Church
The Bible does not describe the church as a physical building.
The early believers met in homes, hillsides or wherever they could, rather than in a specific building.
Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
For us, it has been very challenging to find a church that follows the true teaching of the Word of God. We strongly suggest you research the church you plan on attending. Your search should begin with the belief of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All teachings by the church you choose should be confirmed by referencing the Word of God.
During the “end of the age”,
Jesus warned us that many will be deceived.
Matthew 7:15 (NLT)
“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.”
Matthew 24:10-12 (NLT)
“And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”
2 Peter 2:1-3 (NLT)
…there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.
Here is a small sample of false teachings and doctrines that you may encounter while searching for a place to worship:
Church leaders being called “Father” by their parishioners.
Matthew 23:9 (NLT)
“And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father.”
Acceptance of other religions that reject Jesus as the “Way” to God
John 14:6 (NLT)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
The buying and selling of goods within the church
John 2:16 (NLT)
“Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
Teaching the “prosperity gospel”
Luke 12:15 (NLT)
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Replacing the Gospel of Jesus with self-help motivational teaching
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
Lack of care for orphans and widows
James 1:27 (NLT)
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
Affirming the actions of LGBTQ+
Leviticus 18:22 (NLT)
The LORD said to Moses: “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.”
Advocating and supporting abortion
Psalm 139:13 (NLT)
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Unwillingness to teach the Truth about God’s judgement
Romans 2:5 (NLT)
But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Unwillingness to teach the book of Revelation
Revelation 1:3 (NLT)
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church,
and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says,
for the time is near.
There are many, many more false teachings and doctrines in our world than what is listed here. If you believe you are listening to a false teaching, you need to pray for discernment and ask God for guidance.
During Jesus’s ministry here on earth, it was the religious leaders, elders and priests who had Him arrested and crucified on the cross out of jealousy and envy.
Matthew 26:3-5 (NLT)
At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading
God’s Word so you may see, hear and understand the Truth.
