False Prophets

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Biblically-Anemic Preaching: The Devastating Consequences of a Watered-Down Message

John MacArthur

2 Timothy 4:2

Those who are familiar with my ministry know that I am committed to expository preaching. It is my unshakable conviction that the proclamation of God’s Word should always be the heart and the focus of the church’s ministry (2 Tim. 4:2). And proper biblical preaching should be systematic, expositional, theological, and God-centered.

Such preaching is in short supply these days. There are plenty of gifted communicators in the modern evangelical movement, but today’s sermons tend to be short, shallow, topical homilies that massage people’s egos and focus on fairly insipid subjects like human relationships, “successful” living, emotional issues, and other practical but worldly—and not definitively biblical—themes. These messages are lightweight and without substance, cheap and synthetic, leaving little more than an ephemeral impression on the minds of the hearers. Continue reading →

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More Dangers on The Sacred Name Movement/Hebrew Roots Movement

The Sacred Name Movement

part 1/4

(A general overview of this movement)

Abbreviation SNM

Every so often a new movement comes to the forefront to challenge the historic Christian Churches teaching. Sometimes this can be good. If it is based on the truth, it can prompt us to a new understanding of the word. Sometimes it can be benign and be harmless as a challenge that goes nowhere … other times it can be just plain bogus.

None have been more bogus or ridiculous than the sacred name movement which has spiritual elitism written all over it. While there are some well intentioned people in this movement, there are also those who are prompted by pride to show how wrong and unsaved the Church is.

This movement is about using Gods correct name, restoring it and giving a revelation to people that are supposedly in darkness. (This first article is an overview and basic introduction to the movement.)

This movement is diversified and has approximately 10,000- to the most 50,000 people involved. Although we cannot be fully accurate on their membership these are the current numbers. There are assemblies range from a few to the largest of 200-250 members. Few Jewish believers are involved in this movement to their dismay since they lay claim to restoring the Hebrew name of the almighty. There are Messianic congregations that do use the Hebrew names but they do not make it an issue of salvation as those in the Sacred name movement do. Many in the SNM are involved in a metaphysical new age slant of the Bible and an added practice of  legalism. So from what I can see this movement has its own leaven to purge before they able to go to the Churches of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha Mashiach) and tell them what to do. It’s amazing that so few have such a loud voice on the subject of the name.

With absolutely no proof historically or scholastically for their claims, they put down the name of Jesus calling it pagan and categorize all Christians that do not speak his correct Hebrew name as following and calling on a pagan God. While the Jehovah’s Witnesses have tried to do the same thing, the sacred name movement is further down the same shaky road. This movement’s claim is the Hebrew pronunciation of Yashua as his correct  (in Hebrew ) and only name to be pronounced. The questions we need to ask is first is this true and if so, is God as legalistic as they present him. Because they are saying that Yahweh’s view is “if you didn’t pronounce my name right so I’m not going to save you.” The implication is that from the beginning of the Jewish/Gentile Church up until now, has been incorrect and unsaved. Continue reading →

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Profit of Doom : An expose’ on T.B. Joshua of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, Nigeria

T.B. Joshua  
“To Deceive Even The Elect …” 

an expose’ on T.B. Joshua of

The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations

by Sandy Simpson, 3/01

There has been a lot of talk about T.B. Joshua from Nigeria lately.  I have written to him asking for two items: (1) a copy of his doctrinal statement and (2) independent HIV tests from BEFORE those he claims he has healed were allegedly healed proving they had AIDS to begin with.  On his The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations web site he makes claims of AIDS healings but provides only testimonials and pictures of people holding up what are supposed to be HIV tests taken, in some cases, before and after the fact.  Most people will readily realize that testimonials and HIV tests shown in photographs do not constitute proof.  HIV tests from before their visit to The Synagogue should be provided independently of The Synagogue to verify any alleged healings.

That spectacular things are being seen at his church and on video seem to be without doubt.  But let’s not forget that many of the “miracles” we see could also be faked.  If these are indeed true miracles, we still need to investigate the source.  It is important to remember that Satan is capable of both healing (Rev. 13:14) and making people sick (Job  2:7).  I have suspected for a long time that occult healings can sometimes be the result of the enemy lifting sickness or disease that was a result of his inflicting sickness and disease in the first place.  Why would he do that?  Simply to prop up his false prophets and false healers and to deceive people!  We also need to be aware of the fact that a house swept clean without true repentance and belief in Jesus Christ is a house that is open to further demonic episodes (Matt. 12:43-45).  That’s why it’s always important to check back on those who claim to be healed and see if they are still healed at a later date. Continue reading →

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King’s Way, Rick Warren Controversy Continues

