2 peter 2:19 [by ron halbrook] review of cecil hook, free in christ

2 Peter 2:19

[By Ron Halbrook]

Review of Cecil Hook, Free In Christ

““They They Promise...Liberty”Promise...Liberty”

Introduction:

1. 2 Pet. 2:1, 19; 3:15-18 God’s warning: Satan promises liberty but

enslaves

2 Peter 2:1

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:19

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2 Peter 3:15-18

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

2 Peter 3:15-18

17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Introduction:

2. Cecil Hook: Born 1918, baptized 1933 From extreme factionalism: church cannot

conduct simultaneous Bible classes To institutional liberalism To extreme liberalism: wider & wider fellowship Free in Christ: 1985, often reprinted, widely circulated

Introduction:

2. Cecil Hook: 2 Tim. 3:7, 13 Bible describes such men

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Introduction:

3. Cecil Hook: Promises liberty but enslaves men to many false doctrines & sins

4. Many false teachers among churches of Christ today

5. Heed God’s warning:“beware lest ye also…fall…But grow”(2 Pet. 3:17-18)

I. “The Truth Shall Make You Free”

A. Jn. 8:31-32 Christ Alone Makes Us Free

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

A. Jn. 8:31-32 Christ Alone Makes Us Free

Freedom: Forgiveness, Fellowship with God

Death on the cross: Ransom price

B. 2 Cor. 2:11 False Teachers Counterfeit God’s Promises

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Love Grace Mercy

Pardon Freedom Fellowship

II. Paul Warned About Enemies of the Cross of Christ

A. Phil. 3:17-19 False Teachers Are Enemies of the Cross

Phil. 3:17-19

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

A. Phil. 3:17-19 False Teachers Are Enemies of the Cross

Death of Christ: heart of gospel

False teachers pervert the gospel, thus nullify its blessings

B. 2 Tim. 2:15-18 False Teachers Pervert the Truth, Destroy Faith in It

2 Tim. 2:15-18 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

B. 2 Tim. 2:15-18 False Teachers Pervert the Truth, Destroy Faith in It

Vs. 15 Know the truth: prevent error

Vs. 16 Error empty, ungodly

Vs. 17 Error poison, name teachers

Vs. 18 Specify error & effects

C. Sound Same Warning Today: False Teachers Are Enemies of the Cross!

III. False Teachers Emphasize False Liberty & Freedom

A. 2 Pet. 2:19 Promise Freedom: Enslave Souls to Satan & Sin

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

B. Cecil Hook Emphasizes False Liberty & Freedom

Book title: Free in Christ

Chapt. 7: “The Exercise of Christian Liberty”

Begins with Gal. 5:1

Basis of broad liberty in action: God judges sincerity not action

““They They Promise...Liberty”Promise...Liberty”Basis of broad liberty in action: God judges sincerity not action

“Defilement is not in certain actions or things, but in improper use of and attitude toward those actions and things. Actions and things, generally speaking are non-moral. They have no inherent moral value” (p. 43).

“Our purity of thought or defilement of purpose determines whether a thing is moral or immoral” (p. 43).

““They They Promise...Liberty”Promise...Liberty”Basis of broad liberty in action: God judges sincerity not action

“To show the non-moral nature of actions and things, some examples are listed. These all show that the thought, or motive, determines whether it is right or wrong” (p. 43).

“In all these things man has free exercise of liberty so long as his heart is kept pure and self-control is maintained” (p. 46).

Chapt. 7: “The Exercise of Christian Liberty”

Applies this broad liberty to actions in morals & worship

C. He Baits the Hook by Blurring the Line between Truth & Error

Eph. 4:14 “Slight [kubos: dice]”— deceptive arts, cleaver tricks

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

List pp. 5-7 mixes things of different nature:

Matters of judgment

vote fast dress code

in worship

Socially accepted sins

dance social drink shorts

Flagrant sin & error

abortion apostasy all divorce &

remarriage

Sleight: mix things of different nature

Matters of judgment (Rom. 14)

eat meat devotional

Socially accepted sins (Acts 5; Ja. 2)

lie show

partiality

Flagrant sin & error (Gal. 5:19-21)

adultery idolatry murder

IV. False Principles Lead to False Applications

A. Hook Advocates False Principles

Doctrinal “unity in diversity” (p. 4) VS unity in “the faith” (Jude 3)

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Denies authority of commands & examples in Scripture VS Christ (Matt. 28:20; Phil. 4:9)

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Denies authority of commands & examples in Scripture VS Christ (Matt. 28:20; Phil. 4:9)

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Claims we are under principle not law, “legalism” if under law

Claims we are under principle not law, legalism if under law

“The principle is broader and greater than the command. Man’s tendency has been to emphasize the lawful demand and to minimize…the principle. This is a facet of legalism” (p. 11).

