Paul: A Sincerely Wrong Teacher

1. Paul: A Sincerely Wrong Teacher 1 Timothy 1:12-16

2. Sincere Teachers of Error • Does a good conscience protect one’s teachings and practices from being judged by God’s word? • No – Paul said he ranked first among sinners, 1 Tim 1:15 • Sin proceeds from the heart, Matt 15:19-20 • Can a sincerely wrong teacher be a false teacher? YES! Rom 10:1-3

3. Paul was a man of good conscience(Acts 23:1) • Paul was sincere in his convictions and his conduct, Acts 24:16; 26:9; Phil 3:6 • A sincere blasphemer, insolent persecutor; an ignorant unbeliever, 1 Tim 1:13 • Judged to be a sinner by the Holy Spirit and by himself – even when he thought he was offering God service, 1 Tim 1:15; Jno 16:2; Acts 26:9-11 (22:16) • Sinful practices and teachings

4. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins • Paul was a blasphemer, 1 Tim 1:13 • “Impious, irreverent speech against God” • Proceeds from the heart, Matt 15:19-20 • He spoke against Christ and the gospel, cf. Acts 13:45; Gal 1:13-14 • The Holy Spirit judged Paul to be a blasphemer and Paul agreed, 1 Tim 1:13

5. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins • Paul was a blasphemer, 1 Tim 1:13 • Why are we accused of being evil when we judge teachers to be blasphemers (based on the evidence of their teaching)? Jno 7:24; Lk 12:57 • Paul did this, 1 Tim 1:18-20 • We may follow his example in Christ (1 Cor 11:1)

6. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins • Paul was a persecutor, 1 Tim 1:13 (Acts 26:9-11; Gal 1:13-14) • Persecutor tries to destroy his object, 1 Pet 4:14-16 • Proceeds from the heart, Matt 15:19-20 • Paul tried to destroy the church, Acts 9:1 • Consented to Stephen’s death, Ac 8:1 (7:58) • Pursued Christians, Acts 9:1-2; 26:9-11

7. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins • Paul was a persecutor, 1 Tim 1:13 (Acts 26:9-11; Gal 1:13-14) • The Holy Spirit judged Paul to be a persecutor and Paul agreed, 1 Tim 1:13 • Why are we accused of being evil when we judge, based on the evidence of their teaching, that one is opposing Christ and destroying souls? Jno 7:24; Lk 12:57

8. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins • Paul was insolent, 1 Tim 1:13 • “one who, uplifted with pride, either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some shameful act of wrong” • Violent arrogance proceeds from the heart, Matt 15:19-20 • Paul intimidated with threats, compelling Christians to blasphemy, Acts 9:1-2; 26:11

9. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins • Paul was insolent, 1 Tim 1:13 • The Holy Spirit judged Paul to insolent and Paul agreed, 1 Tim 1:13 • Why are we accused of being evil when we judge, based on the evidence of their teaching, that one’s false teachings are being elevated above truth, thereby opposing Christ? Jno 7:24; Lk 12:57

10. Applications for Us • We are commanded to try the spirits 1 John 4:1 • Examine the teacher’s fruit (his teaching) in light of apostolic doctrine, 1 Jno 4:6 • False brethren, Gal 2:3-5 • False teaching overthrows faith, 2 Tim 2: 16-18 • Error is against Christ, 1 Jno 4:2-3 (2 Jno 7)

11. Applications for Us • Follow these Bible examples that render God’s judgment of teachers and their fruit (their false teaching): • False plans of salvation • False patterns of local church worship, organization and work • False doctrines on return of Christ (70 AD) • False doctrines on MDR and fellowship

12. Applications for Us • Do not be silenced from rebuking sin and error by the unfounded charge that you are judging hearts when you judge teachings and practices by God’s word, Rev 2:2 • Yes, God will judge all hearts and practices in the last day (cf. 1 Cor 4:5-6) • We can judge righteously, Jno 5:30 (7:24)