola Scriptura, p. 224).
Indeed, in Paul’s own day there were spurious sources of doctrine against which Paul warned the Thessalonians. There were spurious traditions, ideas claiming to be apostolic traditions, spurious forms of revelation (so-called) that Christians were called to test and reject on the basis of what had already been received from the apostles.
In chapter 2 of Second Thessalonians Paul is correcting an error. That error concerned the day of Christ (v. 2). Some were teaching in Thessalonica that the day of Christ was “at hand,” just around the corner, so that nothing else needed to occur before his coming. Some had taken this error very seriously: they had become disorderly, busybodies, and idle: they had stopped working because they believed that the day of Christ was at hand (3:6, 10-12). The effect upon the congregation was serious: they were “shaken in mind” and “troubled” (2:2). Paul warns the Thessalonians not to listen to such ideas, which came from three sources: (1) “spirit” (the idea is of an ecstatic utterance supposedly from the Holy Spirit); (2) “word” (the idea is that someone claimed that Paul had spoken about such things and had either misremembered it or had deliberately twisted something that Paul had said in a sermon); and (3) “letter” or epistle (the idea is of a spurious letter claiming to be from Paul, Timothy, or Silas, in which such false ideas were found).
Paul warns the Thessalonians: do not listen to seducing spirits; do not listen to contradictory words; do not pay heed to deceptive letters. We, the apostles, did not say that. Instead, remember our words and our epistles. Hold the traditions!
One final point I want to make about traditions from 2 Thessalonians 2: they are synonymous with “truth” in verses 10, 12, and 13, and contrasted with “lie” in verse 11. When we believe and hold traditions—which are recorded only in sacred Scripture—we believe and hold the truth, and we reject the lie. When we follow non-biblical traditions, just because the Church tells us to, we believe the lie and reject the truth.
Tradition Kept
Having defined and explained what Paul means by “traditions,” we see his exhortation: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions” (v. 15). This is a twofold exhortation.
First, Paul calls the Thessalonians to “stand fast” in the traditions. To “stand fast” is to refuse to move from a place of safety or security. The Thessalonians must refuse to move away from the gospel that they had been taught. They must refuse to move away from the word of the apostle; they must refuse to a different word. They must refuse to move away from the epistle, from I Thessalonians and from the other epistles that the apostles had written or would write. If a false teacher or even an angel from heaven brought a different message, they must not move from the message that they had heard.
For example, they must stand fast when the Judaizers would come: these wicked men would teach that circumcision was necessary for salvation. They must stand fast in the gospel of God’s grace. They must stand fast when men would deny election, which Paul had taught them in 1 Thess. 1:4. They must stand fast when men would try to rob them of their assurance, which Paul had pressed upon them in 1 Thess. 1:5. They must stand fast when men would deny the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord, which Paul had taught them in 1 Thess. 1:10. They must stand fast when men would deny the coming of second coming of Jesus, which Paul had taught in 1 Thess. 4. They must stand fast when men would try to corrupt them morally contrary to the will of God for their sanctification, which Paul explained in 1 Thess. 4. In all of these precious truths the Thessalonians must stand fast.
This “standing fast” would be costly: it would bring persecution from ungodly men; it would bring trouble from family and friends, who would urge the Thessalonians not to stand fast. Standing fast, therefore, required courage and strong faith. Paul writes to the Corinthians: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). Paul writes to the Galatians: “Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1). Paul writes to the Philippians: “Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).
We, too, must stand fast. In summary, we must stand fast for the truth as it is in Scripture.
Second, Paul calls the Thessalonians to “hold” the traditions. “To hold” is to grasp or to seize. The idea is to hold on to something so that we do not let it go. In addition, since the verb is in the present tense, we could translate it in this way: “Keep holding the traditions” or “Continue to hold the traditions.” Therefore, the Thessalonians must not lose the traditions, or throw away the traditions, or neglect the traditions. The Thessalonians must remember Paul’s instruction in the word and in the epistle, and they must cling tightly to it. Furthermore, the Thessalonians must keep the traditions: not as a dusty heirloom or an antique that is never used, but as a treasure to be guarded, preserved, and used. They must preserve the traditions unchanged and unadulterated. They must defend the traditions against all enemies. They must pass the traditions down to the next generation of Christians.
We, too, must hold the traditions. We must cling to the truth of the gospel. We must preserve the treasure of the truth of God’s Word. We must not change it, corrupt it, lose it, or neglect it. We must not replace the traditions that are preserved only in the Scriptures. We must not say about the traditions, “I am tired of these old doctrines and practices. I want something new, novel, and exciting for the Modern Age.” Instead, we say: “I will stand fast and hold the traditions that God has preserved in his Word and that I have been taught.”
Paul gives reasons for holding the traditions when he writes, “Therefore, brethren…” Do not miss that word “Therefore” with which the verse begins. That word gives a reason and directs us back to the context. There are two reasons why we must stand fast and hold the traditions, as we have been taught.
The first reason is the broader context of chapter 2: we must stand fast and hold the traditions because of the terrible threat of apostasy and Antichrist mentioned in this chapter. Some Thessalonians were gravely mistaken: they expected Christ to come almost immediately. They were not ready for what would really occur. “That day shall not come,” warns Paul in 2:3, “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” Apostasy—a great falling away from the truth, and, therefore, from the traditions, was coming. The Thessalonians must be ready for it: many will be deceived. The man of sin will have deceitful wonders (v. 9); many will show that they do not love the truth (v. 10); many shall believe a lie (v. 11). In that atmosphere of apostasy, where the basic doctrines of the faith are denied and rejected, and where ungodly practices are adopted, what must we do? We must “stand fast and hold the traditions.” When the man of sin proposes a different gospel, a different Christ, and a different God, we must say, “No: I hold the traditions. I hold the faithful gospel of Christ crucified. My trust is in the finished work of Jesus. I trust in him for the forgiveness of my sins. I look to his righteousness to justify me and his Spirit to sanctify me.”
Standing fast and holding the traditions are the God-appointed means to preserve us. When many are swept away in the great apostasy, those who hold the traditions, as they are set forth in Scripture, will be kept. God’s power keeps us by faith, as we learn in 1 Peter 1:5.
The second reason is the narrow context of our text. We stand fast and hold the traditions because of what God has done for us: “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2:13). That is the contrast between those who apostatize and those who stand fast: election! God has chosen us. God has chosen us to salvation. But the salvation to which God has chosen you comes by means of the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. No one is saved without sanctification. No one is sanctified, except by the Spirit. No one is saved without faith/belief in the truth. Moreover, we receive the salvation through the calling of God in the gospel (2:14).
Indeed, the Spirit gives us the power to believe the truth. The Spirit gives us the power to stand fast. The Spirit gives us the power to hold the traditions, and by God’s grace the man of sin will never deceive us and we will never fall away.
