1. Who Is A False Teacher?

2. Acts 18:24-28, Apollos “had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
Was Apollos a false teacher?

3. Today, there are brethren advocating that there is a distinction between a false teacher and false teaching.
It is a question that addresses the subject of fellowship and unity in diversity.
BUT, is such acceptable to God?

4. False Teacher – one who teaches that which is false (error)
If someone is teaching something false, REGARDLESS of motive and/or ignorance, it is still NOT the truth and therefore FALSE.
1 John 2:21, “No lie is of the truth”

5. Two types of false teachers
The dishonest and corrupt. Willful deceit! Corrupt motives
2 Peter 2:1-3, “false teachers…who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,…”
Matthew 7:15-20
2 Corinthians 11:12-15
1 Timothy 4:1-4

6. Two types of false teachers
The sincere and/or ignorant.
Saul (Paul) – as he persecuted Christians he was sincere and ignorant Acts 23:1, 26:9. 1 Tim 1: But he was still a false teacher (Acts 9:4-5)
Apollos, (Acts 18:25)
1 John 4:1-3, 6 – test the spirits. How? By what they teach (regardless of motive)
2 Timothy 2:16-18 “strayed”

7. Two types of false teachers
BOTH are false teachers because they teach that which is false!
Both could jeopardize their soul and that of their hearers (cf. James 3:1?)
Jude 22-23, “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”

8. IF only the dishonest are false teachers…
We must become readers of hearts and motives
Jesus could – John 2:25, Matt. 9:4
1 Corinthians 12:10, the discerning of spirits
We have the word of God! Judge by that word - Matt. 7:20, Heb. 4:12, 1 John 4:1

9. IF only the dishonest are false teachers…
Distinguishing between truth and error becomes more convoluted, less important
How can we know what is truth? Is the truth exact? What truth is binding?
To the degree we tolerate error we have weakened the truth

10. IF only the dishonest are false teachers…
Distinguishing between truth and error becomes more convoluted
Often advocates of this doctrine believe ignorance matters – thus no fellowship with denominational error. BUT, why do they get to make that distinction if sincerity is what matters?
Rom. 3:4
2 Tim. 2:15
2 Cor. 11:3-5

11. IF only the dishonest are false teachers…
As long as one is honest he cannot be a false teacher
How far do we take this? What about denominational teachers? What about Muslims?

12. IF only the dishonest are false teachers…
We can openly fellowship those teaching error IF we judge them honest and sincere
THIS IS THE POINT! The Goal!
Ephesians 5:11“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Arbitrary fellowship

13. IF only the dishonest are false teachers…
Sincerity becomes more important than truth
Ignorance is NOT acceptable to God
Was Uzzah sincere? Were the prophets of Baal sincere?
Was Paul sincere? Apollos? If so, why bother correcting them?
Matthew 7:21-23

14. IF only the dishonest are false teachers…
Sincerity becomes more important than truth
NOTE: Sincerity IS important! Philippians 1:15-18
BUT it must be based upon truth!

15. Dealing with False Teachers
KNOW the truth!
Ephesians 4:11-16, not tossed to and for
Prov. 23:23, buy the truth and sell it not
Psalm 119: , I hate every false way
John 8:31-32, the TRUTH makes you free
James 3:17, wisdom from above FIRST pure, THEN peaceable…
2 Cor. 13:5, examine yourself

16. Dealing with False Teachers
Seek to correct those in error
Acts 18:26, Aquila and Priscilla
Matthew 15:18
James 5:19-20, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

17. Dealing with False Teachers
If they will not repent of error, mark them
2 John 9-11, do NOT receive him
Romans 16:17, note those who cause divisions
Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

18. Dealing with False Teachers
Contend for the faith
Jude 3, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”

19. Let us boldly stand for the truth – ALL of it!