The Real Thing or is it Counterfeit?
Some people cannot discern between the real and the counterfeit. Many believers are in a precarious place these days, being led astray with many different winds of doctrines. Many are not in churches because of false gospels in so many places these last days. So, a lot of us do not have the benefit of meeting in person, growing in His Word, sharpening iron, forming relationships in the body — just that in person fellowship we crave.
I’m often looking from the outside in, seeing private teaching groups form, or people getting their learning from FB videos where there isn’t much interaction. Or learning from blogs. All can have their place, but our responsibility to be a Berean (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 5:21), should never end. Taking heed to the doctrine saves us and any who are listening to us (from being led astray – 1 Tim 4:16). So many times I want to tell them STOP, you’re getting on dangerous ground!
Many of these ‘teachers’ do not want to be questioned (at least without getting angry). But we are to be Bereans. If someone doesn’t commend you for that, there is an issue with them, not you (unless you are being unkind or prideful in dealing with them).
We are seeing so many winds of doctrines these days, and so many tossed to and fro by it (Eph 4:14), that it can be discouraging. Everyone should be careful to check to see if they’re teaching the Word in context, or are they proof texting? (Which is grabbing a verse from here and there, often out of context, to piece together proof for their thinking, when it may not be saying what they are). James 3:1 has a stern warning for any who teach. When you are listening to someone, write down the passages they share. Prayerfully go check out context and ask the contextual questions, “Who is spoken to here?” “What is the subject?” “Is it a certain time period (like the rapture, last seven years, etc.). Look up cross reference passages if you’re still unsure. Ask a trusted teacher.
Guard yourself.
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
Last Days of the church
I want to encourage you to be cautious in these last days. 1 Timothy 4 speaks of the Latter times and how people will depart from the faith. Pray about it, be wise. If something doesn’t sound right, it may not be. The one in error may not be a wolf, but maybe they shouldn’t be teaching either. Maybe their focus is only one one pet subject and they’re not really teaching the ‘whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:25-32). Ask questions with everyone about what they’re teaching if something doesn’t seem quite right. If they don’t like it, or are unkind or condescending to you, there may be a problem (2 Timothy 2:23-26). Paul commended these who searched the Scriptures to see if what He was saying true as noble.
Are these people pointing to themselves, or to Christ?
They may talk about Christ. But do they tell you (without being asked), how many years they’ve been a believer? What (or how many) books they’ve read? How many times they’ve read through the Bible? What seminary they go to? I’ve got news for us all. In many cases these things might just be like dung — (Phil 3:4-9) meaning nothing. Are we supposed to commend ourselves (2 Cor 10:12)? The Bible tells us that is unwise. Are they puffed up regarding what they or other men say?
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 1 Corinthians 4:6
Shouldn’t our doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, longsuffering etc. speak for us? (2 Timothy 3:10-11). That same chapter speaks of these last days, how the people will be lovers of self, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than of God. It says they have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (the only way we are made godly). Many of them have another gospel. Some may have the gospel right but do not have well-rounded sound doctrine. Again, be cautious and always check out everyone – prove all things with His Word (holding fast to it – 1 Thess 5:21) and prayer.
Pay attention to the so-called Ministers of Righteousness
Others are very subtle, some just in error. Because Paul loved those he ministered to, he warned them. We know in Acts he warned even elders, day and night in tears for three years. This is not to be taken lightly. He asked those in Galatia whether He sought to please men or God (Gal 1:10). He asked the Corinthians basically, do you think I do this because I don’t love you? (2 Cor 11:11). He said these who were bringing in another Jesus, another Gospel (2 Cor 11:3-4), pretended to be apostles of Christ, ministers of righteousness.
But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Cor 11:12-15
Stay grounded in His Word. His Word is truth (John 17:17), Study it with teachers you have made themselves known to you by the way they’ve spoken, lived, handled His Word. Look to their manner of life basically. Be careful who you ask for Biblical answers. Make sure they’re giving you Scripture to consider yourselves. And when someone gives them Scripture in return countering their claims, notice how they receive it. Do they say, “I believe this or that?” Or do they say, “Look at what the Word says here?”
Remember to respect His Word, apply yourself to it, look up the Scriptures and ask Him if this is what His Word is saying, and ask Him to teach you (Isa 66:2; Prov 22:17-21). Anyone can give you Bible verses and opinions, but do they convey what God meant it to mean?
