Since the inception of the Christian church, there have been false teachers seeking to assault and undermine the fundamental beliefs of the faith.  It seems that once one heresy was swatted down, another false teaching rose up to greater prominence.  The early heresies in the first centuries of the church undoubtedly have implications in our modern churches.  Let us examine some of the earliest heresies and their modern implications on Christianity today.  For the sake of space, we will take a look at just three of these false teachings: the Judaizers, Gnosticism, and Arianism.

            False teaching began to creep into the church as early as the ministry times of the Apostle Paul.  The Judaizers were contemporaries of the apostle to came into the Galatia churches stirring up fear and confusion.  They brought in forms of Judaism, claiming that one must be circumcised for salvation.  This obviously infuriated Paul and he countered by condemning them to anathema. Paul said, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8).  This classic heresy was one of teaching that works was necessary for the earning of salvation.  It has been transferred in different varieties in many different false teachings since that time, but it all contains one poisonous element: an undermining of the exclusively salvific gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And isn’t this the major heresy that seems to have infiltrated American Christendom more than any other?  It has been said that there are only two types of religions in this world: those whose salvation plan is works-based and those whose salvation plan is grace-based.  All (ALL!) other major world religions, save for Christianity, are based on works to achieve eternal life, nirvana, euphoria, or whatever else is seen as the supreme good.  As I witness to others, nearly every person I encounter thinks that “being a good person” will achieve eternal life and a spot in heaven.  Even as I talk to churchgoers, they hold to a works-based salvation teaching.  This terrible heresy has even penetrated the doors of many evangelical churches today.  Even if a particular church does not officially hold to this view, we can nearly be sure that there are attendees (sometimes even regular attendees) who adhere to it.  A significant part of this problem lies in the proclamation coming forth from the pastor’s pulpit.  A faithful and regular presentation of the true and glorious gospel of Christ in our evangelical churches will awaken many to the flaws inherent in this false teaching.

            Arianism is another heresy that sprang up from the teachings of Arius, a priest from Alexandria, in the 4^th century.  This powerful heresy become very prominent and was arguably the greatest heresy of the early church.  Arianism taught that Jesus was a lesser, created being and thereby undermined the deity of our Lord.  It taught that Christ was the first and greatest creation of the Father and was thus not eternal.  The deity of Christ is strongly supported in the New Testament and the Old.  Moreover, this heresy was rejected and the deity of Jesus was upheld at the Council of Nicaea with the making of the Nicene Creed.  The Watchtower is a modern day cult that subscribes to this deadly heresy.  Jehovah’s Witnesses not only reject the deity of Chris but they also reject belief in the Trinity.  It is interesting to note that this is not a new teaching, but it has been around for more than 1500 years. 

            It has been said that the heresy in Galatians was a form of inci
pient (embryonic) Gnosticism.  Gnosticism taught that there was a secret knowledge to be learnt for salvation.  There were many different groups of Gnostics but many held to this teaching. In a way, this is what the Judaizers in Galatians had been teaching. They were saying, “Yes, that is what Paul taught you, but here is the whole teaching on salvation!”  The secret knowledge was that one must be circumcised also for salvation.  Though this may not be quite an apparent implication, but Gnosticism has also been a catalyst for the innumerable cults and sects that have been formed since the first century until these times.  Usually a cult leader will arise with a unique teaching or a certain twist on what has historically been called orthodox.  This leader is eloquent, charismatic, and seemingly more enlightened than everyone else.  He has a “secret knowledge” that must be attained and followed so he gathers a cult following.  We have all witnessed the danger and tragedies that come out of various cults and sects.  From David Koresh to Jim Jones to more popular to less recognized cults, these groups have all inflicted damage to many lives over the decades.

            Today, now more than ever, there comes a need to stand for the essential fundamentals of the Christian faith.  The authority of Scripture is being assaulted externally by the outside world and internally by false prophets in our churches.  Pastors must preach the word of God and not hesitate to convince, rebuke, exhort, and instruct.  The fear of man leads to bending and compromising the truth of the gospel.  Our pulpits and our people need to proclaim His truth.  Yet all this must be done with a brokenhearted boldness, unashamedly casting down every high and lofty argument that exalts itself against the knowledge of God while displaying an undeniable love and compassion for those caught up in such heresies.