Introduction
False prophets appeared in Israel during the day of the writing of the prophets spoken of. They were present in the first century church. Peter switched from writing about false prophets of the past to false teachers in the present actually their teaching was the same heresy. 2 Peter and Jude were written to a Jewish Christian audience. False teachers’ heresies rose from within the church. They secretly introduce their false teachings which are destructive heresies. Such heresies are destructive for they lead people away from Christ and thus to spiritual ruin. The tragic fact about many false teachers is they are successful at convincing people to listen and follow them. In their greed they use others for their own mercenary purposes and turn the church into a dirty market place. Or exploit commercialize “carry on business,” they are artificial, and not genuine.
This topical paper will search the biblical prospective as it relates to false teachers; recognizing prophetic authority, rise of false prophets, and resisting false prophets according to the teachings of 2 Peter and Jude.
Recognizing Prophetic Authority
Peter exhorts his readers to pay attention as to a “lamp shining in a dark place, until the dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Peter 2:19). Peter also recognizes the potential of false prophecy in the manner of interpretation of the Scriptures. The Scriptures cannot be interpreted correctly without the power of the Holy Spirits. The Scripture did not stem from the prophets themselves; their writings came from God. Therefore it speaks not of interpretation, but of revelation, the source of the Scriptures. Peter 1:19-21 says, “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet own interpretation”. Thus, Peter deals with the establishment against such corrupt practices.
Now Peter continues the topic of the authority of the prophetic word in the present verse by saying, above all know this: that no prophecy of Scripture is of the prophet’s own interpretation. (2 Peter 3:3).
Therefore he reminds the reader of his testimony over against theological heretics, he writes; “for we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” ( 2 Peter 1:16). He also understood the importance of “The prophetic word” the words spoken of Christ, “This is my beloved Son of whom I am well-pleased” (2 Peter 1:17). Perhaps Peter has in mind here the in-scripted prophecies, as opposed to other prophetic utterances (1 Cor. 12:10).
Peters view on prophecy has never originated through the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. The divination of the second century was exercised on the future, not on the past; its imagination on the possibility of the unseen world, not on the realities of the world of sense, which were on their road to justifying themselves. The view concerning false teachers and scoffers is that they are forerunners of the Antinomian heretics of the second century, is confirmed when we observe II Peter and Jude.
Rising False Teachers
Peter is completely aware of the rising false prophets which reside within the body of Christ. Essentially the second book of Peter claims that false teachers would present themselves in secret to introduce their destructive heresies. Peter admits that false teachers would appear even after his death. He warns them of their subjectivity which could exploit greed and self-righteousness. In fact their falling away to their sensuality by way of the truth would appear maligned (2 Peter 2-3).
The pagan’s influences expressed skepticism about prophecy and eschatology. However, Peter continues his exhortation with the expression; that false teachers will be popular with many followers. John speaks of the same phenomenon when, speaking of the false prophets who do not acknowledge that Jesus is God’s son. In fact, “the world listens to them” (1 John 4:5).
The motive of the false teachers is greed which desires to grasp more than one’s due. Furthermore, attempts to convert believers by engaging others after money or goods, lust and power, and going after selfish gain at the expense of others and of a reckless disregard of moral order. Their method of the false teacher is to exploit them with stories they have made up. The propaganda must be mixed with truth and false hood. The effect of the false teacher is to lure others into similar path of immorality and bring discredit to Christ. Therefore, many would be intoxicated by money and power which would be hard to resist in the acts of their unbridled lust.
In many aspects, false teachers threaten to poison the spiritual lives among the people of God. Their teaching invokes an invidious operation which introduces destructive heresies. The precise nature of the false teachers’ denial is to blatantly reject Jesus Christ as Son of God. Therefore repute the fundamental doctrine that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins. Thus rejecting Christ’s sacrificial atonement on the cross thereby rejection redemption through His blood (1 Peter 1:18-19).
The book of Jude heeds similar warning to the “beloved” that certain people would creep in unnoticed to twist God grace into licentiousness and deny our God as master and Lord. Jude suggests false teachers didn’t enter the church from the outside however members from the inside of the church.