Watch out for KJVOnlyism (not meaning a person who only uses that translation), but for those who say that there is false doctrine in other translations and may not be using a sound argument. Or who do word searches in English in the KJVO vs. looking at the original word. Or who use English dictionaries (whose meanings have changed each century.
I do suggest studying in a literal translation, but this argument causes much damage to the Word itself. If you think KJV is the best, fine, make that case, but don’t argue out of Gail Riplinger or Peter Ruckman, or other such faulty material. Watch out for the Romans-Philemon crown (Pauline or hyperdispensationalists) who are taking away whole epistles stating they are not for the church.
Watch out for those who call themselves hypergrace, and call others Galatianizers, who believe we do confess (homologeo-simply means to agree with God regarding sin –1 John 1:9). And for some it’s a daily sermon to prove the ‘we’ and ‘us’ in 1 John is not believers. Watch out for those who cause divisions in the body this way. Watch out for the lawkeepers and sacred name people. There is so much more out there these days, but knowing the true, helps you discern between the counterfeit.
We are so blessed to have His Word and all the helps to search and see what the truth is. And when we know His Word well, we can discern between good and evil (Heb 5:12-14). Know His truth well so you can answer error. Look out for yourselves out there.
Love you all in Christ.
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Amen!
This is interesting for sure. What is a “Galatianizer?” I wonder if it is harmful to confess our sins, or something that is okay but not required.
To the hypergrace, to confess (agree with God) about sin, has to do with law, and therefore cannot be spoken to a believer for fellowship.
I suggest people just consider looking at the whole book, see who is addressed. We do sin, and we have an advocate, why with their train of thought?
So for them a Galatianizer is ‘finishing in the flesh’ by confessing sin (living by the law) – a short explanation of how they see it.
That article you disgracefully wrote about Paul Washer was not only offensive, but nothing more than ignorant lies. Paul Washer is a true man of God who speaks on and about biblical truths. And, for you to write such a distasteful, callous, ignorant article goes to show just how little you know about biblical teaching. Was it because the truth offends you? Because he didn’t preach in a way that pampered you? And then to drag John McArthur into your misleading article! Wow! Maybe you should step back and take a closer look at your own walk with Christ. Those 2 men of God have done more for God, for the advancement of Heaven, for ministries, other countries, and especially for those seeking truth and a true relationship with our Savior Christ, than you’ll ever do!
Sean, it’s fairly typical those who do not want to address things with Scripture resort to name calling and accusations. Does it occur to you that is the way of the accuser of the brethren? If you think I am wrong, then use the Word and contrast it to the statements they say are supposedly true.
But again, those who cannot, resort to tactics like yours. Since you don’t know what I do for Him, it’s apparent your comment isn’t from Him. I hope you’ll have more of a desire for His Word, and less for men like Washer and MacArthur.
How did the letters written by the Apostle Paul expose the concealed intent of an agent provocateur? Specifically, how did his letters both undermine the Roman Pantheon of Gods and Xtianity itself?
Paul’s letters both challenged the Roman pantheon by promoting monotheism and critiquing idolatry and emperor worship, while also sometimes undermining early Christian thought, especially in his approach to Jewish faith concept of pursuit of judicial justice.
The letters written by the Apostle Paul represent a significant part of early Christian literature, and while they primarily serve to spread and clarify Christian teachings. Also aspects of Paul’s writings seen as challenging both the Roman Pantheon and elements of early Christianity itself.
The Roman Empire’s religious system was polytheistic, worshiping a wide range of gods, based upon the Greek model. Paul’s letters, promoted monotheism — as central to Christian faith. For example, in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Paul acknowledges that many people in the surrounding culture believe in many gods, but for Christians, “there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came.” This contrasts sharply with Roman polytheism, where each god or goddess had a particular domain of influence (such as Jupiter, Mars, Venus, etc.).
Paul consistently warned against idolatry, urging his followers to avoid worshiping statues and images of gods, a practice common in Roman religion. In 1 Corinthians 10:14, he writes, “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” He uses strong language to describe the futility of idol worship, which directly undermines Roman religious practices that were centered around the Pantheon of gods.
