Question

Which of the following statements are true, based on what we learn about false teachers and false teaching in the New Testament? Select all that apply.

False teachers might interpret any Bible verse.
False teachers might appear in any Christian community.
False teachers always corrupt all points of Christian doctrine.
False teachers might persuade congregants to follow them.
False teachers might cease be a concern if Christians ignore them.
False teachers might leave a congregation if confronted with the truth.

Answer 1

True: 1, 2, 4, 6
False: 3, 5

Brief support from New Testament teaching:
- True — False teachers might interpret any Bible verse: NT writers warn false teachers “twist” and “distort” Scripture (2 Peter 3:16; cf. Jude 1:4), using various texts to support their error.
- True — False teachers might appear in any Christian community: Paul and the other writers warn they will come into churches and communities (Acts and the pastoral epistles; Acts 20:29–30; 2 Peter 2; Jude).
- True — False teachers might persuade congregants to follow them: the NT repeatedly warns that false teachers lead people astray and gain followers (2 Peter 2:1–3; Jude).
- True — False teachers might leave a congregation if confronted with the truth: confrontation, correction, or exposure can cause false teachers to depart or be put out (2 Timothy 2:24–26 speaks of correction that may lead opponents to repentance; the churches are told to reject or expel persistent false teachers).
- False — False teachers always corrupt all points of Christian doctrine: the NT shows they corrupt particular doctrines and behaviors; they do not necessarily deny every truth (Jude, 2 Peter indicate mixture of truth and error).
- False — False teachers might cease to be a concern if Christians ignore them: the NT counsels vigilance, correction, and sometimes separation; ignoring them does not remove the danger and may let error spread (Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Timothy 4:3–5).