Some Popular False Teachings

Some of the false teachings and fake gospels you will likely encounter (or have already encountered) are summarized below. It must be pointed out that these errant doctrines and fake prophecies have become an avalanche of gigantic proportions, especially in American Christendom, with most Christians just blindly believing whatever they hear repeated the loudest and most often or because it comes from someone with a big pulpit and a large congregation. But we must seek pure Gospel truth and reject error whenever and wherever we find it, no matter the source and how many important-sounding initials are placed before or after their name and regardless of how long such falsehoods have been around. Take heed for yourself (2Co 13:5; Jud 3)!1

• The “Sinner’s Prayer”: Contrary to popular belief, you are neither born again nor saved to eternal life by saying a one-time “Sinner’s Prayer” that “invites Jesus into your heart”—a practice and prayer that is nowhere to be found in the entire Bible! There’s not a single case in the NT where someone was told to say a prayer to receive salvation.2 The “sinner’s prayer” is an example of a fake gospel (“a different gospel … a gospel contrary to what you received”), such as Paul warned about (see Gal 1:6–9).
• You Are Saved by “Faith Alone”: This false teaching denies that works (of any kind) play any part whatsoever in the plan of salvation. To support their false teaching, the “wolves” (1) take Ephesians 2:8–10 out of context, (2) call on Martin Luther’s rewrite of Romans 3:28 (yes, Luther actually rewrote Scripture to match his personal beliefs!), (3) misinterpret Romans 10:9–10, (4) distort what it means to “call on the name of the Lord” (Rom 10:13) by wrongly taking it to mean literally just saying the name of the Lord in a little prayer, and (5) distort (or discard entirely) the Book of James (just because it doesn’t fit their beliefs). These “wolves” have singled out particular verses that mention only one aspect of salvation while conveniently ignoring others. As we have discussed, correct doctrine can only be formed by considering and harmonizing all (“the sum”) of what Scripture has to say on any topic (Psa 119:160; cf. 2Ti 3:16–17). Sadly, this fake gospel is absolutely rampant today—being taught, preached, and shilled from nearly every so-called “Reformed” Protestant church, pulpit, seminary school, book, and movie—but it is not in agreement with the Word of God. Scripture makes it clear that works of faith done in obedience to the commandments of Christ (and the instructions of His apostles) contribute to and can affect your justification before God (Jas 2:14–26; cf. Mat 7:21; Joh 14:15; Jon 3:10).3
• Baptism-Related False Teachings (there are several):
  • Some claim that baptism is a “good work of man” merely performed out of “obedience as an outward sign of inner faith”—not “for the forgiveness of your sins” as stated in Scripture (see Act 2:38; 8:36–39; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; Mar 16:16; Joh 3:3–5; Gal 3:27; 1Pe 3:21; Rom 6:3–10; 1Co 6:11; 12:13; Col 2:12; Tit 3:5–7; 1Jn 5:6; Eph 5:26; cf. Isa 1:18; Jer 31:34; Psa 103:12). Therefore, these false teachers almost always also wrongly claim that baptism is not required for salvation.4
  • Waiting days, weeks, months, or longer to be baptized, as is common in the “faith alone” churches (instead, see Act 8:36; 10:47; 16:33; 22:16).5
  • Being baptized by man-invented baptismal rites that are not in agreement with Scripture (such as by sprinkling or as an infant) instead of by immersion as a believing adult as instructed in Scripture. There is only “one faith, [and] one baptism” (Eph 4:4–5; cf. 1Co 10:16–17)—not many different types and ways to be baptized conjured up by man.
  • Thinking one is born again before baptism; this false teaching usually accompanies the “sinner’s prayer” and “saved by faith alone” false teachings. However, Scripture is clear that you are not born again until you are properly baptized, at which time you also “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (see Act 2:38; 10:45; 15:8).6
• “Once Saved, Always Saved” (OSAS): This false teaching (also known as “Perseverance of the Saints”) claims that one cannot lose one’s salvation after being born again, regardless of how one lives or acts subsequently. This false teaching usually accompanies all of the above false teachings.7
• Dogmas of Men (e.g., Calvinism, etc.): You follow the doctrines of men, committees, councils, synods, and institutions (e.g., Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, so-called “reformed” Protestantism, Calvinism, Adventism, Methodism, Lutheranism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.), instead of the Gospel of God as given in Scripture (Jud 3).8
• Returning to Legalism: You return to seeking to be justified by observance of the Mosaic Law (e.g., Sabbath-keeping, Adventism, etc.), thereby “severing yourself from Christ” (paraphrase; Gal 5:4; cf. Gal 1:6–9; 3:1–3; 5:3; Jas 2:10; Rom 10:4; Col 2:14).
• The “Hippie” Gospel: This is a belief of “feeling one with Jesus in your heart,” so you think you are good to go to heaven. This is often accompanied by an ascetic/vagrant lifestyle and singing “kumbaya” at the campfire, along with selecting a few verses that one likes (usually about peace and love) while ignoring the entire rest of Scripture. Additionally, reading and studying Scripture, attending church, having a good work ethic, baptism, and obedience to Jesus’ commandments are almost always ignored. This “gospel” is nowhere to be found in the Bible.
• The “Prosperity” Gospel: We’ve all seen them: popular preachers with giant congregations of seemingly happy, cheering people in big and “successful” churches. Commonly referred to as “name it and claim it,” this fake gospel teaches that a Christian will have health, wealth, happiness, and abundance simply by speaking or praying for such. Sermons are almost always about those topics while neglecting to teach anything else in the Bible. Needless to say, this gospel is nowhere to be found in Scripture. In fact, Scripture teaches quite the opposite: that trials, tribulations, afflictions, and persecution often characterize the life of a Christian. Those with “itching ears” (2Ti 4:3–4 ESV) flock to this fake gospel.
• Dispensational Premillennialism: This errant theological framework9 views most end-times Bible prophecy (eschatology), especially from the Book of Revelation, from a futurist perspective, meaning that fulfillment is still in our future.10 It also views the Book of Revelation literally.11 Proponents of this false teaching claim that Christ will come to rule and reign on the earth with a rebuilt “Third Temple”12 for a literal “thousand years” (i.e., a millennial) reign.13 They further claim that the Church age will have ended (the Church will have been “raptured” off the earth—the “Secret Rapture”14 false teaching). They still further claim this millennial reign will start after some specific nationalistic, economic, and political “The Antichrist”15 person rises to worldwide power and control and torments the world in a “seven-year great tribulation period”16 followed by a “Battle of Armageddon”17 on earth (yes, those are still yet five more false teachings—astounding!).18, 19

