Staying away from False Doctrines
by J Wing
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Believe or not, ALL these statements have been given to me in recent months are all perfect examples of false gospels. This shows just how Godly and Biblical doctrines can sound and yet be completely ungodly and unBiblical. The only way any of us can tell us a teaching is true or false is of course by the Bible itself.
1 Timothy 4:1
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; |
If you look up seducing in the Greek for that verse, it means deceiving. Deceiving means to appear to be true, yet it's false, or to give a false impression. This verse is talking about religions that appear to be right, but doesn't lead a person down the path to heaven.
Galatians 1:8
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. |
Many people assume revelation by any angel to be divinely inspired, but most people forget there are holy angels and fallen angels.
Before we look into why these statements are incorrect, perhaps we should check what the ‘real gospel’ is.
- Mormon’s revelation came from an angel by the name Moroni. The teachings include that God, Jesus, and Satan are 3 separate gods, where as the Bible says God is one god in 3 persons. Mormons also teach the Archangel Michael became Adam. They believe Noah is the arch-angel Gabriel
- The Quran tell us Mohammed's call was from the Holy Spirit, the angel Gabriel according to Islam. The Quran says that Jesus is only a prophet who did not die on the cross and God has no son. The Bible is clear Jesus is the Son of God and 2nd person in the Trinity.
- The Seventh Day Adventist get their teachings from Ellen G. White who said she received visions and information from her “accompanying angel' (Present Truth, pp. 21-22, 1849) who revealed to her the hidden truths of the Bible. Among their teachings are that Jesus and the Archangel Michael are the same person and Jesus death only forgives sins of the past, requiring one to obey the Law perfectly in the present and the future, to keep yourself saved.
- The whole New Age movement receives their information from Spirit guides through channeling and automatic writing.
- The psychics also receive their impressions by familiar spirits who would be identified as fallen angels.
Before we look into why these statements are incorrect, perhaps we should check what the ‘real gospel’ is.
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Acts 16:31 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 1 John 5:13 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. |
All these verses make it clear that believing in Jesus Christ death on the cross and resurrection is all that is needed for salvation which gives eternal life. Nothing more is needed and nothing less is needed.
We know God’s word is perfect and will never contradict itself. So if any teaching is correct it should compare 100% with all of scripture. If we even find even one verse where it contradicts, we can be sure we are dealing with a false gospel. It’s the same idea one should use with a glass of water that has but 1 drop of the poison strychnine in it. Simply put if a teaching is Biblical you would be unable to find a single verse that it would be at odds with. Unfortunately each of the statements above are at odds with the Bible in multiple verses. Let us take each statement separately and see where they are at odds with God’s word.
We know God’s word is perfect and will never contradict itself. So if any teaching is correct it should compare 100% with all of scripture. If we even find even one verse where it contradicts, we can be sure we are dealing with a false gospel. It’s the same idea one should use with a glass of water that has but 1 drop of the poison strychnine in it. Simply put if a teaching is Biblical you would be unable to find a single verse that it would be at odds with. Unfortunately each of the statements above are at odds with the Bible in multiple verses. Let us take each statement separately and see where they are at odds with God’s word.
1. “You get into Heaven by keeping the commandments, evangelizing God's Word, and performing good deeds.”
This first statement suggests that salvation come by obeying the 10 commandments and doing good works (deeds). I've heard people also state along the lines that "believing in Jesus is not enough". What does the Bible say about this?
Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 3:11 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed(Messiah) should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained byangels in the hand of a mediator. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. |
Basically the Law doesn’t justify anyone. All the Law does is it shows is what Romans 3:10 says “There is none righteous, no, not one”. By placing Christians back under the bondage of the 10 commandments, in part or whole, still constitutes trying to justify yourself before a holy God by works. Romans calls the 10 commandments a law of sin and death for good reason. The Law can only show you your sin and the punishment of it which is death (separation from God).
2. “You are saved by worshipping God on the Sabbath, which is the Seal of God.”
This statement is similar to the 1st statement except that it picks out the Sabbath specifically. So lets take a look at the verse they are referring to. It is the 4th commandment.
Exodus 20:8-11
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. |
Notice that it says “Remember”. It doesn’t say worship. Also let us see who it was for.
Exodus 31:13
Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Exodus 31:16-17 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Ezekiel 20:11-13 11 And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. 12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. 13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume Ezekiel 20:19-21 19 I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; 20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. 21 Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
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You will notice over and over again how God was speaking and referring to Israel every time He mentions giving the Sabbath. He says it is specifically given as a sign between Him and Israel, as a marriage contract. Note also that it was specifically for Israel to keep throughout her generations but not God. Thereby Jesus being God didn't have to observe the Sabbath. Jesus in fact consistently broke the Sabbath by working, whether it was teaching or healing. How could it have been a sign between God and Israel if He had given the same sign to other nations too? Would a ring be a sign of a man's special relationship with his wife, if he gave similar rings to many other women?
Jesus when He ushered in the new covenant (marriage contract) with the Church, He gave her a sign of that covenant being the 2 laws and the Lord's supper.