Posted by Christine Pack

After reading Ken Silva’s excellently researched article on the ongoing King’s Way controversy, I decided to chart Pastor Silva’s findings for the purpose of giving a quick thumbnail sketch of the issue to anyone not familiar with the controversy. Rick Warren, author of Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church, is claiming that an Orange County Register reporter inaccurately reported that Saddleback is working with the local Muslim community on an interfaith document known as King’s Way. The reporter (Jim Hinch) stands by his story. Below is a chart detailing some of the conflicting claims: Continue reading →

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Rick Warren’s denials under a microscope

March 11, 2012 by

Listen to Podcast here:

This past weekend, two significant statements were made regarding the controversial King’s Way Islamic partnership from Saddleback Church. First, Pastor Rick Warren denied ever launching the Islamic partnership, blaming it all on a few members who simply gathered to talk about it in a Bible study without consulting him or his staff. Continue reading →

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Why is a Saddleback pastor teaching on the Kingdom Circles?

This photo is satirical

March 12, 2012 by

With all the buzz about the interfaith aspect of Saddleback Church’s P.E.A.C.E. Plan and the controversy over the King’s Way initiative that partners Rick Warren’s church together with the Islamic community, many question just how Saddleback is reaching Muslims after promising not to convert anyone to Christianity.

Could it be that not converting anyone is one reason Pastor Warren is getting so many questions about Chrislam?

This is a photo of Emmaus Weekend Pentecost, an event held last June 11 and 12 in The Parish of Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church in Sophia Antipolis, a town near Nice, France: Continue reading →

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The Dangers of the Hebrew Roots Movement /The Sacred Name movement

The Hebrew Roots movement (HRM) is also known as  The Sacred Name movement.

I have noticed that the influence from this movement has become quite common on the social media networks like Facebook and blogs. It concerns me that not many people are aware of this heresy.  Again this is just another stream of false teachings that we need to keep our eyes and ears open for, it leads people into error and a false legalistic type religion. I will be combining two good article sources that I found, between the 2 the explanation becomes clear of what the dangers are.  This movement has also taken root in South Africa, like in the rest of the world.

 1 John 4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for  many  false prophets  have gone out into the world. 
And  Jesus said : And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

From the articles I found :

The Sacred Name movement consists of those persons, groups, and assemblies who use the Hebrew names for God (i.e. Yahweh, Yahvah) and for Jesus (i.e. Yahshua) in the devotion and worship. They have characterized themselves as “the True Worshippers” eschewing the name ‘Christian’ as being of pagan origin. Continue reading →

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Mindfulness goes to Kindergarten and coming to South Africa – Be Awake !

There are clear dangers in this type of teaching for innocent children in South Africa and elsewhere. Parents today are so busy working and often not aware of the dangers mentioned in the article. Christian parents should test and discern , and be aware. 1Jn 4:1  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  My reason for posting this is I pray many take note of this dangerous form of teaching young children that seems to become a norm.

New Age and the dangers of “Mindfulness”

by , with guest Marcia Montenegro

Listen here (or see link further down for podcast download)

We’ve been talking about the concerning activities being promoted in many public schools in our nation and around the world. Today we’re turning our focus on one of the more worrisome lessons being taught to children as young as five. Eastern mystical practices like yoga, meditation and now something called “Mindfulness”are seeping into the classroom. Have you heard about mindfulness? It was promoted in a Scholastic Magazine and is heavily steeped in Buddhism. But what is it?

Today we have researcher and founder of a fantastic ministry called Christian Answers for the New Age (CANA), Marcia Montenegro. Marcia’s own story about how she once was a practitioner of professional astrology is a fascinating one, and Continue reading →

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Mystica Scriptura

By on Feb 20, 2012

MYSTICA SCRIPTURA [(mis’-tik-uh) (skriptər’ uh)]

[Mystica:1275–1325; Middle English mystic; Latin mysticus; Greek mystikós, equivalent to mýst (ēs) an initiate into the mysteries + -ikos -ic; akin to myeîn to initiate, teach] [Scriptura: 1250–1300; Middle English and Latin scrīptūra writing. See script, -ure]

  1. The teaching that in Scripture all things are not plain, nor sufficient, nor alike clear unto all, but that God’s Word needs to be enhanced by extra-scriptural rituals, practices and ceremonies (i.e., meditative techniques, art, dance, drama, chanting, music, etc.) that induce and alter religious feelings in observers and participants. In an ecstatic state induced by these mechanical means, worshippers may experience altered states of consciousness that they believe will enable them to penetrate the spiritual mystery which surrounds humanity’s existence. Continue reading →
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John MacArthur on the Gift of Discernment

By on Feb 14, 2012

discerning of spirits(v.10)—Satan is the great deceiver (John 8:44) and his demons counterfeit God’s message and work. Christians with the gift of discernment have the God-given ability to recognize lying spirits and to identify deceptive and erroneous doctrine (see Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1).

Paul illustrated the use of this gift in Acts 16:16-18, as Peter had exercised it in Acts 5:3. When it was not being exercised in the Corinthian church, grave distortion of the truth occurred (see v. 3; 14:29).

