2 Peter 2:19

1. "They Promise... Liberty" 2 Peter 2:19 Review of Cecil Hook, Free In Christ [By Ron Halbrook]

2. “They Promise...Liberty” Introduction: 1. 2 Pet. 2:1, 19; 3:15-18 God’s warning: Satan promises liberty but enslaves

3. 2 Peter 2:1 1 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.

4. 2 Peter 2:19 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

5. 2 Peter 3:15-18 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

6. 2 Peter 3:15-18 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

7. “They Promise...Liberty” Introduction: 2. Cecil Hook: • Born 1918, baptized 1933 • From extreme factionalism: church cannot conduct simultaneous Bible classes • To institutional liberalism • To extreme liberalism: wider & wider fellowship • Free in Christ: 1985, often reprinted, widely circulated

8. “They Promise...Liberty” Introduction: 2. Cecil Hook: • 2 Tim. 3:7, 13 Bible describes such men 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

9. “They Promise...Liberty” Introduction: 3. Cecil Hook: • Promises liberty but enslaves men to many false doctrines & sins 4. Many false teachers among churches of Christ today 5. Heed God’s warning: “beware lest ye also…fall…But grow” (2 Pet. 3:17-18)

10. “They Promise...Liberty” I.“The Truth Shall Make You Free” A. Jn. 8:31-32 Christ Alone Makes Us Free 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

11. “They Promise...Liberty” I.“The Truth Shall Make You Free” A. Jn. 8:31-32 Christ Alone Makes Us Free • Freedom: Forgiveness, Fellowship with God • Death on the cross: Ransom price

12. “They Promise...Liberty” I.“The Truth Shall Make You Free” B. 2 Cor. 2:11 False Teachers Counterfeit God’s Promises 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. • Love • Grace • Mercy • Pardon • Freedom • Fellowship

13. “They Promise...Liberty” II.Paul Warned About Enemies of the Cross of Christ A. Phil. 3:17-19 False Teachers Are Enemies of the Cross

14. Phil. 3:17-19 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

15. “They Promise...Liberty” II.Paul Warned About Enemies of the Cross of Christ A. Phil. 3:17-19 False Teachers Are Enemies of the Cross • Death of Christ: heart of gospel • False teachers pervert the gospel, thus nullify its blessings

16. “They Promise...Liberty” II.Paul Warned About Enemies of the Cross of Christ B. 2 Tim. 2:15-18 False Teachers Pervert the Truth, Destroy Faith in It

17. 2 Tim. 2:15-18 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

18. “They Promise...Liberty” II.Paul Warned About Enemies of the Cross of Christ B. 2 Tim. 2:15-18 False Teachers Pervert the Truth, Destroy Faith in It • Vs. 15 Know the truth: prevent error • Vs. 16 Error empty, ungodly • Vs. 17 Error poison, name teachers • Vs. 18 Specify error & effects

19. “They Promise...Liberty” II.Paul Warned About Enemies of the Cross of Christ C. Sound Same Warning Today: False Teachers Are Enemies of the Cross!

20. “They Promise...Liberty” III.False Teachers Emphasize False Liberty & Freedom A. 2 Pet. 2:19 Promise Freedom: Enslave Souls to Satan & Sin 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

21. “They Promise...Liberty” III.False Teachers Emphasize False Liberty & Freedom B. Cecil Hook Emphasizes False Liberty & Freedom • Book title: Free in Christ

22. “They Promise...Liberty” III.False Teachers Emphasize False Liberty & Freedom B. Cecil Hook Emphasizes False Liberty & Freedom • Chapt. 7: “The Exercise of Christian Liberty” • Begins with Gal. 5:1 • Basis of broad liberty in action: God judges sincerity not action

23. “They Promise...Liberty” • Basis of broad liberty in action: God judges sincerity not action “Defilement is not in certain actions or things, but in improper use of and attitude toward those actions and things. Actions and things, generally speaking are non-moral. They have no inherent moral value” (p. 43). “Our purity of thought or defilement of purpose determines whether a thing is moral or immoral” (p. 43).

24. “They Promise...Liberty” • Basis of broad liberty in action: God judges sincerity not action “To show the non-moral nature of actions and things, some examples are listed. These all show that the thought, or motive, determines whether it is right or wrong” (p. 43). “In all these things man has free exercise of liberty so long as his heart is kept pure and self-control is maintained” (p. 46).

25. “They Promise...Liberty” III.False Teachers Emphasize False Liberty & Freedom B. Cecil Hook Emphasizes False Liberty & Freedom • Chapt. 7: “The Exercise of Christian Liberty” • Applies this broad liberty to actions in morals & worship

26. “They Promise...Liberty” III.False Teachers Emphasize False Liberty & Freedom C. He Baits the Hook by Blurring the Line between Truth & Error • Eph. 4:14 “Slight [kubos: dice]”— deceptive arts, cleaver tricks 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

27. “They Promise...Liberty” III.False Teachers Emphasize False Liberty & Freedom C. He Baits the Hook by Blurring the Line between Truth & Error • List pp. 5-7 mixes things of different nature: • Mattersofjudgment • vote • fast • dress code • in worship • Sociallyacceptedsins • dance • social drink • shorts • Flagrantsin &error • abortion • apostasy • all divorce & • remarriage

