Tag Archives: Doctrines of Men

When Did Major Unbiblical Traditions of Men Enter into the Early Church?

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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!

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 →
 

Doctrines of Men Built on Weak Foundations

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Parashah Mishpatim: Exodus 21–23

Exodus 21:1, These are the judgments [mishpatim]. Most of the Torah-laws listed in Exodus chapters 21 through 23 are civil in nature and relate to our relationship with our fellow man (as summarized by the phrase, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” Lev 19:18).

These laws would correspond to the second half (the fifth through tenth) of the Ten Words or Commandments of Exodus 20.

These civil laws are an expansion or elucidation of those foundational principles given in chapter 20. For example, death by someone’s animal is an expansion of the “thou shalt not murder” command. The charging of usury on loaned money is an expansion of the commands not to covet or steal. The land sabbath and annual sabbaths (appointed times or moedim) are an expansion of the weekly Sabbath.

It should be possible to see how all of YHVH’s Torah commands spring from the original ten, which form the foundation for the rest of the Torah.

Additionally, the approximately 1056 imperative commands found in the Testimony of Yeshua (NT) all spring from the 613 found in the Torah. Think about it. YHVH’s Word would be in opposition to itself if any of the 1056 were to contradict or nullify any of the 613. If they did, that would make YHVH into a liar and his word inconsistent with itself (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8; John 10:35).

Yet have you ever heard this taught in the church? If it were, how many doctrines of men would come crashing down?