Giving Heed To Seducing Spirits

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in 

the latter times some shall depart from 

the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, 

and doctrines of devils; speaking lies 

in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared 

with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, 

and commanding to abstain from meats, 

which God hath created to be received 

with thanksgiving of them which believe 

and know that truth.

1Timothy 4:1-3 

     STOP! MEDITATE! THINK! APPLY! Can you think and see that what Paul wrote to Timothy is occurring today? Or, are you giving a "pass" with a blessing that: well....they do believe in Jesus, even teaching about Jesus....so we must give an allowance to others beliefs. REALLY? Paul did not so why should we? Do you know of a religion that forbids the marrying? Do you know of a religion that forbids the eating of meats? Do you know of a religion that is teaching forbidden and seducing spirits and doctrines that are contrary to the Bible and are then are from the Devil? If this was happening in the days of the early Church why would we think that it is not happening today? IT IS! This is the purpose of this blog, to cause people to think, to critically think, examine what they have come to believe in light of Scripture, not man. We are to consider our faith and ensure that it is Scriptural, and if not: CHANGE! 

     In many Churches the pastor and leaders speak more about a man's doctrine as though that person were inspired of God than to preach the Gospel. Many Churches in their preaching and teaching there is more about psychological issues, how to be a better person through some psychological change in a person and not about becoming an Authentic Christian and allow the Holy Spirit to change that person. This not so much a problem in the early Church, they faced heresy from many sides, but in time when the culture of this world infested the Church, the "Christian" Universities, the preaching is less about sin and more about self. We need to change from the inside/out, in ourselves in our fallen Churches. Therefore, due to the problem that Paul wrote to Timothy about and the fact that those problems exist in our Churches today I will again turn to those men, those early Church fathers to hear from them, to learn from them, to apply the truth as taught by them, I, and you should meditate upon these writings and not forget them as something "old" from the past and not have importance for us today. Here is a writing called Mathetes, and in Greek that means a disciple. This is his letter to Deognetus. Allow me to introduce him:

"[a.d. 130.] The anonymous author of this Epistle gives himself the title (Mathetes) “a disciple of the Apostles,” and I venture to adopt it as his name. It is about all we know of him, and it serves a useful end. I place his letter here, as a sequel to the Clementine Epistle, for several reasons, which I think scholars will approve: (1) It is full of the Pauline spirit, and exhales the same pure and primitive fragrance which is characteristic of Clement. (2) No theory as to its date very much conflicts with that which I adopt, and it is sustained by good authorities. (3) But, as a specimen of the persuasives against Gentilism which early Christians employed in their intercourse with friends who adhered to heathenism, it admirably illustrates the temper prescribed by St. Paul (2 Tim. ii. 24), and not less the peculiar social relations of converts to the Gospel with the more amiable and candid of their personal friends at this early period.

Mathetes was possibly a catechumen of St. Paul or of one of the apostle’s associates. I assume that his correspondent was the tutor of M. Aurelius. Placed just here, it fills a lacuna in the series, and takes the place of the pseudo (second) Epistle of Clement, which is now relegated to its proper place with the works falsely ascribed to St. Clement.

Altogether, the Epistle is a gem of purest ray; and, while suggesting some difficulties as to interpretation and exposition, it is practically clear as to argument and intent. Mathetes is, perhaps, the first of the apologists." 

     This man whether it be Paul or Clement of Rome wrote early about what was going on in the Church and what needed to be changed. In the next blogs I will proceed to give his admonition in hope that you and I will examine our faith closely and if needed to make the change.

Be not over much wicked,

     neither be thou foolish:

why shouldest thou die before

    thy time?

               Ecclesiastes 7:17

Life and death are before you: choose well!

Richard L. Crumb