Bible Study: False Teachers, Selected Scriptures--A Personal Reading Isa 9:14-16 14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. 15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. (KJV) In God's sight, false prophets who teach lies are the tail and not the head of spiritual Israel, due to their depraved moral condition. They set themselves up as prestigious spiritual leaders, but God views them quite differently. Jer 5:11-13 11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD. 12 They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: 13 And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. (KJV) Jer 6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. (KJV) Jeremiah prophesies of false prophets in Israel, empty windbags characterized by deceit and coveteousness. Jer 23:21-22 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. (KJV) False teachers do not stand wholly in God's counsel, and cause His people to hear all His words. These verses show that it is the word of God that converts us, not the prophet who teaches it. Ezek 12:24-25 24 For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel. 25 For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV) Web. Divination--the foretelling of the future or discovery of that which is hidden. Some false ministers are diviners, or false prophets, with their own private visions and ambitions. The Lord God will be our Teacher as we apply ourselves diligently to the Spirit-led study of His word. Ezek 14:9-11 9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. 10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him; 11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV) How is it that God has deceived false prophets who in turn deceive others, and yet says of them, "They shall bear the punishment of their iniquity..."? The answer has to be that they had their choice, that they need not have chosen deceit; they could have chosen honesty. In other words, though they knew what God's Word requires of them, they elected to circumvent it or to place their private interpretations upon it. In this manner they chose rebellion rather than obedience. Why should God then not send delusion upon them, since they elect to compromise His Holy Word? If they elect to defile their own con- sciences, to rationalize the desires of their own stubborn wills against the Word of God, why should He not send them confusion and let them turn away to erroneous fables? He seeks those who will wor- ship Him in spirit and in truth, not those who want to play games with His Holy Word. God warns us not to be deceived, which would indicate that we have a choice and a responsibility to guard our minds against de- ception (cf. Deut 11:16; I Cor 6:9; 15:33: Gal 6:7). To those who elect to become deceived, He sends confusion (Isa 66:3-4; Jer 4:10; II Thes 2:11). Hos 9:7-9 7 The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. 8 The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God. 9 They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins. (KJV) The latter day prophets of Israel are iniquitous fools, corrupt spiritual leaders who serve a god of hate rather than of love--their day of reckoning approaches. As to the manner in which such corrupt themselves, refer to the account of Gibeah in Judges 19:22p. Mic 2:11 If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people. (KJV) Mic 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. (KJV) False prophets come teaching lies; they "judge for reward," "teach for hire," and "divine for money," but claim that God has sent them. Mat 24:4-5 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (KJV) Jesus warns of false teachers claiming to represent Him, but deceiving the many. They would deceive you, i.e. the church of God. Acts 13:6-8 6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. (KJV) Web. Sorcery--witchcraft, magic. Magic--the pretended art of controlling the supernatural, sorcery; legerdemain; charm, enchant- ment. Enchantment--magic spell. Some false prophets have these powers through evil spirits. Elymas means a wizard. He was a false prophet or magician who withstood the truth brought by the apostles. Acts 20:25-31 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (KJV) v. 17 "And from Miletus [Paul] sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church," and v. 25 "...ye all...shall see my face no more." There were apparantly three or more elders in the church at Ephesus, whom the Holy Spirit had made overseers and teachers of the flock, but destructive wolves would enter the church, and false teachers would arise from among themselves who would pursue their own percieved self-interest at the expense of the flock. Note that it is God who raises up elders, not men. Paul taught "...all the counsel of God." He did not leave out parts of it that did not suit his convenience, and distort or pervert other parts of it as the false prophets do (v.27, cf. Jer 23:21-22). Rom 16:17-18 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (KJV) False teachers are deceivers who live after the flesh, serving their own carnal appetites, living sumptuously. Such false ministers are the real source of the confusion arising in the Churches of God. They specialize in goodly words and fair speeches without getting to the intended sense of the Scriptures they use, but rather deceptively incorporating erroneous teachings from other sources. II Cor 11:13-15 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (KJV) Ministers of Satan preach another Jesus and another gospel, and are led by another spirit, yet they enter God's true church and pose as true ministers of Jesus Christ. Such are in fact ministers of the demonic synagogue of Satan as opposed to the true church of God (Rev 2-3). Gal 1:6-8 6 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. (KJV) False teachers pervert the Gospel of Christ to suit their own ends. They incorporate their perverse errors into the Gospel of Christ, and leave us with the hard task of discerning and discarding their errors while holding fast to the truth. False teachers follow the way of Balaam, to whom God said, "...thy way is perverse before me..." (Num 22:32, II Pet 2:1,15). I Tim 1:5-7 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (KJV) False teachers are devoid of real understanding; their teachings are vain jangling, words without substance. Theirs is a pretended faith, proceding from an impure heart and a defiled conscience. They are showmen, putting on a pious act. I Tim 4:1-2 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (KJV) That