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False Doctrines and the New Testament

As a result of Jesus’ ministry, the Gospel spread rapidly around the Roman Empire and beyond. As the Apostles defined and proclaimed the Gospel message, Matthew, John, Paul, and Peter, along with a few of their close associates, wrote, and the early Church gathered their writings and eventually formed them into the New Testament. The early Christians called these teachings "orthodox," meaning "straight or true opinions."

From the start, other teachings began to circulate as well. These competed with the orthodox teachings and drew away believers in large numbers. I describe three of them, in increasing order of significance. I chose them because they started while the Apostles were still writing and the New Testament authors responded to them.

One reason it's good to know about these teachings is that they help us understand some otherwise odd passages in the New Testament. Luke’s interest in Simon Magus is a good example.

9A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. 10They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God.” Acts 8:9-10 CSB
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18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. 23For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.”

24“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Acts 8:18-24 CSB

After Peter rebuked him, Simon traveled to Rome and had himself proclaimed a god. He then made up teachings along the lines of "salvation through knowledge." Early in the fourth century, the Church historian Eusebius said about him, “Simon became the first founder of all heresies." (Ecclesiastical History, 2.13.6, my translation.) Luke mentioned him so that the believers in Rome would know how Peter had humbled him and see Simon as a fraud.

Here is a preview of the false teachings covered below.

  1. John the Baptist, not Jesus, was the final prophet
  2. Only Jews can become Christians
  3. Salvation through knowledge, not faith

3John the Baptist, Not Jesus, Was the Final Prophet

Some of John the Baptist’s disciples continued to follow him after his death. Over time, they began to consider John to be the greatest and final prophet and to deny Jesus.

6There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. John 1:6-8 CSB
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19This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He didn’t deny it but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” John 1:19-20 CSB
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25Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew about purification. 26So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing—and everyone is going to him.”

27John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’ 29He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. 30He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:25-30 CSB

This teaching was enough of a distraction that the Apostle John addressed it in his Gospel. The Apostle wanted believers to see John the Baptist as a great prophet but to understand that John’s purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus.

2Only Jews Can Become Christians

At the start of the Church, only Jews became Christians. However, God soon made it clear that he wanted people from all nations to believe, and he called the Apostle Paul to preach to Gentiles, that is, non-Jews, that they could be saved by faith without observing the Law of Moses—the first step of which was circumcision. Paul preached this message in Galatia, and many Gentiles believed.

Some Jewish believers, however, rejected Paul and his message. They taught that Gentiles must first convert to Judaism and observe all of the Law of Moses, only then they could become Christians. The New Testament refers to them as the circumcision party; today, we call them Judaizers. After Paul left Galatia, the Judaizers went in behind him and attempted to force Gentile believers to follow their teaching.

6I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! 9As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! Galatians 1:6-9 CSB
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In response, Paul wrote Galatians and strongly condemned their teachings.

1Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved. 2After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue.” Acts 15:1 CSB
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Paul’s letter brought the Judaizers to Antioch and led to an intense conflict. The church sent both sides to a conference in Jerusalem, where Paul and the Judaizers each presented their teachings.

19Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. Acts 15:19-20 CSB
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The elders sided with Paul; out of the 613 commandments—including circumcision—in the Law of Moses, the elders called Gentile believers to follow a few practical rules. This should have ended the dispute.

8And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved! Romans 3:8 CSB

However, the Judaizers continued to attack Paul and his teachings. Years later, they gained enough influence in the church in Rome that Paul wrote Romans to defend his Gospel message against them.

1Salvation Through Knowledge, Not Faith

The Greeks had a long tradition of professional teachers traveling around and instructing wealthy students in public speaking and philosophy. At the same time, Greek philosophers would travel widely to expose themselves to new teachings from as far away as Persia and India. This had little impact on the early churches.

However, some would-be philosophers took advantage of this practice and the sudden emergence of Christianity by blending elements of Greek philosophy, Persian, Indian, and Jewish religion, and Christianity to set up teachings designed to draw away Greek Christians. While each teacher had their version, the common idea was that salvation came through special knowledge and not faith. By the second century, a religion emerged called Gnosticism from the Greek word "gnostikos" meaning "having to do with knowledge." By the end of the second century, Gnosticism posed a serious threat to the Church, especially in the East.