The Greek term idolatry lacks the power of the Hebrew term avoda zarah. An idol represents a limitation to both physical history, wherein Xtian theology absolutely requires a historical physical Jesus and a fundamental limitation to 3 dimensions. The Hebrew concept of avoda zarah has no such limitations. Contrast Euclid’s 5th Axiom of Geometry, and the Scientific method, who “idolatry”, limits reality to empirical physical evidence. Hence the ancient Greek Gods viewed a Giant Bearded Men and Women on Mt. Olympus. Paul’s replacement theology revisionist history of the Torah revelation at Sinai, falsely translates idolatry for avoda zarah. Paul fails to grasp the 1st and 2nd Commandments of the Sinai revelation. A failure on par with Muhammad’s replacement of Allah over the שם השם. A Av tumah avoda zarah equal to the sin of the Golden Calf!
Paul’s theological construct of a passive spiritual Moshiach, as opposed to a Bar Kokhba military Moshiach introduced a radical shift away from the Moshe model who travelled to Egypt, despite Paul’s presentation of a liberation theology freed from judicial justice – despite the judicial oppression of the court of Par’o in the matter of straw withheld and Israelite brick quotas. Paul’s replacement theology compares the Pantheon of Roman Gods with Caesar as the Son of God, compares to the mystic Book of Daniel whose vision sees the Gods of Babylon as standing upon feet of clay.
Paul’s letters aware of both the Pesach story of Egypt liberation and Daniel’s mysticism of ‘End of Days’, viewed in the surrounding contexts of the approaching General Jewish revolt in both Judea and Alexandria Egypt; his passive Moshiach theology greatly contributed to Alexandrian Jews not joining the revolt made by the Judean Jews. That military Moshiach failed to coordinate a Judean and Alexandrian Jewish revolt joined together at the hip. Bar Kokhba actually failed to conquer Damascus and throw the Roman legions out of Syria, Paul’s liberation substitute theology likewise failed to ignite a Roman Civil War and rebellion against Caesar as the Son of God, prior to the Great Jewish revolt in 66CE.
Clearly, because Paul’s letters, written in Greek, his target audience, he aimed to persuade Goyim rather than Jews to embrace his substitute theology that replaced the sworn oath of the eternal chosen Cohen people; based upon the Divine T’shuva made on Yom Kippur where HaShem rejected making of the seed of Moshe the chosen Cohen poeple. Paul’s replacement theology rejects the Yom Kippur t’shuva made by HaShem. His anti circumcision, anti-chosen Cohen people stance while in Damascus supports this premise that Paul as an Agent Provocateur sought to engage the heretical belief in Jesus messiah theology, which had succeeded in enticing some Jews in Judea and many more Jews in Alexandria Egypt, through his anti-circumcision theology preached in Damascus. After travelling to Rome, Paul’s liberation theology switched priorities to Jesus as the Son of God, messiah king of the Jews theology, which undermined Caesar as the son of god. The Roman Empire viewed the emperor as a god or a divine figure, and Roman religion was deeply interwoven with imperial politics.
Paul, however, in places like Romans 13, speaks about submission to earthly authorities but emphasizes that the ultimate authority lies with God alone. His monotheistic theology fails to grasp that Monotheism violates the 2nd Sinai Commandment of the revelation of the Torah at Sinai. This can be seen as a subtle challenge to the emperor’s divine status, which was an essential part of Roman religious practice. Paul’s Greek letters failed to emphasize the first and second Sinai commandments, utterly essential as viewed from Traditional Judaism. Paul’s replacement theology emphasizes the Name of Jesus and totally abandons the Yod Hey Vav Hey Holy Spirit Name, which breathes as a Spirit and not a word, revealed in the first Sinai commandment. The opening verses of the gospel of John fails to discern this subtle distinction between the revelation of the Spirit Name and the Sin of the Golden Calf – translating the Spirit Name unto word translations.
