My dear readers,

1. In the context of Wed Discussion Q3, does "not of God" mean that this person is not saved? Also, what is the definition of "erroneous teaching" and heresy, and what is the difference between the two? If the doctrine in question were to be the Baptist doctrine of immersion, what would the answer to the discussion question be? Would you consider this doctrine of immersion to be heresy?

{Question #3 – “A preacher of God’s Word taught a doctrine he insisted was right, even though many of his peers told him it was wrong. He refused to listen. Instead of repentance, he doubled down on his teaching. He kept teaching the doctrine, believing it to be right, even though he had been shown that all the Bible evidence he used to support his arguments was misinterpreted. Would you say that he is not of God, because if he were, he would have repented and stopped his erroneous teaching? Explain your answer.”}

The phrase “not of God” has a two-fold understanding and application. If the doctrine that the person is teaching pertains to the gospel and fundamental doctrines, and it is erroneous, then “not of God” means he is not a believer. Examples: believing in Jesus Christ is one of the ways to heaven and not the only way; Christ was not born of the virgin Mary; Christ did not rise from the dead; there are no miracles in the Bible; believers can pray to dead saints. These are what the Bible calls “another gospel” and must be anathema, i.e. accursed, because of the serious error and deception that could cause those who believe in them and think they are going to heaven to be still heading to hell. Paul warned in Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

However, if the doctrinal error is not about the gospel or any fundamental doctrine, then the phrase “not of God” does not mean that he is not a believer; rather, he is a teacher who taught a wrong doctrine, e.g. the Ten Commandments have been abrogated and no longer bind the New Testament (NT) believer. This teaching gives the NT believer license to decide for himself what a holy witness for Christ means, such as how he keeps the Lord’s Day holy. Many antinomian believers worship God at their convenience, as long as they spend a couple of hours in church every week, which can be a weekday evening or a Saturday afternoon. Their conscience is clear, and they think God should be pleased. Keeping the Lord’s Day, i.e. Sunday, holy in terms of a whole day, is a taboo doctrine and might even be offensive to some, as they think it to be pharisaical and legalistic. The damage done by such kinds of doctrinal errors is the holy witness for Christ in the believer’s life, the holy Name of Christ and the lives of the people impacted.

Heresies, as used in the Bible according to context, can mean a very serious doctrinal error that would render the person who teaches the heresy an unbeliever. 2 Peter 2:1-2 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” Any doctrine that undermines the triune God and the gospel of Christ is a heresy.

The issue of the mode of baptism has divided Christians into basically two groups. The first group believes that the only biblical mode of water baptism is by immersion. If a person is not immersed, he is not baptised. Many Baptists, not all, believe this strictly. The second group believes that water baptism must involve water; that both modes of baptism, such as immersion or sprinkling, are acceptable. An example of Christians who believe this are the Presbyterians. Both views can be wrong, but both cannot be right. One day in heaven, the Lord will let us know who is right. Until then, for the sake of unity in worship and service to God, the Lord permits this division that began with the sixteenth-century Reformation. If a Presbyterian worships in a Baptist church, he must not sow seeds of discord and teach openly or quietly that immersion is not the only acceptable mode of baptism. This also applies to the Baptist who worships in a Presbyterian church, who must not teach that sprinkling is unbiblical and that the Presbyterians are not actually baptised in the eyes of God and are living in sin. Sowing seeds of discord is a serious sin in God’s eyes. It is an abomination! Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

2. Based on Thursday’s messages and discussion, Question 1: Does the devil only attack believers? Does the devil involve himself with unbelievers in like manner? Does the devil know who is saved and who is not?

{Question #1 – “Where do you think the devil, as a roaring lion, is most active? a) in the world; b) in Christianity as a whole; c) in your local church? Give reasons for your answer.”}

The devil has already attacked the world and all unbelievers from the moment Adam sinned against God in the Garden of Eden by accepting the forbidden fruit given to him by Eve in Genesis 3. From the fall of Adam, all human beings (with a human father and mother) are conceived and born in sin, no exception. Therefore, all the systems of humanity are done by sinful men and women in the devil’s world of which he is god, as revealed by God. All the earthly realms, such as the economy, recreation, entertainment, politics, social and military, are all controlled by the god of this world through his minions, including humans and demons. In this manner, the devil attacks the unbelievers who are spiritually dead and blind and are totally oblivious to the devil’s attacks. He blinds them through his evil works in this world as 2 Corinthians 4:1-4 reveals, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Believers who are spiritually alive and can see the spiritual realm are aware of the methods and reality of the devil’s work in the world through the revelation in God’s Word. The devil and his minions never cease their attacks on God’s children from day one. God already prepared His children in Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” The devil and his minions attacked God's children by getting them to sin and discouraging them from doing God’s work and will in their lives. This battle for the souls of sinful men, women and children between God’s servants and the devil’s will continue until the second coming of Christ, when He will judge this evil world and remove all demonic activities and sinners before the start of His one thousand year reign on earth. 

The devil does not know all believers’ and unbelievers’ identities in the world. This knowledge belongs to God alone, who is omniscient. But that does not mean the devil is ignorant of Jesus and who some believers are as revealed in Acts 19:13-15 “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” The phrase “Jesus I know” means that the devil has encountered Jesus in his life, especially when he was cast out of heaven. The phrase “Paul I know” means that the devil was acquainted with Paul when he persecuted him and tried to kill him through his minions from the Sanhedrin Council. But he mocked the seven sons of Sceva who tried to cast out demons. Instead, the demon-possessed man attacked and humiliated them. The result was the glory of God, as many became Christians when they realised the reality of the spiritual realm and the power that is always in the holy Name of Jesus Christ! Acts 19:16-18 “And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.”

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service

                                                                                      Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew, Pastor