Answering False Prophets
Below are a few sections of notes made over the years on various groups and their doctrine or beliefs. My position on any one issue or the other is to see if it lines up with Scripture and if not, to rebuke it and those who promote it.
So how does one know truth from error?
Acts 17:11
...and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:11
...and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Do we need to buy some mans book to unlock the truth? Can we know truth from error on our own?
I John 2:27
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Catholic
There are variations among them, but generally the following represent their teachings:
- Teach "purgatory" as an intermediate place before heaven or hell. What does the Bible say? Hebrews 9:27
- Claim Mary was the "mother of God", wrong! John 1:1
- Mary was not a perpetual virgin, because Jesus had brothers and sisters.
- Refer to a priest as "father". What does the Bible say? Matthew 23:9
- Baptism is necessary for salvation.
- Generally, that the priests are the authority on what the Scriptures say. What does the Bible say? I John 2:27
- Priests should not marry. What does the Bible say? Peter, who they say their church is founded on, had a wife Matthew 8:14- The Eucharist (their name for the Lord's supper) is the very flesh and blood of Jesus
Lutheran
Again, there are variations among them, just as there are variations among Baptists, but Lutherans split from the Catholic church starting with Martin Luther. Their teachings:
- Baptism is necessary for salvation. Wrong! John 14:6, Luke 23:39-43, Acts 8:36-38
- Baptism through sprinkling. Wrong! Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12
- You can loose your salvation. Wrong! I John 5:13, John 3:16, Matthew 28:20
- Infants must be baptized as well. This is one area that caused division among churches very early (see Baptist history), see II Samuel 12:23 David when his son with Bathsheba dies says he could not bring him back but that he would go to him. How would this happen if the child had not been baptized? One of the thieves on the cross (see Luke 23) trusted the Lord and was told he would be with Him that day in paradise, yet he was never baptized.
- The Eucharist (their name for the Lord's supper) is the very flesh and blood of Jesus, more or less the same as the Catholics. Wrong! They are taking verses about the Lord's supper literally. This is the same thing that sodomites and liberals do with such passages as Galatians 3:28 that says there is neither male nor female, and interpreting that there is no difference between man and woman. So in scriptures such as Luke 22:17-23, John 6:32-58 and others was Jesus using a metaphor or he was literally changing the bread and wine into his flesh and blood? This is a perfect example of how false doctrine is started - taking verses out of context or taking literally something that is not meant literally. Wrapping a kernel of truth in fifty pounds of lies.
Jehovas Witness
Started by a man named Charles Taze Russell. Russell taught that Jews should not convert to Christianity. They generally teach the following:
- There is no hell. Wrong! Matthew 5:29, Revelation 20:2, Psalms 9:17, Hebrews 9:27
- After you die, your soul goes to sleep. Wrong Hebrews 9:27
- Jesus was a created being. Wrong! I John 5:7, John 10:30-37
- Several times since the 1900's they have prophesied the end of the world. The Bible speaks about false prophets in Deuteronomy 18:21-22
- They have their own "unique" bible translation called the "new world translation" and the text lines up with the NIV
Mormons
Starting with Joseph Smith in 1820, who claims to have been visited by none other than God the Father and Jesus together in the woods, then in 1823 by an angel "Moroni" who gave him golden plates with the history of an ancient American civilization. These plates, once translated were to become the book of mormon. Strangely enough, many Mormons also use the King James Bible.
- They claim the Book of Mormon be just as important as the Bible. False, Isaiah 8:20, John 1:1
- They promote the idea of the deity of man but not Jesus. Wrong! Jesus allowed Thomas to address him as “My Lord and My God”, John 1:1, John 20:28
- They think God is an exalted, glorified man. Wrong! John 1:1, Isaiah 44:6
- They baptize the dead. Wrong! Hebrews 9:27
Bhuddist
Something like 500 million followers, starting somewhere between 600 and 400 BC. Many Americans think its "cute" to put a little Bhudda statue in their flower bed.
- They teach reincarnation. Wrong! Hebrews 9:27
- Many will speak favorably of Jesus as a "good man", similar to the way Muslims will also refer to Jesus as a prophet. Wrong! He is not just another man that happened to say good things. John 14:6
- Many will also claim they follow "the commandments", referring to the 10 commandments of Exodus 20. Nope, following the ten commandments wont keep you from going to hell, Galatians 3
Islam
There are variations with the two primary being Sunni and Shia. The split arose over arguments of who was to succeed Mohamed.
- Their book called the "Quran" is divided into 114 chapters called Suras and Jesus is mentioned in several places included Sura 2,3, 4 and 5. Yet they reject His Word
- They teach that God does not beget nor is He begotten. Jesus said in John 3:16 that God had sent His only begotten Son.