Human Authority, Commands, Doctrine
Often people follow religious practices that are nowhere found in God's word. They are different from what God has told us to do. People often reason that these practices are acceptable unless God's word expressly tells us not to do them. The Bible teaches differently.
Jeremiah 10:23 - The way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Since we do not think like God does, we cannot possibly know God's will unless He reveals it [1 Corinthians 2:10-13]. Knowing this, God completely revealed His will for us in the Bible, then He warned us not to follow human wisdom.
Galatians 1:6-9 - Any man is accursed if he preaches a gospel different from what inspired men taught in the first century. If a practice is not included in the gospel, then, for us to say it is acceptable, would be to preach a different gospel.
2 John 9 - Whoever goes beyond and does not abide in Jesus' teaching, does not have God. To have God we must abide in Jesus' teaching. Since Jesus' teaching is revealed in the New Testament, to practice things we cannot find in the gospel would be to separate ourselves from Him.
Revelation 22:18,19 - When we truly respect God's word, we will refuse to add to or take from what He says. We will do exactly what He says without changing it.
When we study about a certain practice, then, we should not ask, "Where does God say not to do this?" Instead, ask, "Where does God's word show this act would be acceptable?" If the act cannot be found included in God's will for us, then we should refuse to participate in it.
[Cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Colossians 3:17; Isaiah 55:8,9; Proverbs 14:12; 2 Corinthians 10:18; 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:5; John 4:23,24; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Romans 10:1-3; Colossians 2:8.]
Human Tradition
Just as religious people often follow other religious authority that differs from Gold's word, so they often follow human traditions that differ from God's word.
Jews follow many traditions that are human in origin and differ from God's word. The movie "Fiddler on the Roof" memorialized this in song. When asked the reason for their practice, the reason given was not a command in Scripture, but "tradition"!
The Catholic Church binds this as doctrine:
"Do we get from the Bible alone all our knowledge and certainty about what God has told us? No, there is also Sacred Tradition ... What is tradition? The Word of God handed on to us by the Apostles in their preaching and by their successors in the church to the present day ... Do you have to believe in tradition? Yes ... we are obliged to accept all the truths contained in the Bible and Tradition..." - Catechism, pp. 9,10.
So, they admit that these traditions are not found in the Bible. In practice, "tradition" is the practice of the church through the years: human tradition not found in Scripture.
What does the Bible say about such traditions?
Mark 7:1-13 (Matt. 15:1-14)
The Pharisees had many traditions about washing (vv 3,4,8). They had received these traditions from the elders or fathers (vv 3,5). They "found fault" (vv 2,5) with Jesus' disciples for not washing their hands before eating.
Jesus rebuked them, because their traditions freed them from obeying Divine commands, such as caring for elderly parents (vv 9-11). And they required people to follow human commands that God never gave, such as requiring them to wash before they eat (vv 1-5,8). Washing before meals is fine, but must not be viewed or bound as an of religious significance.
So, Jesus said they laid aside God's commands (v8), rejected His commands (v9), and made Gods word of no effect (v13). They did this because they followed traditions of men (v8), human tradition (vv 9,13) and taught as doctrine the commands of men (v7). [Note that these were "handed down" (v13) - this is the same word for "delivered" in other passages, the verb form of "tradition."]
The problem was they followed traditions that were human in origin that differed from God's teaching. Since the Bible reveals everything God has ordained, any practice not revealed in the gospel must be human in origin and therefore displeasing to God.
Colossians 2:8
We must guard against philosophies that follow the traditions of men and the principles of the world, but are not according to Christ. The problem is not that people follow tradition: the gospel itself is tradition handed down from God. The problem is that they followed traditions of men that differ from the doctrine of Christ. Such teachings do not constitute authority for our practice but must be rejected.
1 Peter 1:18,19
We were redeemed by the blood of Christ from the aimless conduct received by tradition from the fathers. The fact an act has been long practiced does not constitute valid reason for us to practice it. The question is: What is the origin of the practice? If it does not agree with God's word, then it leads to aimless conduct from which we need to be redeemed!
Conclusion
Traditions are not inherently good or bad, right or wrong, any more than doctrines, teachings, practices, etc. There are true and false doctrines, true and false practices, and true and false traditions. To say "I am opposed to (or in favor of) tradition" is like saying, "I am opposed to (or in favor of) teachings and practices." You must know what teachings or practices are referred to and what their source is.
Some people mistakenly think practices are acceptable or should be defended on the grounds a church has practiced it that way for years. Other people object to tradition and seek change for the sake of change. Invariably those people just begin new practices, which soon become new traditions.
Christians should be neither "traditional" nor "non-traditional" regarding our past practices: we should neither accept nor oppose a practice simply because people have done it in the past. The fact that "we have done it that way for years" is not, of itself, proof for or against a practice.
The question is not how long we have practiced something or when it began. The question is: Does it fit what God's word says? If God's word requires it, then we dare not leave it off. If it fits God's word, but is not required, then we should not oppose it or bind it. If it forbidden in God's word or unauthorized in God's word, then we must oppose it regardless of how long it has been practiced.
Are you following the tradition received from God for your life, or are you following human tradition that differs from His word? Have you been forgiven of your sins according to God's word? If so, are you living a faithful life?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY about the importance of being right in doctrine? Well, first of all, Jesus tells us that a man's worship is vain who teaches for doctrines the commandments of men. He said, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt.15:8,9) "Vain" worship is empty and worthless, it does not please God. How can a man be saved if his worship is vain? How then can one be saved who teaches or follows for doctrines the commandments of men? We must be right in doctrine. Does this offend you? It offended the Pharisees when Christ spake these things. (Matt. 15:12), What shall I say? Jesus has said it for me: "Every plant (every doctrine or institution) which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." (verse 13). That is just how serious it is to be wrong in doctrine.
THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST SAVES. You have heard it said that doctrine can't save you, or that it has nothing to do with one's being saved. But that depends on what the doctrine is. Verily the doctrines of men cannot save -- they make void the word of God. But the doctrine of Christ has to do with our salvation. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. 4:16). We must "practice what we preach" and preach the right doctrine -- and keep it up -- to be saved.
THE DOCTRINES OF MEN DESTROY FAITH. Those who teach them "serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:17,18). They do not accept the truth themselves and they hinder others from doing the will of God. (Matt. 23:13). Jesus called them "blind guides" and "leaders of the blind" -- both of whom (leaders and followers) shall fall into the ditch. Paul speaks of "Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already (a sample of false doctrines); and overthrow the faith of some." (2 Tim. 2:18). He blames the teachers of the doctrines of men with "divisions and offences" and "deception" (Rom. 16:17,18). He says, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (now note) he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness" or "that godliness is a way of gain" (A R. V. ): from such withdraw thyself." (1 Tim.6:3-5). Read that again, and again, and see what the Lord wants us to think of false teachers and their doctrines. But this is not all.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy." (1 Tim. 4:1,2). Who are these "seducing spirits." They are men. The American Standard Version of the scriptures says, "some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies." These things have come to pass. The "doctrines of men" (which the Spirit calls "doctrines of devils") caused many to "depart from the faith." But it may be asked, "how can men be so cruel as to teach any kind of doctrine that "overthrows the faith" of men?" The Spirit says they do it "having their conscience seared with a hot iron." (verse 2). The Spirit goes on to name two of such doctrines: "forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats." This is strong language. It is in the language of the Holy Spirit. It is in the Bibles of those who teach and observe the doctrines here condemned as "doctrines of devils". But these are not the only doctrines that cause men to "depart from the faith" and which keep so many from the faith.
