Boyce Mouton
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FALSE APOSTLES

Boyce Mouton · 6 pages · 3,607 words

FALSE APOSTLES “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2 Cor. 11:13-15)

In this brief study we will attempt to warn you about the danger of false teaching. At the same time it is important to distinguish between sincere brethren who are wrong, and false apostles who are satanic.

First, let us consider some background regarding Paul and Corinth. Paul was greatly discouraged when he came to Corinth. He explained in 1 Corinthians 2:3 “I came to you in weakness and fear and with much trembling.” Paul had recently experienced trouble and persecution. Not long before he and Silas had been unjustly beaten and imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40). This was obviously a difficult time for Paul. It was good, however, that Timothy had been with him to help (Acts 16:1-5). The magistrates at Philippi asked them to leave so Paul, Silas, and Timothy went to Thessalonica. After teaching in their synagogue for only three Sabbath days the unbelieving Jews in Thessalonica caused so much trouble that the brethren send Paul and his companions to Berea (Acts 17:1-10). This too must have been discouraging. Then the Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea, agitated the crowds, and forced Paul to leave there too. Silas and Timothy stayed behind while some of the men of Berea escorted Paul to Athens. Paul felt the need of immediate help and sent back word for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible (Acts 17:10-15). While Paul waited for them in Athens he was greatly distressed to see that Athens was full of idols (Acts 17:16). Paul, as you know, preached in Athens but only a few became believers (Acts 17:34). No wonder Paul was discouraged!

God, however, never allows us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear (1 Cor. 10:13). Therefore the Lord encouraged Paul one night in a vision and said: “‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’ So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.” (Acts 18:9-11)

The fact that the Lord had “many people” in Corinth helps us to understand Paul’s concern for Corinth and the fact that he wrote to letters to this congregation.

PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH

It seems that the church at Corinth had more problems than any other church to whom Paul wrote. In retrospect, it seems probable that these many problems were caused by those Paul later identified as false apostles and deceitful workers. The first problem mentioned, and perhaps most significant, was division. Paul had received word that there was quarreling in the church and wrote: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (1 Cor. 1:10-12) We will find out later that Paul and Apollos were really not the problem.

The problem of division was caused by others but Paul graciously applied it to himself and Apollos to illustrate the evil of division.

Christ is not divided! (1 Cor. 1:13) There should never be divisions in the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:25). The Spirit brings unity (Eph. 4:3) and those who divide the church do not have the Spirit (Jude 1:19). 1 Corinthians 13, as you know, is the love chapter of the Bible. Paul considered love “the most excellent way.” Thus when dealing with those causing trouble Paul was patient, kind, without envy or boasting, not proud, not rude, and not self seeking (1 Cor. 13:1-13). As we have said, Paul did not actually name the evil men dividing the church but lovingly used himself and Apollos as examples to teach the importance of unity. He explained: “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Cor. 4:6-7)

Paul loved these trouble makers and was apparently trying to bring them to repentance in the kindest way possible. His loving spirit is evident from his actions. He explained: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Cor. 9:19-23)

It would later become evident to Paul that the men causing the division were not making innocent mistakes, but were deliberately trying to divide the church. They were, in fact, false apostles and deceitful workers in the service of Satan. Paul made this clear in the second Corinthian letter. When the shepherd loves the sheep he must warn them about wolves in sheep’s clothing!

HERESIES CAN HELP PURIFY THE CHURCH

Even though Satan creates heresies, God uses those heresies to purify the church. Paul explained: “No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.” (1 Cor. 11:19). The Greek word translated as “differences” is “hairesis” which means “heresy”. Heresies in the Body of Christ can be helpful as they make clear which people have God’s approval and which ones do not. The approved cling to Jesus, and the heretics cling to someone else, or to something else! Like iron clings to a magnet, true Christians cling to Christ. Christ is the only true foundation for Christian unity (1 Cor. 3:11). Those who do not cling to Christ are not Christians and have fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4)! Every living organism has to have a way of excreting poison in order to survive. So does the Body of Christ. Heretics are poison and need to be removed! John explained: “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (1 Jn. 2:19)

