#ftotw

[worshipmoment]

False Religion: Islam

Islam is one of the major world religions that, along with Christianity and Judaism, teaches monotheism which is the doctrine that there is only one God in all existence. Islam teaches that Allah is the one and only deity in all existence (Qur'an 5:73; 112:1-4). He is supreme, all-knowing (40:20), ever-present, different from all of creation (3:191), and in complete control of all things. According to Islam, Allah created the universe in six days (2:29; 25:61-62), and all that is in it continues to exist by his permission and will. Allah is non-Trinitarian (5:73), but he is absolute and eternal.  Compared to Christianity, Islam has some similarities but significant differences. These differences make Islam a false religion.

Muhammad:

Muhammad (c. AD 570—632) was from Mecca, a city near the Red Sea in what is now Saudi Arabia. Muhammad was a religious man, often going on retreats to the mountains where he would pray. During one of these retreats, he reported being visited by the angel Gabriel, who supposedly gave Muhammad a revelation from Allah. Muhammad reported having several other revelations from Allah as well, and Muslims regard him as Allah’s last and greatest prophet to mankind. Muhammad claimed to have continued to receive revelations from Allah until his death, and Muhammad’s revelations were compiled after his death and canonized into what is now called the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book. Other respected writings in Islam include the Hadith, which is a collection of teachings, deeds, and sayings of Muhammad; and the Tafsir, which is a commentary of sorts on the Qur’an.

Qur’an or Koran:

The Quran or Koran is the sacred book of Islam and is broken up into 114 chapters called Suras which cover the subjects of ethics, history, law, and theology. It is highly revered by Muslims as the direct, literal word of God and without error. However there a lot of problems and contradictions in the Quran. Some examples are:

Can Allah have a son?

Yes: Surah 39:4, "If Allah desire to take a son to Himself, He will surely choose those He pleases from what He has created. Glory be to Him: He is Allah, the One, the Subduer (of all)."

No: Surah 6:101, "Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth! How could He have a son when He has no consort, and He (Himself) created everything, and He is the Knower of all things?"

Allah forgets yet Allah know all?

Forgets: Surah 32:14, "Taste ye then - for ye forgot the Meeting of this Day of yours, and We too will forget you - taste ye the Penalty of Eternity for your (evil) deeds!"

Knows all things: Surah 24:60, "Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage—there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things."

Scientific problems in the Quran:

Sperm comes from the chest of a man: Surah 86:5-7, "Now let man but think from what he is created! He is created from a drop emitted-Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs."

Birds can talk: Surah 27:16, "And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah)."

Ants can talk: Surah 27:18, "At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it."

There are 7 heavens and 7 earths! Surah 65:12, "Allah is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a similar number. Through the midst of them (all) descends His Command: that ye may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah comprehends, all things in (His) Knowledge."

Mary is the sister of Aaron and Moses: Surah 19:27-28, "Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. 28 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot."

Having just outlined just a handful of many problems and contradictions to the Qur’an as a divinely inspired work, we are forced to reject the Islamic claim that the Qur’an represents an error-free word of God to humanity. However, when a similar standard is applied to the Bible, the result is self-vindicating, for the Bible emerges flawless.

Islam, the religion of peace:

Is Islam a religion of peace? Many of its advocates say that it is.  Let's see what the Qur'an actually says.

The Qur'an tells Muslims to kill and go to war to fight for Islam: Quran, chapters (Surahs) 9:5; 2:191; 2:193; 3:118; 4:75,76; 5:33, 8:12; 8:65; 9:73,123; 33:60-62.

Fight for Allah: "And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers, (Quran 2:191).

Muslims are to battle for Allah: "Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbelieve do battle for the cause of idols. So fight the minions of the devil. Lo! the devil's strategy is ever weak," (Quran 4:76).

Kill those against Islam: "The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter," (Quran 5:33).

Beheading: "When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger. 13That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger. Whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, (for him) lo! Allah is severe in punishment," (Quran 8:12).

Slay non-Muslims: "Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful," (Quran 9:5).

Allah urges war: "O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil)," (Quran 9:123).

Allah urges killing: " . . . the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease and the agitators in the city do not desist . . . 61Cursed: wherever they are found they shall be seized and murdered, a (horrible) murdering. 62(Such has been) the course of Allah with respect to those who have gone before; and you shall not find any change in the course of Allah, (Quran 33:60-62).

Allah loves those who fight for him: "Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure," (Quran 61:4).

As you can see, the Qur'an definitely teaches that its people are to fight for the cause of Islam. This list of verses is important because they are within the holy book of Islam. What are we to conclude if a Muslim is to take the Quran seriously? Is he not obligated to slay non-Muslims, to go to war, to kill those against Islam, etc.? Isn't this what the verses are teaching? Yes, they are.