THE DOCTRINES OF MEN MAKE VOID THE WORD OF GOD. Jesus said, "Ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition." (Matt. 15:6). The King James version says, "Ye make the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." From the entire reading of Matthew 15:1-13 we see that the doctrines or traditions of men "make void the word of God" "make the commandments of God of none effect" -- make "vain the worship of those who teach or follow them, and are destined to be "rooted up". It is no marvel therefore that "the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land".
Soldiers were taught to fight the dictators whose hands had been put to "destroying the Bible" we were told. But we are expected to "bow and scrape" in the presence of "the clergy" whose unholy hands have been given to marking "VOID" across the Bible by their doctrines and traditions! And what do we do about it? We sleep! Indeed, the inhabitants of the land slumber. They have been lulled to sleep by the smooth and fair speech of false teachers -- the fumes of peace pipes set on fire by hell. (Rom. 16:18; 1 Tim. 4:1, 2). What shall we do? "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Eph. 5:14). "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (the doctrine of Christ) receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John verses 10 and 11). "Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them", said Paul to those who had learned and obeyed the doctrine of Christ. (Rom.16:17,18; and 6:17,18). "From such withdraw thyself." (1 Tim. 6:5). We are charged to "teach no other doctrine" than Christ's, "neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying." (1 Tim. 1:3,4). Let us not be led astray from the New Testament by "Pied Piper preaching". "Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your soul." (James 1:21). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Col. 3:16).
YOU CANNOT HAVE CHRIST WITHOUT HIS DOCTRINE. "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9,) "Whosoever" means "rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief; doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief." Yes, and mother, dad, preacher or priest! "Whosoever" "goeth onward and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." That, gentle reader, is how serious it is to be wrong in doctrine. It is just that serious to go beyond the New Testament -- which is the doctrine of Christ.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ," (Acts 16:13), "repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2: 38). This is the way to get into Christ. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal. 3:27). But you must "abide in the doctrine of Christ" in your everyday life, and worship, if you would have God and Christ now and the home eternal with them after a while.
When the emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion of Rome in the 4th century, multitudes became Christian 'in name', without any change of heart. But they did not want to give up their two great annual festivals - both connected with their worship of the sun. One was the birthday of the sun-god on December 25, when the sun which had gone down to the southern hemisphere began its return journey (the winter solstice). The other was the spring festival in March/April, when they celebrated the death of the winter and the birth of the warm summer that their sun-god had brought. They renamed their sun-god 'Jesus' and continued to celebrate their two great festivals, now as Christian festivals and called them Christmas and Easter.
These pagan customs originated with the Babylonian religion begun by Nimrod (Gen. 10:8-10). Tradition tells us that after he died, his wife Semiramis had an illegitimate child, which she claimed was Nimrod come back to life again. Thus began the worship of the mother and child, which centuries later was transferred by nominal Christians to ' Mary and Jesus'.
The birthday of this child-god was celebrated by the ancient Babylonians on December 25. Semiramis was the queen of heaven (Jer. 44:19),worshipped centuries later in Ephesus as Diana or Artemis (Acts 19:28).
Semiramis claimed that a full grown evergreen tree grew overnight from a dead tree stump. This symbolised Nimrod's coming back to life, and bringing heaven's gifts to mankind. Thus began the practice of cutting down a fir tree and hanging gifts on it. That is the origin of today's Christmas tree! (A Google search will show all the documents proving all these facts).
Thus says the Lord, "Do not learn the way of the heathen. The customs of the people are futile. One cuts a tree from the forest with the axe. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails so that it will not topple!" (Jer. 10:2-4).
Easter
The word 'Easter' comes from one of the titles of the queen of heaven, 'Ishtar' or `Astarte' (see 1 Kin. 11:5) - one of the idols that Solomon worshipped. There were slightly different forms of that name in different countries.
The Encyclopaedia Brittanica states,
"The English word 'Easter' corresponding to the German 'Oster' reveals Christianity's indebtedness (!) to the Teutonic tribes of central Europe. Christianity, when it reached the Teutons, incorporated in its celebration of this great Christian feast day, many of the heathen rites and customs that accompanied their observance of the 'Spring' festival. That the 'festival' of the resurrection occurred in the spring that it celebrated the triumph of life over death, made it easy for the church to identify with this occasion, the most joyous festival of the Teutons, held in honour of the death of winter, the birth of a new year and the return of the sun. Eostre (or Ostera), the goddess of the spring, gave its name to the Christian holy day. The conception of the egg as a symbol of fertility and of renewed life goes back to the ancient Egyptians and Persians who had also the custom of colouring and eating eggs during the spring festival. This ancient idea, of the significance of egg as the symbol of life, readily became the idea of the egg as a symbol of resurrection. According to old superstition, the sun rising on Easter morning dances in the heavens; this belief has been traced to the old heathen festival of spring, when the spectators danced in honour of the sun ... The Protestant churches also followed the custom of holding sunrise services on Easter morning" (1959 edition, Vol. 7, pages 859, 860).
The death and resurrection of Christ are the central message of the gospel. The only way that Jesus intended us to commemorate this was through the 'breaking of bread', which we are to take part in together as a church.
When we break bread, we testify not only of Christ's death, but also our death with Him. The emotionalism of Good Friday and sentimentality of Easter turns the attention of men away from the necessity of following Jesus, to empty ritualism.
God's Word Or Man's Tradition?
Behind the celebration of Christmas and Easter lies the far more deadly principle of following the traditions of men even when they have no foundation in God's Word. So strong is this power of tradition that many believers who follow the Scriptures in other areas still find it difficult to give up celebrating Christmas and Easter.
It is amazing that many believers are not willing to accept what even secular writers (like the authors of Encyclopaedia Brittanica, quoted above) have understood clearly - that Christmas and Easter are basically pagan festivals. Changing the names do not make these festivals Christian!
As we said at the beginning, Jesus was engaged in a constant battle with the Pharisees over this very issue - man's traditions versus God's Word. He faced more opposition for opposing the empty traditions of 'the fathers' than for preaching against sin. We shall find our experience to be the same, if we are just as faithful as He was.
God's Word alone is our guide and not the example of even godly men in those areas where they do not follow the Word of God. "Let God be found true even though every man be found a liar" (Rom. 3:4). The Bereans searched the Scriptures to check up even on Paul's teaching, and the Holy Spirit commends them for it (Acts 17:11). That is a good example for all of us to follow.
