When heterodox teaching which is not in accord with the “sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ,” is taught in the church, the church becomes something other than the simple fellowship of those born of God into His family sharing their common life in Christ according to the means He ordained. Already during Paul’s lifetime this was happening in Ephesus where he had spent three years and given them the “whole counsel of God.” The true purpose of the gospel had been described in 1 Timothy 1:5 which is “love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a sincere faith.”