DID THE APOSTLE PAUL PRAISE FALSE TEACHERS?   BY STEVE FINNELL

Did the apostles Paul praise the false teachers of his generation and of past generations?

What was Paul's attitude concerning the Judaizers and those who lied about the resurrection?

THE JUDAIZERS: Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.(NKJV)

LIED ABOUT THE RESURRECTION: 2 Timothy 2:17-18 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

You will notice the apostle Paul did not recommend any books that were written by the Judaizers, Hymenaeus, nor Philetus. Paul did not commend them by quoting them in a positive light. The apostle Paul did not applaud, nor advocate reading books and Bible commentaries written by these men. The apostle Paul did not praise men who were guilty of perverting the doctrines of God.

What was Paul's message concerning those who pervert God's word?

Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so I now say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (NKJV)

Galatians 1:6-9........8 Let God's curses fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other way to be saved than the one we told you about; yes, if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed.........(The Living Bible---Paraphrased)

That was Paul's message to those who pervert God's plan of salvation.

The message we hear from Christian leaders today is quite different. Their message we hear all too often is to praise the books of those who pervert God's doctrine, recommend buying their Bible commentaries, quote them in a positive light, extol the virtues of their teaching methods, and applaud their accomplishments.

Why would Christian leaders praise men who?

1. Deny that water baptism is essential for salvation.

2. Claim there will not be a bodily resurrection from the grave.

3. Teach that men are saved by grace alone.

4. Proclaim that men are saved by faith only.

5. Declare that their denomination can add to the Scriptures, because God is giving new truths through their religious leaders.

6. Teach that their denomination (their church)  is the final authority in faith and practice and that the Bible is simply an aid to their truth.

The apostle Paul did not  praise false teachers. The question remains, why do Christian leaders of today applaud the works of those who pervert God's message.