The Undercover Adventist

  Sabbath School First and Second Corinthians  Dealing With False Teachers Lesson 12 - Friday Further Thought  Guarding the Truth While Fulfilling the Mission “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” — 2 Corinthians 13:8, KJV The Bible warns that as the end approaches, false teachers will arise and attempt to lead people away from the truth. This danger is especially serious because false teaching does not always come from outside the church. Sometimes, those who distort the gospel may be within the church itself, using familiar language, claiming spiritual authority, or presenting themselves as faithful teachers. Paul faced a similar challenge in Corinth. Some people were questioning his authority and promoting ideas that threatened the church’s spiritual health. In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul gives us principles that can help churches respond to false teaching without losing sight of their mission. Bringing Every Thought Into Captivity Paul writes: “For ...

   Sabbath School First and Second Corinthians  Dealing With False Teachers Lesson 12 - Thursday Examine Yourselves: Are You Growing in the Faith? “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV A Church in Need of Spiritual Renewal As Paul prepared to visit the Corinthian church again, he was concerned about what he might find. In 2 Corinthians 12:20–21, he expressed fear that some members were still holding on to attitudes and behaviors that were damaging the church’s spiritual life. He mentioned strife, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, and tumults . He also feared that some had not repented of their uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness . These sins were not minor disagreements or harmless personality differences. Strife and envy divide people. Anger and quarrels destroy peace. Backbiting and whispering damage reputations and spread distrust. Pride creates an atmosphere where peopl...

  Sabbath School First and Second Corinthians  Dealing With False Teachers Lesson 12 - Wednesday When Following Jesus Gets Difficult Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 11:22–28 give us a remarkable picture of what it sometimes cost him to preach the gospel. He reminds the Corinthians that he was a Hebrew, an Israelite, and a descendant of Abraham. But instead of using those credentials to boast about himself, Paul points to something very different—his suffering. He had been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, threatened, hungry, thirsty, cold, and in danger from many different people. He had experienced sleepless nights and difficult journeys. But perhaps one of his greatest burdens was not physical at all. Paul says that besides all these things, he carried the daily concern of the churches. Why does Paul mention all of this? He is making an important point. The false teachers were trying to prove their authority through their accomplishments, status, and impressive claims. Paul ...

  Sabbath School First and Second Corinthians  Dealing With False Teachers Lesson 12 - Tuesday Guarding the Heart Against False Teaching Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 11:1–15 reveal a serious problem in the church at Corinth. False teachers had entered the church and were trying to turn the believers away from the truth Paul had taught them. They presented themselves as impressive spiritual leaders, but their message was not centered on the true Christ. Paul says, “For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2, NKJV). Paul viewed the believers as people who belonged to Jesus. His concern was not about protecting his personal reputation. He was concerned that the Corinthians would lose their simple and sincere devotion to Christ. Then Paul makes an important comparison. He says, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is i...

  It is easy to think of the church as being divided by distance. A church member in one country may know very little about the struggles of believers in another country. Different languages, cultures, traditions, and circumstances can make us feel separated from one another. Yet the gospel reminds us that we are part of one family, and giving is one practical way God helps us experience that unity. Paul addressed this very idea in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. The believers in Macedonia were experiencing difficult circumstances, yet they generously gave to help other Christians. Paul wrote, “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12, NKJV). Notice that Paul did not focus simply on the amount they gave. He focused on their willingness. Their gifts became an expression of love for people they may never have met personally. This is especially meaningful when we give to churches and missions...

  Sabbath School First and Second Corinthians  Dealing With False Teachers Lesson 12 - Monday When Competition Gets in the Way of the Gospel Paul had an important message for the believers in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 10:13–17. He was concerned that some people were measuring themselves against one another and taking credit for work that did not belong to them. Instead of focusing on Christ and the gospel, they were becoming concerned about who was more important, who had greater influence, and who could claim more success. Paul refused to play that game. He explained that he would not boast beyond the limits God had given him. His ministry was to preach the gospel where God had called him. He was not interested in taking credit for someone else’s work just to make himself look successful. Then Paul gives a powerful principle: “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17, NKJV). That principle still speaks to the church today. Competition can be extremely d...

Sabbath School First and Second Corinthians  Dealing With False Teachers Lesson 12 - Sunday Gentle, Yet Bold for Christ Paul’s relationship with the believers in Corinth was complicated. He loved them, but he also knew that some serious problems had entered the church. False teachers were questioning Paul’s authority, criticizing his ministry, and trying to turn the believers away from the truth about Christ. What makes 2 Corinthians 10:1–11 especially interesting is that Paul’s critics apparently considered his meekness to be weakness. They saw his gentle approach as evidence that he lacked courage. But Paul was about to make something very clear: meekness is not weakness. Paul writes, “Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1, NKJV). Notice that he does not begin with insults, anger, or threats. He appeals to them through the character of Christ. Yet just a few verses later, we see how courageous he really is. Paul spe...