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The Marks of a False Church
Posted by: Admin on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 11:25 PM |
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By Mike Lloyd
With so much confusion among churches and with the influence of the idea that all belief systems have equal worth and merit (i.e: pluralism/relativism), it is not surprising to find Christians are losing their ability to discern between what is biblically correct and that which is biblically incorrect. Some today will react with indignation if told that false teaching exists or if the names of false teachers are mentioned specifically. Subsequently, false teachers are free to spread their poisonous beliefs because there is a conspiracy of silence among Bible believers. Yet it is an acceptable biblical pattern to warn of dangers and of dangerous people:
NOT EVERYONE WHO CALLS HIMSELF A CHRISTIAN REALLY IS!
As obvious as that statement may sound, it is something many need to be reminded of. Many unsuspecting souls are being led astray into the cults and 'isms' because they are not aware of what they are getting into. The subtle dangers of the counterfeit movements are just not noticed. No one counterfeiting currency would manufacture a three dollar note - it would be an obvious fake. A counterfeit is designed to be as convincing as possible. In fact the counterfeiter's greatest help is the many amateur attempts that are made at producing counterfeit currency! The enemy is also not going to present something that is obviously different. Many are deluded into thinking that the work of the enemy will be so obvious - like some of the well known cults today - that they would never be fooled.
Cults come in many forms - the obvious, the not so obvious, and the incredibly subtle. However, they will all display the following characteristics:
1) A lack of historical perspective
Some groups appearing on the scene make the bold assertion that they alone know the truth, and that everyone should follow them. They proclaim the church has been stumbling along in the dark for nearly 2,000 years and now finally here is the real thing! But that is not the case. Throughout church history there has always been the right person at the right moment, to safeguard the truth and purify the church. Luther, Tyndale, the Wesleys, Calvin and many others have given of themselves to preserve the faith and uphold the truth of Scripture. The false church and the false teacher would discount their work, asserting that they alone have finally discovered the truth. For example: one church Regional leader recently opened a discussion on the 'Toronto Blessing" by remarking: "If you're looking for a biblical framework to hang this on - forget it, you won't find one". The discussion then proceeded on the basis that nothing like this had ever happened before and therefore the Bible had nothing to say about this present so called "move of God".
2) A distorted view of Scripture
The false church will distort the meaning of the Bible although claiming to believe faithfully in it. Often adding to it and placing alongside the Bible some other 'writing' that is claimed as vitally significant and equally authoritative.
The fact that so many today are biblically illiterate accounts for much of the confusion. Some groups convince their followers that they are simply spectators who should turn up every week, pay for that privilege and sit down and listen to a fresh 'revelation' from God.
3) A tendency to major on minors
Some groups that do not represent historic Christianity are so busy riding some 'hobby horse' and trying to prove they alone are right, that they lose sight of the overall perspective of biblical revelation.
Beware of the false church that gets 'hung up' on minor matters, and tries to impress others with its superior knowledge or ability, or attempts to convince you that you must add some work or characteristic to your faith in order to be saved.
4) A return to past errors
Many false teachers revive doctrinal errors that have long ago been renounced by the church and mix them with their own beliefs. They may, for example, reopen the old Arian controversy that claims that Jesus is not an eternal but a created being. Or they may revert back to the legalists and say salvation must be partly earned. Or they might distort again the truth about God's triune nature or question the humanity of Christ.
The proliferation of religious ideas being presented to people today is cause for being on guard. It may come via radio (unfortunately, so called 'Christian' radio as well), TV, or through literature from shops that should no longer be called "Christian Bookshops" but "Religious Centres".
What you believe is of vital importance, especially regarding salvation. Salvation is received through faith. And that faith must be in Jesus Christ. It is not enough just to believe something - you must believe in a person:
Christ Jesus, Lord and Saviour.
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