Christian doctrine can be (sorry 'is') overwhelming. There are so many differing beliefs within the body of Christ getting your head around what is truth is not easy. However the Bible does give clear warning deception in the Church will flourish and I want to expose some of these.
This general overview draws out some of the religious denominations/individuals who are NOT Christians. I do not intend to attack anyone or any group, but it is important Christians are educated about false teaching prevalent in society today in the name of Christianity.
It's also important to understand some people in the below mentioned groups may be Christians (just part of a religious group that isn't) and some people attending a Bible-believing church may not be Christians. Please do not turn this article into a reason to judge others, condemn others or deal unlovingly with others.
This is also not licence to let Satan tear the Church apart from the inside because of petty issues of doctrine (e.g. women in Church leadership, what day is the Sabbath).
Progressive Christianity
This supposed 'modern day' form of Christianity is removing Christ from faith, with some followers even taking the word 'God' out of the equation altogether to replace it with new age synonyms. Furthermore, if they follow Jesus, they also accept the belief there are many paths to find 'oneness' and the Bible is not absolute truth or relevant today.
While claiming to adhere to the teachings of Christ, they reject His word throughout the scriptures when He makes obvious statements opposing their theology e.g. 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me' (John chapter 14, verse 6).
Mormons (Church of Latter Day Saints—LDS)
Mormons may profess Jesus as the Son of God, but they do not hold to the Oneness of the Trinity, instead believing there are three gods, not one. Additionally they think Jesus was once a man who achieved divinity, rather than always being God.
To respond with one of many Bible verses pointing to one God 'Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me."' (Isaiah chapter 44, verse 6) Notice God's use of time here and the follow up words of Jesus in Revelation as He also describes Himself as the first and last—is this not indicative of Christ being one God?
Mormons also trust in the 'revelations' of Joseph Smith in 1827 as being the direct Word of God, in addition to the Bible. While members like to show the similarities between the teachings in the book of Mormon and the Bible, the true Word of God gives us a clear warning about adding to the Bible and as such we cannot give credibility to this extra teaching.
'If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.' (Revelation chapter 22, verse 19)
Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's)
There are again a lot of similarities between Christian teaching and the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses; however they reject Jesus as God. While accepting Jesus as being the Son of God there is clear biblical evidence in the Old and New Testaments that God is one: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Starting even in Genesis, at the very point of creation, the Bible points to the existence of the Trinity. Genesis chapter 1, verse 26 says 'Let us make mankind in our image...' Notice the words 'us' and 'our', this not reference to a singular being but more than one. Prior to this we're also told the Spirit of God is hovering over the waters and later in John's gospel Jesus is described as being God and at the beginning of creation.
Pew warmers/Sunday Christians:
Being baptized, attending (and even involvement in) Church, being a good person and giving to the ministry does not qualify anyone as a Christian. These are good things, but salvation comes to those who believe (and confess) in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, whose death on the cross was the ransom to pay for our sins.
'For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast'. (Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8–9)
There appears to be a sad reality that our churches are hang out spots for some people to congregate who have no living relationship with our Father in heaven. Unfortunately on the day of judgement there will likely be many faithful church goers who will be rejected by Christ because they did not have a true faith.
'Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practise lawlessness!"' (Matthew chapter 7, verses 21–23)
If you think you will enter heaven when your time on earth is up, but have not given your life to the Lord, please consider it now! May the conviction of the Holy Spirit fall upon you and you experience the life giving freedom of a relationship with God.
This isn't a simple matter but a decision between life and death or heaven and hell and your time could be up today or tomorrow. Don't delay, if God is prompting you to give yourself to Him, now is the time, for in love He sent His Son to die for your mistakes.
Buyer Beware
Beware of the doctrine you listen to and accept. Don't buy into anything that is unbiblical and if you're not sure look to the Word of God and other believers for answers. Don't attempt to sit on the fence of theology, or take the easy path, because the Word of God is confronting and a life of the Christian faith challenging.
There is obvious deception in the Church under the disguise of Christianity and then there are some other false teachings within the Bible-believing Church that need to be brought to light and transformed. So whatever you read and whatever you hear take it to the Word of God and ask Him to help you filter it through a biblical worldview.
Tim Wilson is an Australian currently living in Canada with his wife (also a comment writer) and their three children. He is passionate about the Church living according to the Word of God and authors a blog to inspire and challenge men and women of faith.www.abrokenmanblog.com
Tim Wilson's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-wilson.html
