[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

[iam4-1god]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?


There were more questions than answers, preachers were talking about things they had no knowledge of, and they were teaching about things that didn't really matter.

Doctrinal controversy can cause division in the church, which can result in splitting.

No one wants to attend a church that appears ignorant, and can't hold the congregation together. Been there, done that.

People are so focused on the issue that God is pushed aside. Some people thrive on controversy.

[Chale]

In Ephesus, it seemed there were those who still did not understand the concept of Christ. They wanted to cling to the old and not learn about the new. Some people are comfortable with ideas that have been around for ever, this was their security blanket. But most of the teahings consisted of stories that were exaggerated to be truths. Some people belived these stories bedause they were of the old times, they did not want to leave their comfort zone.

There are churches that promote the ways that they feel that the people want to be lead, Paul told Timothy just that. They did not want to learn a new idea from a new preacher that taught a 'New Age' religion. These teachers belived that they were the best thing going for the people, that they know the law of Mosses and understand the laws. This kind of thinking can and will split churches.

Some of the churches of today are doing the same thing, only with the help of technology. The bible beliving churches have an up hill battle back in Paul's time and now. They will have to prove their teachings.

[gmadeb]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

They got away from what they were to learn and ended up just talking about things that didn't matter. Which leads to getting into things that they shouldn't have been involved in. When there is controversy over doctrine there ends up being division which leads to all kinds of things..... Backbiting, gossip, anger, pride,unforgivness, hate..... But most of all it hurts all the people who don't know Christ and what He is about, they just walk away. They very people we are trying to reach.

[Moses 4]

Q: 1

1:3, Paul commanded Timothy to instruct certain teachers in the church to stop teaching strange doctrines. Rather than promote love, purity, clean conscience, and a sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5), these men were going astray of God's truth by promoting controversy over myths and genealogies (1 Tim. 1:4). Paul said they were speaking in ignorance about these things. (1 Tim. 1:6) Timothy's job was to corral these people who, in all probability, were not called by God to be teachers (1 Tim. 1:7). They were to learn sound doctrine from Timothy, whom the Apostle Paul himself had disciples.

These Epistles are called "Pastoral Epistles" because they were addressed to the pastors or bishops of the faithful and deal with Church government and the hierarchy. They treat of the following five points:
1) The necessity of preserving the purity of doctrine;
2) The method of proceeding against false teachers;
3) The rules to be observed in selecting men for the diaconate, priesthood and episcopacy;
Pax

[clement]

in a nutshell, "a house that is not built upon The Rock shall fall." luke 6:48

false doctrine is the first step to the devil's deception; just like in the garden.

[raider]

It caused controversy it was not of sincere faith which caused people to wander and teachers to teach things in which they didn't know what they were talking about.

[nurselaino]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

The results of the false doctrines being taught was that it was bringing controversy to the churchs. It was leading away from the teachings of Christ and focusing on the old ways. This cut members apart...they did not know which way to turn but felt probably that the "teachers" knew best. Those who had the correct teachings in their hearts would have felt like outcasts...those trying to cause arguements...If correct teachings are not taught there is no growth, only falling away from what God really wants us to know. Our mission is to teach the gospel, bring Christ to all and if we dont even know what we believe or if what we believe is false there is no way we can bring the Lord to others.

[Stan]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work -- which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

The results of false doctrien were a weaking of the church some leaving the faith entirely and other arguing over myths and genealogies. It hurts the
spirit of the church by stopping growth and impeading prayer and service to God. It cause those in the church to leave are to be disheartened because they feel they aren't growing and they don't reach out to those in need or try to witness for Christ. It cause the church to fail because it can't serve those in need or spread the good news of Jesus.

[squirt1]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

It lead to division and got off message. You often have people who think the way something is done in the church is wrong, they often leave and take others with them. A church is often unable to foucus on those who are looking for God or the babes that need teaching for growth. I have seen it in my own church. I say stay on message and deal with those who try to divide on a individual basis. Maybe they think that way because that is all they ever have known.

[squirt1]

in a nutshell, "a house that is not built upon The Rock shall fall." luke 6:48

false doctrine is the first step to the devil's deception; just like in the garden.

Amen!

