Questionable Professors of Faith
A collective of early church figures noted in the Pauline and Johannine epistles for their apostasy, personal rivalries, or desertion.
8 profiles tagged Questionable Professors of Faith.
Alexander the Coppersmith
Apostate who caused the Apostle Paul great harm and opposed the gospel
A metalworker who apostatized from the Christian faith and became a prominent adversary of the Apostle Paul during his later ministry.
The Believing Pharisees at Jerusalem
Pharisees who became genuine believers yet urged circumcision and Torah observance for Gentile converts
A group of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem — genuine believers from the sect of the Pharisees — who urged that Gentile converts be circumcised and taught to keep the Law of Moses (Acts 15:5).
Demas
Companion of Paul who abandoned him for love of the world
A companion and fellow-worker of the Apostle Paul who ultimately abandoned the Christian ministry because of his love for the present world.
Diotrephes
Local church leader who pridefully rejected the Apostle John's authority and excommunicated faithful believers
An early church official condemned by the Apostle John for his prideful self-exaltation and refusal to welcome traveling missionaries.
Hermogenes
Professor of faith who deserted the Apostle Paul
A believer in Roman Asia who abandoned the Apostle Paul during his final imprisonment in Rome, becoming a symbol of apostasy and desertion.
Phygelus
associate of Paul who deserted him during his final Roman imprisonment
A believer in Asia Minor who deserted the Apostle Paul during his final imprisonment in Rome, becoming a symbol of apostasy and the fear of persecution.
The Preachers of Envy and Rivalry
Preachers in Rome who sought to harm Paul’s reputation through competitive ministry
An anonymous group of first-century Christian teachers in Rome who preached the Gospel from motives of jealousy and partisan strife rather than sincerity.
Simon Magus
Sorcerer who attempted to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit from the apostles
A practitioner of sorcery in Samaria who claimed to be a great power and attempted to buy the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit from the apostles.