For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, on the day of our Lord Jesus. (vv. 12-14)

In the era of the early church, there were no formally established church doctrines. The apostles themselves were the living witnesses and, in a sense, the embodiment of doctrine. Although many people heard of miracles, there were no tested doctrinal formulations to consult when beliefs were challenged. The devil took advantage of this situation to deceive many. As a result, numerous false teachings and self-proclaimed prophets arose. God made Paul and the other apostles aware of this danger, and their letters were written to teach, admonish, and protect believers from false teaching.

Throughout history, there has been much speculation about Christianity. Even ministers and theologians often show interest in matters where they should not. Yet the core doctrine of Christianity is simple and clear. Many hear the good news with joy, but some quickly fall away because their understanding is not rooted in the Holy Spirit. They are easily enticed, as described in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8). It would be better if such false Christians left their churches, but they often remain, take up offices or leadership roles, and lead others astray. Nevertheless, salvation is not in our hands but in God’s. Those who are not anointed by the Holy Spirit will eventually reveal their true identity as children of the devil.

Today, we have the core doctrines of the church—the Three Ecumenical Creeds and the Three Forms of Unity. They may not be so perfect that anyone who reads them automatically understands the core doctrines, but they can help us to stand firm. Some say the Heidelberg Catechism supports Covenant Theology and the active obedience of Christ, but this is not true.

False Christians continue to speculate and invent stories that are not true. These stories diminish the joy believers first experienced when they understood the gospel. Worse still, they promote immorality because they are not grounded in sound doctrine. Therefore, the corruption seen in churches around the world should not surprise us.

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But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:14)

I know your deeds, and your love and faith, and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. (Revelation 2:19-20)

Today, many churches place their focus on people and community rather than on truth. As a result, their messages are no longer pure, because church leaders are more interested in pleasing people than in proclaiming the gospel faithfully. False teachings are received with joy, and false doctrines become deeply embedded. Gradually, churches lose their identity, and their interests shift toward money and politics. Many politicians, in turn, use churches for their own gain.

At the same time, theologians and ministers are often more concerned with personal benefit than with feeding God’s sheep. In contrast, people like Paul—who endured great suffering for the sake of truth—are despised. Paul’s primary concern was to preach the gospel and help believers stand firm in the truth. Yet it is precisely such people who are rejected.

Should God not be angry? Should He not send the four horsemen?

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. But I call God as witness to my soul, that it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth. Not that we domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm. (vv. 21-24)

True Christians hope that their fellow believers stand firm in truth and faith. We spend our own time and resources teaching and admonishing one another so that, as a whole, we are not enticed or led astray by false doctrines and teachings. We do not admire ministers or theologians who boast of having read many books and who think of themselves as great thinkers. Christianity does not require “great thinkers” who invent stories from their own imaginations. We simply say yes to what is true and no to what is false.

For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but has been yes in Him. (v. 19)