A warning about False Teaching in the churches!

[BCsenior]

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there
will be very difficult times … These teachers oppose the truth …
They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.” (2 Timothy 3:1, 8)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and
wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look
for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

“… some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches,
saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives” (Jude 4)

Today, one of the dangerous false teachings is antinomianism:
grace-only, cheap-grace, hyper-grace, easy-believism, etc.
This is the notion that a one-time justification saves, apart from sanctification.
But, this is an incomplete understanding of God’s wonderful free gift of grace.
The problem with easy-believism is that it allows those who are NOT walking in
obedience to live comfortably with a false sense of assurance, which leads to
the tragedy described in Matthew 7:21-23 (for example). It encourages people
who are living in hypocrisy, disobedience, and sin to have a false assurance!

Reasons for false teaching in the churches

● Satan
“the ruler of this world” (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)
“the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
“deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9)
“there is no truth in him ... he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44)
“the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

● Deceived, ignorant pastors
Some pastors have innocently been deceived by Satan,
through their family and friends, through their denominations,
through famous church leaders, Bible commentaries, books, videos, etc.
Some pastors are genuinely ignorant of what the Bible actually teaches.
And, of course, the responsibility for this is on them.

● Worldly, greedy pastors
Some pastors have just chosen to “backslide”, “fall away”, etc. …
being more interested in the things of the world than the things of God.
Preaching popular messages keeps the people coming back to church,
and keeps their tithes coming in also. Many churches these days have
large mortgages and large staffs, all of which which need to be funded.
This is why home groups are a much better way for believers to fellowship.
There is no financial pressure to keep the money coming in, and they
are freer to follow the Spirit instead of any particular denomination.

The 2 most critical False Doctrines in today’s churches

● Once saved, always saved
There are many NT verses that threaten the loss of salvation!

● The pre-tribulation rapture
You aren’t going anywhere … except through economic collapse,
famine, persecution, and the great tribulation of the antichrist.
So, get ready … spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically!

Jesus invites believers to be His friend,
and to have a personal relationship with Him
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
● “You are My friends, if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14)

True believers will be led by the precious Holy Spirit. And they
will follow Him, and the Scriptures … not people, pastors, churches!

 

[theoneandonlypencil]

Don't forget the third and fourth most important false doctrines;

If you believe in the doctrine that I don't, you're apostate.

and

If the holy spirit tells you something different than me, yours isn't the holy spirit because I read the bible more than you do.

 

[public hermit]

C'mon, man. How come you're so certain you're not included in the broad brush stroke with which you paint so many others? Do you ever doubt yourself? Are you so certain that you have everything right and they everything wrong?

Do you gobble up grace and yet refuse to extend it to others? Maybe you have false assurance? It's easy to feel right when you spend your efforts pointing out where everyone else is wrong.

How about coming down off the Holy Mountain and joining the rest of us sinners? The water is fine and the grace is sufficient.

 

[theoneandonlypencil]

Also, just going to point out now that there are valid arguments both for and against pre-trib rapture; both supported by scripture. It's worth noting, too, that if we could lose our salvation, none of us would be saved because none of us deserve to be saved since our works are 'as dirty rags' before the Lord. If someone is 'unsaved' as a Christian, it probably meant they were never a Christian, to begin with.

 

[topher694]

The best way to expose what is false is not by ranting about it. The best way to expose what is false is by demonstrating what is true.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

We all know that the visible church is not perfect. Good grief! If I joined the perfect church it would no longer be perfect! The Scripture says that the foundation stands sure. God knows who are really His.

The real church is made up of the people who profess Christianity and who are involved in their particular branch of it. It is one thing to give a generalised criticism of the 'church" and cobble together a few Scriptures to prove the point; but it is quite another to single individual members of churches and judge them to be false believers.

So, what, or who is the OP criticising? The organisation and structure of the church, or the members in it? If it is the organisation and structure, that is old news because we know that it is imperfect. If it is the members, we know that too, because no one is sinlessly perfect.

But the big question is: who is qualified to judge whether a church member, or a pastor is false or not? Is the OP? Are we?

