Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

II Peter 2:1 NKJV

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

John 17:2

as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The exposure of God’s church to the Christian media has brought the necessity of careful attention to II Peter 2:1. The church is bombarded by the idle babbler from Houston, TX, by the foolish rogue Benny Hinn, and by the outright heretic Bishop Jakes.

There are all descriptions of deceivers in the mix, but these three popular examples give enough cause for concern to send us to diligent study of the passages before us.

Two interesting notes about the church’s failure and danger are:

1. The Old Testament church’s failure before God was that of idolatry. This was by and large an intellectual sin. That all manner of social, civil, and personal wickedness followed is but proof that none are any better than their god.

2. The destruction of the church has always come internally. The persecutions of Rome civil spread the church. The heresies and errors of Rome ecclesia brought it near to its destruction.

Paul’s warning to the Ephesian elders is of internal dangers, Acts 20:29 I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock

In the present day evangelical church, there is little or no outcry against the bold errorists who march boldly through the church selling their heretical literature and stealing without challenge. It has come to the time where churches wearing the evangelical label fail to identify Mormonism and United Pentacostalism for the heresies they are. Thus Bishop Jakes escapes being identified as anti-trinitarian, and Mormons now sell themselves as Christians.

Looking at II Peter 2:1, there are three critical words which must be understood. Following is a look at these three words.

A. Deny – 1. To contradict constituting a failure to accept and believe 2. To deny by the way of disowning. This can be by word or practice.

B. Lord – despotes - The classical usage is important in understanding this term. 1. Ownership 2. Rule or authority 3. The right to unlimited exercise of power. This by definition is not a particularly favorable term.

The Old Testament usage in the Septuagint gives a clear understanding of the Biblical writers’ intent. 1. Emphasizes the power of God 2. A clear statement of omnipotence

Jeremiah 1:6; 4:10; 14:13

The New Testament in no way contradicts the classical or the Septuagint usage.

1. Ownership as the slave owner is the master in contrast with the slave

2. When used of God particularly emphasize His will as supreme

C. Bought – to do business in the market place; to buy or to sell and per W.E. Vine does not mean redeem.

Having this information, these two passages are helpful to understand Peter. Hebrews 11:6 is a contrast in attitude toward God to the denier in II Peter 2:1. The true believer whether teacher or otherwise believes God is exactly who He says He is, and He will do for the believer exactly according to His Word. The false teacher denies God’s being and trustworthiness.

John 17:2 informs the Bible student of the divine prerogative given God’s Son, the Christ. This is a bow with two infallible arrows, authority or the right to rule over all flesh and the eternal life He shall give to His elect. John has set the double purchase before us. Christ has received these as a result of the purchase price paid for all humanity. He is their despotes. He owns all humanity. They are bought and paid for. He has paid the debt of the elect and bought them off the slave block, cleared their name at the bar of justice, and received the authority to pour out upon them the Spirit of grace and holiness.

Christian, your responsibility is clear. You must reject an experience and works oriented salvation announcing your firm intent to continue serving God the same way you came to Him, simply as a believer in His Word.