Identifying False Teachers In the Church Today On the Basis of 2 Peter 2

Abstract

The objective of this exegetical study is to identify false teachers in the church today with reference to 2 Peter 2. The study makes Christians to be aware of some characteristics of false teachers today who come to us in sheep’s clothing while they are wolves to damage the faith of the believers. The exegesis outlines some of the characteristics of false teachers as heretics in their teachings, popular, greedy for power and material wealth, sensual, rebels against the authority and they are slaves to the sins they preach against. They give hope where there is no hope by promising what they cannot deliver. The study also assures judgment as God did not spare the angels who rebelled against Him, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were not spared but consumed with fire, and the wicked people of Noah’s time were consumed by floods. He will not spare the false teachers together with those led astray. As God will judge the false teachers and their followers, He will spare those who practice the true religion and are faithful followers of the truth. The study helps Christians beware of the tricks of the false teachers into believing that they are angels of light while they are wolves in sheep skins. Believers have a responsibility to judge the false teachers by their doctrine and lifestyle and like the Berean church, they are to search from the Scriptures the truth of what the false teachers are teaching. When the church is aware of how to expose false teachers and their teachings, the spread of their influence will be minimized. The church cannot know who they are and what they teach without having a knowledge of the word of God. The antidote of protection against false teachings is to know the truth of the word of God