FALSE PROPHETS

By JONEIL ALCOCK

Early Church Problems

In the modern culture of Christianity, there is a dangerous counter-culture of people that lay hold on false doctrines and incorrect teachings. What is apparent is that this is not new in the Christian church as this had been a problem for which the Apostle Paul spoke about in the 1st century church; and for which the Apostle John referred to in his letter and books.

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate.” Revelation 2:14-15

Balaam

Balaam takes careful mention because he was abhorred in the tradition of the knowledge of the Old Testament where his story is told in Numbers Chapters 22 – 25. After initially praising Israel, and going against the wishes of Balac (King of Moab), he takes tributes and wages for divination and as described in Numbers 25:1-2 causes the men of Israel to go counter to God’s teachings which resulted in 24,000 men dying in the wilderness under the judgement of God. Balaam was so hated that he is not only mentioned by John in Revelation but also by Peter (2 Peter 2:15) and Jude (Jude 1:11).

Present Church Problems

What is not so apparent, is what exactly should be done in cases of this kind  – where false teachers arise and may lead people astray. There are many instances of false teaching such as those who doubt the inerrancy of scripture, that Jesus is God, that salvation is through faith alone, by grace alone, and by Jesus alone and the main tenets of the faith set down from the time of the apostles and their creeds.

We should be clear  about the fact that:
1. God is our Creator and that He is immutable, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent;
2. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and through the mystery of the incarnation He came to Earth teaching truth and life;
3. Christ died and rose again on the third day and defeated Satan, death, hell and the grave;
4. Christ will come again to judge the quick and the dead and destroy evil for good and set up an eternal kingdom.

The creation, incarnation, death and resurrection and return of Christ should be clear and firm enough within the body of believers as these are the main areas where untrue statements can flourish trying to undermine the backbone of the faith, cause disunity and manifest spiritual weakness.

“And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and that is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:3

This spirit must be contested with all might because as John continues in Chapter 4 of 1st John, the spirit of truth will prevail against the spirit of error and everyone that loves others, knoweth God for God in His true nature is the very essence of love.

Know and Admonish

Jesus in His sermon on the mount also spoke of false prophets and to beware of them because they masquerade in sheep’s clothing but are actually ravening wolves (1). He mentioned that “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). In other words, apart from the fact that they will stray from the truth of God they will also produce evil or corrupt practices and deeds.

Those who are rooted and grounded in the correct faith usually manifest good things related to ministry, teaching, and outreach activities. Those who stray from the faith unfortunately will become like bad apples on a poisoned tree.

Scripture teaches us that we are to go through our stages of admonishing these false doctrines as we ourselves could fall under the same sin (2). In fact, the Old Testament punishment for heresy was death (3).

As we question false teachings, we are to:

TRY THEM:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

REBUKE THEM:
“Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” Titus 1:13


AVOID THEM:
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17


REJECT THEM:
“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.” Titus 3:10
“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11 (4)

It had become perilous times in the era of King Ahab when Elijah had to question, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow Him; but if Ba’al, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21. This led to a showdown between the prophets of Ba’al and Asharoth and Elijah on Mt. Carmel. Jehovah-God speaks by burning the offering of Elijah and its surroundings (wood, stone, dust and water) with fire from heaven. Elijah slays these false prophets after this demonstration from God – while carrying out the Levitical punishment for witchcraft.

Let The Real Church Arise

Let us be vigilant to never let our surroundings denigrate into false teachings such as happened in the days of Elijah where evil persisted. However, “preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2).

As Jesus mentioned, you will also be able to mark them by the fruits of their labours. Gamaliel had to deliver wise council when Peter and the early apostles began preaching Jesus Christ as Saviour in the temple at Jerusalem, causing a dispute especially among the Sadducees. His words were: “Refrain from these man, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5:38-39)

Of course, the church still stands today as a powerful testament to the work of God and his disciples on Earth. Let it be that it remains true to the teachings of its head, who is Jesus Christ, and day by day continue to act as a beacon to dispel the darkness and chaos of this present age.

1. Matthew 7:15
2. Matthew 7:1-5
3. Leviticus 19:31, Exodus 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:9-14, Leviticus 20:27, 1 Kings 18:17-40
4. www.av1611.org/crock/judbynum.html