This article was originally written a few years ago. I am bringing it out again, with some modifications, because I am noticing brothers and sisters in Christ who are still beguiled by False Teachings and cults masquerading as Christianity.
Original Article:
In these last days, Jesus warned of false teachers and to beware of them. We are seeing this unfolding before our eyes. But sometimes (as the devil does so well) it sounds believable, and before long, many of us are pulled into heretical teaching. Our Lord wants to keep us safe from False Teachers. His Word is there for us for this purpose.
I was reading Acts 17 and, of course, came upon this passage of Scripture:
“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Acts 17:11 is preached to this day to impart to God’s people a most important Truth. The Bereans had heard Paul and Silas preach to them. The Word says that these Berean Jews received the word with all readiness; but what did they do after hearing that which was preached to them?
They searched the Scriptures to verify what they had heard.
Many people today do not rely on the Word of God for Truth. Unfortunately, they rely on the teachings of men, some of which are Biblically sound, but others have twisted the Word of God to accommodate the “Itching Ear” crowd who want to be made comfortable in church.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14).
Did you know that those who are trained to spot counterfeit money spend the majority of their time studying authentic bills? It’s true. They can immediately spot the counterfeit because the authentic is ingrained in their brains.
And so are believers in Christ told to study the Word of God in order to reject apostasy:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
It’s a Spiritual Minefield Out There
What is Apostasy?
Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a defiance of an established system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.” This clearly shows that there is “Truth” from the Word of God, but there is also a rebellion or defiance against God’s Word.
I have seen Bible teachers of late telling their flocks that “Aspostasia” means the Rapture of the church in 2 Thessalonians 2. This is clearly errant teaching, although I do not say that these teachers are doing this in a malicious manner.
This is why we should be like the Bereans – receiving teaching with gladness BUT searching the Scriptures to see if what we were told is true.
In the Greek, Apostasia always refers to a departure from a belief system; in other words, a falling away from faith in the Word of God. It has never meant a “Spacial departure” which many are teaching in saying this is the Rapture of the Church.
Excerpt from gotquestions.org:
“Question: “Will there be a great apostasy/falling away during the end times?”
Answer: The Bible indicates that there will be a great apostasy during the end times. The “great apostasy” is mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The KJV calls it the “falling away,” while the NIV and ESV call it “the rebellion.” And that’s what an apostasy is: a rebellion, an abandonment of the truth. The end times will include a wholesale rejection of God’s revelation, a further “falling away” of an already fallen world.” source
Brethren, the definition of Apostasy (Apostasia) could not be more clear!
Deception of the Brethren
I receive many emails each week from the readers of my articles. It shocks and saddens me that so many are caught up in false teaching, cults and even in a “New Age” version of Christianity.
This is not true of the majority of those who write to me. Most are very grounded in the Word and are ‘Born Again’ believers. But the readers who do communicate with me who have become ensnared in false doctrine is very troubling.
I see this on Facebook when I publish a new article. There will always be those who find fault with my words because what I say exposes the false doctrine which they believe.
I want the reader to understand that I am very open to being corrected by the brethren – but the Word of God must reign supreme over “opinions” of men and women.
So, let’s get right into the snares and traps of False teaching.
Hebrew Roots (HRM)
Being an ethnic Jew who came to faith in Christ so many years ago, I am very familiar with this cult. And yes – I did say CULT.
Satan’s traps, lies and snares are everywhere, but Hebrew Roots is especially egregious to the Lord. We know that we are saved by Grace through faith. It is the New Covenant of Grace – the better Covenant which brings life to those who believe in the finished work of Christ on the Cross and His resurrection from the dead. When we truly believe “on” the Lord Jesus Christ (placing our faith in Him alone for the forgiveness of our sins by His shed blood), and understand that this is what saves us, we are able to discern false teaching.
Through the years, I have met many Christians who are taken with the knowledge that I am an ethnic Jew. I have spoken with many who actually research their lineage to find out if they have any amount of Jewish blood.
I have often told them that being grafted into the vine is simply the way that the Lord has made it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God. But somewhere along the line, they have been confronted by those of the Hebrew Roots Cult.