One of the key replacement theological debates in early Christianity, the relationship between faith and works. Paul – a strong advocate for salvation through faith, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9 (“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”). This replacement theology subverted the Torah concept of faith which prioritizes the righteous pursuit of judicial common law justice, based upon Torah precedents, which dedicates as holy, a fair restoration of damages inflicted by Party A upon Party B, as the definition of Torah faith in the sworn oath brit alliance of the chosen Cohen people. A fundamental shift in the concept of faith, which Paul’s liberation theology denigrates to – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Paul’s ‘Salvation by Grace’ likewise undermined the revelation at Horev of the 13 tohor middot, grace being the 5th middah/attribute of the revelation of the Oral Torah. His replacement theology completely ignored rabbi Akiva’s פרדס/Pardes logical interpretation of the revelation of the Oral Torah at Horev.
Paul’s letters made subtle omissions to key Torah concepts. Paul’s writings, especially in Romans 9-11, as grappling with the question of whether the Jewish people were still chosen by God. Yet all his letters fails to validate that the chosen Cohen people of Avraham, Yitzak and Yaacov, the eternal life of the seed of the Avot defines the oath sworn alliance at the brit cut between the pieces, where HaShem swore to cause this chosen Cohen people to eternally inherit the Promised Land, and that the Spirit Name of Yod Hey Vav Hey breathes within the Yatzir Tov of the bnai brit Cohen peoples’ hearts.
Paul’s argument that Gentiles could be part of God’s promise without fully converting to Judaism through practices like circumcision, and notion of ‘adopted’ Goyim utterly switch the narrative away from Ger Tzaddik – who accepts all the Torah commandments, to a perverted prioritization, that Jews too, can embrace the triune God of Xtianity; where the Holy Spirit ceases to exist as wisdom how to pronounce the Yod Hey Vav Hey revelation of the 1st Sinai commandment…the greatest of all Torah commandments; do the bnai brit chosen Cohen people do mitzvot לשמה yes or no? Unto Goyim preaching the Good News gospels unto the lost and cursed Jews!
Paul’s letters both challenged the Roman pantheon by promoting monotheism and critiquing idolatry and emperor worship, while also they equally undermined early Christian thought, especially in his approach to T’NaCH and Talmudic common law and the prioritization of Judicial Sanhedrin courtroom justice as the Torah definition of faith. The Apostle Paul, as an Agent Provocateur not only did his theology dismantle belief in Caesar as the son of God, king of the Jews, it equally sought to uproot and replace Torah common law judicial legislative review and prophetic mussar.
Moshe, Since you think Jesus is a heresy, I won’t be sharing your post, but I will comment back regarding your lengthy diatribe.
Paul was not in error — he spoke truth as inspired by the Holy Spirit (that it seems you do not yet know). His heart’s desire was that Israel might be saved. They had a zeal for God, just not according to knowledge.
I am not going to answer every nuance of your history of religion and incorrect labeling of Paul, and of course disrespect of my dear Lord Jesus Christ. From the beginning, He was promised for all (Gen 3:15) I do pray that you might see Jesus or Yeshuah is the one and only Messiah, before it’s too late. He’s coming again, and if you do not place your faith on Him, you will not be ready for your Messiah. He will be that military commander, who will put His enemies to death.
The Prophet Isaiah prophesied of what you call a ‘passive’ Messiah (Is 52-53). He also prophesied that the government would be upon His shoulders -Isa 9:6(which shall be fulfilled, when He sits upon the throne of David in Jerusalem after the 7 years left on Daniel’s 70×7 prophecy).
Daniel was a prophet of the One true God, and his prophecies are not mysticism. These exact prophecies have seen a fulfillment of 483 years in history that could be checked out if you had eyes to see and ears to hear. Jesus said the blind lead the blind into the ditch. Jesus said no one took His life from Him, but He laid it down willingly (John 10:17-18). He also said that He had the power to take it up again (and He did). He said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” But you do not believe this. He also said, Unless you believe I AM he, you will die in your sins.
I don’t think you grasp replacement theology as defined. Paul was in no way a supersessionist, quite the opposite, he defined the Jew, the Greek and the assembly of God as 3 people groups. But he did understand the fulfillment of the Law, Psalms and the Prophets in Jesus (Luke 24:44-49).
Paul doesn’t ‘fail to grasp’ anything. He was a Pharisee, a learned pupil of Gamaliel, a Benjamite, a Roman citizen — he was more knowledgeable, (I’d venture a guess), than anyone alive today. He was a chosen vessel of God.