FALSE PROPHECIES POSE A SPECIFIC DANGER

While false prophecies do not seem to directly be matters of salvation, they still pose a grave danger, particularly to unbelievers. Why so? It is because they give people a false sense of security and create complacency, which can cause procrastination in accepting Christ. They can even cause Christians to not urgently share the Gospel with others.

In particular, many of the end-times fake prophecies (eschatology) are designed to lull people into complacency (both the saved and the lost), resulting in a lack of determined, daily spiritual growth in oneself,20 a lack of urgency in sharing the Gospel and in accepting Christ,21 a lack of attending to and doing the Lord’s work,22 and overall just a “lukewarm” type of faith (Rev 3:16). So, while some of the fake end-times prophecies (e.g., Dispensational Premillennialism) might not be a matter of salvation for you, they certainly may be for others!

This happens because the false teachings, in effect, send these types of messages (I’m paraphrasing here): “Don’t worry, there’s still more time left before Jesus returns, because we are still waiting for [insert a bunch of false prophecies here] to happen first,” or “Well, when you see me raptured away, then you will finally take all this stuff about God and Jesus seriously,” and so on. Friends, none of those fake prophecy events are going to happen, and even if they appear to happen, understand that they will be dog-and-pony-show imitations23 put on by Satan and the men who follow him to trick and deceive the “naïve” and gullible (Pro 1:4, 22; 32; 7:7; 8:5; 9:4). Satan loves to imitate Scripture, but he does so in a way that causes you to disobey God or leads you to destruction. Those succumbing to the false teachings are falling right into this trap, and they do not even realize it!

