2 Peter 2:1

2 Peter 2:1 ‘But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.'

‘But false prophets also arose among the people' -In contrast to the true prophets previously mentioned (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Points to Note:

Another historical reference to the Old Testament, and simply one more place where the New Testament confirms the historical accuracy of the Old Testament Scriptures. 2. Again, we see the importance of correctly handling the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), teaching and believing the correct doctrines (1 Timothy 4:16). In the Old Testament, the death penalty was attached to the crime of spreading false doctrine (Deuteronomy 13:5; Deuteronomy 18:20). ‘That is how important it was to pay attention to what God really had said and not to make it up according to what people wanted to hear.' (Lucas/Green p. 86) 3. The Old Testament is filled with warnings against, and actual cases of false prophets. Note the tendencies found among the false prophets: A. They were more interested in gaining popularity than in telling the truth. Their policy was to tell people what they wanted to hear (Jeremiah 2:14; 1 Kings 2:1). In fact their messages were often pleasing to the ear, very upbeat, positive and reassuring (Jeremiah 2:31; Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 2:17; Jeremiah 2:9; Jeremiah 2:14; Jeremiah 2:16; Jeremiah 2:8). B. They were interested in personal profit (Micah 3:11). C. They were often immoral in their personal lives (Isaiah 2:7; Jeremiah 2:14; Jeremiah 2:32). D. They claimed to speak from God, when in reality God wasn't speaking through them (Jeremiah 2:14).

‘”False prophets” may mean that they falsely claimed to be prophets, or that they prophesied false things; probably both. The men were as untrustworthy as the message. Mayor made an interesting collection of the characteristics of the false prophets which were strikingly present in the situation to which Peter addresses himself. Their teaching was flattery; their ambitions were financial; their lives were dissolute; their conscience was dulled, and their aim was deception..' (Green pp. 93-94)

Carefully consider the above comment. In our own time we are increasingly hearing voices within the Church claiming that. false teacher is someone who is intentionally trying to deceive, rather than simply. man who is spreading false doctrine. But that definition doesn't fit or exhaust the meaning of ‘false' prophet. One was still. false prophet, if they simply claimed to speak from God, when God wasn't speaking through them-regardless of their intentions.

‘just as there will also be false teachers' -‘False'-‘teachers of falsehood' (Alford p. 1679); ‘one who teaches falsehoods' (Arndt p. 891); ‘men whose teaching was false' (P.P. Comm. p. 42) If we claim that the word ‘false' demands that these teachers are intentionally trying to deceive, i.e. they know they are spreading error. And that we can't call anyone. false teacher unless they are dishonest, then we have just handcuffed ourselves. Since no man today can read the heart of another man (1 Corinthians 2:11), it would be impossible to know for sure if someone is. false teacher (spreading error intentionally) or simply. man spreading falsehood, but with sincere motives.. would agree that. person teaching falsehood might be sincere, but if you teach something that leads others into error and that error condemns their souls, then you are just as dangerous!

Peter is not the only New Testament writer who warned us about such individuals: Jesus also sounded the warning (Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11; Matthew 24:24); so did Paul (Galatians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Romans 16:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3).

Peter may have called these individuals ‘false teachers' in contrast with ‘false prophets', because they may not have claimed to speak by inspiration, but rather, twisted the existing Scriptures instead.

‘among you' -Which is placed in contrast to ‘among the people' (i.e. the nation of Israel). This is simply another indication that Christians, the Church is the true Israel of God in the New Covenant (1 Peter 2:9).

‘secretly introduce' -‘to introduce or bring in secretly or craftily' (Thayer p. 487); ‘with the connotation that it is done secretly or maliciously' (Arndt p. 624) (Galatians 2:4; Judges 1:4).

Points to Note:

‘These people will not have big signs around their necks, saying, “I am. false teacher, so please do not listen to me”. They will be highly plausible, and they will secretly introduce, or “smuggle in”, their ideas' (Lucas/Green p. 87) 2. It suggests that error is not always easy to spot. The approach won't be, ‘Stop serving God, or become an atheist'. Rather, it will be subtle. 3. The above word actually means, ‘to bring in by the side of'. Which suggests that they will be preaching some truth, but alongside of that truth, will come error. 4. The word ‘secretly' should inform us that their tactics will probably be to work behind the scenes. The discipleship movement is famous for working within small little cell groups within congregations.