false teachers speak lies in hypocrisy tells us that they know better, but they persist in evil for ulterior motives not far to seek. The pagan priesthood of Jeroboam also served demons, as these do (II Chr 11:15). In commenting on these verses, Bullinger says: "Evil angels or demons teach by their mediums...their teachings were then rife, as they are today. There is great need for this 'spiritual gift' of the 'discerning of spirits' (I Cor xii. 10) of which [Paul] had written...Evil spirits are abroad in the earth; and as some are 'more wicked' than others, some also must be less wicked than others. Some teach foul and unclean things; others teach doctrines that sound so good, and appear so fair, and seem so holy, that many are deceived by them; and hesitate even to judge them, though they 'discern' them sufficiently to be suspicious of them..." ("Word Studies on the Holy Spirit" pp.144-45). It ought to be sobering indeed to bethink ourselves that our favorite false min- ister could in fact be a medium through whom an evil spirit, posing as a minister of righteousness, is teaching us false doctrines, or doctrines of demons. I Tim 6:3-5 3 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; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (KJV) False teachers suppose that gain is godliness, i.e. that the salaries they extort from illicit tithe and offering money are a blessing from God. These verses describe the substance of a false minister's ministry and the characteristic content of his sermons. Their perverse disputings arise from the way of Balaam that they follow (Num 22:32). II Tim 3:1-9 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (KJV) II Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (KJV) Paul prophesies concerning false teachers in the last days, who would seduce believers from the truth. Here again he describes the ministries and careers of such men. We are to turn away from such as these, who are lovers of themselves rather than of the church of God whom they would decieve. Titus 1:10-16 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (KJV) False teachers profess to know God, but their works deny Him. They teach things they ought not to teach, and that for hire (cf. II Pet 2:3, Jude 1:11). II Pet 2:1-22 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (KJV) This entire chapter is a portrayal of the false teachers of the church of God and, like Jude, is an eloquent and scathing indict- ment. These are not preachers in the world's Churches, but within the church of God--read it carefully. "An heart they have exer- cised with coveteous [greedy, idolatrous] practices." This reveals their motivation, their imagined self-interest, as the way of Balaam. I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (KJV) God's people can discern false prophets by what they preach. All they have to do is compare with the Word of God, but they need to be diligently about their homework. John here seems to confirm Paul's assessment (II Cor 11:13-15) that false ministers may in fact be mediums through whom demons teach perverse errors. We are there- fore to try or test the spirits of our teachers before accepting their doctrines. Jude 1:3-18 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (KJV) This is a parallel chapter to II Pet 2, written against false teachers who infiltrate the church of God. It is false ministers such as these, also portrayed in II Pet 2, who have brought about the ongoing crises in the Church of God organizations. Verse 13 seems to refer to the demons who speak through these ungodly false ministers. Jude 19 is one of the most startling Scriptures in the Word of God, once one has arrived at an understanding of just who these balaamite imposters are against whom he so vigorously protests throughout his epistle. These false teachers, who so greedily make merchandise of God's people (II Pet 2:1,3,15), Jude says, "...be they who separate themselves [playing the "big shot"], sensual [fleshly, carnal], having not the Spirit." Peter says they "...with feigned words make merchandise of you..." you who "...have obtained like precious faith with us..." (II Pet 2:3; 1:1). If Jude's charge be true, and we know it is, that these false ministers have not the Spirit of God, by what spirit do they speak? Paul, of course, provides an answer in II Cor 11:13-15, as does John, indirectly, in I Jn 3:12. Many other Scriptures describe these false ministers and priesthoods, if we but have the wit to see--the Power from on High granted to the royal priesthood we are privileged to be. Rev 2:14-16 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (KJV) Jesus warns us against the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which are taught by false ministers, who are of the synagogue of Satan, though they pose as true ministers of God. Jesus accuses them of idolatry and fornication. Rev 2:20-23 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (KJV) Jesus warns against the false prophetess Jezebel, symbolic of false Churches that teach the same idolatry mentioned in verse 14, the doctrine of Balaam--to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Individual Christians need to make certain they are not being taken in by such deceptive synagogues of Satan that pose as churches of God. Comment The cited Scriptures are representative of what the Bible has to say about false religious teachers. There is a tendency to believe that false teachers are in the "world's" religious denominations and that God's true ministers are in charge of the Churches of God. But Peter makes plain that "there shall be false teachers among you," the true believers in the church of God. If we are going to face up to the truth of this matter, we will have to admit that these false teachers populate the Church of God organizations and hier- archies that set themselves up as teachers and overseers over God's people--converted Christians, the sheep of Christ's pasture. These are the false teachers against whom the Bible is so adamantly op- posed, hirelings who are willing to preach what their organizations instruct them to preach in return for lucrative salaries. They teach for hire, judge for reward, and divine for money, as they make mer- chandise of you, the church of God scattered abroad. False ministers function as Nicolaitanes, as Balaamites, or as a combination of the two. Nicolaitanes, victors over the people, specialize in teaching authoritarianism and Church government or governance over the laity. Balaamites, the money-raisers, teach sending monetary