REPREHENSIBLE PRAISE   BY STEVE FINNELL

It seems to be an acceptable practice to praise those who preach a gospel plan of salvation other than the one preached by Paul and the rest of the apostles. Christians seem eager to extol the virtues of many who pervert the plan of salvation, after all, do they not feed the poor, preach Jesus, do good works, and are they not writing wonderful books? Some believe that men who build mega churches or belong to large denominations are worthy of praise, regardless of the gospel they preach.

Why would a Christian search the books and writings, of men who pervert the gospel plan of salvation for sermon material, personal study, or information to teach others? WHY NOT SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES FOR YOUR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION?  

Praising men who preach and teach false doctrine is "REPREHENSIBLE PRAISE."

What was the apostle Paul's response to the Judaizers who were telling Christians they had to keep Jewish law in order to be saved?

PAUL'S RESPONSE: Philippians 3:2-3 Beware  of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.....

Paul did not say these men were wrong on a couple of points concerning salvation, and then recommend the books they wrote about  spiritual gifts, or Christian lifestyle. 

PAUL'S RESPONSE: Galatians 5:12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

Paul did not recommend the Judaizers to teach seminars on church growth.

PAUL'S RESPONSE: 2 Corinthians 11:4, 13, 14 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you received a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear  this beautifully. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Paul called men who preached a different gospel, false apostles. Preachers, and elders today cite these men as sources of reference material for preaching and teaching God's plan for mankind.

PAUL'S RESPONSE: Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven , should preach to you a gospel  contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

Paul said let those who preach a false plan of salvation, be accursed. Today, we say hire them as preachers in our churches.We place them in our Christian  schools, and Bible colleges, and grant them tenure in Christian universities.

The apostle Paul found false teachers to be REPREHENSIBLE,   however, PRAISING them never was in his thoughts.

(All Scripture quoted from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)