You call it revisionist history, his witness was true — the Holy Spirit again says all Scriptures are inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17). The Scripture says they made an idol and they tried to represent the One true God in an image (the Golden calf), “this is the God that brought us out of Israel.” The God that brought them out of Israel wouldn’t let them see His face, approach the mountain, but he would be represented by a calf?
Paul didn’t have a ‘theological construct’, he spoke the Word of God. Bar Kokhba was nothing but one of the false Messiahs that would come, warned of by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24-25, Luke 21:5-ff; Mark 13). Nor do you have Paul rightly pegged with ‘liberation theology’. You say Moshe model? Here it is in simple Biblical terms. God sent Moses, but God sent His Son Jesus Christ, and Moses warned Israel in Deut 18, that if you did not hear this Prophet (Jesus) He would require it of you.
There is a terrible time coming in Daniel’s 70th week. The nation of Israel will make a treaty with a ‘man of peace’ and it will be for 7 years. He will do many mighty signs and wonders deceiving many. He will break it mid-point and force the deceived to take his mark upon their forehead or hand.
The book of Daniel doesn’t just deal with the gods of Babylon, but four kingdoms, out of which one will spring that has feet of iron mixed with clay. That will be the end time kingdom. Again, let the one who has ears to hear, hear.
Paul’s audience was to be not just to “Goyim”, but Kings and Jews (Acts 9).
Paul always went to the synagogues first to reason with the Jews. After a time when the Jews rejected the truth, they were partially blinded. I pray for many from Israel to see. Many will die in that horrible time. You will see God’s four severe judgments (I’m sure you know what they are if you know the Tanakh). Those who are the remnant of Israel who have not bowed the knee to Ba’al, shall recognize these judgments as the wrath of God.
There will be two witnesses in Jerusalem. I hope if you don’t hear before, that you will hear them, or one of the 144k chosen from the Tribes of Israel. But then again, you know the history of Israel, and how they killed the prophets.
The children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are His chosen people. Chosen for what? The service of God, the promises, the Covenants, the adoption, the oracles of God. They failed, but God has not cast away His people.
Humble yourself to Him. God resists the proud. Paul loved his brethren according to the flesh. Jesus loved you and gave His life for you, the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin (not even when you build your new temple that the ‘man of peace’ will desecrate just like Antiochus Epiphanes. But you still want to seek to establish your own righteousness, instead of submitting to His. No one has ever been justified by the law. Because we are not justified by the law does not mean we are not to maintain good works (Mizvot as you mentioned) – Titus 3:8.
You speak of the Spirit name. How could you be called by His name if it was never meant to be spoken?
Caesar set himself up as the son of God as did other Kings before him. There is only one Son of God, and His name is Jesus. Kiss the Son
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has cupped the wind in the palms of his hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
Who established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
Surely you know! (Prov 30)
Kiss the son, lest he be angry,
and you perish along the way,
when suddenly his anger blazes.
How blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Ps 2)
I do seriously pray for you. He loves you and wants you to seek Him while He may be found.
Holly
Hey Holly,
Like I said in another comment on another post, it has been sometime since I have been here or Xpreacher man.
Just know that our Father led me to you and the others on Expreacherman.com about 9 years after He brought me to eternal life. You, and those there, as well Brother Yankee and Brother Cucuzza, are the means by which He cleared the poison of false doctrine I had been taught in my youth and then subsequently ingested thereafter.
God has blessed me through you, expreacherman, Yankee, and Cucuzza.
Please pray for me.
I am tasked with chosing pre-made studies for the women’s group and I cannot pick things from some of the popular women teachers. The pressure is mounting to pick from them some women within my local assembly. I stress often the dangers of unsound teaching but it falls on deaf ears.
Kat, is there a way you could talk them into just doing a book by book study, through the Word? These pre-made studies for women’s groups, so many not only fall into the realm of bad teaching, but much false. At the best, many are just fluff. Praying for wisdom. If you go to secureforever.org, Tom Cucuzza has his notes on the New Testament online. Maybe you could teach from those?
I have been teaching for over 10 years, some hiatus when Adam got into his terrible accident, but I’ve gone through John, through Matthew, the parables, the Olivet Discourse and Daniel and now Revelation, along with some topical studies like Eternal Security and the gospel. The biggest thing is to be Scripture rich and most especially with context. I sure pray they will not choose the popular women teacher’s studies.