As you have read in prior chapters,24 Scripture warns us repeatedly not to be complacent and that the Day of Judgment will arrive like a “thief in the night” when most are thinking they are “safe and secure” (1Th 5:1–3)—whether they are ready to meet God and His Christ for judgment or not! Scripture further warns us in no uncertain terms to “be on the alert” and to be “on guard” for Jesus’ return at any moment (Mat 24:36–25:13; Mar 13:32–37; Luk 21:34–36; 1Pe 5:8; 1Th 5:1–9). As I stated previously, all Bible prophecies that were to precede His return have already been fulfilled, and any instant now, the “last trumpet” of God could sound, and Jesus can appear suddenly and unexpectedly in skies of “flaming fire” above as He comes in the absolutely awesome, stunning, and indescribable full “power” and “glory” of God Almighty with all His holy angels and saints—and just like that, the Day of Judgment will have arrived. Furthermore, the events of that day will then unfold rapidly (“quickly,” Rev 22:20), and there will be no “second chances” or time to “prepare to meet God” if you have not already done so!

The only warning you will ever get about all this is the one you are getting right now by reading this book as the (correct) Gospel is preached to you. Repent and turn to Christ right now, this very instant (2Co 6:2)—not this afternoon, not tomorrow, and not after some future (fake) bible prophecy event is supposed to occur or after some mythical “The Antichrist” person appears (Mat 24:36–51; 25:13; Mar 13:35; 1Th 5:1–6). Again, I say, do not be deceived! Please do not fall victim to fake end-times prophecies!

EVEN MORE FALSE TEACHINGS

Some popular false teachings are listed below. I had to overcome many of these false teachings myself as I began my own Christian pilgrimage. Sadly, this is just a partial list.25

• The Theory of Evolution (and millions of years)
• Satan (the Devil) is Just a Myth
• Annihilation After Death
• “Soul Sleeping”
• Hell Isn’t Real
• The Doctrine of “Original Sin”
• Sabbath Keeping (a Form of Legalism)
• Abstaining from Certain Foods
• False Teachings on Baptism
• Saying a “Sinner’s Prayer” Saves You
• You are Saved by “Faith Alone”
• “Once Saved Always Saved”
• Predestination
• The Secret “Rapture” of the Church
• The “7-year” Great Tribulation Period (and “AntiChrist” Person)
• Dispensational Premillennialism
• Dispensational Postmillennialism
• A “Third Temple”
• Distortions of Matthew 24
• Modern (Popular) Eschatology (End-Times Prophecy)
• Bizarre Interpretations of the “Mark of the Beast”
• The Two Witnesses of Revelation
• Predictions of Jesus Return
• Lucifer as the Devil
• All Bible Prophecy Must be Literally Fulfilled
• The “One True End-Times Church”
• Universalism
• Ecumenism
• You Get a “2nd Chance” After Death
• The “KJV Only” Bible movement
• Demonic Possession Today
• Touching Vipers (Snakes)
• Speaking in Tongues Today
• Miracle Healers Today
• The “Prosperity” Gospel
• A “Second Filling” of the Holy Spirit
• Feet Washing
• Cults Which Deny Christ
• Mormonism Masquerading as Christianity
• Adventism Masquerading as Christianity
• Calvinism (so-called “Reformed” Protestantism) Masquerading as Christianity
• Roman Catholicism Masquerading as Christianity
• Jehovah’s Witnesses Masquerading as Christianity
• Denominationalism
• 12 Step Recovery Programs
• Jesus Already Returned in A.D. 70
• Mystical Signs and Wonders Before/Predicting Christ’s Return
• Wrongfully Interpreting Symbolic or Figurative Bible Language Literally
• Aliens and the Nephilim
• Salvation is a “Free Gift” of God, Therefore No Human Action Is Required
• A Christian No Longer Sins
• The “Nicene Creed” False Teaching

🔥🔥🔥Test Your Bible Knowledge, Take Our Gospel IQ quiz 🔥🔥🔥

Take our Gospel IQ quiz to see if you are already
under the influence of the wolves and false teachers!
(The quiz takes about 5-10 minutes)