“It is the principle that should rule our conduct rather than the command” (pp. 13-14).

“The difference in apporach will determine whether we gain the approval or denunciation of our Savior” (p. 14).

Sophistry: does not tell how Bible separates God’s “law” or “command” from “principle”

Sleight: Hook arbitrarily decides which part of Bible is “law” & “principle”

Use term “legalism” to undermine authority of God’s Word

“Strict, literal adherence to the law” (American Heritage Dictionary)—see Gen. 2:16-17; Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19; gospel remedy for sin not legalism

“Legalism:” some claim sinless life— see Rom. 3:23

A. Hook Advocates False PrinciplesClaims we are under principle not law, legalism if under law

“Legalism:” some set aside God’s plan of salvation for another plan— see Rom. 10:3

Perverts Rom. 14 for wide doctrinal unity-in-diversity

Truth on Rom. 14: differ without dividing over scruples which do not violate the doctrine of Christ— see vv. 1-3, 14, 20

Romans 14 1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Romans 14

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

Perverts Rom. 14 for wide doctrinal unity-in-diversity

Sleight: mix things of different nature

Personal scruples

no classes one cup for

Lord’s Supper

Violate doctrine of Christ church kitchen, parties, gym sponsoring church church donate to human

institutions (college, etc.)

B. Hook’s False Principles Lead to Many False Applications

Liberty, unity-in-diversity: pp. 5-7

Liberty, unity in diversity

Ministerial alliance

Midweek collection

Church kitchen, parties, gym

Church donate to human institutions

All cases of divorce & remarriage

Church choirs, solos

Social drinking

Theistic evolution

Dancing

Shorts

Many other false doctrines & practices

Liberty, unity-in-diversity: list pp. 4-7

Additional comments extend liberty, unity in diversity

Extend liberty, unity in diversity

Sprinkling, pouring (p. 39) VS Acts 8:38

Women preach, teach in mixed audience (p. 39) VS 1 Tim. 2:11-12

Lord’s Supper any day (pp. 40-41) VS Acts 20:7

Churches centralize work via sponsoring church, donate to human institutions (pp. 6-7, 49) VS 1 Tim. 3:14-15; 1 Pet. 5:2

Church kitchens, parties, gyms (p. 60) VS 1 Cor. 11:34

Instrumental music in worship allowed (p. 60) VS Eph. 5:19; 2 Jn. 9

Abortion, euthanasia, suicide fall under principles such as “loving motives” (pp. 33-34) VS Rom. 13:9

All cases of divorce & remarriage (pp. 6, 62) VS Matt. 19:9

Accept into fellowship all baptized believers from denominations (pp. 63, 73, 78) VS 2 Jn. 9-11

Claims ignorant heathen saved without obeying the gospel (pp. 102-3)

Why preach to them??? Mk. 16:15

Acts 17:29 If they seek God, they can find Him

2 Thess. 1:7-9 Lost without gospel

Invitation:

1. False teachers do not make us “free in Christ:”

Abandon New Testament pattern of faith & practice

Embrace denominational, ecumenical concepts of unity

Fellowship all kinds of false doctrines & sins

License not liberty, bondage not freedom

2 Pet. 2:1, 19; 3:17-18 God’s warning: Satan promises liberty but enslaves

Invitation:

2. Jn. 8:31-32 Only the word of Christ makes us free

3. Neh. 6:1-3 Press on preaching the gospel in its purity without compromise

3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

Invitation:

4. Christ can make all men free from sin!Acts 2:38 The sinner in the world

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Invitation:

4. Christ can make all men free from sin!Acts 8:22 The saint who sins

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

2 peter 2:19 [by ron halbrook] review of cecil hook, free in christ

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