“It is God who judges” (Psalm 75:7), ultimately, but is exposing false teaching wrongly judging?
Indeed, “who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall, for the Lord is able to make them stand . . . You, then, why do judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:4,10 NIV).
However, in certain areas we are called upon to make judgments, reasonable people will agree. For example:read more
Jehovah’s Witnesses (“Bible Students”, as they called themselves then) were forecasting that 1925 would bring the end of the world, so to speak. However, everything they so boldly forecasted to occur in 1925 failed to materialize. Humble people admit their mistakes, and don’t blame others for them. Jehovah’s Witnesses (Bible Students) have had more than their share of failed expectations, so one would expect that they might apologize for their false prophetic speculations about the year 1925.read more
False prophets were predicted in the Bible?
=&0=&News headlines frequently highlight the accuracy of Jesus’ prediction. One recent example of a false prophet doing this was made publicly on December 23, 2024.
“I have made and entered [into a] covenant with God and on December 6, 2056, I’ll see you all later. I’m out of here, 120 years old,” televangelist Kennth Copeland claimed on December 23, 2024, predicting the date of his death. This false prophet, like all false prophets, contradicts the Bible with his predictions.
“I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death, and I will overturn your deal to dodge the grave. When the terrible enemy sweeps through, you will be trampled into the ground.“—Isaiah 28:18 NLT. God will certainly not honor any supposed deal this false prophet thinks he’s made with God to live until he’s 120. read more
Are the Doctrines of Purgatory and Hellfire in the Bible?
“Those who contend with you shall be as nothing and will perish . . . Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent”—Isaiah 41:11,12 LSB; NASB
The Bible teaches that death is non-existence. Purgatory is a Catholic doctrine which teaches there is an intermediate state after physical death in which some of those ultimately destined for heaven must first undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven, holding that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come. But what does the Bible teach? Let’s compare some Catholic claims about the doctrine of Purgatory to the Scriptures.
Are Purgatory and Hellfire in the Bible?
Catholics claim:
Those that build their foundations on wood, grass or straw will be burned when we are purified to go to purgatory. Yet they will saved though only as men are saved by passing through fire. All people who go to purgatory will be saved though suffering (fire).
THE BIBLE SAYS:
Paul was using word pictures, such as metaphors, in the account at 1 Corinthians 3:10-17. He uses simile in verse 15 saying
“the person will be saved, but ONLY AS THROUGH FIRE.” (Catholic New American Bible [NAB])read more
The Bible Completely Equips Us & Doesn’t Need Supplements
Many people professing to be Christians today believe the Bible is useful but incomplete and needs to be supplemented by their own teachings and writings. But is this the case? Is it possible that the Bible completely equips us?
THE BIBLE’S SCRIPTURES GIVE ALL WE NEED
The Bible completely equips Christians because it is the only divinely inspired writing.“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) the Bible is complete in itself, and needs no supplementation. Nothing needs to be read into it.
BIBLICAL SUPPLEMENTATION NOT NEEDED
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6) The Bible is perfect because it is God’s Word and does not need to be supplemented.
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ” (1 Jn 4:1)
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” (Revelation 22:18-19) Adding to or subtracting anything from the Bible is condemned by God. Commentaries in harmony with what the Bible actually says are fine, but nothing written by humans is equal to the scriptures.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) The Bible is God’s Word.
THE INSPIRED WRITERS
“Remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.” (Jude 17) The word of the apostles was authoritative. The New Testament was written by four apostles directly chosen by Jesus, namely, Matthew, John, Peter and Paul. Four other close associates of the apostles also wrote the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 15:7 – “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” Jesus appeared to James.
The Bible is the court of final arbitration, so if something is true it has to be in agreement with the Bible. Otherwise, it is false. So if Trinitarians want to provide evidence for the Trinity doctrine, their argument should be in agreement with the Bible. Likewise, if we believe the Trinity is false, our belief should be in agreement with the scriptures.
Does Bible teach the Trinity?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Bible says that God is one, not three:
“The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Mark 12:29 HCSB)
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ” (1 John 4:1) Biblical ‘testing’ will help us to identify false prophets and prophecies.
The Bible tells us to discern the origin of prophecies. “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians5:19-21 NIV). According to the scriptures, we should ‘test all prophets and prophecies.’ The Bible gives us all the information we need to identify false prophets and prophecies.
1. Real prophecy strengthens the church.
“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 14:1-4 NLT)read more