To simplify the errant teaching of this cult, I have chosen to take the main beliefs and format them in a bulleted list. I do hope that many of the brethren will print out this article and keep it for reference.
HRM believes:
- The Church has veered far from the true teaching and Hebrew concepts of the Bible.
- That Christianity has been indoctrinated with cultures and beliefs of paganism.
- Christ’s death did not end the Mosaic Law, but renewed it.
- Understanding of the NT can only come from a Hebrew perspective.
- The teachings of Paul are not understood or taught correctly.
- The believers should walk in Torah-observance to please God.
- The dietary laws and all celebrations of the feasts of Israel should be observed by all believers.
I must insert something very important for the reader. I am in no way saying that Christians who feel led to study the history and customs of the Jewish people, and even take part in many of these, should not do this. But they must understand that observing these traditions of Judaism is not part of Salvation. This is a lie from the pit of hell. The teachings of HRM are no different from those of the Judaizers of Jesus’ day, with one exception:
Most all of the HRM leadership and followers and NOT Jews.
I have noticed that most so-called Hebrew Roots churches are not only filled with non-Jews, but the “Rabbi” over the people is not even ethnically Jewish himself! (Most of the congregations are not aware of this.)
From gotquestions.org (On HRM)
The influence of this movement is working its way into our churches and seminaries. It’s dangerous in its implication that keeping the Old Covenant law is walking a “higher path” and is the only way to please God and receive His blessings. Nowhere in the Bible do we find Gentile believers being instructed to follow Levitical laws or Jewish customs; in fact, the opposite is taught. Romans 7:6 says, “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Christ, in keeping perfectly every ordinance of the Mosaic Law, completely fulfilled it. Just as making the final payment on a home fulfills that contract and ends one’s obligation to it, so also Christ has made the final payment and has fulfilled the law, bringing it to an end for us all. source
The NAR Movement (New Apostolic Reformation and Dominion Theology)
We are warned by Jesus not to add or take away from His Holy Word. Perhaps the NAR Movement and Dominionists misread the Words of our Lord. These movements thrive on extra-Biblical revelation. The dangers of these teachings are beyond what we can even imagine.
This movement is spanning the globe at an alarming rate.
As I did with HRM, I will format this as bullet points to simplify:
- They will not refer to themselves as NAR or Dominionists.
- The have restored the offices of Apostles and Prophets from the OT.
- The leadership is comprised of the “New” Apostles and Prophets chosen by men.
- They teach that Christians MUST be involved in politics.
- They teach that God has restored the offices of Apostle and Prophets over the last 30-40 years.
- Members of this movement must obey the words of the so-called Apostles and Prophets.
- As more and more members unify behind the leaders – these leaders will be given supernatural powers of mass healings and suspend the laws of physics.
- Great wealth will come to the new Apostles, and this will enable the church to establish God’s Kingdom on earth (Dominionism).
- Belief in Grave Soaking (lying on top of a grave of a well-known Christian in hopes that knowledge will be imparted to them).
- Gold dust coming down on the congregation during worship (people believing this came from heaven).
Discerning Christians will see clearly that this is a cult. It does not even resemble Christianity from the Bible. Nevertheless, the followers of this cult are in the millions and growing every day.
Many Personal Stories of leaving the NAR Cult <click to read
Jan Markell did a two-part series on her radio program which exposed an even more nefarious side of NAR.
Wolves Not Sparing the Flock Part 1
Wolves Not sparing the Flock Part 2
A question for the reader: Does any of this about NAR, Dominion Theology and HRM line up with the Word of God? (rhetorical question!)
This is the first of a series of articles which I hope to write concerning cults and false teaching.
I will cover the “Social Justice Gospel” in my next article along with other Apostasy movements.
Brethren, I hope that this article will help someone to make the decision to leave if they are involved with these false movements. I also hope that this might help a family who has a member caught up in HRM, NAR or Dominion Theology.
Remember: Times change but the Word of God NEVER changes.
Beware of extra-Biblical teaching and so-called revelations.
God is God and we are NOT!
Shalom b’Yeshua
MARANATHA!
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