- They teach that the Bible is "one of their holy books", but Jesus said a man cannot serve two masters, Matthew 6:24
- Muslims claim the Bible has been corrupted and that is understandable, given the state that Christianity is in and the numerous counterfeit bibles in circulation, yet God promised to preserve His word, Psalms 12:6,7, Deuteronomy 4:2 and is not the author of confusion I Corinthians 14:33
On the Quran
(1) Claims to be a continuation of the things Moses taught and that Jesus was given the truth, Sura 2:87 Wrong! Jesus is not the continuation of the truth He IS the Truth, John 14:6
(2) Claims to be a “continuation” of previous scriptures, Surah 2:97
Sura 2:25, The “good news” is to them that believe AND do righteous deeds. The good news of the gospel of Christ is that we are saved by grace, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8,9)
(3) They bowed down to Adam, Sura 2:34, why? Supposedly Brigham Young who founded the Mormons, also taught that Adam was God. Strange similarities.
(4) Many of today’s Muslims will claim that the Bible has been corrupted, yet their Quran tells Christians to uphold their Gospel and what is revealed to you from the Lord, Sura 5:68
(5) The Quran claims that you will find Mohamed their prophet in the Bible if it wasn't corrupted and it is he who directs them to righteousness, see Sura 7:157 and this is one area that Many Muslims will use to “prove” that the Bible is corrupted. However, the Bible was written long before the Quran and Mohamed is nowhere to be found. God promised to preserve His Word (Psalms 12:6,7).
(6) The Quran claims that there will be a day when no ransom will be accepted and no intercession made for any soul (Sura 2:122-123). So on judgement day there will be nobody to stand up for you. Yet the Bible tells us that Jesus WILL be that intercession for us (Isaiah 53:12) and was a ransom for many Hosea 13:14, Matthew 20:28, I Timothy 2:26
Judaism (and Zionism)
I've heard professing Christians say that the Jews believe in God the Father, just not Jesus. What does the Bible say? John 3:17-18, 14:6, I John 2:23, 5:12, Galatians 3 & 4, Romans 9
Hebrew Roots & the "Yeshua" crowd
There are variations among these groups, but most will advocate the following:
- Must use the name Yeshua instead of Jesus. What does the Bible say? You can point them to Acts 4:12, Luke 1:31 & Philippians 2:10 but then some will start to question the King James Bible as being not translated correctly, strangely similar to Mormons and Muslims.
- Some will claim that the King James Bible as well as others are mis-translated and Jesus is just another name for the Greek god Zeus. In the 1611 version of the KJV used the name Iesus which is the Greek name for Jesus. Sorry fellas, the NT manuscripts which originated in Antioch where Christians were first so named, were written in Greek, not Hebrew. We refer to these manuscripts as the "received text" or majority text.
- Keeping the sabbath, feasts and holy days. What does the Bible say? Colossians 2:16, Titus 3:9,10, Acts 15: 23-24, 28-29
Calvinism
T-U-L-I-P Calvinists and the 5 “points”
T = Total Depravity. They say man has no free will and man is totally depraved. Deuteronomy 30:19-20, we must CHOOSE life. I Timothy 2:4 God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. The word “freewill” is in the Bible 17 times!
U = Unconditional election. Calvinists teach that before the foundation of the world, God chose people to be saved and there is nothing they can do about it. Also look up the phrase “whosoever will”, 11 times it’s found in the Bible.
L = Limited atonement. Calvin teaches that Jesus only died for a limited amount of people. Lies, Jesus died for all, if we accept Him. Romans 5:8,9I = Irresistible grace
P = Perseverance of the Saints (endure to the end). Wrong! Once you are saved, you are sealed, I John 5:13, Matthew 28:20, John 3:16
Pentecostal
Originating with the early 20th century "Holiness" movement. Speaking in tongues, handling snakes, hooping and hollering. Generally point to Acts 2 and the day of Pentecost for their foundational principals, when the Holy Ghost came upon the apostles. In verse 6 however, the multitude heard them in their OWN tongue, not some gibberish "heavenly language" as some of this group refer to. Many of them appear to have a "zeal" about them, but Paul said this concerning the Jews - For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, Romans 10:2
Seventh Day Adventists
- Originated somewhere during the early 1800's "Millerite" movement
- Emphasizes the observance of the sabbath on Sataurday. Nope, Matthew 12:8
- Some teach that a soul sleeps after death, Wrong! Hebrews 9:27
- Millerites came to believe that Jesus would return on October 22, 1844, Oooops!
