It's common practice that the only reason why false prophets and teachers make disciples after themselves is to have a crowd but for what purpose?
To pillage the unstable and unsuspecting person that never have their scruples about them.
Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV) "The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps."
Just as the Lord Jesus warned the Pharisees then, we see the same warning today being fulfilled before our eyes of making Jewish proselytes (or an arriver of a foreign region or Gentile). Matthew 23:15 (NKJV)
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."
Unstable in the faith and the Scriptures. Some of them are searching for help and these false prophets and teachers know it. People are attracted to them like metal is attracted to the magnet. Or worse, like a fish in the water, the dragnet pulls them into the boat.
These false prophets and teachers look only for the ones that are immature in Christ. They look for the intermediate level of believers that don't know any better. They look for the ones that's desperate, hunting for riches, health, and wealth.
When something, other than the Lord and His true teachings is too good to be true, it is.
Notice what Paul said as he was ministering to the elders that came from Ephesus to Miletus at Paul's direction.
Acts 20:28-31 (NKJV) "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."
The "savage wolves" are the same "ravenous wolves" that the Lord Jesus warned His disciple that would come.
Matthew 7:15 (NKJV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."
Notice Gamaliel's observation when Peter and John were arrested for preaching Christ.
Acts 5:34-38 (NKJV) "Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.
And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him.
He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing..."
False prophets and false teachers always claim to be something but they're nothing.
Galatians 6:3 (NKJV) "For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
How do they make disciples after themselves?
First, they use Biblical titles like elders, bishops, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. They never abide by the Biblical qualifications to be one.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 is the Biblical qualifications for men in the ministry.
There's no Biblical qualifications for women to be in ministry offices anywhere in the NT.
These false prophets and teachers always use Biblical titles to boast of their authority so that they would be respected and obeyed. But these titles are true titles but the people using them have no true function.
2 Corinthians 11:11-16 (NKJV)
“But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
Second, they claim that they have power. That they're anointed. They bring in music to deceive you into thinking that they're legitimate. Using popular "praise and worship" songs that may be Biblical or close to it. The music is intentionally designed to get into your emotions and disarms your ability to reason.
Once they know that you're thoroughly "disarmed," by the music, they commence with the false teaching and they use their slick emotional abilities and personalities.
Then they start doing "signs, wonders, and miracles."
They come on a healing line in wheel chairs, with canes, and crutches. They come with unseen illnesses like cancer and tell stories that they've been healed, but nothing really happened.
No unbiased doctor affirmed the disease or confirmed a legitimate healing took place.
False prophets and teachers are no different than those that practice sorcery or magical arts. It’s all an illusion. The unsuspecting in the audience is completely sold that something happened.
Then they make disciples after them by asking you to be a “partner” in their ministry and pledge or commit to give a certain amount of money each month.
You feel good about that and you didn’t realize that they were hucksters and peddlers. Looking for an easy payday.
2 Corinthians 2:17 (NKJV)
“For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”
When will people come to their senses?
Sadly, the time that we’re living in declares that many will be deceived.
Matthew 24:4-5 (NKJV) “And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
Matthew 24:11 (NKJV) “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many."
In other words, false prophets and teachers will be successful in deceiving the people.
So how do you know that you’re a disciple after them?
You don’t question anything that they say or do.
When it’s discovered that they’re in sin, you defend their inexcusable indefensible sin and their teachings above the Word of God. You help them cover up and "circle the wagons" to protect against discovery.
When you keep giving them money, you can’t pay your bills, and continue to attend their services.
When you believe everything that they tell you without asking someone outside of their leadership circle.
When they isolate you and command you to not talk to other family members or friends.
When everything that you do requires their permission.
These are tell tale signs that you’re a disciple after them.
A true believer has freedom in Christ. A pastor is not your Lord. Christ is the Head Of The Church. You're loyal to God and His Bible, you're never loyal to a pastor in the sense that he's the only authority in your life.
You question everything and everyone.
You believe and obey the Bible above everything and everyone else.
You believe that God and the Bible is FINAL AUTHORITY.
You don’t have to give money to anyone or any organization that you don’t have confidence or complete trust in. Transparency. You know how money is spent in the organization.
You tell your trusted friends and family members about where you’re attending church. You run it by other trusted and authentic believers in the faith.
You reject false teaching and warn others about these false teachers and their ministry. You don't slander them. You pray for them and walk in love, speaking the truth in love.
You don’t need anyone’s permission for everything.
You can leave anytime you want to.
You don't sign any Non Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
When in doubt, BELIEVE THE BIBLE!
Never feel pressured to do, say, or agree to anything that's questionable.
If you don't trust it, don't rush it. Haste makes waste!
If an answer doesn't satisfy you, it's ok to reject it, you don't have to blindly agree to everything a pastor says or does.
If it's not in the Bible, it's not right!
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