1 Timothy 1:1-7

Speaking to a congregation is a privilege, not a right. The authorities in a congregation have the right to decide who can stand and speak in their midst. In America, everyone has the right of free speech. That gives them freedom in what they say; it does not give them freedom in where they can say it. Just because someone claims to be speaking for God does not mean a church has to let that person speak from their pulpit. We do not know what false doctrines Timothy was seeking to silence. Timothy did such a good job of silencing the false prophets that their teachings are lost to history. However, based on the words used by Paul, we can speculate on the type of things that are harmful to a local congregation and the church universal.

False doctrine is any statement of belief that is contrary to what scripture teaches, to what the early church fathers believed or what is contained in the original church creeds. As well, anyone who claims to have a secret or new revelation that the church has no history of teaching is proclaiming a false doctrine.

Harmful teaching is not limited to false doctrine. Teachings centered on myths about the life and times of Jesus are harmful. Everything the church needs to know pertaining to the theology of salvation we can find in the bible. The church should focus on studying sound doctrine and the scriptures instead of myths and works of fiction. Many people find genealogy interesting and there is nothing wrong with that. However, genealogy does not connect to the gospel; who our ancestors were has no effect upon our need for faith in Jesus Christ.

The church has a mission; it is rescuing the spiritually lost and teaching them to live righteous. Church leaders have the authority and responsibility to keep the church on mission. They guard against heresy, worthless endeavors and meaningless talk. Opposing false teachers is not easy, but love for the church demands it.