Unitarian
- Rejects the Trinity. Wrong! I John 5:7
- Rejects the deity of Christ. Wrong! John 10:30, 20:28
- Rejects the infallibility of the Bible. Wrong! Psalms 12:6,7, John 1:1, Malachi 3:6
- Julia Ward Howe, the composer of the famous song "Battle hymn of the Republic", along with her husband were Unitarians
I John 2:27
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Catholic
There are variations among them, but generally the following represent their teachings:
- Teach "purgatory" as an intermediate place before heaven or hell. What does the Bible say? Hebrews 9:27
- Claim Mary was the "mother of God", wrong! John 1:1
- Mary was not a perpetual virgin, because Jesus had brothers and sisters.
- Refer to a priest as "father". What does the Bible say? Matthew 23:9
- Baptism is necessary for salvation.
- Generally, that the priests are the authority on what the Scriptures say. What does the Bible say? I John 2:27
- Priests should not marry. What does the Bible say? Peter, who they say their church is founded on, had a wife Matthew 8:14- The Eucharist (their name for the Lord's supper) is the very flesh and blood of Jesus
Lutheran
Again, there are variations among them, just as there are variations among Baptists, but Lutherans split from the Catholic church starting with Martin Luther. Their teachings:
- Baptism is necessary for salvation. Wrong! John 14:6, Luke 23:39-43, Acts 8:36-38
- Baptism through sprinkling. Wrong! Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12
- You can loose your salvation. Wrong! I John 5:13, John 3:16, Matthew 28:20
- Infants must be baptized as well. This is one area that caused division among churches very early (see Baptist history), see II Samuel 12:23 David when his son with Bathsheba dies says he could not bring him back but that he would go to him. How would this happen if the child had not been baptized? One of the thieves on the cross (see Luke 23) trusted the Lord and was told he would be with Him that day in paradise, yet he was never baptized.
- The Eucharist (their name for the Lord's supper) is the very flesh and blood of Jesus, more or less the same as the Catholics. Wrong! They are taking verses about the Lord's supper literally. This is the same thing that sodomites and liberals do with such passages as Galatians 3:28 that says there is neither male nor female, and interpreting that there is no difference between man and woman. So in scriptures such as Luke 22:17-23, John 6:32-58 and others was Jesus using a metaphor or he was literally changing the bread and wine into his flesh and blood? This is a perfect example of how false doctrine is started - taking verses out of context or taking literally something that is not meant literally. Wrapping a kernel of truth in fifty pounds of lies.
Jehovas Witness
Started by a man named Charles Taze Russell. Russell taught that Jews should not convert to Christianity. They generally teach the following:
- There is no hell. Wrong! Matthew 5:29, Revelation 20:2, Psalms 9:17, Hebrews 9:27
- After you die, your soul goes to sleep. Wrong Hebrews 9:27
- Jesus was a created being. Wrong! I John 5:7, John 10:30-37
- Several times since the 1900's they have prophesied the end of the world. The Bible speaks about false prophets in Deuteronomy 18:21-22
- They have their own "unique" bible translation called the "new world translation" and the text lines up with the NIV
Mormons
Starting with Joseph Smith in 1820, who claims to have been visited by none other than God the Father and Jesus together in the woods, then in 1823 by an angel "Moroni" who gave him golden plates with the history of an ancient American civilization. These plates, once translated were to become the book of mormon. Strangely enough, many Mormons also use the King James Bible.
- They claim the Book of Mormon be just as important as the Bible. False, Isaiah 8:20, John 1:1
- They promote the idea of the deity of man but not Jesus. Wrong! Jesus allowed Thomas to address him as “My Lord and My God”, John 1:1, John 20:28
- They think God is an exalted, glorified man. Wrong! John 1:1, Isaiah 44:6
- They baptize the dead. Wrong! Hebrews 9:27
Bhuddist
Something like 500 million followers, starting somewhere between 600 and 400 BC. Many Americans think its "cute" to put a little Bhudda statue in their flower bed.
- They teach reincarnation. Wrong! Hebrews 9:27
- Many will speak favorably of Jesus as a "good man", similar to the way Muslims will also refer to Jesus as a prophet. Wrong! He is not just another man that happened to say good things. John 14:6
- Many will also claim they follow "the commandments", referring to the 10 commandments of Exodus 20. Nope, following the ten commandments wont keep you from going to hell, Galatians 3
Islam
There are variations with the two primary being Sunni and Shia. The split arose over arguments of who was to succeed Mohamed.
- Their book called the "Quran" is divided into 114 chapters called Suras and Jesus is mentioned in several places included Sura 2,3, 4 and 5. Yet they reject His Word
- They teach that God does not beget nor is He begotten. Jesus said in John 3:16 that God had sent His only begotten Son.