A couple of years ago. ran into the following statement that reminded me of the above expression used by Peter: In the May 1993 issue of Wineskins, an article entitled ‘Change Without Chaos', states, ‘Strategy one: WEAVE!….Teach new ideas for. while, stretching your church out beyond comfort zones and into fresh thinking….But when you feel your church approaching the limits of tolerance, back off! Talk about familiar and safe things for. while. Then, move back out to the cutting edge again. Weave in and out: first the new ideas, then as you actually implement new practices' [Note: Lynn Anderson, “Change Without Chaos”, Wineskins, Vol. II, No. 1, May 1993.]

Concerning all sorts of subjects this “weave” practice is being implemented.. have read about ‘experts' in this practice, being solicited by elderships to give them. seminar on how to introduce the practice of choirs and soloists into the worship service. Usually the advice is to start out making small deviations, so that you actually set people up to accept error. This typically involves having certain groups (the basses, women, etc..) sing all by themselves (i.e. in this verse of the song, let's just have the altos sing), which will get people used to the idea of listening to the singing of others, without singing themselves.

Can you imagine Jesus, Paul, Peter and any other of the apostles and early Christians engaging in such deceptive practices? (1 Peter 2:1)

**Mark this down. People who often go off into error claim to have. deeper love for God than the person trying to stand for the truth. It is claimed that they are free-the other person is bound. They are open and transparent, the other person is legalistic. They have found real Christianity!. didn't know that deception was part of real Christianity! (1 Peter 2:1)**

‘destructive' -‘heresies that lead to destruction' (Arndt p. 103). So much for the idea that it doesn't matter what we believe. Or, that no-one will be lost for believing the wrong thing (Galatians 5:1; Galatians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:10).

‘heresies' -‘denotes. choosing, choice, then, that which is chosen, an opinion, esp.,. self-willed opinion, which is substituted for submission to the power of truth, and leads to division and the formation of sects (Galatians 5:20). (Vine p. 217) ‘opinion, dogma' (Arndt p. 24) ‘new, self-chosen doctrines, alien from the truth' (Alford p. 1679) ‘opinions destructive of true faith…the word is used in our sense of “false doctrine”.' (Green p. 94) Peter did believe that ideas have consequences! Peter is drawing. line of fellowship on the basis of doctrine.

‘even denying the Master who bought them' -‘Denying'-‘disowning' (TCNT); ‘repudiate, disown' (Arndt p. 107). ‘the Master'-i.e. Jesus. ‘who bought them'-(1 Corinthians 6:20; Revelation 5:9).

Points to Note:

These false teachers at one time had been brethren, they had been purchased with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18).. Christian can fall away from the truth. 2. In what sense were they denying the ‘Master' who bought them? A. The practical denial of Jesus by living an ungodly life (Titus 1:16). B. The denial of His authority, by teaching things that contradicted His revelation. Anytime that we depart from His word, we are in effect saying, ‘I don't need His guidance.' C. The denial of His right to judge us, or the denial that we will be judged at all (2 Peter 3:4 ff). It is clear that one cannot profess to love Jesus and at the same time repudiate and contradict His teachings (John 14:15). Too many people want. relationship with Jesus, that is. relationship of co-equals, or. relationship that allows them to deviate at will from His teaching. Jesus is the Master, the ‘Lord'. Our relationship with Him must include the concept of obedience and submission, which are cheerfully and gratefully given to One who is so worthy.

‘bring swift destruction upon themselves' -‘Swift'-quick, ‘speedy ruin' (TCNT); ‘sudden and unexpected' (Alford p. 1679). Same word as used in 2 Peter 1:14. The idea isn't that God will strike them dead at any moment, but rather, when destruction comes (and it will), it will catch those who have failed to repent by surprise, with no chance for repentance (1 Thessalonians 5:3). When judgment comes it will be swift, unexpected and impossible to escape. The very teachings that they deny (the judgment day, hell, etc…)will come upon them. People who deny the existence of hell, will experience it first hand!