Warning Against Hospitality to False Teachers
2 Jn. 7-13
Introduction
The verses we are about to see today is about the main reason why the Apostle John wrote this
short letter. It’s about many deceivers which are now rapidly spreading throughout the area.
Perhaps they have not yet arrived at this church. The truth is they are coming, so John is giving them
a warning. It is a warning not to show hospitality to false teachers and thereby giving them
credibility.
I. Beware against deceivers and Antichrists (2 Jn. 7)
A. Warning from Jesus and the Apostles
1. In the sermon on the mount – Mt. 7:15
2. In the discourse on Mt. Olivet – Mt. 24:11, 23-25
3. Paul, in his farewell to the Ephesian elders – Acts 20: 29-31
4. Paul, in his first letter to Timothy – 1 Tim. 4:1-3
5. Peter, in his second epistle – 2 Pet. 2:1-3
B. In John’s day
1. Deceivers had gone out, denying that Jesus had come in the flesh – 2 Jn. 7
2. Many false prophets had gone out into the world – 1 Jn. 4:1
3. Denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, they were “antichrists” – 1 Jn. 4:3; 2 Jn 7
4. The main error is, they do not believe that Jesus Christ is God. These people are
rapidly spreading in the world today.
5. They want to come into your home or your church and teach the lie of Satan. They
have some good things to say about Christ but its just a sugar on a poison pill. They
are not the witness of the Saviour; they are His enemies. They do not have the
Saviour at all.
Illustration 1: Antichrist
This term is employed by the apostle John alone, and is defined by him in a manner which leaves no
doubt as to its intrinsic meaning. With regard to its application there is less certainty. In the first
passage—1 Jn. 2:18—in which it occurs, the apostle makes direct reference to the false Christs
whose coming, it had been fore-told, should mark the last days. In verse 22 we find, “he is antichrist,
that denieth the Father and the Son;” and still more positively, “every spirit that confesseth not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of antichrist.” Comp. 2 Jn. 1:7 From these emphatic and repeated
definitions it has been supposed that the object of the apostle in his first epistle was to combat the
errors of Cerinthus, the Docetæ and the Gnostics on the subject of the Incarnation. (They denied the
union of the divine and human in Christ.)
Smith’s Bible Dictionary:
II. Look to yourselves (2 Jn. 8)
A. Look out, watch out. Don’t be fooled by their smooth words.
1. If we accept their teachings, it will mean denying the truth of God.
2. This will destroy our personal testimony and the church testimony also. Take a look
at the warning to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5.
3. All the works that we had put into building the church would be lost effort and our
rewards will be lost as well. 1 Cor. 3:8, 14-15, Rev. 3:11; 22;12.
III. Abiding in the Doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9)
A. What is the doctrine of Christ? It is the “teachings” about our Lord Jesus Christ and that
would include what the entire Bible teaches about Him and everything He Himself
taught while he was here on earth. They are:
1. The prophecies concerning Him. That He would come out of Israel (numbers 24:17-
19). He would be born a Jew, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David (Mt.
1:1-17). He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
2. His virgin birth (Isa. 7:14). The virgin birth is very important; because of its Christ did
not have a sin nature like us. This made Him the only one qualified to die for all of
mankind. No virgin birth no saviour.
3. His Deity. The teaching that Jesus Christ is God. Christ came from everlasting (Mic.
5:2). His use of the personal name I AM (Jn. 8:58). His claim of omnipresence (Mt.
18:20), omniscience (Mat. 12:40, 24:3-31), omnipotence (Mt. 28:18).
4. His substitutionary death on the cross and the fact of His Resurrection, (Rom. 1:4).
5. His doctrine would include his teachings about salvation (Jn. 3:1-15), Christian living
which would include prayer, fasting, loving enemies, forgiving others, stewardship,
teachings about heaven and hell, Holy Spirit, fruit bearing, prophecy, etc.
6. His Ascension (Acts 1:9-11)
7. His second coming (Mat. 24:36).
B. False teachers are claiming our KJV Bible is obsolete and their New Bibles and doctrines
are much better. They teach and demand unity for the sake of love, they deny the
doctrine of separation and disregard the erroneous unbiblical teaching of the cults.
1. Liberal theologians now shun morally wrong practice just to be politically correct.
2. Homosexuality and immorality now are just expression of human love not sin.
C. We need to abide in the doctrine of Christ.
1. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Notice the doctrine of Trinity here.
2. Those who does not abide does not have God.
3. John is telling us to stick with the Bible, and stay with the God of the Bible.
4. Our text tells us clearly that “Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ hath not God”. If we do not abide (that is “continue”) in this
doctrine, we do not know God at all. I would say that a failure to be faithful to the
fundamental sound doctrine of faith is a sign that a person was never been born
again. He is never saved at all. (1 Jn. 2:23, 3:6-10, 4:20-21, 5:1-3)
Illustration 1: Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man and His doctrine are all true and authoritative. He is not just
“man only” as claimed by the Church of Christ (Manalistas) or a lesser god as claimed by the JSW.
Doctrine is very important. Lots of new believers were lured to join cults unawares because they
don’t know the right doctrine. Doctrine must be taught even to new converts. The preacher must be
able to use doctrine to edify and protect the church (Titus 1:9).
IV. Do not receive False teachers (2 Jn. 10-11)
A. Love of the truth involves hatred of error. We cannot be partner with God and with the
devil at the same time (1 Cor. 10:20). The false teachers are literally antichristian. They
are enemies who are committed to destroying the faith of believers
B. We can rejoice because the early church resisted the false teachings of that day. If not,
humanly speaking, there would be no church today.
C. A strict warning was given on the next verse, 2 John 1:10” If there come any unto you,
and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God
speed:” the meaning of this is, we should not welcome such a person into our home or
into our church. He must not be allowed to teach his false doctrine. We should not have
fellowship with him or to his group. Complete separation is a must.
D. The most detestable is you become partakers of the evil deeds of the false teachers if
you bid them God speed (1 Jn. 1:11). God speed here is “chairo” in Greek which means
to be “cheerful, that is calmly happy or well-off. It is an expression of fellowship and
good will and should not be used to encourage a false teacher.
E. Many deceivers are going around house to house spreading their false doctrine. The
Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Iglesia ni Cristo, and many more specially Islam which is
growing very fast. They are very active in trying to destroy the basic fundamental truth
of Christianity. Complete avoidance from such heretics is the best course of action for
genuine believers. No aid of any type, not even a greeting is allowed as the word of God
says.
V. Conclusion:
False teachers are very numerous and they are infiltrating not only our homes but also
churches. This epistle seems to have been written to warn the “elect lady” to be on guard
and refuse hospitality to false teachers. The enemies of the Truth should be avoided at all
cost. If you are a believer, I pray that this message would be a blessing to you. For a nonbeliever,
it’s time for you to repent now and receive Christ as your personal Savior. Find a
Bible believing, Bible preaching church (if possible KJV user) and learn God’s truth from
there.
