Confronting Unsound Doctrine-1

CONFRONTING UNSOUND DOCTRINE-I—1Timothy 1:3-11

Attention/Need:

Any businessman knows that there are things/practices etc. that will not work for their company. The company is designed & built around a particular product or service OR a particular attitude or mindset rightly reflects that of the company. Anything outside of these bounds is inadmissible.

Likewise, certain aspects of production(the proper presentation of God’s truth) are to characterize the Church.

Paul charged/enlisted/compelled Timothy to enforce Christian doctrine in the church at Ephesus.

Unsound Christian doctrine(within the church) must be confronted.

How/Where is unsound doctrine(within the church) to be confronted?

6 places/locations unsound doctrine(within the church) is to be confronted.

1—Unsound Christian doctrine is confronted...

At Its SOURCE(:3)

Explanation: (:3) Aberrant Teacher

:3—“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”

Paul had previously spoken with or written Timothy, “when” he had entered Macedonia. As he was making that expedition, Paul had “urged” Timothy to “remain in Ephesus.” Timothy’s purpose in Ephesus was to continue to “charge some” regarding proper/sound Christian teaching.

“Some”(See :6) are recognized for an ability to teach God’s truth. There must have been elements of aberrant teaching within the Ephesian church or at least a threat of its presence. These elements probably arose thru those referred to as ‘the circumcision.’

‘The circumcision’ were mainly Jews, who were strict adherents of the Mosaic Law, unaccepting of & thus misunderstanding Jesus. These promoted, pressured, & enforced the Law upon Christians, looking with disdain at the prospect of freedom in Christ by faith alone, particularly for any outside of national Israel(Php. 3:4-14).

Php. 3:4-14—“though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, & count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ & be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him & the power of His resurrection, & the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind & reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Gal. 2:1-5—“Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, & also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, & communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”

Notably, there are “some” of ‘the circumcision’(the Jews) who are faithful in Christ. These rise above observance of the Law, accepting its fulfillment in Christ & are thus supportive of Paul’s work & ministry(Col. 4:7-11).

Col. 4:7-11—“Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, & fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances & comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful & beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), & Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.”