[Mª Gabriela]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

I think the main results were controversy, confusion, discontent, quarrels and divisions of various types.
Doctrinal controversy hurts the spirit of a church mainly because it flares up negative passions. Not the passionate faith and love that we should have but worldly passions. Pride comes out as a leading actor and everything is about how I'm write and your wrong and I'm better and your worse. It makes us so entertained with ourselves and one another that we forget God altogether. It's all about looking for approval and esteem from those that surround us and not from God. It's being worried about this world and not about the kingdom of God. It's a selfish ego trip. And no one in this world is totally free from falling into these pits. If we are honest with ourselves we all at times are proud and we all like approval and it's not totally unhealthy unless of course it becomes what makes us tick. We all have these negative aspects some more controlled and others less. We all have to work on them daily. False teachers play on these negative aspects and make them grow instead. Also controversy can carry people away so that many times they do and say things that they later regret so then there are wounds to heal on both sides. Most of all controversy is contrary to true selfless love because true selfless love always works for union and community and controversy divides. God is Union, Community, Family=Love
It keeps the church from it's mission because it keeps it so busy with the unimportant, the minutiae that there is nothing left for what really matters.
Sometimes it is incredible how little man has changed in so much time.
Jesus criticized these things in the Pharisees and sadducees,(Mt12,2-8. Mt23,1-12,27-28) but as we see they were also in the Christian churches and we still see them among us today. The problem is that it's all too easy to see them in others but not so easy to recognize in ourselves for these things are in our hearts and if we all dedicated more time to getting them out of our own hearts maybe they'd be less present in our community. It rings true that evangelization begins at home and we aren't talking about the house but the body. If we are going to adequately evangelize we must first convert ourselves.

[house]

Well said!

"Doctrinal controversy hurts the spirit of a church mainly because it flares up negative passions."

"It makes us so entertained with ourselves and one another that we forget God altogether. It's all about looking for approval and esteem from those that surround us and not from God. It's being worried about this world and not about the kingdom of God."

"It keeps the church from it's mission because it keeps it so busy with the unimportant, the minutiae that there is nothing left for what really matters."

"The problem is that it's all too easy to see them in others but not so easy to recognize in ourselves for these things are in our hearts and if we all dedicated more time to getting them out of our own hearts maybe they'd be less present in our community."

Divisions in the church can range anywhere from major doctrinal controversies to disagreements about "minutiae" and I totally agree that divisions over minor issues are to be avoided. However, false doctrine is a different matter. While the divisions created by false doctrine are regrettable, they cannot and must not be avoided.

Without a doubt, doctrinal controversy hurts the spirit of a church, prevents growth, and keeps the church from its mission - because that is what it is intended to do as an attack on that church by the Enemy!

What starts out as a minor infection escalates; if not properly treated it develops into gangrene. Then if it is not addressed - in severe cases, amputation – it can kill the entire body.

Besides definitely disrupting the mission of the church, false doctrine is a direct attack on the church itself and must countered. It is important that churches heed Paul's advice about addressing matters of false doctrine upfront, and purging the source of the poison if necessary.

[Patricia A]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7)

• What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus?

The true Word of God was not taught. There were quarrels and confusion.

• How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth?

Doctrinal controversy often bring about quarrels, confusion and stress within God's family causing spliting of congregations and people to leave the church.

• How does it keep the church from its mission?

More time and energy is put on the differences rather than working together to do God's work.

[mjmiller]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7)

• What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus?

The true Word of God was not taught. There were quarrels and confusion.

• How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth?

Doctrinal controversy often bring about quarrels, confusion and stress within God's family causing spliting of congregations and people to leave the church.

• How does it keep the church from its mission?

More time and energy is put on the differences rather than working together to do God's work.

Great answer!

[mjmiller]

As examples, how many churches/congregations have split or fallen apart due to contoversial subjects such as:

What version of the Bible do we use?
Contemporary vs Traditional worship music?
Music?
Coat and tie vs jeans?
When do we get the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
Can we dance?

We need to not take the easy way out and just rely on the teaching of the pastor. It is our priviledge and responsibility to get in the Word ourselves. We need to hear, read, study, memorize and meditate on God's Word to allow it to change us. We need to remember why we are here and that we have limited time to be used by God to reach and teach the lost, not spend our time focusing on and being busy with the things that really just don't matter a whole lot.

[iam4-1god]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

The prophets didn't know what they were talking about, and their sermons caused more quetions than answers. Also, the false prophets were causing division in the church by emphasizing subjects that didn't matter.

It causes division, and confusion.

People won't go to a church that can't get doctrine straight, unless they want to join the fraycus.

You can't bring the sheep in and minister to them if you don't know what you're doing.

[Sarah43]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

The main result of the false doctrine of the church at Ephesus seems to have been division among elders or teachers. Doctrinal controversy hurts the spirit of the church by preventing unity, which is seminal to growth. The church's mission, to save souls and simultaneously effect godliness in the human walk of life on earth, cannot be accomplished if church members are led astray and in hostile direction by internecine strife over the meaning of scripture

[masika]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?
The false doctrine had made some people to turn aside into wrong faith, the teaching that to be acceptable to God, a person had to discover certain hidden knowledge and had to worship angels as it was seen at the Church in Colosse.
These false teachers were motivated by their own interests rather than Christ’s. They embroiled the Church in endless and irrelevant questions and controversies, taking precious time away from the study of the truth.
We are to keep away from this kind of issues because at first may seem harmless but they have a way of sidetracking us from the central message of the Good News.

[Just Jesus]

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission?

Jesus prayed in John 17:21 That they all may be one (Jesus wants His church to be unified - false doctrine/doctrinal controversy divides), [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us (with so many denominations, how are we one with our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father?), so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent me (division keeps the church from it's mission, preventing growth) (brackets added)