Jesus:

Muslims claim that Jesus was one of the most important prophets—not God’s Son. Islam asserts that Jesus, though born of a virgin, was created like Adam. Muslims do not believe Jesus died on the cross. They do not understand why Allah would allow His prophet Isa (the Islamic word for "Jesus") to die a torturous death. Yet the Bible shows how the death of the perfect Son of God was essential to pay for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16; 14:6; 1 Peter 2:24). So since they do not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ they are lost and damned to hell, unless they repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Works Salvation:

Islam is a religion of salvation by works because it combines man's works with Allah's grace. Consider the following verses from the Qur'an. 

"To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward," (Surah 5:9).

"And He answers those who believe and do good deeds, and gives them more out of His grace; and (as for) the unbelievers, they shall have a severe punishment," (Surah 42:26).

"O you who believe! If you are careful of (your duty to) Allah, He will grant you a distinction and do away with your evils and forgive you; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace," (Surah 8:29).

In Christianity, we appeal to the work of Christ on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24) completely and totally and in nothing in ourselves as a basis for forgiveness because no good thing dwells within us (Rom. 7:18), that is, apart from Christ. We sincerely believe in Christ, but we never claim that forgiveness is in any way merited or gained because of our sincerity or our works. Rather, our forgiveness is based on faith and trust in God in what He has done for us in Christ. Salvation in Christianity is God-centered. In Islam, forgiveness of sins is man-centered in that it is dependent upon man's sincerity and man's works in combination with Allah's forgiveness. Both Christianity and Islam teach that we must have faith in God. But in Christianity, this faith in God is enough to save us (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9). In Islam, faith in God is not enough.

Conclusion:

Christians and Muslims disagree on the nature of God, salvation, prophets, the true Scriptures, and many more things.  I know most Muslims will not change their mind about their beliefs while reading this but I am a Christian, saved by the grace of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. In obedience to Christ and according to the Bible, I seek to expose error and teach the truth. Therefore, I must say that Islam is a false religion. I say this to convert Muslims to Christ so they may find salvation in Him and find everlasting peace.

[worshipmoment]

False Religion: Catholicism

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is one of the largest religions, with more than 1.29 billion members worldwide. Catholic doctrine is authoritatively summarised in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). Sadly the Catholic Church is full of false doctrine that is contrary to the Word of God.

Salvation:

Roman Catholicism says that heaven is a reward for good works (CCC 1821) and that salvation is obtained through observing the commandments (CCC 2068; 2070, 2036)

"In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere 'to the end' and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God's eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ," (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1821).

the Second Vatican Council confirms: 'The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord...the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments,'" (CCC, par 2068).

“The authority of the Magisterium extends also to the specific precepts of the natural law because their observance, demanded by the Creator, is necessary for salvation,” (CCC 2036).

This is a clear rejection of the teaching of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.(Rom. 3:28).

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”(Rom. 4:3).

However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. (Rom. 4:5).

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Gal. 3:10).

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all," (James 2:10).

As we can see from Scripture, we are made right before God without the law. This means that our salvation is based on faith alone as Romans 4:5 clearly tells us: "However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Because of the Roman Catholic church's teaching on salvation by works, which is rejected by Scripture with a warning, (Galatians 5:4). Roman Catholicism must be considered a false religion since it clearly contradicts Scripture.

Mary:

Mary holds a very high position in the Roman Catholic Church, so much so that she is like a goddess. According to Roman Catholicism, Mary is:

"The all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God" (CCC 721)

The "Queen over all things" (CCC 966)

Our "Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix" (CCC 969)

She is "full of grace" (CCC 722)

The "Mother of God and our mother" (CCC 2677)

The "new Eve" (CCC 726)

The "seat of wisdom" (CCC 721)

Marry had no original sin (CCC 508), and never committed sin (CCC 493)

She is second only to her Son" (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, par. 66)

She sits "on the right hand of the majesty on high" (Pope Pius X, Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum, 14)

It was Mary who "crushed the poisonous head of the most cruel serpent and brought salvation to the world" (Pope Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus)

It is Mary who "delivers our souls from death" (CCC 966)

It is Marry who we are to be  "praying to" (CCC 2679), and have devotion to (CCC 971).

These things are ridiculous and are outside of scripture. "Do not go beyond what is written." (1 Cor. 4:6). Has the Roman Catholic Church gone beyond what is written in scripture with its teaching about Mary?  Absolutely, yes! Roman Catholics all over the world offer prayers to Mary on a regular basis and expect her to hear them and intercede for them with God and Jesus. This is sad because the Bible nowhere instructs believers in Christ to pray to anyone other than God. Only God can hear our prayers and only God can answer our prayers. The Roman Catholic church basically worships Mary.  The Bible is absolutely clear though that we are to worship God alone. (Luke 4:8,  Exodus 20:3) When Roman Catholics are accused or worshiping Mary and the saints, they normally say they do not “worship” Mary or saints, but rather that they only “venerate” them.  Using a different word does not change the essence of what is being done though. There is no instruction in the Bible to revere those who have gone to heaven. We are to follow their example, yes, but worship, revere, or venerate, no! When Roman Catholics are praying and worshiping to Marry they are commuting idolatry.