The Scripture says, "Who shall lay any charge to God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, rather who is risen from the dead." This means that none of us can lay any charge or criticism against church members if God and Christ don't. Are we of high status than God or Christ? No. If they are not going to bring charges against individual pastors or church members, then we have no right to either.

Yes, we can warn people to flee from the wrath to come, and to put their faith in Christ, and to live a sanctified and holy life, to be true and faithful believers and productive church members for Christ. We can also compare truth with falsehood and encourage people to stick to the good and to flee from the evil.

But we can't tar and feather the church and its pastors in general because we are not God and cannot see into the hearts of people. If we had the attitude of criticism about churches then we might as well say that everyone is deceived and false except you and me, and I'm not so sure about you!

 

[expos4ever]

I will add my voice to others - you (the person who started the thread) are probably not taking the right approach to advancing your argument. Your post is, in my opinion, too heavy on judgment and sermonizing.

I happen to agree with your basic point about salvation. But why not argue the point Biblically, without the hectoring tone?

 

[BCsenior]

But we can't tar and feather the church and its pastors in general
because we are not God and cannot see into the hearts of people.

God is the one who is warning believers today -- through His prophets.
I'm just passing the warning along.

 

[eleos1954]

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there
will be very difficult times … These teachers oppose the truth …
They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.” (2 Timothy 3:1, 8)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and
wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look
for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

“… some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches,
saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives” (Jude 4)

Today, one of the dangerous false teachings is antinomianism:
grace-only, cheap-grace, hyper-grace, easy-believism, etc.
This is the notion that a one-time justification saves, apart from sanctification.
But, this is an incomplete understanding of God’s wonderful free gift of grace.
The problem with easy-believism is that it allows those who are NOT walking in
obedience to live comfortably with a false sense of assurance, which leads to
the tragedy described in Matthew 7:21-23 (for example). It encourages people
who are living in hypocrisy, disobedience, and sin to have a false assurance!

Reasons for false teaching in the churches

● Satan
“the ruler of this world” (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)
“the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
“deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9)
“there is no truth in him ... he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44)
“the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

● Deceived, ignorant pastors
Some pastors have innocently been deceived by Satan,
through their family and friends, through their denominations,
through famous church leaders, Bible commentaries, books, videos, etc.
Some pastors are genuinely ignorant of what the Bible actually teaches.
And, of course, the responsibility for this is on them.

● Worldly, greedy pastors
Some pastors have just chosen to “backslide”, “fall away”, etc. …
being more interested in the things of the world than the things of God.
Preaching popular messages keeps the people coming back to church,
and keeps their tithes coming in also. Many churches these days have
large mortgages and large staffs, all of which which need to be funded.
This is why home groups are a much better way for believers to fellowship.
There is no financial pressure to keep the money coming in, and they
are freer to follow the Spirit instead of any particular denomination.

The 2 most critical False Doctrines in today’s churches

● Once saved, always saved
There are many NT verses that threaten the loss of salvation!

● The pre-tribulation rapture
You aren’t going anywhere … except through economic collapse,
famine, persecution, and the great tribulation of the antichrist.
So, get ready … spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically!

True believers will be led by the precious Holy Spirit. And they
will follow Him, and the Scriptures … not people, pastors, churches!

Jesus is our example in all things ... study His life and follow Him in love.

Follow the Lamb!

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

God is the one who is warning believers today -- through His prophets.
I'm just passing the warning along.

There is a slight problem with your warning. It doesn't go along with the spirit of the New Testament. And the prophet function that you are using ceased at the death of John the Baptiser in 30AD.

 

[CharismaticLady]

Also, just going to point out now that there are valid arguments both for and against pre-trib rapture; both supported by scripture. It's worth noting, too, that if we could lose our salvation, none of us would be saved because none of us deserve to be saved since our works are 'as dirty rags' before the Lord. If someone is 'unsaved' as a Christian, it probably meant they were never a Christian, to begin with.

Do you know the difference between the works of righteousness of an unsaved person, and the works of righteousness of a saved person?

It is the works of righteousness of an unsaved person that are filthy rags.

 

[topher694]

God is the one who is warning believers today -- through His prophets.
I'm just passing the warning along.

