Try Them
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:” (Rev 2:2 KJV)
Jesus commended the Church of Ephesus on several points:
- Works
- Labor
- Patience
- Not bearing evil
- Trying apostolic claims
One particular point that stands out is trying them that claim to be apostles. At this time, all the apostles but John had given their lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even before this time many false teachers had crept into the Churches. The teachings of true teachers of God’s Word can withstand scrutiny. We are to test and judge their words to see if they line up with the clear teaching of the Scriptures.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1Jo 4:1 KJV)