You Too Can Be Deceived

But when it comes to the essentials of Christian doctrine...I’m going to start with the Word of God, and search the scriptures daily, as my ultimate standard, and then go with who I know.

This relates to the opening verse of scripture from 2 Cor 11 we read, where Paul felt the need to boast, even though he considered it foolishness.

You know what Paul was saying? Paul was saying to the Corinthians, why would you listen to these guys? Why don’t you listen to me? Haven’t I earned that much? In verse 4, he appeals to the welcome they gave visitors who came proclaiming a message other than the gospel that they had embraced, the gospel that brought them salvation.

It was as if Paul was saying: Surely you should show your father in the faith the same degree of respect, that you would show a newcomer, someone you don’t know like you know me.

This is another way of saying to “know your source.”

The Word speaks of believing something on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Here’s just one of several verses that cite this standard.

Matthew 18:16 "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.

There is, I believe, a measure of protection in the plural leadership of this church. Now, the leaders of this church aren’t perfect, and are not beyond deception themselves. So don’t go out of here saying this morning that Bill said pay attention only to what the elders say about doctrine. But, combined with these other protections against deception, we’re a lot less vulnerable to deception than we are if we go it alone.

4. consult church history... this is an overlooked protection. Now, our forefathers in the faith, didn’t always get everything right, either. But think about this. If the church of Jesus Christ has believed something for 2,000 years, if they’ve had councils, they’ve had reams of documents written, endless discussion and debate and study, and for two millennia they keep coming to the same conclusion about the most significant, basic doctrines of heaven and hell, the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, the way of salvation by grace through faith, the creation, the fall, and the various other things we read in the creeds, I have to at least give that significant weight when deciding what’s true and what’s false doctrine.

This morning, as an elder of TCF, I can say with Paul...

"I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy"

I can’t say I’m fearful, really, but I can say I share Paul’s concern for your spiritual well-being. I can say that I hope you’ll be on guard against deception, realizing we battle against a cunning foe.

And I can say I pray your minds may never be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.