sacrifices, "tithes and offerings," in to the Church's central offices at corpor- ate headquarters. The membership are expected to acquiesce to these false doctrines like a bunch of dumb sheep, and many continue to do so. See the accompanying files on ordination, tithing, the Nicolai- tanes, and Balaam concering these false priesthoods, who constitute in fact a synagogue of Satan bereft of the Spirit of God. The file on Korah examines the genesis of such a false priesthood. Teaching from God, Selected Scriptures Ps 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. (KJV) God was David's teacher (cf. Psa 119). Isa 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. (KJV) The Lord will teach Israel when He re-gathers them to the land. Jer 31:33-34 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (KJV) The Lord teaches us by writing His laws in our hearts. Men do not need to be taught by other men when God teaches them. John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (KJV) God is our teacher, as He was David's. We are to learn from God's word, for Jesus said, "Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me" (John 5:40). John 16:13; Rom 8:14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (For "he" read "it.") Here is the process of true education, which is not available to the ungodly men who would set themselves up as our teachers (cf. Jude 4,11,19). True education is a product of the Spirit, the Power of God from on high working in our minds and hearts. Gal 1:11-12 11 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. (KJV) Paul was not taught the gospel by men, but by Jesus Christ. Eph 4:17-25 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (KJV) The truth is in Jesus, and we need to be taught by Him alone, through His written word. He ordained His apostles for that reason. We are to trust in the teachings of men only insofar as their teachings are confirmed by the Word of God (I Cor 11:1; I Thes 1:6). Acts 15:19-20, 28-29 "...[James'] sentance is that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood...For it seemed good to the Holy [Spirit], and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication..." The Jerusalem conference deals with other issues besides the topic of circumcision, as is mentioned in James' summation and in the subsequent letter to the gentile converts. The greater concern seems to be with the subjects of idolatry, unclean meats, and forn- ication. Note that Jesus is concerned with similar problems in the letters to Pergamos and Thyatira (Rev 2:14,20). There may be more here than meets the casual eye. (See the associated files in this series.) I Thes 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. God teaches Christians to love one another by His Spirit of love within them. I John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (KJV) The Spirit-led individual needs no man to be his teacher, cf. Heb 5:12 "...ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God" [as in 6:1-2]. There is no real contradiction of course. Babes need to be led to Christ, and then they can make it on their own, as the Ethiopian eunuch did. False teachers would have us believe we can't do for ourselves. One may well wonder how many of us really believe the beloved old apostle, the one who reclined on Jesus' bosom, who said that the Holy Spirit in us teaches us so that we need defer to no self-proclaimed teacher or submit to his pretended ascendency over us? Yet since apostolic times Nicolaitane false religious teachers of idolatry have set themselves up over the "laity," the "dumb sheep" of Christ's pas- ture, in the phrase of Herbert W. Armstrong, in order to make mer- chandise of them. Such false ministers, who deal in the truth of God for the purpose of fleecing believers of their substance, are in fact pitiable, for they sell out their eternal salvation for a mess of sacrificial pottage. It remains the duty and obligation of each individual Christian to discern between the true ministers of Jesus Christ and the false. False ministries of Satan interpose themselves as mediating priesthoods between the laity and the cor- porate idols they erect as their objects of worship. Mat 5:1-2 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, (KJV) This is our great Teacher, and for the next three chapters He lays out the "Constitution" of His program for us. The entire Bible is His word, what need have we of men to teach us? All they can do is give us their impressions of what they think the Bible says--we can however think for ourselves just as well as they can--perhaps better. Origin of False Teachers In the light of the above cited Scriptures, it may be profit- able to look into the origin of false teachers--where do they come from? Jude tells us that ungodly men have crept into the church teaching lies for gain. They are of the sort who creep into houses after silly and sinful women (II Tim 3:6). Such false teachers correspond to the false prophets of the Old Testament (II Pet 2:1). God did not send false prophets (Jer 23:21-22), but they showed up anyway (Mic 2:11). They come in Jesus' name, but seek to deceive (Mt 24:4-5). They either enter in from without or arise spontaneously from within the church (Acts 20:29-30). In the former case, they never had the Spirit of God, and in the latter they have lost it by turning from the faith to their own perversions. They serve not Christ, but themselves; they deceive as false min- isters with "good words and fair speeches" (Rom 16:18). As Jesus sent forth His true apostles, so Satan has sent forth his false apostles, teaching deceits but appearing righteous and holy (II Cor 11:13-15). Such are ministers of Satan, whether they arise from with- in the church or come from without. Some, having swerved from the faith, are unable to profitably instruct others, their words becoming mere vain jangling (I Tim 1:6-7). They do not understand the Scrip- tures they purport to teach, yet they set themselves up as our lead- ers. Some, having departed from the truth, teach demonic distortions of Scripture (I Tim 4:1). Such false teachers have forsaken the right way and gone astray; they have polluted the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with error (II Pet 2:15,20). These false prophets are motivated by evil spirits, not by the Spirit of God (I John 4:1). We need to discern these evil spirits by testing them against the truth of the Scriptures. Do we really want to know, or do we prefer to remain mesmerized by these sorcerers? The writer may not presume to judge them, but the Word of God does.