False Prophets, Teachers and Messiahs
by Paul J. Rico (paulrico@hotmail.com)
Function and Definition of a Prophet
Two aspects: foretelling the future and forth telling the truth of HaShem and the Holy Scriptures.
- Inspiration 2 Pet 1:20-21. 2 Tim 3:16
- Revelation John 14:26, Heb 2:1-4, Rev 22:18-19
- Illumination Matt 7:7-12, John 1:9, 14:21,16:7-13, 2 Cor 6:14-7:1,James 1:5
Old Testament Warnings
(samples, not exhaustive)
Deut 18:9-22 How to tell a false prophet/teacher, and promise of Messiah as Prophet like Moses
Deut 13:1-4 A reason why HaShem allows false prophets to exist
Ex 7:8-25 Example of Prophets/Priests of Pharaoh who turned sticks into snakes and water into blood
Many other warnings within the other OT books especially the Prophets (too many to list)
New Testament Warnings
(samples, not exhaustive)
Matt 7:13-23 Y’Shua’s warning of false prophets/teachers and their final end.
Matt 24:4-25 Y’Shua told us in advance that there will be false teachers, prophets and messiahs, but we are to be on guard and not believe them
Gal 1:8 The judgment of HaShem on false teachers/preachers
2 Pet 3:15-16 Ignorance and spiritual immaturity is an error punishable with eternal consequences, even destruction.
How to Identify a False Prophet, False Teacher or False Messiah when you see one.
- They develop doctrines based on experiences or ideas, thoughts and reason/logic which supersede the Holy Scriptures. This is a prime error which leads to false teaching. 2 Tim 3:16
- They outright deny the major doctrines of the Holy Scriptures.
- They deny the utter sinfulness of the human race. Romans 3:19-23
- They use faulty methods of Hermeneutics. (The Rules for the Art and Science of Interpreting Scripture) i.e. Context is King. False Teachers consistently take Scripture out of context to prove a point.
- They add good works as requirements for justification: salvation from the guilty and penalty of sin Romans 4:5, Gal 2:16, Phil 3:9, Acts 13:38-39, Eph 2:8-9,
- They live sexually immoral lives in private while pretending to be holy in public. 2 Pet 2:1,2
- Their primary goal is to obtain the money of anyone whom they can coax it from. 2 Pet 2:3.
Major Doctrines of the Holy Scriptures
- The Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures as the infallible inerrant Word of God.
- The Virgin Birth and Deity of Messiah.
- The Death Burial and Resurrection of Messiah.
- The Blood Atonement of Sin (for salvation by Grace through Faith).
- The Bodily Second Coming of Messiah to set up His Kingdom.
Minor Doctrines
- Questions about Prophecy (Pre-millennial, Post-millennial, Mid-millennial, Amillennial, Pan-Millennial, etc.)
- Congregational Governmental styles
- Spiritual Gifts—If people, who are overly concerned with spiritual gifts, are filled with hate are they of God?
- The Place of the Law in the Life of the Believer.
- Misc. other doctrines, too many to list here.
Conclusion
- In the major doctrines we absolutely must have unity. Truth, the facts about HaShem and the Holy Scriptures are the basis for our faith, and truth is found only in the infallible, inerrant Word of God, Scripture is best understood within the context which HaShem revealed it. We therefore recommend that you look at all of Scripture with OT Jewish Eyes, not through NT American culture glasses to fully understand the Truth of Scripture.
- In the minor doctrines we need to give each other liberty (remember HaShem isn’t finished with them, or us)
- And in all things we must deal with others especially those with whom we disagree with LOVE. A special note LOVE dictates that honesty and truth should be the basis for all our communications, a high ideal and goal for us all.