As we have said, Paul was kind and gracious in his first letter to Corinth regarding those troublemakers. He was hoping for the best. It seems likely, however, that these false apostles were not just causing division but other problems as well. They may have been the very ones going to court with the brethren (1 Cor. 6:1-8). Perhaps they were also the ones involved in sexual immorality (I Cor. 6:12- 20). They were the ones claiming that they were apostles of Christ and Paul wasn’t (1 Cor. 9:1-3). They selfishly took money from the Corinthians while Paul did not (1 Cor. 9:12). They may have also been the ones who got drunk at the communion supper (1 Cor. 11:21). They may have also been the ones who claimed that “there is no resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:12). To deny the resurrection, as you know, is to deny the gospel. You cannot be a Christian without believing that Jesus was raised from the dead! Yet Paul, at that time, still did not publicly name these evil people for all the trouble they were causing.

By the time Paul wrote second Corinthians, however, their heresy was so obvious that Paul wrote: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.” (2 Cor. 11:2-6).

You can see from these words that these false apostles were not sincere. These evil men preached a different Jesus. As long as you are right about Jesus you can be wrong about many things and still be saved. There is no salvation, however, to those who are wrong about Jesus. When Paul understood that these false teachers preached a different Jesus, with a different spirit, and a different gospel, he identified these heretics in no uncertain terms: “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2 Cor. 11:13-15)

SATAN’S SCHEMES

It is important that we understand Satan’s schemes. The way he deceived Eve is an example of his schemes. Eve was a perfect person in a perfect environment, yet she was completely deceived by the serpent’s cunning. The devil’s schemes are also mentioned regarding the sad story of a man who was having sexual relations with is father’s wife (See 1 Corinthians 5). This immorality could have easily divided the church, but it didn’t. Paul taught the Corinthians how to discipline this immoral man so that he repented.

Paul explained what happened in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11. The punishment inflicted on this man was appropriate but Paul was concerned that it not be excessive. Godly discipline is designed to help and not to harm. Since this sinful man had repented it was important that they reaffirm their love for him. Satan, however, is so clever that he can even use our most noble actions to divide us. So Paul wrote: “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:10-11).

Let’s take a closer look at this passage. The Greek word translated as “schemes” is “noema”. It is only used 6 times in the N.T. Scriptures and 5 of those occur in 2 Corinthians. (2 Cor. 2:11; 3:14; 4:4; 10:5; 11:3). The only other use is in Philippians 4:7.

Each time the word is used it refers to “thinking”. Some references refer to the way the devil thinks, and other references refer to the way Christians think. Let’s review the uses of this word in the Bible.

  • We need to understand the way the devil thinks (2 Cor. 2:11).
  • When the Old Covenant is read the devil makes the way we think dull (2 Cor. 3:14).
  • The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4).
  • We are to make our every thought obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).
  • Paul was concerned that just as Satan deceived Eve, the way we think could lead us astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3).
  • The peace of God that passes understanding can guard the way we think (Phil. 4:7).

The Bible word for “repentance” is “metanoeo” which literally means to “change your mind”.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DEVIL

Yes! We need to be aware of the devil’s schemes! The devil is not God, but he is supernatural. There is no way we can defeat the devil without the help of God. Please consider how the devil poisoned the mind of king Solomon. Solomon, as you know, was famous for his wisdom.

