“For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.”
Matthew 24:24
When I was a kid, I loved watching Saturday morning cartoons of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Transformers, or any heroic characters who defended the world from evil.
My idea of “defending the world from evil” has changed a lot. While I still enjoy the Superhero comic stories, I treasure reading the accounts of early Christians who defended the faith. Jesus warned that false teachers would appear. But He also proclaimed that He would build His church, “and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18).
So it’s not surprising to read how the apostles defended the faith almost as soon as Jesus ascended into heaven. In their letters to the church, both John and Paul called out heretics. Later there were others who took up the mantle of protecting the church from false teachings. To judge what was right or wrong, they prayed for the Holy Spirit’s guidance; they focused on the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, and the Old Testament. Scripture has always guided the church and still does in our lives today.
My idea of “defending the world from evil” has changed a lot. While I still enjoy the Superhero comic stories, I treasure reading the accounts of early Christians who defended the faith. Jesus warned that false teachers would appear. But He also proclaimed that He would build His church, “and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18).
So it’s not surprising to read how the apostles defended the faith almost as soon as Jesus ascended into heaven. In their letters to the church, both John and Paul called out heretics. Later there were others who took up the mantle of protecting the church from false teachings. To judge what was right or wrong, they prayed for the Holy Spirit’s guidance; they focused on the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, and the Old Testament. Scripture has always guided the church and still does in our lives today.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 7:15-20
Insight
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Kings 21-22
- Proverbs 10
- Hebrews 13
