2 Peter 2:1-9
In 2 Peter 2, Peter gets to the heart of what he wants to talk and warn about: false prophets. Jesus warned that there would be those who would sneak into the church and claim to be true believers and teachers but who were not (see Matthew 24:11 for example). Peter goes on to tell here what is the result of they're teaching and how to identify them.
The first thing that Peter says is that the false teachers will "deny the Master who bought them." verse 1 The word bought is the word "purchase" (in the greek is the word agorazo) and it is talking about how through the blood of Christ we were purchased and redeemed for heaven. It isn't always a popular doctrine today to say that some people will be condemned because they don't believe in Jesus. It is easier to believe in heaven than hell. I think false teacher are ones who do this. They create a gospel where there is no hell and everyone is a good person.
One of the other evidences of a false prophet is that this person does they're ministry for personal gain. They exploit those who are under them. I remember when I lived in Texas, there was a man who would come on television late at night and claim to be a bible teacher. He would sit in front of the camera and smoke a cigar and show pictures of his granddaughter riding at horse riding events. There is nothing wrong with horses or horse riding events, but he showed that instead of preaching or teaching! He never would open his Bible, but was always begging for money to stay on the air. Many won't be this obvious, but the end result is the same. To them, it is about the position, the fame, the bigger buildings, the recognition.
One way that these false teachers do this is through lies and flattery. They want to be popular, so they won't try to step on toes, unless it is someone who other people don't like. They want to be liked and want the spotlight on them. Satan is a liar and those who are his followers also lie. You know a false prophet by his not recognzing the redemptive work of Christ and by his lack of integrity. In contrast to this, it is impossible for God to lie (Heb 6:18) Peter says that the true way will be maligned because of these false teachers. We see some of that today as people call Christians backwards and close minded.
Peter gives us three examples to encourage us that these people will be judged in the end. He gives us the example of angels who were condemned verse 4. He gives us the example of the ancient world that was condemned when Noah was alive verse 5 and he gives us the example of Sodom and Gomorrah verse 6-7. I am not sure of what angels here that Peter is referring to in verse 4 and I am not sure that it matters. The point is that these false teachers will be judged by God in the end verse 9 and God will protect and honor those who honor Him.
The first thing that Peter says is that the false teachers will "deny the Master who bought them." verse 1 The word bought is the word "purchase" (in the greek is the word agorazo) and it is talking about how through the blood of Christ we were purchased and redeemed for heaven. It isn't always a popular doctrine today to say that some people will be condemned because they don't believe in Jesus. It is easier to believe in heaven than hell. I think false teacher are ones who do this. They create a gospel where there is no hell and everyone is a good person.
One of the other evidences of a false prophet is that this person does they're ministry for personal gain. They exploit those who are under them. I remember when I lived in Texas, there was a man who would come on television late at night and claim to be a bible teacher. He would sit in front of the camera and smoke a cigar and show pictures of his granddaughter riding at horse riding events. There is nothing wrong with horses or horse riding events, but he showed that instead of preaching or teaching! He never would open his Bible, but was always begging for money to stay on the air. Many won't be this obvious, but the end result is the same. To them, it is about the position, the fame, the bigger buildings, the recognition.
One way that these false teachers do this is through lies and flattery. They want to be popular, so they won't try to step on toes, unless it is someone who other people don't like. They want to be liked and want the spotlight on them. Satan is a liar and those who are his followers also lie. You know a false prophet by his not recognzing the redemptive work of Christ and by his lack of integrity. In contrast to this, it is impossible for God to lie (Heb 6:18) Peter says that the true way will be maligned because of these false teachers. We see some of that today as people call Christians backwards and close minded.
Peter gives us three examples to encourage us that these people will be judged in the end. He gives us the example of angels who were condemned verse 4. He gives us the example of the ancient world that was condemned when Noah was alive verse 5 and he gives us the example of Sodom and Gomorrah verse 6-7. I am not sure of what angels here that Peter is referring to in verse 4 and I am not sure that it matters. The point is that these false teachers will be judged by God in the end verse 9 and God will protect and honor those who honor Him.
