“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.”
(1 Timothy 1:3-4, KJV)
Dear Christian friends, I hope and pray all is well with you and your family. In light of the virtual world of so-called “Christian influencers” throughout social media, it behooves me to be mindful of the charge delivered to us by the Holy Spirit, applicable from the passage above, to respond to these modern voices that teach doctrines contrary to correct doctrine which can be easily verified from reading the Bible. There are some who claim to be “apostles” today, some “prophets”; who believe they are receiving divine unction to direct the universal body of Christ. But, are they telling the truth, or, are they lying for filthy lucre’s sake, in an attempt to generate extra cash flow as a side hustle?
It’s a sad day we live in, concerning Christianity, when believers claim success in their lives by how many viewers subscribe to their social media outlets, or how many plays their videos receive after being uploaded. There’s no such thing as a “digital ministry” in the scriptures lol. While there’s nothing wrong with using digital and virtual means to promote the gospel and your local church’s teaching; what’s wrong is measuring God’s blessing or anointing by viewer count and subscription lol.
There are some believers who shy away from identifying theological and practical error made by those in public, while others seem to spend their time in doing nothing else but hunting after heresy, aka “heresy hunters” as stated by one I recently heard from their YouTube content lol. While there is nothing wrong with those who don’t necessarily care for calling out error and exposing false doctrine, on the other hand, some could use their time more wisely in serving their family and local church than editing video content for exposing those heresies?
I believe one can balance both. Using wisdom to know when to expose error and correct it, and when to focus on family and local ministry needs etc.
While I agree that the primary audience of any pastor or teacher is their immediate flock or local congregation, I also believe it’s important to contend for the faith in public life, generally speaking, to maintain one’s clear position and stance on beliefs and interpretation; especially living in these days of “virtual Christianity.” There are many unbelievers around us who are being exposed to those teachers, whereby our public voice could help identify truth from error for their learning.
You would think that believers of any local church would be faithful to the teachings of their local pastors, but, as can be seen from reading the passage above, even in the days of the apostles, “some” believers yielded to the temptation of listening to other “doctrine” and thereby becoming shipwrecked, divisive or contrary to the original teachings and interpretation, application, taught them by the apostles and their successors installed after them; such as Paul to Timothy.
Read: Romans 16:17-18; Titus 1; 1 Timothy 4.
For this reason, I exercise my liberty in Christ to constantly promote correct historically verified Christian doctrine and interpretation and expose false heretical doctrines and interpretation, because I believe it’s important for my virtual connection to friends to be informed on such matters that they might not be as educated on, and help steer them away from error to remain on the path of correct doctrine and interpretation.
I believe it is the responsibility of all believers to test and try the spirits of men (1 John 4), to prove what is good and acceptable and correct that which is false and error (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
- “Try the spirits” δοκιμάζετε (dokimazete) – δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα (dokimazete ta pneumata). The verb δοκιμάζω is the word used for testing metals to prove whether they are genuine or counterfeit. It is not a casual glance; it is examination that produces a verdict. Present active imperative; continuous action of scrutiny with a view to approval of the genuine. Used of testing character or claims (cf. related uses in NT of proving what is good).- 1 John 4:
- “the spirits” τὰ πνεύματα (ta pneumata): The spiritual sources or influences behind teachings/prophecies.
No Christian, however, should be offended when truth is presented to correct false doctrine. Those who perform this biblically attack the teaching, not the person. Aside from the personal faults and sins any individual is guilty of committing from their past, what I personally care about more is what they are teaching other people, and claiming it to be biblical. Of course, one’s character should be considered when trying and examining their teaching, such as, are they living holy lives, married to one spouse, not accused of riot or unruly etc.
The charge is to “charge some” (certain persons already present) that they teach no other doctrine—i.e., nothing divergent from the apostolic gospel already delivered.
- charge—παραγγείλῃς (parangeilēs): Aorist subjunctive of παραγγέλλω; military/official command force: Command with authority, give strict orders
- “teach no other doctrine” μὴ ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν (mē heterodidaskalein): Not to teach a different/heterodox teaching
- Compound verb ἑτεροδιδασκαλέω; unique to Pastorals; “other” = of a different kind
The church is not free to invent or tolerate “other” teaching; the charge remains to confront and forbid it with apostolic authority derived from Christ. Paul specifies the content of the false teaching: myths (fables) and interminable genealogies. Historically, these were likely Jewish speculative expansions or early speculative systems that generated endless debate rather than building up the household of God.
The Greek οἰκονομίαν Θεοῦ (Beza 1598) is rendered by the KJV “godly edifying”; the underlying sense is the divine stewardship/administration that operates “in faith” and produces genuine edification of the church.
- Fables μύθοις mythois- Dative plural of μῦθος; cf. 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14)—Myths, legendary tales, fabricated stories.
- Latin fābula “story, tale, that which is told; fiction; lie, falsehood.
The central message is that the church’s health depends on authoritative refusal of “other doctrine” and speculative distractions so that the faith-centered stewardship of God may operate unhindered. The idea that some could generate false stories or claims in representation on behalf of God is a real action performed by many. Thus, any person who claims to speak on behalf of God in the present moment, claiming to serve in the official ministerial position of an apostle, prophet, or even pastor-teacher, and whose teachings or revelations are not justified, verified by the preserved words of God is false, a liar, and is to be avoided at all costs.
Paul, writing as an apostle under the commandment of his God our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ, re-issues to Timothy the charge originally given at his departure into Macedonia. Timothy must stay in Ephesus and command certain persons to cease teaching anything divergent from the apostolic gospel and to stop occupying themselves with myths and interminable genealogies that only generate disputes. The alternative—and the true aim—is the οἰκονομία of God that functions in faith and results in genuine edification.
Errors that must be identified, reproved, and corrected:
There were no female apostles ordained by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry in the scriptures. There shouldn’t any operating in this role today. There were no female pastors, bishops or deacons ordained by Jesus Christ during the apostolic age through the Spirit’s operation; and there shouldn’t be any serving in this role in any church today.
The scriptures do not teach that there would be apostolic succession, but rather, that the church would be built upon the:
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone”- Ephesians 2:20 (KJV).
In other words, after John the apostle’s death, the authority ordained by God to govern the church would be the scriptures He inspired through their writings (1 Timothy 3).
And lastly, those who claim to receive so-called revelation, and teach that in order for others to receive it, it must be transmitted through so-called “impartation” through additional books, visions, dreams, prophecies, or online seminars and gatherings; are liars, frauds, and deceivers.The Bible unequivocally states the following, concerning the means, mechanism, agency and access to know God and His will for our life:
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
(Colossians 2:2-3 KJV)
The only thing you need to do, dear believer, is pray, read your Bible, study your Bible, learn your Bible; and the Spirit of God will communicate to your spirit the wisdom of God’s will through the Bible. I hereby exhort and encourage you to remain faithful to your local pastor (or teachers), and beware of all online so-called popular influencers. Just because they have professional video editing, soft music in the background, and charisma while teaching does not mean they are correct.
One more thing—the apostles never created social media accounts, or posted videos online. The original apostles never wrote additional books to sell to their disciples to teach them secret prayers, how to cast out devils, or receive impartation for a certain fee. The original apostles never charged for teaching the word of God to their disciples, as these modern heretics do for their schools or online programs. The original apostles didn’t have time to do their makeup, style their hair, and have someone record their ministry performance to promote to others through social media. The original apostles were too busy suffering persecution for the name of Jesus of Nazareth, being imprisoned, beaten, and some even martyred for preaching the gospel of Jesus of Nazareth.
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified
(1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV)
With love, brother Carlos.
