Scripture's Authority

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
 
HOW do we know if a Bible teacher is false or true? The apostle Paul gives a brief, complete answer in 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. A true teacher will stand firm on all of Scripture’s authority to teach what God says to us.
   One threat to Scripture’s authority is a tendency among many Christian’s to minimize the Old Testament. They dismiss God’s judgments as hateful – even bigoted. God’s holiness is placed on the level of human pride, jealousy and revenge. A true teacher will help you understand sin’s great assault against God. True teachers make plain the pure God will not allow sin into his presence. His character demands justice.
   On the other hand, some false teachers have taught only God’s judgment. They ignore the fact that Jesus is Redeemer. His death on the cross is to purchase the sinner from God’s judgment. Repentance in faith sanctifies one into the Kingdom of God. The Bible is a balance of God’s grace and God’s judgment. Both condemnation and salvation are meaningless if “everyone goes to heaven” because God “loves you just the way you are.” Or the gospel is weakened with “only a few go to heaven” because God requires a list of works to be saved.
   True teachers teach that Jesus is divine. We have looked at some evidence of Jesus as the incarnate Son of God, who now reigns in heaven . False teachers have claimed Jesus was just a spirit who did not live in the flesh. Some teach he was only a man of flesh who had no special connection with God. Others have attempted to dismiss much of Jesus’ teachings. Their view is the Son of God would never have said what the gospels reveal. Jesus’ virgin birth and the miracles are viewed as myths. False teachers and “experts” place their own knowledge above the God-breathed Scripture.
   True teachers also teach the Holy Spirit as a third person of the Trinity. The Spirit is often ignored or diminished. He is made to be an object of mystery and almost a bystander in God’s work among mankind. Scripture is very clear to reveal the Spirit is active from beginning to end as the power of God on earth. He is the Life to our physical bodies and to our eternal souls. He is Knowledge to reveal God’s truth to his elect.
   Peter alerts the church that many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. This has been too true in the church’s history. Much confusion has and does restrict God’s authority in the world. His Holy Bible is cast aside, replaced with modern thinking and scientific knowledge. At the end of the 19th century, one thought was the mankind was too advanced to believe in God. Perhaps that is why the 20th century had more wars and people killed in wars than any other time in history. And that does not include the war against the unborn.
   False teachers are everywhere. God will surely judge them. His condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.  
   Be alert to the Bible’s words. Remember that knowledge is the foundation of a well-built faith.