No you're not. You know how often I hear this exact thing?

It's funny cause so many others claim "I'm just passing along God's warning" yet the warnings they pass along often contradict one another... still, they all claim the warnings come from God... odd isn't it? But I'm sure you are the one who is hearing clearly and alllll the others are missing it.

This is exactly why demonstrating the truth is the best way to combat the false.

 

[BCsenior]

There is a slight problem with your warning. It doesn't go along with the spirit of the New Testament. And the prophet function that you are using ceased at the death of John the Baptiser in 30AD.

I've always known you were off ... and you've proved it again (to me).
You're a cessationist, aren't you?

Here's a cute one for you ... I enjoy this!
The 5-fold ministry of church leadership is given in Ephesians 4:11.
Cessationists accept that pastor and teachers are still for today,
butski NOT evangelists, prophets, and apostles.
Total insanity? ... or just deceived?

 

[CharismaticLady]

I've always known you were off ... and you've proved it again (to me).
You're a cessationist, aren't you?

Here's a cute one for you ... I enjoy this!
The 5-fold ministry of church leadership is given in Ephesians 4:11.
Cessationists accept that pastor and teachers are still for today,
butski NOT evangelists, prophets, and apostles.
Total insanity? ... or just deceived?

You may have me on ignore, but this is funny seeing as Oscarr speaks in tongues. LOL

 

[topher694]

You may have me on ignore, but this is funny seeing as Oscarr speaks in tongues. LOL

Kinda makes you wonder if he is discerning other things incorrectly as well, doesn't it?

 

[BCsenior]

Oscarrrrr,
Forgot to mention that you claim to be pentecostal,
which is totally opposite to being a cessationist.
Please, make up your mind 'cause we're breathlessly waiting!

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I've always known you were off ... and you've proved it again (to me).
You're a cessationist, aren't you?

Here's a cute one for you ... I enjoy this!
The 5-fold ministry of church leadership is given in Ephesians 4:11.
Cessationists accept that pastor and teachers are still for today,
butski NOT evangelists, prophets, and apostles.
Total insanity? ... or just deceived?

I had a shower this morning and so I am smelling as sweet as a rose!

I am not talking about New Testament prophets, who never give prophecies in the vein of your OP. Your "warning" is in the form of Old Testament prophecy, which ceased according to Hebrews 1: "In old times God spoke through His prophets, but in these last days, He speaks through His Son Jesus Christ". Also, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy". Therefore, New Testament prophecy has Christ at its heart and points people to Him. You OP doesn't do that and therefore it is based on an obsolete and cancelled prophetic role.

By saying that I am a Cessationist, you are showing that you have not read my posts in other forums. My good friends Swordsman1 and Major1 would fall on the ground laughing their heads off if they read that you were accusing me of being a Cessationist!

 

[theoneandonlypencil]

Do you know the difference between the works of righteousness of an unsaved person, and the works of righteousness of a saved person?

It is the works of righteousness of an unsaved person that are filthy rags.

Yes and no. Our 'works' are proof of our faith--not what saves us. A saved person naturally does good works--I.E. he/she bears 'good fruits'. You don't say 'I'm going to do [x or y] to prove that I'm a good Christian', because God works through us. If we were capable of performing works on our own that were good enough to get us saved, we wouldn't have needed salvation in the first place. Now, it's usually the people who go around TRYING to do good works to 'prove' something that are in trouble; because it usually isn't genuine. Just for show.

TLDR; Good fruits/righteous works are the product of being saved, not the cause. It's not necessary to be saved, but it does give a good indicator on whether someone is genuine in their faith.

 

[CharismaticLady]

that if we could lose our salvation, none of us would be saved because none of us deserve to be saved since our works are 'as dirty rags' before the Lord.

A saved person naturally does good works--I.E. he/she bears 'good fruits'.

You've not got me confused, as these two statements seem to contradict each other and your opinion of works. Are they good fruits, or filthy rags?

 

[theoneandonlypencil]

You've not got me confused, as these two statements seem to contradict each other and your opinion of works. Are they good fruits, or filthy rags?

It makes sense if you take away the idea that your works are required for salvation.