Matthew 7:16, "You will know them by their fruits." This is the easiest way to spot those who follow a false gospel:
» Do they try to live by every word of God?
» Do they tremble before God's Word?
» Do they keep God's commandments (all of them)?
» Do they repent of and strive to overcome their failings?
» Do they show a steady growth in character?
» Do they focus on the Kingdom of God?
» Do they prioritize their lives with God first?
» Do they focus their teaching on the message He proclaimed?
» Do they exhibit genuine love for the brethren?
Depending on our understanding and viewpoint, it is likely that no one person or group will pass or fail all of these questions. "For we all stumble in many things" (James 3:2). However, if we are to judge righteously in the matter of whom we choose to fellowship with, we ourselves need to have a thorough grasp of the true gospel.
Thus anyone who claims to be a preacher, a teacher, or a minister of the gospel, must be very careful because they are to preach the truth of the Bible, and that alone. There are to be no additions to it, and no subtractions from it. This is a Scriptural warning, which should be headed by many churches in the 21stCentury: “I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)
Therefore, if it deviates from the clear teachings of Jesus and His commandments, then indeed they are teaching another gospel – a false gospel.
Sadly this is happening at an alarming rate today. Paul warned us that: “the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1). There are new “churches” and cults springing up and flourishing all over the world. There are preachers at mega-churches and others giving us a gospel which bear no semblance whatsoever to the teachings of Christ and the words of the New Testament. Be aware this is another gospel, and in Paul’s words these false teachers, preachers, priests or whatever they call themselves are accursed. (Galatians 1:8)
“Jesus” is also quite popular among worldly people today, but he is not the true Jesus. The popular Jesus may be the “baby Jesus in the manger at Christmastime”, or the “buddy Jesus of the County Western ‘gospel’ music”, or the “success-counseling Jesus of the positive thinkers.” He may be also the “rhythmic Jesus of Christian rock”, but none of these are the Jesus preached by the apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit in Scripture, and therefore is not the real Jesus who saves men and women from their sins.
During one of his sermons, John MacArthur alerted his congregation about a new “Techno Church.” It features a break dancing Jesus and is attracting lots of people. When they meet, they all bring their stuff, their religious props and their rap albums. People jump up and down and dance while disco lights swirl over them. It involves all kinds of people who feel like they’re connected to the break dancing Jesus. This is an absolutely ludicrous and ridiculous tragedy beyond all tragedies.
The Bible makes it overwhelmingly clear that Christ came to deal with the sin problem of mankind. He came to save sinners, so that man can once again have unbroken fellowship with God. Paul makes this absolutely plain when he said: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
The Lord Jesus Christ, is the Creator of the universe (Colossians 1:16), who had to die as man on the cross to redeem us through His shed blood (Colossians 1:14, 20), and who then rose from the dead to be set “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named.” (Ephesians 1:21)
We need to wake up while we still have breath in us, and need to realize that Jesus is our Savior. We need to also know that He is our Judge. It is Jesus “who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:1). He is the mighty God, the Perfect Man, the only Savior, the eternal King, and Lord of lords.
God-called teachers will not preach an imaginary Jesus who appeals to the flesh, but rather the true Christ of creation and salvation.
The Bible, through the writings of Paul commands us to expose false teachers and rebuke them sharply.
You might be asking so how can we know the real Jesus? How can we keep from being deceived by all the different teachings, when most religions use the same Bible to prove their point?
The way to recognize a counterfeit “Jesus” is to know the True One, and this is only accomplished by spending time with Him. We are not to only learn facts about Him, but, like Mary, Lazarus sister, we must spend time at His feet, meaning that we need to read His Word and ask Him to show us the truth of His Holy Scriptures through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
The Bride of Christ will know Him so well that she cannot be deceived into receiving “another Jesus” or “another message.”
Jesus said: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Why is the gospel rarely preached today in its simplicity – Jesus who is God in the flesh paid for all sin on the cross, was buried and bodily rose from the dead on the third day. All that we can do is be convicted that our human goodness cannot save us in the eyes of God, and to receive, by faith, Christ as our Saviour to be saved eternally. To believe is ALL that we can do, because we have a flesh nature that cannot inherit eternal life. God made salvation simple enough for a child to understand, and yet most Christian denominations have butchered the simple gospel with burdens that no man can bear, stealing the glory from off of Christ. Yet why is this amazing truth evil spoken of by most Christian denominations? Why do they not believe the report that God gave of His Son?
I agree; they are in unbelief.
In 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Paul mentions the preaching of another Jesus, who he and the disciples did not preach, and also of receiving another spirit, which the brethren had not received, and another gospel, which the brethren had not accepted. What are these?
Another Jesus
The only Jesus who can save a sinner from hell is the Jesus of the Holy Bible, Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ, the anointed one or Messiah. It is this Jesus who is the only one who couldatone and did atone for our sin, and who can save us from an eternal separation from God in a literal hell. No other Jesus of the world saves. The salvation message that we are sinners in need of a Saviour to pay for our sin convicts, because Jesus is inclusive. He is the Word (John 1:1), who was in the beginning with God (John 1:2), and all things were made by him (John 1:3), and the Word of God became flesh (John 1:14). No other person but Jesus the Christ can give us the righteousness we need, and yet Jesus made it so easy that all we need to do is to believe on His atoning work in his death, burial and resurrection. He will wash away our sins and give us His righteousness upon simple faith. Scripture is clear that salvation is all of God, and entirely not of ourselves and not of works.
Paul preached Christ crucified.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God – 1 Corinthians 1:22-24
He taught that salvation was a gift of God, which we receive upon faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning work as full payment for our sin, because the wages of sin is death.
that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in hiskindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast – Ephesians 2:7-9
Good works piled onto sin cannot take away that debt. Only a sinless sacrifice could be the final sin offering for us, and Jesus did exactly that.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech youby us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him – 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Yea doubtless, and I count all things butloss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them butdung, that I may win Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; – Philippians 3:8-10
It is such a precious gift that God gives us, and yet the message of another Jesus is commonly taught today.
There is another Jesus taught in the Christian denominations, like that of Catholicism’s mass and the Church of England’s Eucharist that put too much emphasis on a human needing to perform sacraments to receive the forgiveness of sin. If human works could save, righteousness would be by the law. The sole reason why we can’t save ourselves by works of our flesh is why Jesus came. I’ve attended a few Church of England services as a new believer in Christ, and the Eucharist is in its own booklet and each person repeats the boldened words, while the vicar speaks the rest. It’s very ritualistic, and not focused on the Word of God. This Jesus does not save.
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law – Galatians 3:21
There is the Jesus of new age religion; a mystical figure that teaches that Christ consciousness is within everyone. Basically, this is an agreeable concept by atheists and new agers that we all have God divinity in each of us and we need to reach this through self-effort. This Jesus is antichrist and does not save.
