But beside the prophets under the old covenant who were carried along by the Spirit of God, there were false prophets who were carried along by their own sinful desire. The false prophets would encourage the people to idolatry and immorality—the two sins that have always gone together in the Bible—for when men create their own idol, they naturally create one to accommodate their lusts (Exodus 32:6; 1 Corinthians 10:6-8).
Well, the Apostle now informs his readers that the same will happen again under the new covenant, and this we have seen throughout two-thousand years of Church history. Indeed, the Apostle Paul warned the Ephesian elders of the same (Acts 20:29-30). So, what are these heresies that Peter warns us to guard ourselves against? Peter names them.
First, they will deny the Master who bought them. The most consequential heresies throughout the Church’s history—and those doctrines she first sought to define—dealt with who Christ is: The Second Person of the Triune God, fully human and fully divine. What are called, “Christological heresies,” generally begin by denying either the humanity or divinity of Christ—in our day usually the latter. Denying either his divine or human nature undercuts the doctrine of salvation as he must be God to save us and man to take our place. Christ is thereby reduced.
Christological heresies invariably lead to idolatry as the Christ which is then presented is not the real Christ. The Christ that is worshiped is neither the Christ of the Bible nor of the Church but a figment of men’s imaginations.
And idolatry inevitably leads to immorality as the god men create will always approve of their perversities. This is the primary reason why they forsook the true Christ in the first place; he cramped their style.
And lust is always closely related to avarice as such men always want to spend your money on their pleasures.
The true Church will always have such teachers in her midst. But those born from above know the truth and will not ultimately be fooled. Brethren, abide in Him (1 John 2:26-27).
My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed.
This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves.
At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear.
Grace & peace,
Stephen Taylor
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