Friday. [II John 1:1–13; Mark 15:22–25, 33–41]

   Saint John the Theologian writes, many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (II John 1:7). Such it was in his time, whereas now deceivers enter the world, who confess that Christ is come in the flesh, but who nevertheless are “deceivers and antichrists” (cf. II John 1:7). This more openly began in the time of Arias and continues to this day. However, the ancient deceivers stumbled more in the dogma about the person of Jesus Christ our Saviour, whereas from the time of Luther they began to stumble in the teaching about salvation in Him. How many such “teachers” have there been? Such “deceivers and antichrists” have appeared among us, who say “believe and it is enough;” nothing more is needed—neither the Church, nor the Sacraments, nor the priesthood. These too begin their deception starting with Christ the Lord and salvation in Him. But since they do not interpret these correctly, they are antichrists, and subject to condemnation. Beware of them. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God (II John 1:9). These people do not have Him, because they do not have the doctrine of Christ. This doctrine is in the Church, and they have separated themselves from the Church. Only those who follow the Church have the doctrine of Christ and abide in it. They therefore have both Christ, the Son of God, and God the Father. But the others do not, although they keep saying that they do. Do not receive them, neither bid them God-speed (cf. II John 1:10).