FALSE RELIGIONS

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

Matthew 24:5 “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”(Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shintoism, Islam, Bahia, Eastern Lightning, etc.)

Matthew 24:11 “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”

Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Acts 15:1f (Larger Passage 15:1-33) “And certain men which came down from Judea, taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

I John 1:1-3 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” NOTE: I John 1:1-3 and I John 4:1-3, John is addressing the “Gnostics” (superior knowledge who denied the humanity of Jesus; matter is evil; philosophers’ asceticism to licentiousness)

I John 4:1-3 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  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.  As I said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you that that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

II Thessalonians 2:1-3 (Larger Passage 2:1-17)“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

I Timothy 4:1-2 (Larger Passage 4:1-6)“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”

II Timothy 4:1-4 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort withal longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

CHARACTERISTICS OF FALSE RELIGIONS:

(Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, World-wide Church of God, Unitarians, Unity, Moonies, Eastern Lightning, etc.)

Jesus – Who is He?  Son of God and Son of Man.

Salvation - Work oriented religion.

Additional so called inspired writings other than the Bible – equal to Scripture/Bible and to be interpreted by these writings, i.e. Book of Mormon, etc.

Emphasis upon visions, dreams and revelations which supersede the Bible.

Half-truths – Proof text method of interpretation.

Cultic personality leadership.

The only true faith syndrome.

Proselyting emphasis.

 

 

 

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