JoChris
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- Mar 15, 2017
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The following are two key verses from 2 Peter 2 that show clear observable signs of a false teacher:
These so-called Christian teachers eventually reveal openly they have adulterous hearts, worship money and some even curse children. It seems incredible to outsiders that people can be fooled by such people, but sometimes such a teacher does not start out that way. Power corrupts some people terribly.
Over a decade ago now (2011) I got to know a woman at my local bible study who had narrowly missed such a cult. God in his mercy stopped her and her husband from getting heavily into it. The cult's old building was only a few streets away from my house.
https://www.cultfacts.com/cults/agape-ministries
From memory, she had been vunerable to it because she had somewhat weakened health. (In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she was the woman in the article, but of course I can't be sure.)
It is easy for outsiders to judge people who have joined cults, but she made me realise "there but for the grace of God go I". A person with a little familiarity with bible but also an openness to extra-biblical signs and wonders can be at risk of falling for false promises from a charismatic preacher. A person can be confident they know enough about Jesus and the bible to "chew the meat and spit out the bones".
There is nothing in the bible to support that viewpoint.
All Christians who are interested in apologetics and discernment ministries should be prepared to support ex-believers of cults and false Christian churches as well. That woman had a lot to unlearn before she felt she was ready to be baptised in that Baptist church. She needed to have her heart healed as well as her beliefs corrected.
These so-called Christian teachers eventually reveal openly they have adulterous hearts, worship money and some even curse children. It seems incredible to outsiders that people can be fooled by such people, but sometimes such a teacher does not start out that way. Power corrupts some people terribly.
Over a decade ago now (2011) I got to know a woman at my local bible study who had narrowly missed such a cult. God in his mercy stopped her and her husband from getting heavily into it. The cult's old building was only a few streets away from my house.
https://www.cultfacts.com/cults/agape-ministries
Agape Ministries
Many Christian ministries use the name "Agape Ministries.' This entry concerns a religious group with properties in and around Adelaide, South Australia, and led by Rocco Leo. During a raid on the group's properties police seized an arsenal of weapons, high-powered ammunition and explosives.
www.apologeticsindex.org
From memory, she had been vunerable to it because she had somewhat weakened health. (In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she was the woman in the article, but of course I can't be sure.)
It is easy for outsiders to judge people who have joined cults, but she made me realise "there but for the grace of God go I". A person with a little familiarity with bible but also an openness to extra-biblical signs and wonders can be at risk of falling for false promises from a charismatic preacher. A person can be confident they know enough about Jesus and the bible to "chew the meat and spit out the bones".
There is nothing in the bible to support that viewpoint.
All Christians who are interested in apologetics and discernment ministries should be prepared to support ex-believers of cults and false Christian churches as well. That woman had a lot to unlearn before she felt she was ready to be baptised in that Baptist church. She needed to have her heart healed as well as her beliefs corrected.
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