Shemen Camp 26: S10 The Test of Apostleship in the Church of Ephesus

The passage does not tell us the exact method they used, but Scripture gives us several biblical principles that explain how they likely tested these false apostles. 1. They Tested their doctrine Against Apostolic Truth The first and greatest test was whether their teaching agreed with the gospel delivered by Christ and His apostles. •Apostle Paul warned the elders of the church of Ephesus that false teachers will arise from amongst them. You must remember Paul taught in Ephesus in 3.5years no wonder they are sound in doctrine (Acts 20:28-31). •The presence of strong teachers or teaching priests and shepherds keeps vicious wolves at bay and seems to neutralize the vicious wolf instincts. My aim is to turn as many people as possible into an army of apostles, shepherds and teachers to keep the spirit of vicious wolves at bay (Acts 20:28-32) Vicious means deliberately cruel or violent, immoral and brutal. •Even if an angel preached another gospel, he was to be rejected (Galatians 1:6–10). •The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to verify Paul’s teaching and guess what? Paul was so excited they did. He recommended highly because He realized they were a different breed as compared to the Christians of Thessalonica (Acts 17:12) Be blessed as you listen to this thought provoking and challenging teaching from our father!