False Teaching in the Early Years after Christ Death

2 John. Abide “in the Doctrine of Christ”

1.    Read 2 John 1:7 and the institute student manual commentary for 2 John 7, “For Many Deceivers Are Entered into the World” (p. 437). Summarize in one or two ​paragraphs the false doctrine John warned against, where it came from, and what effect it would have if it were believed.

The Docetists were a group a of people at this time that were saying that Christ did not really come into the world but rather that he only appeared to be there and only appeared to be the one who died for our sins but did not because then he would have been made from matter. They believed that the natter was evil and thus Christ would have been evil. So they used this to justify the fact that Christ was not really ever there.

The problem with this belief is that then we start to lose the core beliefs that Christ taught. Things like the fact that we are able to live again in the flesh just as Christ did. We all have the opportunity to be raised from the dead. We will not be able to live in eternity but would have ceased with the death of our bodies. If this teaching were true we would also lose the fact that Christ DID pay for our sins and DID take the pain and suffering on Himself so that we wouldn’t have to. If it was only a thought to be that is not the real thing and we would still be held accountable and because we have sinned be unworthy to repent for them. There would be no other way and we would all be damned and our progression haltered.

2.    Read 2 John 1:8–13. Write one or two sentences explaining what counsel John gave that could help avoid this and other false doctrines generally.

One of the things that I felt like John was really saying here was to hold close to those who do believe and teach the same things that we know are correct and then avoid completely those that do not. Not letting them in our homes or even wishing them well in their work so that they are not cursing the others around them.