Issues Facing Missions Today: 56. When Wolves Come Among You: Paul’s Speech to the Ephesian Elders [ This post continues New Testament studies on false teaching and ministry in the Church. Such studies are relevant for understanding mission as Church renewal, which is a particular need in the Church's mission to the West (but not only there) in our time. ] Introduction If there was one certainty the early Church had about its future, it was that it would be plagued by persecution from without and false teaching from within. Jesus, himself, was crucified by the Roman and Jewish leaders and betrayed by Judas, and he warned of false prophets who would arise as wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7.15). Even persons intimately involved in ministry could be false ministers: Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will