Peter says that many adherents to false teachers “will follow their shameful ways” “vices”, “sexual debaucheries.” In fact, their disciples will be like false teachers bringing their sexual immorality into the churches, which caused “the way of truth” to be defamed (1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2, 18). Peter continues to re-enforce caution concerning false teachers, their ungodliness were fleshly as a results of their spiritual lives. Their rejection of the Lordship of Christ illustrates the children of Israel, the fallen angles, and the resident of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 7: 5-11).
Now Peter affirms that false teachers are not sleeping, but relevant and slick in their approach as theological heretics. Peter further acknowledges that time was short, as it relates to God’s people and the many dangers it faces (2 Peter 1:13-14; 2:1-3). The most common dangers Peter suggest; sheep would be prone to wander, so are the Christians who forget the basic truths of their faith. Faith in the Messiah in not grounded on myths or clever stories; however justified by faith, based upon the revelation from God through His unlimited power. It is important to understand that the Christian faith is “the way of the truth.” It is not only correct thought or “truth” but it is the “way” of life is that responds to and is determined by the truth. True doctrine must issue in true living. The knowledge of God should lead to a godly life.
Resisting False Teachers
Jude shares several biblical principles particularly in (vs. 20-21), by which believers can resist false teaching. We discover Jude using a metaphor form as a contrast with the activity of the false teachers whereas they disrupt the church and tear it apart. Firstly, in vs. 20, the text says, but you, beloved “build yourselves up” Since they are God’s temple and the assault by the enemy would be predictable, they must build themselves up spiritually. Contrary to the arrogance or self-righteousness Christians the church should contributes to the spiritual growth of the whole community.
Jude’s warnings concerning Apostates in (Chapter 1: 3) gets directly to the point: “I urge you to contend for the faith.” He bids them to build up by faith. Faith is the foundation that they ought to retain is the first instruction is not sufficient, except they who have been already grounded on true faith. In fact it shows further in which the manner they could overcome the devises of the enemy. Therefore they must remain unified on the foundations of the most holy faith which is the gospel.
The church lives on the basis of the gospel, its life will be holy, by contrast with the immorality which results from the principles of false teachers. It applies also to believers in our present age. If we have the brotherly love connection of faith, we can stand guard as a watch-tower, until the coming of our Messiah. Jesus Christ Himself is our foundation thereby our faith distinguishes the message of the false teacher. Faith is the foundation of our Christian life.
Secondly, Jude instructs the church to pray in the “Holy Spirit” which means being under control of the Spirit” or “under the influence of the Holy Spirit” The way of preserving is, when they exuded to the power of God. Pray in which the word is given by the Spirit. No one can dare call on God except through the teaching and instructions of the same Spirit. Without reason Jude teaches that no one can pray as he should without the Holy Spirit as a guide. In v. 21a, the text instructs all believers to keep encourage the body of Christ by remaining in the sphere of God’s compassion and abiding love. He has made love as if were the guardian and the ruler of their lives. That it might not set it opposition to the grace of God, but that it is the progress of their calling when progress is made in love.
We have certain obligations to other believers to cultivate our love for Christ. Jude maybe thinking as he writes these words of Jesus command in (John 15:9); “Now remain in my love.” Christ loves us unconditionally, yet we have the obligation to remain within his love for us. For we cannot be separated from the love of Christ therefore if we remain in the abiding love we can prevent the barriers between ourselves and God’s free flowing love for us. Some believers would require tender care and patience to help them grow in Christ (Jude 8:17-25). Peter desires are that they grow into maturity and become fully develop into mature Christians.
Finally, we must remain confidence while resting in the ability of God protection. He guards us in this life, despite all the dangers and pitfalls that deceivers put in our way. Only God can save us cleans us from our sins, and present us to Him as faultless, for God is the Author and perfected of our faith. He is able to save, to assist, He’s able to maintain us (Phil 3:21).
Conclusion
Although false teachers have infiltrated the church their deceptive approach will ultimately fail. Peter wrote of their coming judgment. Peter, says, “False teachers are springs without water and mists driven by a storm.” The blackest darkness is reserved for them which are presumably hell. Their mouth makes sound of empty words no different than the sound of a donkey. We who are defenders of the truth should critique the proper interpretation of the Scriptures and furthermore protect the venerable from destructive heresies.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever, Amen.
Jude 24-25