What about the Christian cults of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Mormons etc. They deny the deity of Jesus. Their Jesus does not save.
Scripture tells us to test the spirits, whether they be of God.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world – 1 John 4:1-3
Jesus told warned us that we would know false prophets by their fruit.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them – Matthew 7:15-20
Don’t be a fruit inspector like those of Lordship Salvation and Calvinism, because any lost person can do good works and appear righteous and saved to the human eye, but it is the fruit of what they speak about salvation that matters.
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh – Luke 6:44-46
We are not saved by our works of righteousness, but by Jesus Christ’s atonement.
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; – Titus 3:5
What are they teaching about Jesus Christ – are they teaching that he is the way, the truth, and the life? Are they teaching faith in Christ apart from human works? Are they teaching that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, who made the atoning payment for our sin? Scripture tells us to walk in the Spirit, to feed the new man, and yet so many Christian denominations are teaching that if believers are not living a certain way then they are not saved, or can lose salvation. These people are looking at their own righteousness and have not submitted to the righteousness of God. Jesus said quite clearly that s/he who believes on Him has everlasting life.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life – John 6:47
Another Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. The job of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ. Another name for Him is the Comforter.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew itunto you – John 16:7-14
As sin as separated us from a Holy God, the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of our need for a Saviour in Jesus. No one can come to God the Father but by the Son of God, Jesus. Jesus is the inclusive narrow way.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me – John 14:6
Jesus became the sin offering for all of mankind and he made that payment once on the cross.
but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; – Hebrews 10:12
He died bodily, was buried, and victoriously rose on the third day proving that salvation is open to everyone, through his death, burial and resurrection. He died the death that we all deserve, and yet in His great love for us, he bore our punishment on the cross.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him – 2 Corinthians 5:21
Another spirit is any other spirit that leads us away from the atoning work of Christ. The modern charismatic and Pentecostal movements rely on tongues as a evidence of the Holy Spirit, but you will notice that the gift of tongues was visible in the disciples in the early Church. Tongues, or the gift of languages, is the ability to speak to various nations in their home tongue, which is understandable to them. Let’s look at the scripture in Acts.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine – Acts 2:4-13
Any minister who uses the gift of tongues today must be able to interpret what they are saying, or there is simply no use for it. Scripture says that one of the gifts of the Spirit is various kinds of tongues, and another is the interpretation of tongues.
to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverskinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: – 1 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore, anyone who is saying that you must have the gift of tongues as a sign that you are born again with the Holy Spirit has a spirit of pride and error. Here is a fantastic video by Tom Cucuzza explaining the gift of tongues.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYQriXdKGEA]
Another popular spirit that has become the ‘norm’ amongst Christian denominations and the Church of England are female pastors and leaders. Paul clearly told us in scripture.
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commandedto be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety – 1 Timothy 2:11-15
However, through the feminist movement, which is another spirit not of God, the Word of God is ignored and in its place comes a spirit of compromise. It is a dangerous place to be, and I dare say that the Church of England and other Christian denominations who are making their own rules up about female pastor and leaders are not being led by the true Spirit of God, but another spirit. Why would God bless apostasy and rebellion toward Him? He does not.
I would like to add that some of these female leaders (as are male pastors within the Church of England) are also homosexual, so this is clearly born of another spirit and not the Holy Spirit of God that leadeth a person into all truth. God says that homosexuality is a sin, so why would he bless men and women in the church teaching that God accepts this. It is sinful and rebellious.
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination – Leviticus 18:22
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in theirknowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; – Romans 1:26-28
This is another video by Tom Cucucca speaking boldly against female leaders.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuRNUkPc4_c]
Another spirit of falsehood is the signs, wonders, and feelings movement. A lot of charismatic and Pentecostal churches rely heavily upon signs and wonders as evidence of the Holy Spirit. Emotions and feelings should not be relied upon as truth, because emotions and feelings can waver from minute to minute and hour to hour. Instead, we must rely on what the Word of God says.
Salvation is not a feeling or an emotion. Scripture clearly tells us that we are saved when we put our trust in the atoning work of Jesus Christ and we must accept that fact by faith. Faith is what pleases God.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen – Hebrews 11:1
But without faith it isimpossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him – Hebrews 11:6
The Holy Spirit seals us forever, and this is the only reason why we can enter heaven when we die, because this is a new nature that cannot sin.
in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, – Ephesians 1:13
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption – Ephesians 4:30
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit – 1 Thessalonians 4:8
Then there is another spirit in the Christian cults like those of Jehovah’s Witnessess, Mormons, Christadelphians, and Christian Science, who teach that the Holy Spirit is a force, and not God, the third person of the Godhead. Scripture clearly says that the Holy Spirit is a person, and a man.
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) – John 7:39
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you – John 14:26
Finally, some Christian denominations teach that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, but that we do not need to live for God after salvation. God saved us unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them – Ephesians 2:10
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men– Titus 3:8
Even though good works do not save us prior to trusting on Christ, nor can good works keep us saved, we have a new nature inside of us, the Holy Spirit that will be grieved if we are not doing that which pleases God.
Whether we do good works or not, salvation can never be lost, but living for ourselves instead of Christ, will result in loss of fellowship with God, a defeated life void of the blessings of God, unanswered prayer, and even the chastening of God, which may even result in a sin unto death and the loss of life.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us– 1 John 1:5-10
The carnal Christian does exist. I’m sure carnality exists in every Christian, if we are truly honest with ourselves. I know for certain that I do not love the Lord with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength all day every day. I know that I sin when I know to do that which is right, but do not do so, like witnessing to strangers, and even family.
Another Gospel
Paul gave the clear gospel of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. This is the gospel that saves us, and we are told to believe it to receive the gift of salvation.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Neither Jesus, nor the disciples, nor Paul gave instructions that people needed to repent of sin, or turn from sin to receive the free gift of salvation. We have an inherited sinful nature that cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption – 1 Corinthians 15:50
We cannot fix this sinful flesh, and yet most Christian Churches today are adding this simple instruction to turn from sin or repent of sins prior to trusting on the death, burial, and resurrection in order to be saved. They are subtly adding to the gospel of Christ, turning the gospel that saves into another gospel, and an accursed gospel, as Paul clearly said that if anyone comes preaching another gospel which Paul and the disciples had not taught, that gospel message is an accursed one.
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 – Galatians 1:6-9
The religious Pharisees were trying to get the brethren at Galatia to come back under the Law of Moses, as they didn’t believe the report of Paul, nor Jesus who told them that they could not fulfil the law by their own righteousness. They were trusting in their righteousness during the time of Jesus’ ministry, and they still trusted in their own righteousness during the time of Paul the Apostle.
