Monday, August 20 From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.​—Acts 20:30.

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, August 20

From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.—Acts 20:30.

 

At Pentecost 33 C.E., thousands of Jews and proselytes were anointed with holy spirit. These new Christians became “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession.” (1 Pet. 2:9, 10) The apostles kept careful watch over the congregations of God’s people as long as they lived. However, especially after the death of the apostles, men arose who spoke “twisted things” in order to “draw away the disciples after themselves.” (2 Thess. 2:6-8) Many of these men had responsible positions in the congregations, serving as overseers and later as “bishops.” A clergy class was taking shape, although Jesus had said to his followers: “All of you are brothers.” (Matt. 23:8) Prominent men who were enamored of the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato introduced false religious ideas, gradually replacing the pure teachings of God’s Word. w16.11 4:8