From the beginning and throughout its history, the church has had to contend for the faith. By the end of the first century there were major heresies plaguing the church. Eusebius, (fourth century bishop/historian) records that a heretic by the name of "Cerinthus" opposed the Apostle John at Ephesus. Cerinthus was an outspoken advocate of the "Docetic" movement. This sect taught that Christ had not really come in the flesh, but only took on the appearance of humanity. Without a doubt, this was a damning heresy, but knowing this helps us to understand some of the emphasis of John’s epistles. John is the only New Testament author that uses the word "antichrist." In fact, John uses the word five times in his little epistles, accentuating the conditions of the last days (1 John 2:18).

"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 John 4:3).

*Incidentally, the church was still debating the God/Man issue at the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). When the church is still debating elementary doctrines, that tells us that they are not moving (Heb 5:12).

St. John was also fighting against another heretical sect called the "Gnostics." The Gnostics taught that moral living and personal righteousness had nothing to do with our salvation, but that one had to possess this certain (mystical) knowledge in order to be saved. Of course, they were the only ones that possessed this mystical knowledge. Their teaching caused many to cast off moral restraint and to belittle the keeping of the commandments. The apostle refutes this heresy all the way through his epistles! Sin is the breaking of the commandments, and those who continue to practice sin are of the devil. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4).

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:3-4).

In John’s third epistle, John contends with another evil man by the name of "Diotrephes." Diotrephes exemplifies another sect called the Nicolaitanes. The word "Nicolaitane" comes from two Greek words: nico – (lording), and laitane – (laity). In other words, it means, "lording over the laity." Amongst the other evils that this doctrine perpetrated, the tyrant leadership lorded over the church. John describes the situation: "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church" (3 John 9-11). The Nicolaitane doctrine was quite prevalent in Ephesus and Pergamos.

Thus were some of the conditions of the church as the century turned. (Eusebius records that John lived into the Emperor Trajan’s reign, Trajan began his reign ca. 99 AD.) By the end of the second century, "Irenaeus" (Bishop of Lyons) records that there were 217 heresies plaguing the church. Realistically, not all heresies are damnable, but one thing is sure, they cripple God’s people and make them less than saints.

Without even mentioning the persecutions of the church, the whole history of Christendom has been a battle for the truth. Yet, the enemy (heresy) that seems to inflict the greatest damage upon the church is the least discernable – at least as a heresy. (A heresy, is a philosophy or an opinion that opposes church doctrine.) We are talking about the philosophy, and influence, and rationale of the world. The world is a cult! The world subscribes to the philosophy of the god of this world – who is antichrist (2 Cor 4:4)! In every generation, the world has deluded many.

The first command after Israel had experienced the Passover was to leave Egypt! Leave the beggarly principles of the world… leave the false ideologies of tolerance and acceptance of sinful man (Col 2:8). Recognize the false allusions of happiness and fulfillment…. The apostle said, "Love not the world…" (the ways of the world). The world hates Christ. The world exerts its heretical views and enchantments upon the unarmed saint. Its views are earthy, sensual, and devilish!

John Bunyan, (Pilgrim’s Progress) pictures the true Christian as one who is wearing white apparel through the midst of a blackened society. There should be a shocking difference between the church and the world. Pilgrim and his friend were immediately detected as they were trying to slip through the fair. The Puritans sought refuge in Holland to escape the persecution of the state church. However, they found a greater threat in Holland… acceptance, and worldly delights that were enchanting their youth. Yes, the whole world lieth in wickedness, but as the great apostle said: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). May we, as parents or pastors, faithfully lead our flock away from the delusion of this world and unto the faithful city!