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God – Romans 10:3
Paul was the last person to see the risen Christ and received the gospel by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ – Galatians 1:11-12
Jesus came to fulfil the law, because we could not. The law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, to show us that we need a saviour.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus– Galatians 3:24-26
Scripture is clear. The righteousness of God is without the law.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; – Romans 3:21-23
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; – Titus 3:5
All that we can do as sinful human beings is to have faith in the report that God gave of His Son.
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son– 1 John 5:10-11
As difficult as it is for humans to hear, salvation is nothing of what we do. However, this clear message is rarely taught in Christian denominations today. Instead, these denominations add a system of faith in Christ plus works, and it is this addition of works that appeals to the human flesh, because we somehow participate in our salvation. This is not biblical salvation. Scripture is clear that if the law could save us then Jesus died in vain.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comeby the law, then Christ is dead in vain– Galatians 2:21
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law – Galatians 3:21
Jesus did not die in vain. He died for something, and He died to pay the penalty for my sin, for your sin, for the sin of everyone who has ever lived and will ever live, because the wages of sin is death, and since Jesus proved that he has overcome death, there is life after death, and it’s either in heaven or hell. Since Jesus is the only one who can give us eternal life, rejection of Christ is what leads to eternal damnation. God gives everyone the right to choose. Salvation is a gift of God that we receive by placing our faith in Christ’s finished work – his death, burial and resurrection.
This simplicity that is in Christ is what much of Christianity dismisses as easy believisim or cheap grace. They have no understanding of the holiness of God and how he abhors sin. Only Jesus could make that death payment for us, because He is God in the flesh and without sin. Just like the Pharisees, they are trying to establish their own righteousness and have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
So, what was this “different gospel” of which the Apostle Paul was speaking? It is a counterfeit gospel about a “Jesus” that died on a Friday and was resurrected on Sunday morning, and who did away with His Father’s “burdensome” law by nailing it to the cross. This false gospel says Sunday is the day to worship God, among many other fallacies, when Scripture consistently points to the keeping of the seventh day Sabbath. I’ve said it from when the Holy Spirit revealed it to me; the resurrection and sabbath are essential to the faith in and of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:2-5
Observation Question: What are characteristics of the people in the last days?
As we continue to read Paul’s words, we find that the terrible times will not be bad because of difficult events but because of evil people. This is what will make these last days so terrible. There will be many in the church who profess Christianity but look nothing like their Lord and Savior. In verse 5, Paul says that they had an “outward appearance of religion” but “repudiated its power.” This means that they had the outer trappings of Christianity—they went to church, sang hymns, gave their tithes, went on mission trips—but lived ungodly lives that proved they had never experienced Christ’s saving power.
This is exactly what Christ warned the disciples of in the parables of the kingdom in Matthew 13. Christ said the kingdom of heaven is tares and wheat (v. 36-43), and good and bad fish (v. 47-50)—essentially true and false believers. He also describes the kingdom as yeast hidden in flour, which spreads throughout the lump (v. 33). Yeast typically refers to false doctrine (Matt 16:11-12) or sin (1 Cor 5:6); therefore, Christ described how evil would spread and saturate the church at various stages of history. The current state of the kingdom is a mixture of good and evil. It is scary!
This reality often leads to disillusionment and apostasy—Satan’s very intent in planting tares, bad fish, and leaven. No doubt, this is the reason that Paul warned Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul gives nineteen negative characteristics of many professing believers during these difficult times:
- People will be lovers of themselves: This comes first because it is the dominant characteristic of the last days—leading to further sins. Satan tempted Eve to be like God in the garden. He called her to seek self-fulfillment instead of loving God and others first. From that point, that became the prominent motivation in humanity. Life is about us and our satisfaction. Religion simply becomes another addition to seek fulfillment. People ask, “Can Christianity help us be happy? Can it help our children not lie and steal? In that case, we should go to church!”
- In fact, much of the teaching in churches these days focuses on self-love. It has essentially become the greatest commandment. They say, “You can’t love God or others unless you love yourself first!” However, there is never a command in the Bible to love ourselves. The Bible assumes that we already do—it is a result of our sin nature. When Scripture says to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt 12:31), it is simply recognizing that we already love ourselves way too much. Scripture continually calls us to humble ourselves (James 4:10), deny ourselves, take up our cross (Matt 16:24), and seek the interests of others over ourselves (Phil 2:3). However, since self has replaced God, it leads to many other sins.
- Lovers of money: Since the love of self is dominant, the love of money naturally follows. By pursuing money, we cater to all our desires. In fact, many will use religion to make money. First Timothy 6:5 says that many will think that “godliness is a way of making a profit.”
- Boastful: Those who love themselves will continually brag about themselves, their money, their education, their achievements, and even their faith. They will boast about their giving, their strong devotion, and even their “spiritual” experiences. The church will be full of braggarts.
- Arrogant: Pride is the internal motivation that leads people to brag. People will think higher of themselves than they should. They will have false pride about their race, their social class, their economic standing, and even their doctrine.
- Blasphemers: This word can be translated “abusive.” They will blaspheme others and God. When life is about self and people don’t get their way, they become angry and aggressive towards God and others. This abuse will be directed towards people of different ethnicities, social or economic standings, denominational affiliations, and even their own families. The church will be abusive instead of loving.
- Disobedient to their parents: Love of self naturally leads to disobeying parents in order to fulfill one’s desires. Disobedience to parents will ultimately lead to disobeying all authorities—teachers, work superiors, government, and God.
- Ungrateful: If something interrupts one’s pursuit of self-gratification, then he or she will complain and become angry. Instead of being worshipers, the church will be a group of ungrateful people that complain about anything that makes them uncomfortable—the worship music, the seating, the preaching, the children’s ministry, the church leadership, the national government, the education system, sports, and so on. Like Israel in the wilderness, they will be grumblers who are constantly disciplined by God (1 Cor 10:10).
- Unholy: Love of self leads people to not respect or fear God. Without a reverence for God, they will be led into all types of sins. Their thought life, conversations, entertainment, and actions will be unholy.
- Unloving: “Unloving” can also be translated “without natural affection” or “without family affection.” Parents will neglect their children, as they pursue money and self-fulfillment. Sometimes they will abort their children in order to cater to self. Children will hate their parents in response. There will be a lack of “natural affection” in the church. It will be shameful to hear stories about how believers neglect their children, spouses, and elderly parents—especially when church leaders do it!
- Irreconcilable: They won’t forgive others nor seek forgiveness from others. They are so prideful that they won’t humble themselves to seek reconciliation.
- Slanderers: This expression is from the word “diabolos” which can be translated “accuser” or “devil.” People will slander others with their words and slander God. The church will be full of gossip and back-biting. When self is on the throne, it naturally leads to pulling down others to exalt oneself.
- Without self-control: People will lack power to discipline themselves. They will be controlled by their delights and passions—overeating, oversleeping, video games, social media, shopping, drugs, cigarettes, pornography, etc. The church will be full of addicts of one thing or another. Satisfying self leads to uncontrollable urges.
