I sit down with a former Pastor, retired Anglican Priest, and current Hospice Chaplain. Hear his story of conversion, transformation, service, sacrifice and more.

Welcome to Episode 40 of the Greg SCHREFFLER Show™. Today, as we conclude this faith study series, we shift our focus to how the early church confronted doctrinal challenges, preserved truth, and ultimately guided the formation of the New Testament canon.
[Research Notes]

1 Timothy 5:18 (ESV) - γραφή (scripture) https://bibleapps.com/greek/1124.htm
George W. Knight III, Ph.D., The Pastoral Epistles (NIGTC, 1992) - https://www.everand.com/book/535924907/The-Pastoral-Epistles
The Didache 13:1–2 - https://evidenceunseen.com/theology/historical-theology/the-didache-the-lords-teaching-through-the-twelve-apostles-to-the-nations
πνεῦμα – Spirit - https://biblehub.com/greek/4151.htm
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/8-9.htm
ὁ οἰκῶν ἐν ἡμῖν - Who dwells in us - https://www.christiandiscipleschurch.org/content/theological-metamorphosis-chapter-08
2 Timothy 1:14 — https://biblehub.com/text/2_timothy/1-14.htm , https://www.bibleref.com/2-Timothy/1/2-Timothy-1-14.html , https://ambassadorsfortherisenchristministries.org/2009/06/30/the-pneuma-hagion/
Calvin, Jean (John) - https://www.studylight.org/commentary/2-timothy/1-14.html
ἀνακρίνω – examine - https://www.recyclethebible.org/recycle/greek_lex.php?num=350
https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/doctrine
N.T. Wright, Ph.D., Paul and the Faithfulness of God (2013) - https://christianpublishinghouse.co/2025/10/13/these-things-entrust-to-faithful-men-2-timothy-22/

Up to this moment, the church has been built, tested, and expanded—through apostles, persecution, structure, and discipline. But now, a new threat emerges. Not from Rome. Not from open opposition.
From within.
What begins as distortion will become system.
What begins as deviation will become doctrine.
And what challenges the church will ultimately force it to clarify what it truly believes.
Because truth, if it is not guarded, will be redefined.
The Bible, Internet, ChatGPT
Bible Study & Commentary Sources
• Bible Hub
https://biblehub.com
(Greek lexicons, interlinear, multiple translations)
• Enduring Word Commentary — David Guzik
https://enduringword.com
(Verse-by-verse pastoral and historical insights)
Scholarly Sources
Irenaeus of Lyons
• Against Heresies
• https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103.htm
Michael S. Heiser
• The Unseen Realm
• https://lexhampress.com/product/49522/the-unseen-realm
Ron Rhodes
• The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations
• https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books/the-complete-guide-to-christian-denominations-9780736965330
Chuck Missler
• Learn the Bible in 24 Hours
• https://khouse.org/store/detail/learn-the-bible-in-24-hours
Gospel of Thomas
• Translation (Nag Hammadi Library):
http://gnosis.org/naghamm/gosthom.html
Apocryphon of John
• Translation:
http://gnosis.org/naghamm/apocjn.html
Gospel of Mary
• Translation:
http://gnosis.org/library/marygosp.htm
Secret Book of James
• Translation:
http://gnosis.org/naghamm/jam.html
Gospel of Truth
• Translation:
http://gnosis.org/naghamm/got.html
Didache
• Translation:
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm
Muratorian Fragment
• Translation:
https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/muratorian.html
Historical Context Resources
• Nag Hammadi Library
https://gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html
(Primary source collection of Gnostic writings)
• Early Christian Writings
https://www.earlychristianwritings.com
(Dating, authorship, historical analysis)
Doctrinal Themes Supported
• Apostolic authority vs secret revelation
• Christ fully God and fully man
• Public truth vs hidden knowledge
• Preservation vs distortion of doctrine
• Emergence of canon under pressure
Citation Note:
All non-biblical texts referenced in this episode are used for historical and theological context only and are not considered Scripture. They are included to illustrate the nature of early competing belief systems and the church’s response to them.
πλάνος (planos): https://biblehub.com/greek/4108.htm
τύπος (typos): https://openbible.com/strongs/greek/5179.htm , https://biblehub.com/greek/5179.htm