The Gospel

Some Popular False Teachings

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! – Galatians 1:6–8

Me maravillo de que tan pronto ustedes hayan abandonado a Aquel que los llamó por la gracia de Cristo, para seguir un evangelio diferente, que en realidad no es otro evangelio, sino que hay algunos que los perturban a ustedes y quieren pervertir el evangelio de Cristo. Pero si aun nosotros, o un ángel del cielo, les anunciara otro evangelio contrario al que les hemos anunciado, sea anatema. – Gálatas 1:6–8

Some of the false teachings you will likely encounter (or have already encountered) because they are immensely popular today are:[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. This fake gospel is 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: You follow the doctrines of men, committees, councils, synods, and institutions (e.g., Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, 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 group of false teachings/fake prophecies[9] 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]

EVEN MORE FALSE TEACHINGS

Some additional false teachings you will likely encounter are listed below.[20] And sadly, this is just a partial list!

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[1] You will also notice that false teachings often travel as a pack, like the “wolves” who teach them—where you find one false teaching, you will almost always find others along with it from the same church, sect, group, or denomination.

[2] The basis for the “Sinner’s Prayer” false teaching seems to come from misinterpreting Romans 10:9–10, 13. The “wolves” take those verses in isolation while completely ignoring other instructions given in Scripture regarding how we are saved, and they also take it to literally just mean speaking the name of Jesus (i.e., saying a prayer to be saved). However, “calling on the name of the Lord” actually entails much more than that. It means to obey all of God’s instructions and commandments on how we are to be born again (hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized by immersion) and also on how we are to live our lives subsequently (obedience, works, perseverance), for “the sum” (Psa 119:160) of Scripture is truth—as I have been explaining to you throughout this book.

[3] See the chapter “The Role of Works.”

[4] See the “Important Note On Baptism” in the chapter “What Happens at Baptism.”

[5] Please note that every example in Scripture shows the new believer being baptized immediately after hearing the Gospel message and professing faith in Christ (Act 8:36; 10:47; 16:33; 22:16)—not days, weeks, months, or even years later as is common today in many “lukewarm” (Rev 3:16), apostate churches.

[6] See the chapter “What Happens at Baptism” for more information.

[7] See the chapters “The Nature of Salvation” and “Persevere in Faith.”

[8] The dogma of Calvinism is not in agreement with Scripture, and in fact, every one of the so-called “five pillars” of Calvinism is contrary to what is stated in Scripture! According to Calvinism, we are all mindless robots with no choice in the matter of our salvation whatsoever, as God has already “predestined” some people to be saved and the rest to be lost—even before the world began. That is not what Scripture teaches (e.g., Jos 24:15; cf. Rev 22:11, 17; Pro 1:29; Joh 6:67–68). If Calvinism were true, the Calvinist churches could simply play reruns of Gilligan’s Island (or anything really) at their church services because nothing they say or do can affect anyone’s salvation anyway. They could also stop soliciting donations because God has already predetermined everything before the world began, so there really is no need for them to raise money to do anything. Even further, Calvinist proponents seem to be completely unaware that their predestination doctrine actually nullifies what Christ did on the cross. Think about it: If God had already predetermined everyone’s fate before the world began, then why would Christ have needed to die on the cross? Just say no to the robot religion of Calvinism! Simply put, if you follow Calvin, you are a Calvinist; if you follow Christ, you are a Christian.

[9] This fake prophecy comes in various permutations and flavors and actually consists of multiple false teachings, all jumbled together into a giant web of deception. It is being loudly shilled today from nearly every church, pulpit, seminary, book, movie, publication, broadcast, and media outlet on the planet (even secular ones)! But there is no such thing as a “secret rapture of the church,” with some being “left behind” before a new “thousand-year (millennial) earthly reign of Christ” anywhere in Scripture! As I have explained, when Jesus returns the next time, Judgment Day will have arrived—period, end of story (1Co 15:23–24)!

[10] By the way, it is self-centered and narcissistic to think all Bible prophecy in the Book of Revelation only applies to us today and our future. It shows a complete lack of understanding of what the early Church had to endure, suffering terrible persecution at the hands of Rome Pagan as well as Rome Papal for nearly one thousand five hundred years! Reading books on early Church history is strongly recommended to cure any ignorance in this area. See the chapter “Helpful Resources.”

[11] Many false teachings and fake prophecies result from forcing literal interpretations on many areas of the Book of Revelation, which is highly symbolic/figurative.

[12] Note that this “third temple” will also call for a resumption of sacrifices! I now present to you the verses in Scripture which call for a “third temple” to be built: none whatsoever!

[13] The “thousand years” of Revelation 20:2 is symbolic, not literal.

[14] This “rapture of the church” false teaching is immensely popular today. However, the only “rapture” that will occur is the one that happens at the end of time when Jesus returns on Judgment Day, and all the saved are “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air (1Th 4:16–17). I’ve also noticed that the more popular an end-times teaching/prophecy is, the less likely it is to agree with Scripture!

[15] There is no single “The Antichrist” political, economic, or nationalistic person called out in Scripture. Furthermore, the word antichrist doesn’t even appear in the Book of Revelation. The word antichrist means anyone who is set against or opposed to Christ. There are actually many antichrists, and the word antichrist means just what it says: anyone set against or opposed to Christ. And even further, there is a supposed future “Messiah” person still to come (related to the rise of this fictional “The Antichrist” person) who is not even Jesus of Nazareth! If you are still waiting for a fictional “The Antichrist” person to appear or “the Messiah” still to come, you are being gullible and naïve.

[16] This results from a distortion of the Book of Daniel and a so-called “missing week of years.”

[17] The Battle of Armageddon is spiritual; it is not a literal, physical battle here on earth.

[18] See also Wayne Jackson, Premillennialism: A System of Infidelity (Jackson, TN: Christian Courier Publications, 1989) and Wayne Jackson, “Examining Premillennialism,” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/examining-premillennialism.

[19] You might wonder why I’m calling out this false teaching since it doesn’t seem to be related to salvation, but false prophecies like these pose a risk to your (and others’) salvation as they can create complacency and procrastination. They can also affect those who do not yet know Christ by causing them to put off taking the Gospel seriously and with urgency because they may wait to see these false prophecies unfold. See the chapters “The Day of Judgment” and “The World in Awful Sleep.”

[20] False teachings seem to get resurrected from time to time and given a new name and a shiny coat of paint to deceive the naïve and unsuspecting (Ecc 1:9).

R. John Anderson

Photographer and author R. John Anderson has journeyed the world over to capture the natural beauty of God’s creation. Having traveled to many countries and continents in a span of over thirty years, he has seen the amazing artistry that can be found in all types of locations, from the glacial fjords of polar Greenland to the wild Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the rich rain forests of Costa Rica. Nature’s greatest natural beauty often lies in the harshest deserts, remotest wilderness, and sub-zero ice-covered regions.