False Teachers, False Gospel, False Doctrine: YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM BY THEIR FRUITS.

YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM BY THEIR FRUITS

I've heard this argument so many times from folk who are defending a false teacher - "just look at their fruits!."

By "fruits" they're usually referring to:

1. The large ministry and huge following of the teacher.
   
   
2. The charitable works of the teacher's church or ministry.
   
   
3. The way God is "moving" in that particular church and through that particular teacher - salvations, baptisms, signs and wonders.
   
   
4. The godliness of the teacher.
   
   Let's deal with these arguments in order:
   
   1. Popularity and size of a ministry prove nothing, especially in a time where ear ticklers gather the most crowds.
   
   2. Charitable works are commendable, but can never justify a ministry - many false religions and cults perform the same good deeds.
   
   3. Many are being "saved" into a false gospel after falling for false promises - tithing will guarantee financial blessing, healing is guaranteed in the atonement, God wants to make your dreams come true, and you can perform greater miracles than Christ, etc. Many are being duped by false signs and wonders (Mark 13:22), and many who believed God was "moving" in their midst will discover they have been deceived:

"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" Matthew 7:21-23.

4. Many have an outward appearance of godliness, and for years have been able to deceive their followers. I don't need to mention names, you'll know that many revered leaders in the visible church have been exposed for their wicked actions.

One of the most important "fruits" is overlooked. In fact, it's not even considered a fruit by many. That fruit is doctrine.

The odd person defending a false teacher might say "they teach from the Bible," but Satan also had the ability to quote scripture, and I don't know of a single false teacher in the visible church that teaches from the Quran or any other sacred text. They all use the Bible - out of context.

There must be moral and spiritual good fruits in the lives of teachers, as scripture details their qualifications - 1 Timothy 3; 1 Peter 5:1-4. But there is more, good character alone does not qualify someone to teach in the church.

Paul instructed Timothy as follows: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16.
In other words life and doctrine!

Paul’s letter to Titus lists the qualifications for elders, and after a detailed description of the character and moral qualifications, he adds: "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Titus 1:5-9.

Notice that among the qualifications Paul includes the ability to teach sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it!

So while a false teacher may cover their moral failures or greed, their teachings cannot be hidden, and are a sure way to test whether they are indeed false teachers. False teachers use false words (2 Peter 2:1-3) to deceive. If we judge their false words (bad fruit) by comparing what they teach to scripture, we will know they are bad because their fruits (doctrines) are bad.

 

Tumbling of T.U.L.I.P.

A comparison of Calvinism's major doctrines in light of the Bible and using this comparison, present day New Calvinism's present influence is discussed and then it future influence is extrapolated.

Types of Calvinism – A Comprehensive List

This is an attempt at a comprehensive numerical list of categories within Calvinist orthodoxy (and a few that fall outside the realm). There are 9 total categories, 6 of which fall into Calvinistic orthodoxy. There is a summary of doctrines after the list (Important) as well as a few people who historically have (or might have) held to this position below the list. This list is soteriological in nature and does not take into account worship styles, mode of baptism and to whom it may be administered, regional distinctives, or church government. I have selected more doctrinal topics and explanations than other charts have, that I know of. I also believe strongly that I am being more objective than the mainstream evangelicals usually are in many of their lists. On the bottom rung I have Amyraldism and on the top rung I have placed total hyper-Calvinism and partial hyper-Calvinism (1 and 2) toward the top because I believe them to be denials of Calvinism.

Word of Faith Movement

Is the Word of Faith movement biblical? Does this teaching of false prophets have any biblical merit? Prosperity gospel preachers like Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Fred price, Jan Crouch, Paul Crouch, are commonly associated with the Word of Faith movement founded by E. W. Kenyon, via Phineas Quimby teachings. These teachings by false teachers, have roots in Mind Science, along with the Name it and Claim, health and wealth gospel movements. In this video, Pastor Nelson with Bible Munch explains what the Word of Faith movement is, where it came from, and what the Bible says about the Word of Faith doctrine. What is the New Apostolic Reformation?

What is the New Apostolic Reformation? What does the NAR teach? Who are some of the NAR False Prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation heresy? In this video, Pastor Nelson with Bible Munch answers the question, “What is the New Apostolic Reformation?”.