WARNING TO GEN-NEXT-ers by Gary Miller

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The following is a reprint (with his permission) of Gary Miller's (Grace Harbor Church) message to the Generation-NEXT gracers present at this year's annual retreat:

I was filled with joy during my time at the conference in Pennsylvania as I saw youth taking initiative to preserve the truth of Pauline dispensational teaching. “Generation Next” has a good foundation and great start. I talked with them about the future of their group as well as the grace movement. We looked at Paul and his warnings to the Ephesians about their future.

Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not towarn every one night and day with tears.

Paul is speaking to the church at Ephesus prior to his departure. His farewell was one of warning. Paul warned against men who would speak “perverse things." He warned that these men would come from the outside as “grievous wolves” and “also of your own selves shall men arise." These men would “not spare the flock” and “draw away disciples after them” – away from Jesus Christ and the sound doctrine of Paul. The fact that these events were to happen was not a question as Paul states “for I know this”.

It would be some of the elders who were with Paul at that time who would teach “perverse things." These men would have been Bible believing, dispensational, and Pauline; but Paul knew some of them would be enticed by seductive heresies and bring these perverse teachings into the assembly.

Paul knew the severity of what was to happen in the church and “by the space of three years ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Paul gave the saints instructions to “watch, and remember." They were to watch for these men and remember Paul’s warnings.

The saints were to compare the teaching of any man in the church to the scriptures. The saints needed to “mark” the corrupt men who taught perverse doctrines and “avoid” them.

Rom. 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Failure to do so would result in utter destruction of their assembly. How sad it is that those saints did not take heed to Paul’s warnings and instructions as the assembly at Ephesus has been utterly corrupted and destroyed.

The teaching of Paul to the saints at Ephesus is true for any assembly or group of believers. We as saints need to be constantly on the “watch” for those who would teach “perverse” doctrines. These men will corrupt the truth of God’s word, cause division, and destroy assemblies. The future of the “Generation Next” or the grace movement is dependent on the watchfulness of the saints. We need to watch our own elders, as it will be some of them who will teach these “perverse things." We must not overlook any man’s sayings, regardless of the man, no matter how powerful or influential they are. We are not to be respecters of men. As Paul withstood Peter to his face we should have the courage to withstand anyone.

Gal. 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

I warned about some of the heresies that are enticing grace elders today. The heresy of universalism is one such “perverse” teaching. There is also the heresy attacking the deity of Jesus Christ, denying His absolute knowledge of everything. This “perverse” teaching destroys the very foundation on which our faith stands.

1 Cor. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

I told them they need to be strong and prepared for the battles to come against the men who teach “perverse things." They need to be good soldiers for Christ and fight this battle against “doctrines of the devil” which will infiltrate their grace works. They need to “mark” and “avoid” those who teach “perverse things." They need to stand up for the truth. I pray and urge wholeheartedly that this “Generation Next” will stand for the truth and that they will not give into the heresies that will be brought into their midst.

Thank you so much, Gary, for addressing an important topic in these diverse times! – Deborah