Purgatory

CCC 1030, "All who die in Gods grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation, but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven."

CCC 1031, "The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

CCC 1475, "In the communion of saints, "a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. Between them, there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things." In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin.

There are 4 problems with purgatory:

It is not explicitly found in the Bible.

It implies that the righteousness of Christ does not cleanse from all sin.

It implies that justification is not by faith alone.

It implies that there is something we must do in order to be cleansed of sin.

Ultimately purgatory is an unbiblical doctrine and should not be excepted by anyone.

The Communion elements become the actual body and blood of Christ (Known as transubstantiation)

CCC 1374, "In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained."

CCC 1376, "The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation."

If the elements were changed and were really the body and blood of Christ, then why does Paul refer to the element of bread as bread and not the literal body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 11:23-28?  It should be obvious to anyone who believes the word of God that the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation is not biblical and it is just plain stupid.

The Pope is the head of the church and has the authority of Christ:

CCC 2034, "The Roman Pontiff and the bishops are 'authentic teachers, that is, teachers endowed with the authority of Christ, who preach the faith to the people entrusted to them, the faith to be believed and put into practice.' The ordinary and universal Magisterium of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him teach the faithful the truth to believe, the charity to practice, the beatitude to hope for."

The Roman Catholic teaching about the office of the pope should be rejected because it is not biblical. It is ridiculous to think any can have the authority of Christ. The Pope should never be followed, The Pope is the head of a false church that is opposed to the true gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. If anyone preaches a different gospel then they should be avoided at all cost. (Galatians 1:8-9).

Can Roman Catholics be saved?

 Yes, there are plenty of Roman Catholics that are truly saved. But Roman Catholicism teaches works' righteousness and because it does, anyone who seeks salvation in the Roman Catholic system will hardly ever find salvation. So, if any Roman Catholics wants salvation they must repent of the false doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church and trust in Christ alone by faith alone for the forgiveness of his or her sins. There is no other way. Salvation is found only by believing the gospel that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead. This message is received by faith alone, and we can add no works to what Christ has done. This is why the Bible says we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1) without the works of the law (Ephesians 2:8).

If you're a Catholic, do you know for sure if you are going to heaven when you die?  I can say that I know I am going to heaven.  This isn't arrogance.  It is confidence in the work of Christ and not my own work.  It is confidence in the ability of Jesus to save me completely, to have fulfilled all of the Law perfectly, and to have cleansed me from my sin totally.  Therefore, because all my hope and trust are in Him and not what I can do, I know I am going to heaven.  If my salvation depended on my goodness and abilities in any way, then I can't have any confidence that I will make it to heaven because I am a wretched sinner.  But God is perfect and requires holiness (1 Pet. 1:16).  This is why God provided Jesus who fulfilled the Law (Matt. 5:17). Jesus did everything that is necessary for us to do.  This is why we should trust Jesus alone and not Jesus and our goodness or Jesus and our church or Jesus and our ability to love God and our neighbor. We should trust Jesus and Jesus alone.   But, what about you?  Do you have that confidence?  If not, perhaps it is because of the requirements that the Roman Catholic Church has put on you.  The Roman Catholic Church is wrong and if you want to be truly saved then all you have to do is to put your faith in Jesus Christ there are no works involved.

[worshipmoment]

False Religion: Zoroastrianism

The false religion Zoroastrianism was founded by the man Zoroaster generally believed to be born around 6th-century BC in Persia. According to Zoroaster, there is one true deity to be worshipped, His name is Ahura-Mazda (wise lord). In Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda has an adversary called Angra Mainyu. Angra Mainyu is the originator of death and all that is evil in the world. Ahura Mazda, who is perfect, abides in Heaven, whereas Angra Mainyu dwells in the depths of Hell. When a person dies they will go to Heaven or Hell depending on their deeds during their lifetime but Hell is a temporary place of suffering for sinners after death. When evil is finally defeated, the souls of sinners will be released from hell and will be purified by the ordeal of molten metal. They will then join the congregation of God and the saints.

History of Zoroastrianism:

Many Claim that Zoroastrianism is the oldest religion alive and that Christianity and Judaism came from Zoroastrianism, however, this is simply not true. While Zoroastrianism is said to have had its origins in the 6th century BC, it only enters recorded history in the 5th century BC. This is in contrast to the Bible, where most historians and scholars put the writing of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy written by Moses) between 1446—1406 BC during Israel’s wanderings in the desert. This means the Old Testament pre-dates the Avesta by close to 900 years.  It is clear that the concept of one God and the need for a Savior was established much earlier by the Hebrew people. Even the prophet Isaiah spoke of the virgin birth of Christ and recorded it around 701 BC, which still precedes Zoroastrianism by 100 years.