God knew Israel would have a king centuries before it came to pass. Here are instructions regarding three things Moses warned that a king of Israel must never do: “The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.” (Deut. 17:16-17)

As we have said, Solomon was famous for his wisdom. This wisdom came from God in answer to Solomon’s humble prayer. God promised him: “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be” (1 Kings 3:12). When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s wisdom she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions and “Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.” (1 Kings 10:3)

Yet Satan’s schemes corrupted the way that Solomon thought so that he was guilty of deliberately doing the very three things that a king of Israel was forbidden to do:

  • The king was not to acquire great numbers of horses - but Solomon had 4,000 stalls for chariot horses, and 12,000 horses (1 Kings 4:26).
  • The king was not to take many wives - but Solomon had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines (1 Kings 10:3).
  • The king was not to accumulate large amounts of silver and gold - but Solomon amassed silver and gold for himself and the treasure of kings and provinces (Ecclesiastes 2:8).
  • SOLOMON DID NOT SIN BY ACCIDENT! HE SINNED BECAUSE SATAN’S SCHEMES HAD CORRUPTED HIS MIND!
  • THIS SAME TRUTH ALSO APPLIES TO US! THE WAY A MAN THINKS IS THE WAY HE IS (PROV. 23:7).
  • “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:5-6)
  • TRANSFORMATION COMES BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MIND (ROM. 12:2).

Spiritual warfare directly involves the way we think. Paul wrote: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments ands every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:4-5)

TURNING GOOD INTO EVIL

The brethren in Rome were divided over what a Christian could eat, and whether one day is holier than another. (See Romans 14:1-23) Paul concluded that we should not divide over such matters and that each believer was free to do what he felt God wanted him to do. He then stated: “Do not allow what you consider good, to be spoken of as evil.” (Rom. 14:16) This is an important principle that deserves careful thought.

Gideon was able to defeat 135,000 Midianites with only 300 men because God helped him to get the enemy soldiers to kill one another. Note: “When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords.” (Judges 7:22)

Sadly, this is precisely what the devil is doing to us. What God gives us as “good,” but the devil tricks us into making it “evil.” Please note that the evangelical world is often divided by the very things that God gave to unite us! For example:

  • God gives us the HolySpirit to unite us (Eph. 4:3), but the devil tricks us into dividing over the work of the Holy Spirit.
  • God gives us baptism to unite us for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink (1 Cor. 12:13). Yet the devil has tricked many into dividing over the subject of baptism.
  • God has given us the communion supper to unite us because there is one loaf and we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf (1 Cor. 10:17) Yet the devil has also made the communion supper a major source of division.
  • God has given us the good news that he will bind Satan for a thousand years (Rev. 20:2), yet even this good news has been used by Satan to divide believers.
  • We must be careful to not allow what we consider to be good to be evil spoken of!

FALSE APOSTLES ARE NOT OUR BRETHREN

As we said at the beginning: In this brief study we will attempt to warn you about the danger of false teaching while at the same time distinguishing between sincere brethren who are wrong, and false apostles who are satanic.

Please remember the prayer of Jesus for the unity of believers: “My prayer is not for them alone. (the apostles) I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)

It is quite common for children in the same family to have disagreements. Jesus and the Father, however, have no disagreements at all. Jesus prayed that all believers would be united just as he and the Father are united. Our goal is that we “we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:14-16) When this happens the world will believe. Inj the mean time, we must not accuse our “brethren” with whom we disagree of not being in the Family of God!

As we have said, the false apostles rebuked by Paul are not true “brethren”. Please consider:

  • Disagreeing about eternal security is different from disagreeing about the Lordship of Christ (2 Peter 2:1).
  • The antichrist is not someone who differs with you about baptism, but the antichrist is the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (1 John 2:22).
  • The false apostles at Corinth denied that Paul was an apostle! Certainly this places them in a different category from someone who differs with you on communion!
  • The false apostles at Corinth denied that Jesus was raised from the dead. Surely this is different from someone who differs with you on the millennium.
  • If someone is born again they are a child of God. If you are a child of God this makes you brothers with that person whether you agree with them or not!
  • Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren because we have the same father (Heb. 2:11).
  • We should not be ashamed to call any child of God our brother!
  • We have no right to make anything a test of fellowship, which God has not made essential to salvation!
  • PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR FALSE APOSTLES!
  • AT THE SAME TIME DO YOUR PART TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT AND ANSWER THE PRAYER OF JESUS FOR THE UNITY OF BELIEVERS!

So - “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:2-6)