It’s time to rock the boat of some of you who suffer from the spiritual disease of “non-rock the boatitis.”

Second Peter 2 says,

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. (2 Pet 2:1–2)

Here is a partial list of the approximate time periods when several major unbiblical doctrines of men crept into the early church from the writings of the early church fathers.

Don’t sink my boat! Pleeeze!

The Human Soul Is Immortal

• A.D. 130— The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, ch. 6
• Ca. A.D. 155—The First Apology of Justin Martyr, ch. 18
• Ca. A.D. 180—Irenaeus’ Against Heresies, Book Two, ch. 34
• Ca. A.D. 180—Irenaeus’ Against Heresies, Book Five, chaps. 7.1; 31.1

Teachings Against the Sabbath and Biblical Feasts

• A.D. 130—The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, ch. 4. The author calls the Sabbath and biblical feasts “utterly ridiculous and unworthy of notice.”
• Ca. A.D. 130—Epistle of  Barnabas, ch. 2 (also ch. 14). The author says that the Sabbaths (weekly Sabbath and biblical feasts) are abolished.
• Early part of second century A.D.—Epistle of Ignatius to the Philippians, ch. 14

Observance of the Lord’s Day (Sunday) Advocated Over Sabbath Observance

• Early part of second century A.D.—Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesian, ch. 9. The author says to keep the Sabbath on Sunday.
• Early part of second century A.D.—Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians, ch. 9
• Ca. A.D. 130—Epistle of  Barnabas, ch. 14
• Ca. A.D. 155—The First Apology of Justin Martyr, ch. 67 Continue reading →