Avesta:

The Avesta is the primary collection of religious texts of Zoroastrianism and was written by the prophet Zoroaster. The Avesta contains hymns, rituals, and spells against demons. The prophet Zoroaster supposedly received what he recorded in the Avesta from Ahura Mazda, and from his Archangels (Amesha Spentas) while at the Daiti River. Zoroaster is the sole author. This method of “enlightenment” is similar to that claimed by the prophet Mohammed of Islam, who received a vision from the angel Gabriel. His message was passed down for about three centuries by word of mouth before being recorded by scribes in the Qu'ran. Still, the source is only one man, and a person should question the accuracy of one's memory over a long period such as that. Compare these “revelations” with The Bible: 40 authors of 66 books over a span of 1,600 years (55 generations), and most of the authors were not acquainted with one another. They came from different backgrounds (judge, prophet, king, priest, shepherd, scribe, soldier, fisherman, physician) and different locations (tents, palaces, dungeons, cities, deserts), and they wrote under different circumstances in three different languages (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic). Yet they ALL convey the same common theme about God. Their writings are accepted as the inerrant, true, and inspired Word of God recorded through men (2 Timothy 3:16). The accuracy of the original texts has been verified over and over each time an ancient biblical manuscript has been discovered.

Works Salvation:

Zoroastrianism states that active participation in life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. There are various religious rituals that must be observed and a variety of deeds to be performed to ensure salvation. This is in stark contrast to Christianity, which teaches that Christ is the only way to salvation (John 14:6) and that our salvation cannot be earned (Ephesians 2:8–9). This is the difference between Christianity and all false religions. In Christ, salvation is a free gift from God apart from works, which save no one (Romans 3:20, 28). All other religions require works of some kind to appease God. Thankfully, our Bible is crystal clear on salvation, how to receive it, what is true, and what is not.

Conclusion:

It is abundantly clear that Zoroastrianism is yet another religion where salvation is works-based. There is no evidence of any divine influence in their religious writings, and it is clearly not impacting the world and changing lives today the way our relevant, living, all-powerful God is doing. The Bible, which could not possibly exist and claim the things it does unless it truly IS the inspired Word of God, has the power to change lives on a massive scale.  Zoroastrianism like all other false religion is based on works of salvation.  Zoroastrianism is wrong and if you want to be truly saved then all you have to do is to put your faith in Jesus Christ there are no works involved.

[worshipmoment]

False Teacher Comments.

These are the type of comments that I hear over and over again when I call out false teachers not just on this blog but even inside the church. So here are just some of the comments that I get and below the comment is a paragraph just to prove that the comments I get are irrelevant and does not prove anything.

“You’re just being negative and critical! Don’t you have anything good to say? I can’t believe you’re criticizing (insert famous/popular Christian leader)!

Because I believe the Bible is God’s Word, I must also believe that some ideas are incompatible with the Bible and must be rejected as false. While it’s true that Christians should not be primarily negative and critical people, we should be willing to say negative and critical things about false teachings, because bad doctrine is very harmful: it leads people away from God. The painful reality is that false teachers are great manipulators and they know exactly what to say in order to keep your trust, so sometimes it’s necessary to say negative and critical things to confront them and their teachings. The Old Testament prophets, Jesus and all the Apostles did this, a whole lot. We should not be primarily thinking “positive versus negative,” instead, we should be thinking: “true versus false.” The Bible is not always a “positive” book because it contains the truth that we need to hear. We, humans, are like disobedient children who need correction from our Heavenly Father, who loves us enough to tell us the truth. The truth hurts.

“Judge not, lest you be judged.” (“Who are you to judge?”)

Whenever a false teacher/prophet is exposed (because of unbiblical teachings, blatant sin, corruption/greed, prophecies that don’t come true, etc.) they can often maintain the unquestioning support of their followers by the using this verse (Matthew 7:1) taken out of context, of course. This verse is not saying: “don’t ever judge anyone ever!” In reading the whole passage, it’s easy to see that this verse is warning against unjust, hypocritical judgment in our personal dealings with others. Matthew 7:1 is not about evaluating the teachings that are being taught by a teacher. 

“An experience is better than any doctrine!” “I don’t really care about theology, I just love Jesus!” "Jesus is my theology!"

While it’s true that some people have very real and emotional experiences with God, this should not be where we establish our belief system-God’s Word does that. God has graciously given us the safe parameters within which we can understand Him: in His Word. But if a person depends on experiences they can easily become dependent on more experiences, which will usually escalate into an emotional train wreck. Just ask anyone who has left a Charismatic/Pentecostal church in a state of confusion, never to return. Also saying “I don’t really care about theology, I just love Jesus” is a theological statement. It’s just a very weak one. We don’t see anything in the bible about “just loving Jesus” (as if our emotional feelings about Him were the key), but we do see many exhortations to have good, sound doctrine and teaching. Theology is a word that simply means “the study of God.” All Christians are theologians, whether they admit it or not. A solid theological understanding of God’s amazing grace is much better than any emotional experience anyway-because it never changes (unlike our emotions)!

“They give some much money away and do so much good how can they be a false teacher?”

Just because someone gives money away or does some good for the community does not make them a good teacher or a godly man/woman. Yes, it is good that they are giving money away but money is nothing compared to the gospel.

