By Victor Ochieng
We have many false preachers, teachers, apostles, and prophets. In several cases, we use “fake” to mean that the clergy in question isn’t preaching the truth. In some other cases, it’s because the pastor is preaching water and drinking wine.
In a meme that was recently shared online, someone wrote, “Let’s have enough love and courage to expose such false teachers as Justin Peters, Charles Stanley, John MacArthur, and David Jeremiah. They teach once saved always saved (false); the gifts from the Holy Spirit have passed away (false); the rapture takes place the great tribulation of the saints by the beast (Antichrist) (false), and the gift of speaking in tongues is demonic (blasphemy)! These deceptions are playing a critical role in the great falling away of many believers in these last days. These preachers may be deceiving more Christians than the heretical word of faith teachers Ken Copeland, Benny Hinn, Jesse Duplantis and Joel Osteen!”
In the case of the meme, it’s clear that the person terming the ministers as fake based on their message, which, according to him, renders them false teachers. But all that depends on how one looks at it? Are these people sharing such teachings because their intention is to lie or is it because of poor interpretation of the Bible? If the latter is true, can that qualify one to be called a fake pastor, teacher, or apostle?
Take for example, the fact that many Christian denominations preach different messages. At the end of the day, we know that the Bible is from one author and those relying on the author’s interpretation should have the same message. Why then do these churches have different messages? Does that mean they’re not relying on the author for interpretation? Doesn’t that mean there is only one true church and the rest fake, and, therefore, jammed with fake preachers, teachers, prophets, and apostles?
Many churches teach different messages on some controversial topics such as the person of God, rapture, hell, heaven, and more. But the question many are asking is: Which one of the teachings is the truth?
Looking at these cases, we see that it’s the messages that differ. The intention isn’t to mislead, but they end up misleading because of their lack of knowledge. In such a cases, the preachers can’t be considered false.
Reading from the words of Apostle Paul, we see that false brethren are there. We have pastors who intentionally twist the gospel message so as to suit their lifestyles. We have preachers who focus on the prosperity gospel, insisting so much on giving so that they can receive.
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