- Savage: This can be translated “brutal,” “fierce,” or “untamed.” People will be like wild animals seeking to tear one another apart in order to gain or protect their desires.
- Opposed to what is good: They will love what should be hated, and hate what should be loved. Ungodly entertainment, ideologies, and endeavors, they will love. But the things of God—his Word, preaching, worship, serving, and righteousness—they will hate.
- Treacherous: They won’t keep their promises. The only commitment they will keep is their pursuit of happiness. Divorce, church splits, and church hopping will be common place.
- Reckless: People will do whatever they want without consideration of others. All that matters is self and self-expression. They will say things like, “I just had to be true to myself!”, as if that justifies any number of evils.
- Conceited: People will be full of their own exaggerated self-importance blinding them to others’ opinions and ultimately God’s Word. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
- Loving pleasure rather than loving God: Because they love pleasure instead of God, churches will be full of entertainment instead of true worship. Church services will be about pleasing people instead of pleasing God. People will plan worship primarily with the thought of getting and keeping people and their money instead of truly worshiping God.
- Maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power: Also, translated “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (NIV). Again, there will be form but no power to change lives.
MacDonald said this about these people:
Outwardly these people seem religious. They make a profession of Christianity, but their actions speak louder than their words. By their ungodly behavior, they show that they are living a lie. There is no evidence of the power of God in their lives. While there might have been reformation, there never was regeneration. Weymouth translates: “They will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet exclude its power.” Likewise Moffatt: “Though they keep up a form of religion, they will have nothing to do with it as a force.” Phillips puts it: “They will maintain a façade of ‘religion’ but their conduct will deny its validity.” They want to be religious and to have their sins at the same time (cf. Rev. 3:14–22). Hiebert warns: “It is the fearful portrayal of an apostate Christendom, a new paganism masquerading under the name of Christianity.”3
Certainly, we’ve seen some of the worst examples of this throughout history: In the name of Christianity, people have slaughtered Jews, Muslims, and one another! The believers in the letter of James were fighting, oppressing, and murdering one another (James 4:1-2, 5:1-6). The Corinthians were taking one another to court (1 Cor 6:1-6). Terrible times indeed!
Observation Question: How should we respond to these people in the church?
Paul says to Timothy, “So avoid people like these” (v 5). This means that there should be a complete healthy separation from individuals who profess Christ but live lives that deny that reality. Consider what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13:
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. In no way did I mean the immoral people of this world, or the greedy and swindlers and idolaters, since you would then have to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who calls himself a Christian who is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolater, or verbally abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Are you not to judge those inside? But God will judge those outside. Remove the evil person from among you.
We must separate from believers who practice lifestyles like this. Yes, we must first lovingly challenge them to repent—even multiple times (Matt 18:15-17). But if they continue in rebellious lifestyles, we must separate. We separate in order to protect ourselves from corrupt habits (1 Cor 15:33), but we also do it so that they can be shamed and hopefully repent. Second Thessalonians 3:14-15 says,
But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Application Question: Which characteristic that Paul shared stood out to you most and why? Why is it important to understand the common reality of false believers in churches? How should we respond to this reality? How have you experienced this?
In the Last Days, the Church Will Be Full of False Teachers
For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions. Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people—who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith—also oppose the truth. But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.
2 Timothy 3:6-9
Paul next describes many of the teachers in these churches and ministries. When he says, they “insinuate themselves into households” in the Greek, it is actually “the households” with a definite article (v. 6). This means these homes were obviously well-known. He probably was referring to the house churches where people gathered for worship.4 These were typically the homes of wealthy church members (cf. Col 4:15, Rom 16:5, Acts 16:40).
Observation Question: What are characteristics of these false teachers (2 Timothy 3:6-9)?
1. False teachers are deceptive.
Paul says they “insinuate” their way into homes, or it can be translated “creep” or “worm” (v. 6). These teachers are crafty like the serpent in the garden. Often, they are great communicators and very charismatic; however, their intentions are not godly.
Be careful of the deceptive influence of false teachers. There is a reason that crowds often follow them.
2. False teachers seek to “gain control” over people.
“Captivate weak women” can also be translated “gain control over gullible women” (NIV). Be careful when you see too much power given to a spiritual leader. These teachers often gain control over people’s money, marriages, and future. As seen in cults, spiritual abuse is common.
Remember Jesus said he came to serve and not be served. Servant leadership should be the model in our churches (Matt 20:25-28). Be careful of abusive ministries and ministers.
3. False teachers often focus their attacks on women.
This mirrors Satan’s initial temptation of Eve, and God’s prophecy of Satan’s continued enmity with women (Gen 3:15). Often the majority of cult members are women. Many times, these women are abused mentally, spiritually, and physically.
4. False teachers prey on people’s problems promising quick solutions.
Paul says these women “are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions” (v. 6). The false teachers prey on these women’s vulnerabilities—promising healing, restoration of their family, financial prosperity, etc. In an attempt to heal their hurts and meet their felt-needs, these women are led into captivity.
5. False teachers prey on those who are always searching for new truth.
Paul describes these victims as “Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (v. 7). Often, you’ll find cult followers jumping from one perceived truth to another. They have tried this and that. They have a desire to know the truth but have not fully accepted the message of the Bible. Therefore, they are vulnerable to teachers that say they have found “new revelation.”
6. False teachers oppose the truth and instigate rebellion against God and godly leaders.
In verse 8, Paul says, “And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people—who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith—also oppose the truth.” The names Jannes and Jambres are never mentioned in the Old Testament. However, according to tradition, these were the sorcerers who opposed Moses when he went to Pharaoh’s court. They went with Israel to Mt. Sinai and instigated the rebellion of worshiping the golden calves. John MacArthur shares,
Jewish tradition holds that they pretended to convert to Judaism in order to subvert Moses’ divine assignment to liberate Israel from Egypt, that they led in making and worshiping the golden calf while Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Law from God, and that they were slaughtered by the Levites along with the other idolaters (See Ex. 32). That possibility is consistent with Paul’s warning about false leaders who corrupt the church from within. Just as those two men opposed Moses in his teaching and leading ancient Israel, so these men in Ephesus also opposed the truth of the gospel.5
In the same way, false teachers often accuse and oppose godly teachers and try to create rebellion in churches and ministries.
7. False teachers often perform false and lying miracles.
This is implied by the fact that Paul refers to the two sorcerers that mimicked the miracles Moses performed. They turned their staffs into serpents, turned water into blood, and brought forth frogs. But when it came to the miracle of the gnats and the subsequent miracles, the magicians failed to imitate them (Ex. 8:16–19). Similarly, false teachers often deceive through lying miracles that fall woefully short of God’s glory. Consider the following verses,
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Remember, I have told you ahead of time.
Matthew 24:24-25
The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
Jesus and Paul both said signs and wonders would follow false teachers in the last days. They perform these miracles to “deceive.” Even now, we have all kinds of phenomena happening in the church with no biblical support: stigmata (people experiencing marks of the crucifixion), statues and paintings with tears of blood, floating gold dust during services, people gaining gold teeth, people barking like dogs and roaring like lions, etc.