“Don’t touch God’s anointed!” “You better be careful if you speak against prophet/bishop/pastor so and so!”

When false teachers can’t defend their beliefs in the clear teachings of the Bible, they use this verse as a rebuke. It’s taken completely out of context from the Old Testament and it refers to physically harming the Israelite king or prophet. This has nothing to do with questioning bad leadership or false teachings. It’s interesting to note that cult leaders often use some type of threat to maintain their authority-this is the lowest form of leadership.

“Look at all the fruit on his tree-he must be blessed by God!” “With all those new people going to that church, you just know it’s being blessed by God!”

Fruit on the tree does not mean “people coming to church.” Here’s the only thing that can be said for sure about a church with thousands of people attending: the pastor is being paid a large salary. Seriously, that’s about all we can know for sure. Oh, and they also must have a good worship team. When Jesus told us to look at the fruit of a teacher, He was telling us to compare the teaching and life of the teacher to Jesus, it should “look” the same. Any pastor teaching things that are contrary to Jesus is a false teacher, no matter how many followers he has.

“I know that some of their teaching is wrong, but they (pastor/teacher/author) have some good things to say; we shouldn’t just throw the baby out with the bathwater!”

Can you imagine a pastor/teacher that doesn’t have any good things to say, ever? Of course not! They wouldn’t last five minutes. Having some good things to say does not qualify anyone for ministry. There are unqualified “ministers” who really think they’re doing God’s work but they’re not, and there are millions of people putting themselves under their authority and they shouldn’t be. We should be very strict and discerning in who we accept as our pastor/teacher, just as the Bible instructs us to. This is for our own good!

[worshipmoment]

5 key characteristics of a false teacher.

Pride: False teachers are concerned about their own popularity. They are concerned for their own fame.They are concerned for their own notoriety. They are concerned for their own prestige. They’re concerned to see themselves and hear themselves in the public eye. They want Large Crowds, as it were, to bow down in great homage to them.They’re Characterized by Pride and they will do anything to gain the ground they need to gain for the welfare of their own Personal Ego, including any amount of Compromise necessary.

Selfishness: False teachers tend to be self-centered. They are concerned for their own comfort. They are concerned about their own popularity. They are concerned for their own prosperity. In the end, it’s all about money, fame, and prestige and notoriety equals an increased bank account. They are in it for the money and the personal material benefits that they can gain as they endeavor to feed their selfish desires.

Deception: False teachers usually can weave a very sophisticated web of deception in their teaching because they tend to be articulate, if they’re going to be successful, and they endeavor to engage other people to aid them in their deceitful enterprise which gives it the, sort of, facade of credibility. (Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Matthew 24:11)

Irreverent: False teachers have absolutely no regard for God. The fact that they would go against God, that they would elevate themselves the way they do, that they would pervert the truth indicates their utter Irreverence. They have little, if any, regard for God, His Word, His Truth, His Glory, His Honor.

Destructive: False teachers seek to use people; they seek to abuse people. They seek to lead people into error, which destroys them—into sin, which pollutes them.

[worshipmoment]

False Teacher: Todd Bentley

Todd David Bentley is a Canadian Christian evangelist. Todd Bentley has been best known for his past controversial Lakeland Florida Revivals promoted heavily by "God TV", where Bizarre unbiblical things took place in the name of Jesus. Sadly Todd Bentley is a false prophet, false teacher, and just a plain wicked man. 

Prosperity Gospel/Preaching?

The prosperity gospel also known as the Word of Faith moment is a religious belief among some Christians, who hold that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them. The prosperity gospel is not biblical and anyone who teaches the prosperity gospel is a false teacher and sadly Todd Bentley teaches this false gospel. In one video from the Kingdom Business Association, Todd Bentley talks about the angel of finance and the angel called “International Banker.” This is so sad that people actually believe this nonsense.  Todd Bentley needs to consider reading the Bible. Not the Erasable Bible, in which you pick and choose which verses to read and apply but the whole Bible. (Link)

Todd Bentley not only teaches a false gospel of prosperity but he has told his followers that God had instructed him not to preach about Jesus, but instead to stress the supernatural. Here’s the story in his own words:

You know, I told the Lord, “Why can’t I just move in healing and forget talking about all that other stuff?” He said, “Because, Todd, you gotta get the people to believe in the angel.” I said, “God, why do I want people to believe in the angel, isn’t it about getting the people to believe in Jesus?” He said, “The people already believe in Jesus, but the church doesn’t believe in the supernatural.” The church has no problem believing in Jesus. But what we don’t believe in is the supernatural. (Link)

According to Todd Bentley, God didn’t want more preaching about salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ but more supernatural teachings. Paul refused to speak about his supernatural experiences (2 Corinthians 12:2-6) and made Christ the singular focus of his ministry (1 Corinthians 2:2). I have listened to a lot of talks from Todd Bentley and I never once heard him tell the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Todd Bentley’s Violent Outbursts

Warning! Please note that these videos and quotes may be extremely alarming to people who have experienced abuse at any level.   It is not my intent at all to emotionally harm people, but rather, to help lead people out of spiritual error and confusion by pointing them back to Jesus. 