44 For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. Jude 1:4 CSB

After Peter blasted these teachers in 2 Peter 2, Jude wrote his own letter condemning them in the strongest terms.

Taking Advantage of House Churches

Congregations of the early Church didn’t meet in buildings until the third century. The New Testament mentions "house churches," where wealthy people would open their very large houses to host congregations.

3Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. 5Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Romans 16:3-5 CSB

Aquila and Priscilla hosted a house church in Rome.

In Greek culture, women were expected to stay at home and not go out in public. Among the relatively few wealthy believers, many were women who welcomed the opportunity to have a degree of influence by hosting congregations.

1But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.

6For among them are those who worm their way into households and deceive gullible women overwhelmed by sins and led astray by a variety of passions, 7always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7 CSB

Paul warned Timothy about ungodly people popping up among the believers. In particular, he warned against teachers who would target wealthy women to gain employment. Of course, they would also target wealthy men, but it appears that the women were especially vulnerable. Once established, the teacher could then corrupt the entire congregation with their teaching.

10For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. 11It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. Titus 1:10-11 CSB

Paul warned Titus about the same thing, noting that false teachers of all types would ruin an entire household, that is, the congregation meeting in that house.

Specific Teachings

The Material Word is Corrupt

One common teaching among these teachers was that the material world was corrupt. They taught that the true god was hidden and that an inferior god had created the material world and trapped people in his cosmic mistake. Salvation came through special knowledge that allowed people to escape this corrupt world. Many taught that the inferior god was Yahweh of the Old Testament.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5 CSB

This teaching condemned the Old Testament, and John rejected it. The Word, who would become Christ Jesus, was with God "in the beginning" and actively participated in the creation of the world, all of which God and the Word created to be good.

Asceticism

One response to the corrupt world was asceticism: attempting to control natural impulses with total self-denial. This looked impressive to those watching, but it probably didn’t attract many followers.

20If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: 21“Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? 22All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines. 23Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence. Colossians 2:20-23 CSB

Paul agreed that such behavior might look impressive, but it didn’t produce godliness.

Debauchery

The more popular response to a corrupt world was to give in to it. The teachers claimed that people could escape the world through knowledge, so there was no need for them to restrain their behavior.

20But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. 22Look, I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction. Unless they repent of her works, 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. Revelation 2:20-23 CSB

Jesus himself strongly disagreed as he condemned a teacher in Thyatira in Asia.

Some went as far as saying that there is no sin.

8If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10 CSB

John also rejected this attitude as self-deception.

Christ Was Not a Man

Ideas about the relationship between the true god, Christ, and Jesus varied, but the philosophers agreed that

They reasoned that the world was inferior and corrupt, so the true god and Christ could have nothing to do with it.

14The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 CSB
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22Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:22 CSB

John insisted that the Word, the Son of God, became flesh and lived among men. He called those who denied this teaching antichrists.

These teachers described the relationship between Christ, whom they regarded as not of the world, and Jesus in two ways.

Jesus Only Appeared to Be Real

Some taught that Jesus wasn’t a man; instead, he was an illusion who appeared to be real and didn't suffer or die on the cross.

1What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 1 John 1:1-2 CSB

John said that he, and the other Apostles, had not only seen Jesus but touched him with their hands.

Christ Was Separate From Jesus

Other teachers claimed that Christ—not the Holy Spirit—came upon the man Jesus when he was baptized and remained with him throughout his ministry. However, Christ left Jesus before the cross, thus avoiding physical suffering and death. In their view, Christ was spiritual and separate from the man Jesus and did not suffer.

6Jesus Christ—he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 1 John 5:6 CSB

John disagreed. The water, representing Jesus Christ’s baptism, was important, as this was when the Holy Spirit came upon him to empower him. At the same time, Jesus Christ’s blood shed on the cross was essential, as that blood provided the forgiveness of sins that allowed God to grant salvation.