If we reject Scripture as our rule and standard of faith and practice (2 Tim 3:17), then we can accept anything and be led astray. This is what many have done in the church. They accept things that have no affirmation in Scripture, and therefore make themselves and those they teach vulnerable to deception.
8. False teachers are unregenerate and therefore have unregenerate thinking.
Paul says these men “have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith—also oppose the truth” (v. 8). MacArthur gives telling insight about the word “disqualified”—also translated “rejected”:
Adokimos (Rejected) was used of metals that did not pass the test of purity and were discarded. The word also was used of counterfeits of various sorts. The fact that the men were rejected as regards the faith makes clear that Paul was speaking of individuals within the church who claimed to be Christians but were not.
As with those in the church who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof, these false teachers are not born again. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are either deceived about their salvation or are intentionally deceiving others for their own gain.
Since they are not born again, they cannot truly understand Scripture. Paul said the natural man cannot understand the things of God for they are foolishness to him (1 Cor 2:14). Therefore, these false teachers can only pervert true doctrine. They deny the inerrancy of Scripture; they deny the creation of the world through God’s spoken word; they deny the deity of Christ; they deny a literal resurrection and the miracles of Scripture. They accept and teach revelation outside of Scripture—denying Scripture’s sufficiency. They are men and women of depraved thinking.
9. False teachers will eventually be exposed.
Paul says, “But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres” (v. 9).
They can only hide their hypocrisy for a while because false teaching provides no power to live a holy life; therefore, they will eventually be exposed. It is very common to, at some point, hear how these teachers embezzled money, had multiple affairs, committed spiritual abuse, etc. Like Jannes and Jambres, their inability to produce the true works of God—a holy life, lasting freedom for their followers, etc.—eventually becomes clear to everyone.
In Matthew 7:16-17, Christ said, “You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.”
Paul’s comments about them not getting “very far” probably refer to their false teaching and not just the false teachers. Their error doesn’t get very far. John Stott said,
Error may spread and be popular for a time. But it ‘will not get very far’. In the end it is bound to be exposed, and the truth is sure to be vindicated. This is a clear lesson of church history. Numerous heresies have arisen, and some have seemed likely to triumph. But today they are largely of antiquarian interest. God has preserved his truth in the church.6
In these last days, false teachers and false teaching will be common. We must be aware of this.
Application Question: What experience/exposure do you have with cults, false teachers, and false teachings? What are some of the common dangers you have noticed?
Applications
As we consider the characteristics of the church in the last days, there are many applications we can make.
1. We must examine our salvation.
Second Corinthians 13:5 says, “Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, indeed, you fail the test!” Christ said in the last days many will say to him, “Lord, Lord” but he will respond, “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, I never knew you” (Matt 7:21-23). That type of false faith will be increasingly common in the church, as we get closer to Christ’s coming. It will be religion without relationship, form without power, a shell without life. We must test ourselves to see if we are saved.
How do we know if we’re born again? Certainly, we must ask ourselves discerning questions such as: Are we demonstrating new life and new spiritual affections? Do we love God? Do we love his people? Do we love his Word? Are we obeying him? Are we decreasing in sin and growing in righteousness? Has our profession changed our life or is it just a profession? If our profession hasn’t changed our life, then maybe we just have the form of faith without its saving power in our lives.
The book of 1 John is a book of many tests of salvation (cf. 1 John 5:13). First John 3:9-10 says,
Everyone who has been fathered by God does not practice sin, because God’s seed resides in him, and thus he is not able to sin, because he has been fathered by God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are revealed: Everyone who does not practice righteousness—the one who does not love his fellow Christian—is not of God.
A true believer will fail and fall into sin, but he will not practice a lifestyle of unrepentant sin; the general direction of his life is very different from the world. A true believer practices righteousness and loves God’s people.
Do you bear the marks of true salvation?
2. We must make sure that Christ is still our first love.
The root problem of the end-time church is self-love. They love themselves more than God, which results in many other sins—love of money, love of pleasure, lack of family love, pride, abusiveness, etc. This can happen to us as well if we don’t love God first. In Revelation 2:4-5, Christ rebuked the church of Ephesus for this sin. He said,
But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love! Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—that is, if you do not repent.
Christ promised them judgment if they didn’t repent for their lack of love for God. No doubt, this lack of love was causing other sins in their lives, as it does with ours. If we’ve lost it, we must repent and turn back to God. We must put him first as an act of love and obedience. As we love God first, we will love others and grow in righteousness.
Is Christ still your first love? If not, what is taking first place in your life?
3. We must test everything through Scripture—miracles, teaching, etc.
Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, we must test everything through Scripture to see if it’s of God: Is the Bible being preached or is Scripture simply a launching point for worldly anecdotes? Are my experiences biblical or just something that feels good? The Word of God equips the man of God for “every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). If it doesn’t pass the biblical test, it should be discarded. If we hold onto Scripture, we’ll be kept from the waves of false doctrine and lying miracles in the church.
4. We must understand our call to persevere in, to love, and to minister to the church.
Many have given up on the church because they have experienced hurt, betrayal, and abuse during these terrible times. However, Christ said the gates of Hades will not prevail against the church (Matt 16:18)—Satan’s works will not ultimately prevail against her. Also, Christ loved the church and gave his life for her—knowing her imperfections (Eph 5:25-27). We must love her as well and be faithful to her, even when she is unfaithful. In this season, there are tares, bad fish, and leaven within her, but God will ultimately purify and restore her. And in this season, we are part of that restoration. We must persevere in, love, and minister to the church, even as our Lord does.
Do you still love her? Are you faithfully ministering to her? Or are you disillusioned and fed-up with her?
Application Question: What other applications can we take from the reality that terrible seasons will plague the end-time church? How will you apply these truths to your life?
The true gospel involves the LIVING Jesus Christ who is preparing now to return to earth to bring order and establish right government. Why have the mainstream churches not taught that clear Biblical fact? Because they have been deceived!
The pagans had “gods many and lords many.” Besides the sun, they worshiped the moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. And they bestowed upon the days of the week the names of their gods. The sun, whence come the first day of the week was given over to this first and foremost of all gods, and called the sun’s day, or Sunday.
The moon took second place and also the second day; hence Monday. Saturn held Saturday, the last day. So from antiquity, Sunday has been held as a day of worship. Paganism was worshiping the sun on Sunday when Christ came. When the gospel from Judea came to our own ancestors in Europe, it found them paying homage to the sun on the first day of the week. As the Spirit of God, manifested in Christ, began to work upon the hearts of men, many left the worship of Apollo, the sun god, and joined the Christians. After Christ’s return to heaven, the great majority were still pagans worshiping the sun on Sunday, while the followers of Jesus worshiped God on the true Sabbath, or seventh day
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