Such Teachings Come Through Hypocritical Liars, Whose Consciences Have Been Seared As with a Hot Iron

The Means of Grace: Prayer Bible Studying Worship Communion Fasting Christian Fellowship BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

1. Find a good “word for word”Bible translation. Good ones include the New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT) and the English Standard Version (ESV). BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

2. Either choose a good Bible reading plan or begin studying your favorite book of the Bible. BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

3. Record in a notebook or on a computer what you learn as you discover in the verses BEFORE you read what the experts have to say. BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

4. Read trusted Bible scholars and record what you learn. BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

5. Take your time, read only a few verses a day and meditate over each phrase, each word, like a cow ruminates their cud. BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

6. If you would like to go deeper into the OT Hebrew, or the NT Greek, use a resource like BibleHub.com

Today’s Scripture Lesson: 1Timothy 4:1-5 (Pew Bible, p. 1175) 1Timothy 4:1-5 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 1Timothy 4:1-5 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. L: This is the word of God, for the people of God. P: THANKS BE TO GOD! “The Spirit clearly says that in later times …”

1. Q: When are the “later times”? A: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times …”

1. Q: When are the “later times”? A: All of the times ever since Jesus ascended to heaven. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith …”

2. Q: What does the word “abandon” (“apostēsontai”) mean? A: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith …”

2. Q: What does the word “abandon” (“apostēsontai”) mean? A: It means “to stand away from; depart; withdraw; depart”. 3. Lesson to learn: while no one can take our salvation away from us, we all have the free will to “abandon” the faith all on our own, as the people whom Paul knew were doing. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

“imposter” (“planois”) “Such teachings come through hypocritical liars …” “Such teachings come through hypocritical liars …”

4. “ hypocrite ” was the word used to describe actors who portrayed different characters in Greek dramas by putting on different masks on stage. “Such teachings come through hypocritical liars …”

5. Q: How were the false teachers in Paul’s day acting hypocritical and deceiving others? A: By looking for all the world like genuine Christian teachers who were passing on the teachings of Jesus, or Paul, but were really just making stuff up. “Such teachings come through hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”

“kekaustēriasmenōn” “Such teachings come through hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”

6. Q: Why didn’t it bother the false teachers to be deceiving others? A: Because their consciences have been fried (“seared”). They didn’t work anymore.

. . . those who say that a real Christian:

• Has to be circumcised • Observes all of the Jewish feasts • Never eats pork, rabbit, catfish, lobster, shrimp, clams and crab • Never eats with, or even associates, with Gentiles . . . those who say that a real Christian:

• Has to be circumcised • Observes all of the Jewish feasts • Never eats pork, rabbit, catfish, lobster, shrimp, clams and crab • Never eats with, or even associates, with Gentiles • Looks a certain way (short hair for men & a dress for women) • Reads a certain translation of the Bible. • Speaks in tongues. • Is a member of a certain denomination 7. Q: What are the three things we need to do to be right with God: “The Salvation Equation” 1. BELEVE that 2. REPENT, 3. From now Jesus died in our (turn away from on, OBEY the place on the sinning), New Testament cross in order to in the PRESENT. teachings in the have all of our FUTURE. PAST sins forgiven. “They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.” “They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.” 8. Q: What two lies were the false teachers in Paul’s day telling people? A: That to be right with God people need to: a. Never get married. b. Never eat certain foods. 9. Q: How do we know that the New Testament does not teach these two expectations? A: a. Jesus blessed marriage forever when he attended the wedding at Cana of Galilee, in John 2. b. Peter’s vision in Acts 10 told Christians that God does not forbid us from eating any food that he has made. Gnostics “gnosis” = knowledge Gnostics 1. All physical matter is evil, including . . . Gnostics 1. All physical matter is evil, including . . . a. Food Gnostics 1. All physical matter is evil, including . . . a. Food b. Marriage

George Rapp (1757-1847)

• German born vinedresser • Immigrated to America, 1804 • Leader of the Harmonists (a.k.a. Harmonites, Rappites, or the Harmony Society) in Harmony, PA “They forbid people to marry . . .” (1Tim. 4:3) George Rapp (1757-1847)

• Taught that God had originally created Adam with both male and female sexual organs . . . George Rapp (1757-1847)

• Taught that God had originally created Adam with both male and female sexual organs due to his interpretation of Genesis 1:27 –

“And so God created man in his own image; in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

George Rapp (1757-1847)

• Taught that when God created Eve he did so by taking the female part of Adam away from him and giving it to Eve … thereby causing every person to be born into a state of DISharmony, missing either their male or female nature. We have all lived in this state of DISharmony ever since. George Rapp (1757-1847)

• Taught that Jesus was coming back to earth, to build the new Jerusalem, in their lifetimes. Gnostics “gnosis” = knowledge The Harmonists’ “Virgin Sophia” (Carved out of wood by the son of George Rapp. Located over the door of the Harmony Museum.) George Rapp (1757-1847) George Rapp (1757-1847)

Virgin Sophia The source of George Rapp’s secret knowledge about Adam & the 2nd coming of Jesus How can we know that his teachings were wrong?

Because they are NOT found in the New Testament. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1Timothy 4:4-5)