Many voices call for transparency while at the same time wearing a cloak of hypocrisy. Such actions are not new to this generation. During the first century of Christendom, the apostles were warning the early churches of the threat posed by scoffers and false teachers. That double threat, from without and within, necessitated that those who had believed in Christ as their personal Savior diligently prepare themselves in the Scriptures to face the opposition rising in the Roman Empire.

Paul, in writing to the churches in Corinth, found it necessary to clarify and reemphasize the truths he had taught them. “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve” (1 Cor 15:1-5 NIV).

At the time of Peter writing his second epistle, he, Paul and perhaps John, were in prison for preaching the good news that Christ had died on the Cross for the sins of every individual.

Eternal life was offered to all simply on the basis of faith in those truths. Keeping the Mosaic Law, while honorable and worthy, could not give eternal life. Relationship with God required faith in the Divine provision so eloquently stated by John … “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17 NIV).

The gospel was “good news,” a simple encouraging message, offering God’s gift on the basis of faith instead of human accomplishment. If it were based on human effort, how many so-called good deeds would it take to satisfy the Justice of God to attain His Righteousness? No one could ever know. That is why the Apostle Paul stated … “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David said the same thing when speaking of the blessedness of the man to whom God credited righteousness apart from works” (Rom 4:4-6 NIV).

Peter, in his second epistle, knowing that the time of his execution was near, urged his readers to beware of false teachers. His warning was similar to the one given to Israel by the prophet Jeremiah … “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,” declares the LORD” (Jer 23:1-2 NASB). Some teachers in Israel, wrapping themselves in their religious attire and claiming to be God’s spokesman, had led the people into evil practices and exposed them to erroneous beliefs.

Today, there are many faithful teachers of God’s Word who fulfill the mandate … “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 NASB). Unfortunately, there are some religious opportunists still promoting a health and wealth message along with a false gospel. Avoid them! It is the responsibility of every Christian to worship in an assembly which stresses the teaching of the Word. Know the Scriptures yourself in order to accurately assess what is being taught.