There have always been heresies within the Church. In fact, they are not just chance historical phenomena but rather something that has always been bound with the nature of the visible Church itself. Error can be surrounded by a great deal of truth. This is why heretical views have always been very difficult to remove from the Church. I just want to throw the spotlight on what I see as five errors taught in some local Churches today.

1 – God is finished with Israel – the Church has taken its place

See Romans 11:1-36 Paul calls for five witnesses:-

• Paul (vs. 1) – The apostle Paul was a converted Jew (See Acts 9) and taught that God had not finished with the Jews. See also 1 Timothy 1:16. Paul conversion is a “pattern” (or picture) of how the nation will be saved. There is a future for Israel.
• Elijah (vs. 2-10) – Elijah thought that the nation had totally departed from God and that he was the only one left! (See 1 Kings 19) But Elijah discovered that there was yet a remnant of true believers – 7,000 in fact. At no time has the entire nation of Israel been true to the Lord. The rejection by Israel is neither total nor permanent, and this is proof that God has a future for the nation. See Romans 11:25.
• The Gentiles (vs. 11-15) – When the Jews rejected the Gospel, God sent it to the Gentiles and they believed and were saved. We have a vital ministry to Israel. We provoke Israel “to jealousy” (See Romans 10:19) because of the spiritual riches we have in Christ. Israel today is spiritually bankrupt, while Christians have “all spiritual blessings” in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
• The Patriarchs (vs. 16-32) – The promises to the patriarchs. They were a holy root that ensured God keeps His promises.
• God Himself (vs. 33-36) – We need to realise the wisdom of God’s plan of salvation. Both Jew and Gentile, despite the religious resistance of each, have received the gift of faith. The methods used by God in making this outreach to the world stagger human comprehension but are at the same time a dazzling invitation to abiding faith.

2 – Any sick believers can and should be healed

There are two witnesses we can call.

• Jesus (See John 9:1-3). This man’s blindness was not a result of sin on his part or his parents. He was healed to the glory of God.
• Paul.

1. See 2 Timothy 4:20. “Trophimus I left sick at Miletus”.
2. See Philippians 2:26-27. It was God who spared Epaphroditus.
3. See 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 Three times Paul asked for God to remove his “thorn in the flesh”. Three times God said “No!

Does God physically heal today? Yes. Does He physically heal everyone? No! Christians do not have significantly greater life expectancy or improved physical health compared with agnostics, atheists, etc. There is always a spiritual healing possible. There are times when we are to have faith and trust in God. We all eventually die in our bodies but the Christian has the promise of eternal life after this happens. A resurrected body that never dies! This is the greatest healing of all!

3 – A believer can achieve sinless perfection on earth

There are five things that show this to be an error.

• Paul struggled against sin constantly and he was a Christian spiritual giant! Romans 7:15-24.
• The Bible teaches Christian maturity not perfection. Philippians 3:12.
• The flesh and the Spirit still struggle for control. Galatians 5:16-17.
• The curse will not be lifted until Heaven. Revelation 22:3. Sin is to be destroyed in the future.
• If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. See 1 John 1:8-10.

4 – The Church will conquer the world before Jesus returns

There are four things that show this to be an error.

• Things are to get worse not better. See 2 Thessalonians 2:2-7; 2:3 and 2 Peter 2:1.
• Jesus is the One who will conqueror the world, not the Church. See Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7 & Revelation 19:11-16.
• Prosperity and advancement is not guaranteed. See 1 Timothy 6:5-11.
• God will destroy this world. Do not love it! See Isaiah 13:13, Matthew 24:21-31 and Revelation 21:1.

5 – God has “anointed” certain “super” apostles and prophets

There are four things that show this to be an error.

• Every believer is “anointed” by God with the Holy Spirit. See 2 Corinthians 1:21-24.
• Apostles are seen by the world “the scum of the earth” or “the rubbish of the world”. See 1 Corinthians 4:9-13. They are not the top order of a pyramid hierarchy.
• None of the early “Apostles” had prosperity and advancement!
• God has appointed elders and deacons to run the local Church. Apostles and prophets are spiritual gifts, not offices in the Church. See Acts 14:23; Tit. 1, 1 Tim. 3:1-13 and Tit. 1:5-9.
• These “super” apostles and prophets are often claiming to be “miracle workers.” Therefore they do not believe that they are accountable to anyone but God. In the Bible even elders are accountable to the local Church. See 1 Timothy 5:19-21.

Categories: 1 Corinthians