Public or Private? By: Johnny O. Trail There seems to be at least one static argument regarding people who publically refute false teachers. In their effort to “shame” or discredit those who stand against their false teaching, they almost always appeal to Matthew chapter eighteen. In an effort to rebut those who oppose false teachings, the promoters of said doctrines argue that their detractors should approach them personally before going public with their repudiation. What of these claims? Must one wishing to disprove error contact every false teacher on a personal level before going public in an effort to teach the truth? The specific passage under consideration is Matthew 18:15 which says, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” Appealing to this passage as a proof text for their position is fraught with error. First and foremost, this passage is in reference to interpersonal conflicts. That is, it refers to brethren who are conflicted on a level that is private in nature. If a private conflict can be handled without involving witnesses or an entire congregation, it would be for the best. The writers and preachers of the New Testament had to refute false teachers on a regular basis. As a result, there is much in scripture that indicates how one is to deal with those who teach error publically. The very nature of an epistle makes it apparent that false teachers were reproached publically for their false teachings. Epistles that were written to churches were to be read publically. Colossians 4:16 makes this point when Paul tells them, “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” Epistles were sources of encouragement, instruction and correction. Since they were read in various congregations in a communal fashion, it becomes ostensible that any mention of any false teacher or false teaching was done in an open and public manner. Paul addressed the false teachers in Galatia in a very direct manner. He exposed them for what they were. 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: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. 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.” While he does not mention the Judaizing teachers by name, he refers to them as “some that trouble you.” They were perverting the gospel that Paul had formerly preached while in their presence. Moreover, it is not always practical or feasible to contact every person who teaches false doctrine directly. I am reminded of letters that I have written to senators and congressmen. Some of these epistles were responded to while others were not. Is one to be hamstrung by a false teacher who will not respond to a personal inquiry about false teaching to the extent that he is unauthorized to offer a rebuttal, simply because the false teacher will not engage him in personal discourse over the matter under question? To suggest such an idea is simply preposterous. Next, one might consider the fact that it is impossible to contact certain false teachers in our age. Every person endeavoring to teach the truth must deal with false teachers from the past. Certain religious teachers from past centuries taught error upon occasion. It is not possible to personally contact someone who is dead before refuting their false doctrine. If one teaches through the epistles of John, he has to mention Gnosticism. Is it possible to contact a teacher of the gnostic doctrines before publically refuting their dogmas? It is not, but this does not preclude one from refuting the error of such a destructive teaching. Furthermore, the work of an evangelist is decidedly public in nature. The very word for “preach” implies public proclamation. The Greek term that is used by Paul in II Timothy 4.2 is kηρύσσω (kerusso) and it means “to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): - preach (-er), proclaim, publish.” These things being evident from scripture, the preacher is to be a herald of the truth and a defender of the same. 2 Timothy 4:2-5 says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” The preacher was to “rebuke” those who opposed or failed to practice sound doctrine. Rebuke is defined as “to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand.” Various writers of the New Testament named false teachers in a public way and even revealed their sources. Paul publically exposed the division that existed in Corinth. 1Corinthians 1:11 says, “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.” He also called by name certain brethren who had become apostate. I Timothy 1:19-20 “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” When things are taught on a public level they must be refuted on a public level. In an electronic age, people can be exposed to false teachings on a very large scale. If a false teacher shares his opinions with one thousand followers who in turn share that same material, several thousand people can be exposed to error. Teaching the truth in light of error could potentially save a multitude of people from being lost. It can also cause the false teacher to reconsider his position and repent. It is a sad state of affairs when people choose to defend false teachings rather than repent of them. It is even more pathetic when they endeavor to shame those who are willing to publically defend the truth. Let us all strive to arrive at an understanding of the inspired scriptures and embrace such as our practice and rule for Christian living.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:41:32 +0000
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