28. “They Promise...Liberty” III.False Teachers Emphasize False Liberty & Freedom C. He Baits the Hook by Blurring the Line between Truth & Error • Sleight: mix things of different nature LIBERTY ! • Mattersofjudgment (Rom. 14) • eat meat • devotional • day • Sociallyacceptedsins (Acts 5; Ja. 2) • lie • show • partiality • Flagrantsin &error(Gal. 5:19-21) • adultery • idolatry • murder

29. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Doctrinal “unity in diversity” (p. 4) VS unity in “the faith” (Jude 3) 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

30. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Denies authority of commands & examples in Scripture VS Christ (Matt. 28:20; Phil. 4:9) 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

31. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Denies authority of commands & examples in Scripture VS Christ (Matt. 28:20; Phil. 4:9) 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

32. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Claims we are under principle not law, “legalism” if under law

33. “The principle is broader and greater than the command. Man’s tendency has been to emphasize the lawful demand and to minimize…the principle. This is a facet of legalism” (p. 11). “It is the principle that should rule our conduct rather than the command” (pp. 13-14). “The difference in apporach will determine whether we gain the approval or denunciation of our Savior” (p. 14). • Claims we are under principle not law, legalism if under law

34. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Claims we are under principle not law, legalism if under law • Sophistry: does not tell how Bible separates God’s “law” or “command” from “principle” • Sleight: Hook arbitrarily decides which part of Bible is “law” & “principle”

35. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Claims we are under principle not law, legalism if under law • Use term “legalism” to undermine authority of God’s Word • “Strict, literal adherence to the law” (American Heritage Dictionary)—see Gen. 2:16-17; Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19; gospel remedy for sin not legalism

36. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Claims we are under principle not law, legalism if under law • Use term “legalism” to undermine authority of God’s Word • “Legalism:” some claim sinless life— see Rom. 3:23

37. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Claims we are under principle not law, legalism if under law • Use term “legalism” to undermine authority of God’s Word • “Legalism:” some set aside God’s plan of salvation for another plan— see Rom. 10:3

38. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Perverts Rom. 14 for wide doctrinal unity-in-diversity • Truth on Rom. 14: differ without dividing over scruples which do not violate the doctrine of Christ— see vv. 1-3, 14, 20

39. Romans 14 1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

40. Romans 14 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

41. IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications A. Hook Advocates False Principles • Perverts Rom. 14 for wide doctrinal unity-in-diversity • Sleight: mix things of different nature LIBERTY ! • Personal scruples • no classes • one cup for Lord’s Supper • ViolatedoctrineofChrist • church kitchen, parties, gym • sponsoring church • church donate to human • institutions (college, etc.)

42. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications B. Hook’s False Principles Lead to Many False Applications • Liberty, unity-in-diversity: pp. 5-7

43. “They Promise...Liberty” • Liberty, unity in diversity • Ministerial alliance • Midweek collection • Church kitchen, parties, gym • Church donate to human institutions • All cases of divorce & remarriage • Church choirs, solos • Social drinking • Theistic evolution • Dancing • Shorts • Many other false doctrines & practices

44. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications B. Hook’s False Principles Lead to Many False Applications • Liberty, unity-in-diversity: list pp. 4-7 • Additional comments extend liberty, unity in diversity

45. “They Promise...Liberty” • Extend liberty, unity in diversity • Sprinkling, pouring (p. 39) VS Acts 8:38 • Women preach, teach in mixed audience (p. 39) VS 1 Tim. 2:11-12 • Lord’s Supper any day (pp. 40-41) VS Acts 20:7 • Churches centralize work via sponsoring church, donate to human institutions (pp. 6-7, 49) VS 1 Tim. 3:14-15; 1 Pet. 5:2

46. “They Promise...Liberty” • Extend liberty, unity in diversity • Church kitchens, parties, gyms (p. 60) VS 1 Cor. 11:34 • Instrumental music in worship allowed (p. 60) VS Eph. 5:19; 2 Jn. 9 • Abortion, euthanasia, suicide fall under principles such as “loving motives” (pp. 33-34) VS Rom. 13:9 • All cases of divorce & remarriage (pp. 6, 62) VS Matt. 19:9

47. “They Promise...Liberty” • Extend liberty, unity in diversity • Accept into fellowship all baptized believers from denominations (pp. 63, 73, 78) VS 2 Jn. 9-11

48. “They Promise...Liberty” IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications B. Hook’s False Principles Lead to Many False Applications • Claims ignorant heathen saved without obeying the gospel (pp. 102-3) • Why preach to them??? Mk. 16:15 • Acts 17:29 If they seek God, they can find Him • 2 Thess. 1:7-9 Lost without gospel

49. “They Promise...Liberty” Invitation: 1. False teachers do not make us “free in Christ:” • Abandon New Testament pattern of faith & practice • Embrace denominational, ecumenical concepts of unity • Fellowship all kinds of false doctrines & sins • License not liberty, bondage not freedom • 2 Pet. 2:1, 19; 3:17-18 God’s warning: Satan promises liberty but enslaves

50. “They Promise...Liberty” Invitation: 2. Jn. 8:31-32 Only the word of Christ makes us free 3. Neh. 6:1-3 Press on preaching the gospel in its purity without compromise 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?