Todd Bentley, claims to be a man of God, with the power of the Holy Spirit, able to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. However, this is all false, he is no healer and no man of God. When Jesus healed the crippled and lame He never had to beat the sickness out of them like Todd Bentley does. Here are just a few of the beatings Todd Bentley has given:

Todd Bentley kicks an old woman in the face with a biker boot:

"And I'm thinking God why is not the power of God moving. He said "It's because you haven't kicked that woman in the face." And there's this older lady worshipping right in front of the platform [Bentley holds up hands as if worshipping. Crowd laughs]. And the Holy Spirit spoke to me, the gift of faith came on me, He said "Kick her in the face - with your biker boot! [Bentley holds up leg and foot for crowd, he is wearing a biker boot.  Crowd laughing hysterically.] I inched closer and I went like this [he kicks out forcefully and screams] – Bam! And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God." (Link)

Todd Bentley explains how he body slams a man, mounts him, and then chokes him while screaming, "come out of him devil, come out of him devil...":

"And I saw Him and the gift of faith came on me and I said, "What do I do God?" God told me to just - "run em' down!" So I jumped up in the air and I went - BAM! and I hit em' to the ground, jumped on to him, and got him in a full mount, and something came over me, and instead of punching him I grabbed him by the neck and started choking him [yelling and making motion as if he is ckoking someone] and I said, [now screaming] "Come out of him devil, come out of him devil..."   (Link)

Todd Bentley kicks the guy with stage 4 colon cancer claiming he had to obey the Lord. (Link)

Todd Bentley bangs women's legs up and down on the platform like a baseball bat. God told Bentley in fact, instructed him to grab a lady’s crippled legs and to start banging them up and down on the platform like a baseball bat. (Link)

Todd Bentley needs to be in an insane asylum plain and simple. Bentley is nothing more than a shameless con man who deceives thousands of people.  We all know God doesn’t need us to kick people in the face for them to be healed.  It is sad and frustrating to see the sick and dying leave one of Todd Bentleys healing crusades or service thinking they are healed, only to find out later that they did not receive a miracle but they were just deceived.  Sometimes people are physically healed when they place their faith in Christ, but this is not always the case. Sometimes it is God’s will to heal, but sometimes it is not. Our full physical healing awaits us in heaven. In heaven, there will be no more pain, sickness, disease, suffering, or death (Revelation 21).

Raising The Dead?

Todd Bentley has supposedly raised over 37 people from the dead. Even though Bentley claims to have evidence of these resurrections there has been zero real medical evidence of these supposed resurrections and let alone video proof. It's a shame no one had a phone on them.

The emotional moment as this 10 years old boy was raised from the dead! He stopped breathing and was declared dead after 20 minutes. They carried him to the stage lifeless and after 5 minutes of prayer was instantly raised from the dead in front of 250,000 people! (Link)

Bentley claims in a report that 290,000 people "accepted Christ as their Savior" and three people were raised from the dead over the course of the crusade's four days. (Link)

Todd Bentley has even been caught in a lie claiming that a man who overdosed on heroin and was supposedly pronounced dead on arrival at a Houston-area hospital was at was spontaneously resurrected from the dead upon the broadcast of one of Bentley’s revival events.  Many contacted the hospital to see if they could get any confirmation from the hospital staff of what Bentley was claiming. The hospital staff had heard of no such thing. Even when Bentley has been caught in a lie people still flock to him to raise there loved ones. Todd Bentley and Paul Brown are even running a class that you can pay 50$ to learn how to raise the dead (Link).

Sadly people are being deceived Todd Bentley does not raise people from the dead. If a person who was officially pronounced dead was raised back to life, it would be an amazing miracle and it would be known worldwide, like the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Surely if a person was raised from the dead in the name of Christ, it would convince everyone to receive Jesus as Savior. Right? Wrong. Jesus addressed this very issue in Luke 16:30-31, “But if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. . . . If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” Amazing miracles are not what lead people to genuine faith. If a person is rejecting the Word of God, no miracle will convince the person to repent and receive Jesus Christ as Savior. All a miracle would do is cause people to desire for more miracles (Matthew 12:39; John 6:26) instead of desiring more of Christ.

Demond Possed

Todd Bentley frequently tells stories about his own manifestations of Spirits. Smashed tables and doors were common results of his charismatic experiences. One particularly violent episode occurred soon after his conversion. In a testimony you can listen to here, he claims that after he was saved, it was revealed that he was also possessed by demons—twenty-five to be exact.  The biblical contradiction of a true Christian simultaneously inhabited by the Holy Spirit and demonic spirits (Matthew 12:43-45 with 2 Corinthians 6:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Ephesians 1:13) seemed to escape the notice of Bentley. There is no clear example in the Bible where a demon ever inhabited or invaded a true believer. Never in the New Testament epistles are believers warned about the possibility of being inhabited by demons. Neither do we see anyone rebuking, binding, or casting demons out of a true believer. The epistles never instruct believers to cast out demons, whether from a believer or unbeliever. Christ and the apostles were the only ones who cast out demons, and in every instance the demon-possessed people were unbelievers. So is Todd Bentley just lying about being demon-possessed or is he really not a Christian at all and is just demon-possessed?

