Watchout For WOLVES: Keys To Discerning Authentic Ministries & Evaluating Doctrinal Trends

Paul to address this wrong concept that was prevalent especially in many of the Gentile churches.

The second problem with which the Early Church had to contend were people who had overreacted to the message of grace and were turning liberty into license to sin (Rom. 6:1-2; Gal. 5:13). The book of 1 Corinthians deals with this issue in a local church where their tolerance for sin in their midst and casual attitude toward promiscuity was not productive in building a strong body of believers (1 Cor. 3:1-3; 5:1-5). A third common problem faced by the Early Church were people who were professional beggars guised as prophets who moved from church to church preying on people’s generosity until they wore out their welcome (2 Th. 3:10-12). The Didache is one of the earliest Christian writings to have come down to us. It was written in the Second Century and was a church manual where many instructions regarding order in the church were given. The following is an excerpt from that document: Now you should welcome anyone who comes your way and teaches you all we have been saying to you. But if the teacher proves himself a renegade and by teaching otherwise contradicts all this, pay no attention to him. But if his teaching furthers the Lord’s righteousness and knowledge, welcome him as the Lord. Now about the apostles and prophets: Act in line with the gospel precept. Welcome every apostle on arriving, as if he were the Lord. But he must not stay beyond one day. In case of necessity, however, the next day too. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet. On departing, an apostle must not accept anything save sufficient food to carry him to his next lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.

It is by their conduct that the false prophet and the true prophet can be d istinguished…Again, every prophet who

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