Jesus when He ushered in the new covenant (marriage contract) with the Church, He gave her a sign of that covenant being the 2 laws and the Lord's supper.
Matthew 22:35-41
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Romans 7:4 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him,If a man love me, he will keep my words (not the 10 commandments): and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. |
If we bind part of the law, we are debtors to keep the whole law, the law as a whole. You cannot take part and leave part. You must take it all or none. If we take the 10 Commandments, we fall from grace, as we go back to Israel’s work oriented salvation plan. We are discharged from that Law like a woman is freed from a dead husband. So it is spiritual adultery to try to practice both the old law and the law of Christ.
3. “You get saved by saying Hail Mary’s and going to Mass.”
This way of salvation is assuming that Mary, according to Catholics and an increasing number of others, is her immaculate conception (conceived sinless), remained a virgin, was exalted over all women, bodily assumed to heaven, and now is the co-mediator between God and men. So prayers to her and dead saints will be brought before God on our behalf. Again all of these false but I’ll leave a verse which disproves each for you.
Luke 1:46-47
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 2:22-24 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. |
Here Mary admits God is her Saviour. If she was sinless why would she need a saviour. The offering of 2 doves was required in Leviticus 12:6-8 as the sin offering. She wouldn’t need this offering if she wasn't a sinner.
Matthew 1:24-25
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. Mark 6:2-3 2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. |
This right here shows that Mary didn’t stay a virgin but rather had many children after Jesus’ virgin birth.
Acts 1:13-14
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. |
This is the last mention of Mary the mother of Jesus. Notice here she not exalted above women but praying to Jesus with the women. There is absolutely no mention in the Bible of Mary’s exaltation nor any indication of her assumption or ascension into heaven. So if she isn’t in heaven, then she lies dead along with all the dead through the ages. And the Bible does say something about the dead.
Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. |
So Mary like all the dead saints, not only can’t hear you when you pray to them, they have no clue about anything going on in the world of the living. So how does it help to pray to them to ask God to forgive your sins?
Lastly and the most obvious is:
Lastly and the most obvious is:
1 Timothy 2:5
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. |
Clearly if the Bible is true, Mary nor anyone else can not be co-mediator.
“Put all the good works in the world against one Holy Mass; they will be as a grain of sand beside a mountain.” --St. John Vianney
What are the purposes for which the Mass is offered?
· First, to adore God as our Creator and Lord.
· Second, to thank God for His many favors.
· Third, to ask God to bestow His blessings on all men.
· Fourth, to satisfy the justice of God for the sins committed against Him.
Interesting how they claim the eating of a wafer and a sip of wine that is changed into the literal body and blood of Christ can give you salvation. The Bible as we saw above says there is only salvation in believing in Jesus. So whose word are you going to take, God’s or man’s?
“Put all the good works in the world against one Holy Mass; they will be as a grain of sand beside a mountain.” --St. John Vianney
What are the purposes for which the Mass is offered?
· First, to adore God as our Creator and Lord.
· Second, to thank God for His many favors.
· Third, to ask God to bestow His blessings on all men.
· Fourth, to satisfy the justice of God for the sins committed against Him.
Interesting how they claim the eating of a wafer and a sip of wine that is changed into the literal body and blood of Christ can give you salvation. The Bible as we saw above says there is only salvation in believing in Jesus. So whose word are you going to take, God’s or man’s?
4. “If you are really saved you will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues.”
People these days have been led astray by wanting to feel the like they are saved. Unfortunately salvation is not a feeling. You do not get baptized by the Holy Spirit, rather you are sealed. You are called to be baptized in water by full emersion and to receive the Holy Spirit after you accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, but nowhere are you told to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. However water baptism isn't even required, only belief in Jesus is.
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 1 Corinthians 12:28 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. |
You will notice that in listing the gifts of the spirit tongues are last on the list of importance, according to Paul. Also we should look at the necessity of the tongues as existing languages. The apostles at Pentacost only spoke mostly Hebrew and yet they had to reach out to people speaking many tongues.
Acts 2:6-11
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. |
You will notice in the passage several things. These tongues were all named and existing tongues of the people present; The meanings of what was said was crystal clear and the same; The speakers had no previous training in the tongue they spoke; And lastly the tongues drew the people’s attention to God and not the speakers.
5. “It is God’s will for all of His children to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
This claim by “prosperity gospel” is easily spotted, as it speaks to fallen man’s primary desires. It is simply a repeat of the serpent’s offer to Eve in the Garden of Eden that resulted in the fall of man. All the Bible’s prophets of old were dirt poor, only owning the cloaks on their backs. Even Jesus was poor.
Matthew 8:20
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Luke 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. |
And lets not forget Jesus even let Lazarus die, when He could have easily cured him even at a distance.
As you can see there are many false gospels out there to ensnare all of us. There are several I don’t even have the time to go into. Some have even snared me, before God helped me break free. I write this in the hopes that you won’t be ensnared as the day of our Lord Jesus return for His people draws very near.
If you have questions or would like me to expand on any of these or just want to chat with me, email me. I’d love to talk to you.
J Wing
If you have questions or would like me to expand on any of these or just want to chat with me, email me. I’d love to talk to you.
J Wing