Though its operation has changed since apostolic times (because of the completion of Scripture) it is still essential to have people in the church who are discerning.  They are the guardians, the watchmen who protect the church from demonic lies, false doctrines, perverted cults, and fleshly elements. As it requires diligent study of the Word to exercise gifts of knowledge, wisdom, preaching, and teaching, so it does with discernment. [1] Continue reading →

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Eastern Meditation Sneaks into the Church

Prof. Johan Malan, University of Limpopo, South Africa

There is a widespread resurgence of Eastern meditation among nominal Christians in the West. In many churches and other Christian circles, prayer is increasingly replaced by meditation, which is also described as contemplation, centring prayers, or quiet prayers. Meditation is often accompanied by Yoga relaxation exercises and relaxed breathing in order to promote a mental shift from the rational left brain to the intuitive right brain.

The basic objective with meditation – whether it be Hindu-based Transcendental Meditation (TM), Buddhist, Islamic or ‘Christian’ meditation – is to acquire a situation of complete rest in your body, soul and spirit, thereby eliminating stress and facilitating contact with deeper, more creative levels of your consciousness. Rational thinking is intentionally suppressed and switched off while you transcend to mystical spheres to make contact with your deeper self. According to Naomi Humphrey (Meditation – the inner way) meditation helps to deliver you from spiritual and mental bondage, and also from fear, by enabling you to transcend to a new perception of reality. The result is a holistic way of life in which spirit and matter become integrated.

The inner journey Continue reading →

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Never Make The Gospel Appeal to People’s Emotions

John McArthur explains the dangers of making emotional gospel pleas.

Let me tell you something. Never make the gospel appeal to people’s emotions…never…never. That’s why we don’t have some kind of an emotional appeal here and play all kinds of smaltzy music in the background. I don’t want you to do anything because we work your emotions up. Never appeal to people with any kind of gospel appeal that is directed at their emotions. Why? Because you can manipulate people’s emotions. And, frankly, most people have issues in their lives that make them sad and if you work well enough on their emotions, you’re clever enough at it, you can promise them happiness and when they make some kind of superficial step, they’ll have a momentary kind of relief. They’ll be a kind of newly stirred up feeling that they have. “Oh now, God’s on my side. Now I”m going to heaven. This is wonderful and you’ve accepted me and you’ve embraced me.” And that doesn’t signify anything at all. Continue reading →

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Turning Away From False Teachers

John MacArthur – Bible Q & A New Testament Commentaries

“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.” — Romans 16:17

The mature Christian is to keep his eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances. Paul is not talking about hair-splitting over minor interpretations, or about immature believers who are divisive because of personal preferences, as disruptive and damaging as things can be. We are to “shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9). We are to “refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels” (2 Tim. 2:23). Paul is here talking about something immeasurably more serious. He is warning about those who challenge and undermine the teaching which you have learned, that is, the divinely-revealed apostolic teaching they had received.

Continue reading →

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A Disturbing form of Gnosticism Detected

I have detected a very disturbing trend the past couple of days on some Social media networks, Facebook and blogs.  The latest a trend being promoted in the form of an ambiguous question “Should we pray for False teachers” or “Are we to pray for  grievous wolves” . I just feel the need to share what I have learned from Scriptures  for whom are we to pray, as it seems this was also a problem prevalent in the church of Ephesus if we come to the understanding of the Apostle Paul’s writings in the 1 Timothy. It seems there were division caused by some Judiazers as they claimed that salvation was solely for law-keeping Jews or Gentile proselytes who kept the Mosaic ceremonies. ( Titus 3:10  As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ) And a second a form of intellectual religious elitism, later called Gnosticism, was being taught at Ephesus .  Now the teachings subject on the Social media  group was on the Doctrines  of Election sadly it lead to the assumption we are not to pray for false teachers. Sadly it seems here in the group was also is a form of intellectual religious elitism  that is promoted by the group owner.

The Bible says nothing is new under the sun :

What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us.
(Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)

Less than 24 hours later an article appeared on my social media feeds from a blog with the heading Are We To Pray For Grievous Wolves?  Please read this article with prayer and discernment !

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The War Against Reason

Excerpt from Reckless Faith: When the Church Loses Its Will to Discern, © 1994 by John MacArthur.

True discernment has suffered a horrible setback in the past few decades because reason itself has been under attack within the church. As Francis Schaeffer warned nearly thirty years ago in The God Who Is There, the church is following the irrationality of secular philosophy. Consequently, reckless faith has overrun the evangelical community. Many are discarding doctrine in favor of personal experience. Others say they are willing to disregard crucial biblical distinctives in order to achieve external unity among all professing Christians. True Christianity marked by intelligent, biblical faith seems to be declining even among the most conservative evangelicals.

Continue reading →