Articles
Beware of the Preacher
Beware of the Preacher
By C. G. (Colly) Caldwell, III
(The following article is reprinted from the May 1964 issue of Searching the Scriptures.) From the lips of one bound in the chains of Roman imprisonment come these words of summons to a young evangelist and to all gospel preachers from that day to this: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2Tim. 4:2). The proclamation of the gospel to a world dying in sin is a work ordained by God and expected by Christ of His faithful disciples. When one accepts the responsibility involved in preaching God's word, he obligates himself to teach and persuade men to surrender their lives in complete submission to the will of their Maker. Although he is speaking explicitly of those who spoke by direct revelation, Paul expresses the necessity of preaching Christ by asking, "How then shall they (either Jew or Greek, vs. 12) call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" And then he goes on to quote from Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace..." (Rom. 10:14-15).
In another letter Paul grants that preaching Christ crucified is foolishness to unbelievers: but, at the same time, asserts its necessity to salvation. The Jews sought a miraculous sign as proof that the apostle's preaching was truth. The Gentiles, on the other had, demanded a philosophic explanation of this Jesus who claimed supernatural powers and of the salvation He offered. It seemed absurd nonsense to them to believe that the dying of a Jew on a Roman cross could bring salvation to anyone. But Paul insists that God's wisdom is not man's wisdom and that to those who accept it as God's will, the preaching of the cross of Christ is the drawing agent to salvation which God has chosen (1Cor. 1:18-25). Today we have no miraculous signs nor philosophic wisdom, but we do have the means of bringing men to salvation, the preaching of the gospel of our Lord.
The world is dreadfully in need of God-fearing men who are willing to devote their lives to bringing others to Christ. Often, however, those who do seek to teach God's will lose sight of their goal and instruct for reasons other than those appointed by Christ. When this occurs, more often than not, the illegal reasons for teaching lead the man into teaching illegal doctrine. This is why we beseech brethren to listen to their preachers, learn the truths they present to be sure, but beware lest they corrupt with error.
Peter devotes the entire second chapter of his second general epistle to warning Christians against false teachers, who, he says, shall bring in "damning heresies." The world in our day, as well as that in which Peter lived, is filled with preachers of error. Unsuspecting listeners are being led away by men who in time past sought to follow God's plan but who now deny the Lord seeking to promote their own schemes or gain for themselves some personal advantage. Our theme, "Back to the Bible," has bee replaced by these men with the appeal, "Times have changed. We don't need Bible authority!" In the words of Peter, those who bring in such "damnable heresies" shall "bring upon themselves swift destruction."
The Apostle describes this type preacher in two metaphors (vs. 17). He says they are "wells without water." Nothing could be more exasperating to the weary laborer than to drop his pail into an empty well. And nothing could be so discouraging to the exhausted traveler as to come to the dry bed of a promising spring. Peter's application is to false teachers. They promise to those who hear their words great springs of living water but their promises are vain. In John the fourth chapter, Jesus describes "living water" as that which He shall give us. This "water" shall be in us who drink of it "a well of water springing up into everlasting life." The "water" Christ promised is that upon which we can sustain our spiritual life and it is found only in the teachings of Christ. Outside of the instruction found in the gospel He has given to us we cannot find the spiritual sustenance which we need to live eternally. Any man who tries to pour down us any water which comes not from God's living well is denying the Lord. Any man who presents doctrine not found in God's holy Book is a "well without water." Beware of him.
Peter illustrates his point further by stating that they are "clouds which are carried with a tempest." To the harassed farmer nothing is so disappointing as to view the swelling of great clouds which promise to water his parched fields only to have them blow out of sight with the rise of each light breeze. False teachers arise promising spiritual moisture to revive the lives of saints parched by the burning heat of Satan's rays only to blow away in the presence of each little wind of opposition, giving no relief whatever to the weary Christian. Their promises are vain, their doctrines are lies, and their gifts are damnation to their hearers.
Peter's words are certainly true. Those men who teach such "damnable heresies" are those who will be most easily swayed by each little wind of doctrine. A change of teaching because of opposition is a mark of the false teacher. A turning from God's word because of popular opinion, or for a better position, or to gain a greater salary, is a sign of a servant of corruption. Peter says that the latter end of those who so turn will be worse than the beginning: "It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the more" (2Pet. 2:22). They have lost all sense of things sacred. They had rather sell out their own souls and the souls of their fellowmen for a mess of earthly pottage than to allow Jehovah to provide them with food for eternal life. The church today is filled with such men. We say again, Beware!
Paul exhorted the brethren in Galatia saying, "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." He said, "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ?" (Gal. 1:8, 10).
To the preachers we admonish, remember our two-fold purpose in this life. We must first keep under our bodies lest we lose our own souls (1Cor. 9:27). Then we must work with all our might that others also may be saved. This is our life's work. Remember it. Do not surrender in the face of battle. Be strong. Do not back off in the presence of opposition. Stand firm. Our battles for Christ must be won. Our responsibility to God must be fulfilled. It is exactly in religion as I recently heard a noted speaker say in reference to matters political: When principles of truth are at stake our silence is not golden: It's yellow!
To all the brethren we again plead, listen to your preachers, learn those truths which they present, but be sure they are truth. Prove them by God's word, the only truth, before you follow them for only by adhering to this divine standard can salvation be acquired. In the words of Paul, "Continue thou in the things which thou has learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them..." (2Tim. 3:14). The "mists of darkness" are reserved forever for those who teach you error. Do not allow them to draw you into the darkness of hell with them. Beware!
Upcoming Sermons
10/15/23 AM - The Problem with the Preacher; PM - Christians and the Occult (Requested)
10/22/23 AM - Beneath the Banner of the Cross; PM - “Jezebel Stirred Him Up”
10/29/23 AM - Jesus’ Family; PM - Guest Speaker: Andrew McPherson
11/5/23 AM - “When People Bring Up Your Past, Tell Them Jesus Dropped the Charges.” (Requested); PM - Worship in Song: Congregational Choice of Songs
11/12/23 AM & PM - Gospel Meeting with Jeff Himmel
11/19/23 AM - Psalm 90: Moses’ Last Prayer; PM - King Manasseh: You Can’t Undo the Past
11/26/23 AM - “By Your Patience, Possess Your Souls”; PM - “But, I Want It Now!”