- They teach that the Bible is "one of their holy books", but Jesus said a man cannot serve two masters, Matthew 6:24
- Muslims claim the Bible has been corrupted and that is understandable, given the state that Christianity is in and the numerous counterfeit bibles in circulation, yet God promised to preserve His word, Psalms 12:6,7, Deuteronomy 4:2 and is not the author of confusion I Corinthians 14:33
On the Quran
(1) Claims to be a continuation of the things Moses taught and that Jesus was given the truth, Sura 2:87 Wrong! Jesus is not the continuation of the truth He IS the Truth, John 14:6
(2) Claims to be a “continuation” of previous scriptures, Surah 2:97
Sura 2:25, The “good news” is to them that believe AND do righteous deeds. The good news of the gospel of Christ is that we are saved by grace, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8,9)
(3) They bowed down to Adam, Sura 2:34, why? Supposedly Brigham Young who founded the Mormons, also taught that Adam was God. Strange similarities.
(4) Many of today’s Muslims will claim that the Bible has been corrupted, yet their Quran tells Christians to uphold their Gospel and what is revealed to you from the Lord, Sura 5:68
(5) The Quran claims that you will find Mohamed their prophet in the Bible if it wasn't corrupted and it is he who directs them to righteousness, see Sura 7:157 and this is one area that Many Muslims will use to “prove” that the Bible is corrupted. However, the Bible was written long before the Quran and Mohamed is nowhere to be found. God promised to preserve His Word (Psalms 12:6,7).
(6) The Quran claims that there will be a day when no ransom will be accepted and no intercession made for any soul (Sura 2:122-123). So on judgement day there will be nobody to stand up for you. Yet the Bible tells us that Jesus WILL be that intercession for us (Isaiah 53:12) and was a ransom for many Hosea 13:14, Matthew 20:28, I Timothy 2:26
Judaism (and Zionism)
I've heard professing Christians say that the Jews believe in God the Father, just not Jesus. What does the Bible say? John 3:17-18, 14:6, I John 2:23, 5:12, Galatians 3 & 4, Romans 9
Hebrew Roots & the "Yeshua" crowd
There are variations among these groups, but most will advocate the following:
- Must use the name Yeshua instead of Jesus. What does the Bible say? You can point them to Acts 4:12, Luke 1:31 & Philippians 2:10 but then some will start to question the King James Bible as being not translated correctly, strangely similar to Mormons and Muslims.
- Some will claim that the King James Bible as well as others are mis-translated and Jesus is just another name for the Greek god Zeus. In the 1611 version of the KJV used the name Iesus which is the Greek name for Jesus. Sorry fellas, the NT manuscripts which originated in Antioch where Christians were first so named, were written in Greek, not Hebrew. We refer to these manuscripts as the "received text" or majority text.
- Keeping the sabbath, feasts and holy days. What does the Bible say? Colossians 2:16, Titus 3:9,10, Acts 15: 23-24, 28-29
Calvinism
T-U-L-I-P Calvinists and the 5 “points”
T = Total Depravity. They say man has no free will and man is totally depraved. Deuteronomy 30:19-20, we must CHOOSE life. I Timothy 2:4 God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. The word “freewill” is in the Bible 17 times!
U = Unconditional election. Calvinists teach that before the foundation of the world, God chose people to be saved and there is nothing they can do about it. Also look up the phrase “whosoever will”, 11 times it’s found in the Bible.
L = Limited atonement. Calvin teaches that Jesus only died for a limited amount of people. Lies, Jesus died for all, if we accept Him. Romans 5:8,9I = Irresistible grace
P = Perseverance of the Saints (endure to the end). Wrong! Once you are saved, you are sealed, I John 5:13, Matthew 28:20, John 3:16
Pentecostal
Originating with the early 20th century "Holiness" movement. Speaking in tongues, handling snakes, hooping and hollering. Generally point to Acts 2 and the day of Pentecost for their foundational principals, when the Holy Ghost came upon the apostles. In verse 6 however, the multitude heard them in their OWN tongue, not some gibberish "heavenly language" as some of this group refer to. Many of them appear to have a "zeal" about them, but Paul said this concerning the Jews - For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, Romans 10:2
Seventh Day Adventists
- Originated somewhere during the early 1800's "Millerite" movement
- Emphasizes the observance of the sabbath on Sataurday. Nope, Matthew 12:8
- Some teach that a soul sleeps after death, Wrong! Hebrews 9:27
- Millerites came to believe that Jesus would return on October 22, 1844, Oooops!
Unitarian
- Rejects the Trinity. Wrong! I John 5:7
- Rejects the deity of Christ. Wrong! John 10:30, 20:28
- Rejects the infallibility of the Bible. Wrong! Psalms 12:6,7, John 1:1, Malachi 3:6
- Julia Ward Howe, the composer of the famous song "Battle hymn of the Republic", along with her husband were Unitarians
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