Conclusion:

If we add up everything we know about Todd Bentley we can conclude that what he is doing is a direct attack on Christians and on Jesus Christ Himself. Bentley is just another example of one of Satan’s servants who parade in the light but lure Christians away from believing in the power of God’s Word alone.  Stay away from Todd Bentley! He is a wicked man that needs to be rebuked and prayed for.

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False Teacher: Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is a Charismatic Christian author and speaker and president of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Joyce Meyer is sadly Twisting God’s Word to say what it does not and she is misleading so many of God’s people.

Prosperity Gospel and Word Faith:  Joyce Meyers teaches positive confessions and that your words have power also known as the Word of Faith movement.  Joyce Meyers also believes that God desires to bless all His people. Joyce teaches that God’s blessings and prosperity apply to the spiritual, emotional, physical and financial areas of life.

“I believe that words are containers for power and they either carry negative or positive power. They carry creative or destructive power. So, if I’m speaking right things I’m going to have right results. And if I’m speaking wrong things I’m going to have wrong results.  And we do pay for our words.  If, if I can say it like this, we eat our own words.” We can kill the plan of God for our lives with a negative confession” (From Joyce Meyer’s Teaching: “Mind, Mouth, Moods, and Attitudes”.)

“Romans 4:17 says God gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things as if they already existed. He created the world with faith-filled words (see Genesis 1). We are created in His image, and we can also call things that are not as though they are. We can speak positive thoughts about ourselves into the atmosphere and thereby ‘prophesy our future. (From Joyce Meyer, “Your Mouth is a Weapon.)

Supports Heretics: Joyce Meyers has appeared alongside strong Word of Faith teachers like Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn and so many more. Joyce Meyers has spoken at so-called church like T.D Jales church, Joel Osteen’s church, and Steven Furtick’s church. Now it is not wrong to speak at these churches but is wrong to affirm people like T.D Jakes (who denies the Trinity.) Steven Furtick and Joel Osteen. Joyce Meyers has affirmed them, and that is wrong and against God word.

Joyce Meyer and 1 Timothy 2:12-13:  Joyce Meyer is wrong for occupying the position of a preacher of God’s word.  Not only does she preach false doctrines, but she also functions as a preacher by teaching God’s word, exegeting it, applying it, and telling people what to believe – in public. In 1 Timothy 2:12-13, we are told, “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.” In the home and in the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. God, through Paul, restricts women from serving in roles of teaching and/or having spiritual authority over men in the church.  Joyce Meyers is not following 1 Timothy 2:12-13. What does the Bible say about? Woman Pastors

False Teachings: Joyce Meyers teachers many false things like:

Jesus stopped being the Son of God: “He could have helped himself up until the point where he said I commend my spirit into your hands, at that point he couldn’t do nothing for himself anymore. He had become sin, he was no longer the Son of God. He was sin.” (Audio Clip)

What Joyce is saying is that Jesus stopped being divine, the eternal son, the second person of the Trinity. This is an attack on the very nature of Christ and it is a dangerous false teaching. Jesus did not ever stop becoming the son of God.

Jesus was born again:  “The minute that blood sacrifice was accepted Jesus was the first human being that was ever born again,” (Video)

Being born again means to be saved from the wrath of God for a person’s sins (Eph. 2:1-3), to have a new birth (John 3:3), and to be regenerated (2 Cor. 5:17). This is a serious error since it implies that the sinless Jesus needed to be changed.

Jesus paid for our sins in hell:  “He became our sacrifice and died on the cross. He did not stay dead. He was in the grave three days. During that time he entered hell, where you and I deserve to go (legally) because of our sin. He paid the price there.” (The most important decision you’ll ever make, by Joyce Meyer, page 35)

Jesus did not pay the price of our redemption in hell.  He paid the price on the cross.  It was finished on the cross when he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30)

We are little Gods: (Video)

We are NOT (little)gods like what she says we are. There’s only One God and there is no other! (Isaiah 45:5)

Joyce claims she is no Longer a Sinner (Audio Clip)

I guess Joyce Meyers has never read John 1:8, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us,”

Conclusion: Joyce Meyer is a false teacher, rather than listening to her, we should all avoid her and her teachings since they clearly contradict the Word of God. We need to be praying for her that she repents of her ways and we also need to be praying for all those under her teachings.

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False Teacher: Bethel Church

Bethel Church is a non-denominational charismatic megachurch, that was established in 1954 in Redding, California. The church, which is currently being led by Bill Johnson, is notable for their controversial ministry style, supernatural ministry school, and the church's music team. Sadly the Bethel church is no church at all. They teach a false gospel and false signs and wonders.

False Teachers: Bethel is full of false teachers like Bill Johnson: Post coming soon. Kris Vallotten: Post coming soon.  Seth Dahl Is just one of the many pastors at Bethel Church. He is Children's pastor that has some horrible theology. He posted a video teaching parents how to do telepathy with their children. “I call it ‘communicating spiritually with our children,” Dahl said in the video. He continued, “I’m going to talk spiritually; I’m going to communicate from my spirit to her spirit. So what I would do is ask her a question silently, inside my spirit and ask [her] ‘what’s going on’…and immediately every time I’ve done this I’ve had an answer come. I’ve had thoughts about what they need that will help them.” Of course, none of this is Christian. This is adapted from a number of other religions, from ancient mysticism to New Age occultism. If the Holy Spirit was active at Bethel Church, he would gift them with discernment. (Video)  Seth Dahl also had a vision of Jesus holding him, and then says, “Please Forgive Me,” on behalf of a pastor who said emotionally abusive things to Seth Dahl. To think that Jesus the Lord of Lords and King of Kings would ever need to ask forgiveness from his creation! It is such blasphemy to state that Jesus would say such words. (Video)   Amy Gagnon Works in the Bethel nursery - Kingdom Kritters. Amy Gagnon has let the babies cry because she said the babies were interceding for the main service. Babies cry because they are hungry or they need to be changed, they are not interceding for anyone.  (Video)    Bethel focuses a huge amount of time on mystical experience, that there is very little if any, doctrinal teaching about Christ at all. Even when they teach doctrine it's normally so bad because they are full of false teachers. Here are just some of Bill Johnson false teachings: In Bill Johnson's teaching on the Incarnation, Bill Johnson states, that Jesus Christ is God. But Johnson also emphasizes to an unbiblical extreme that Jesus completely laid aside His deity:

[Jesus] laid His divinity aside as He sought to fulfill the assignment given to Him by the Father.” (Chapter 7, When Heaven Meets Earth)

To claim that Jesus put His divinity aside while on Earth brings another Gospel. If Jesus was not divine when He died on the Cross, then He would not have been a sufficient sacrifice.

Bill Johnson also teaches that Jesus was born again:

So [Jesus] was born through Mary, the Virgin, and then he was born again in the resurrection.” (Video)

Jesus was not born again because He did not need to be Born Again. He did not have a sinful nature and He, though tempted, did not desire to rebel against God. He was not dead in trespasses and sins, so He did not need to be made alive.

Woman pastors: Bethel has many women in the pastoral ministry. Bethel has had Beni Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Heidi Baker and many more preach at the church. However, in 1 Timothy 2:12-13, we are told, "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve." In the home and in the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. God, through Paul, restricts women from serving in roles of teaching and/or having spiritual authority over men in the church.

Unbiblical Practices: Fire Tunnels: Fire tunnels are when people form a tunnel through which others can walk through. While walking through the tunnel, the people that form the tunnel lay hands on them and bless them. During this operation, they speak prophesy over them give them a piece of the Holy Spirit.  You also see people, after they have gone through the fire tunnel get drunk in the spirit. Nowhere in the Bible is this taught. God is the only One who gave the Holy Spirit. One thing is certain, fire tunnels have absolutely NOTHING to do with the real Holy Spirit! Glory Clouds: Bethel has reported many sightings of a “glory cloud” they believe this to be a physical manifestation of God’s presence in the form of a glittery cloud. Although the Lord God can manifest any way He chooses to, He does not need a glittery cloud to communicate His presence. And if it really was God's Glory in the cloud everyone in the room would be dead. Bethel also practices: Drunkenness in the Spirit, Speaking in Tongues, Prophecy of the Tattoo ministry, Supernatural healing and speaking prophesy over people.  Ultimately all these unbiblical practices in the church today lead to chaos in the church. I have never seen fire tunnels, glory clouds and any other practices done in a peaceful order. They are always laughing uncontrollably, violently shaking on the floor or just acting drunk, none of these are attributes of a spirit-filled Christian but they are attributes of the demon possed (Mark 9:14-29). Paul wrote clearly that the church should contain order and truth, that would prompt the unbeliever to worship God. (1 Corinthians 14) Chaos does not convict sinners of God’s truth, the Word given in order does! I refuse to give fire tunnels glory clouds, feathers, “Prophecy of the Tattoo” ministry, dead-raising team, healing rooms, or church drunkenness further writing time. It’s all chaos. It’s not of the Lord.  

Bethel teaches a false Jesus, a false gospel and also teaches a false holy spirit, with false signs and wonders. There are so many false teaching and false signs and wonders that go on in Bethel Church that it is so hard to keep track of them all. Bethel Church is no church at all and should be avoided at all cost. May true followers of Christ delete the music, set down the books, avoid the school, and lovingly steer others from this so-called church.

Links:

Heidi Baker - Demonic impartation 

Bethel Church children's director and "trips to heaven, with kids" 

Bill Johnson - Jesus Born Again.

Tunnel of fire at Bethel Church

Glory Cloud Rises At Bethel Church 

Strange Manifestations - Bethel Church & IHOP