Index To The Four Most Dangerous Mistakes Any Christian Can Make
1) Believe that we, or our pastor/denomination/spiritual leader cannot be fooled, 2) Attribute every personal testimony and “sign” as being of or from God, 3) Take Bible verses out of context and 4) believe that we, as Christians, are not to judge anything or any one. Not necessarily in that order. Also See
Why Christians Are Deceived
That deception is so rampant in the church can be primarily attributed to just one underlying fact - the vast majority of Christians today are Biblically illiterate. Fraternizing With The Enemy
Few seem to realize that Christians are commanded to separate themselves from those who teach and practice false doctrine True and False Unity
Although doctrine has often been allowed to divide people in disgraceful ways, division is not something that can be avoided. You could scour the Scriptures for the next ten years without finding a single word about being united at the expense of truth. Ignoring important areas in which we differ is simply a papering over of the rot in the walls Why The Fire Hasn't Fallen
Christianity is not alive and well in spite of loud declarations to the contrary. We don't seek God because we are quite convinced that we have already arrived.
ON THIS PAGE Introduction - We Don't Take The Bible As Seriously As We Think We Do
Most Christians Think They Cannot Be Fooled
And Rely On Others To Tell Us What We Should Believe Gullibility Study The Scriptures For Yourself
But Knowing What The Bible Teaches Takes Work Deviation From The New Testament Pattern for Church Meetings Footnote I - As A Reminder Of How Far Deception Can Go, The Bible Tells Us...
Footnote I I - The ‘Proof Texts” That Don’t Prove a Thing
Footnote III - The Many Warning About False Teachers.
Introduction - We Don't Really Take The Bible As Seriously As We Think We Do
We say we believe that our Bible is the inerrant word of God. We say we implicitly believe what it says.
Are those claims true? Or is it that all too often what we read amount to nothing more than black squiggles on a page. I say this because if we actually took the Word of God seriously we would stop glossing over passages like this one.. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
Paul used the word some in the above verse however, Jesus went a lot further and told us that many would be led astray, most people's love would grow cold, and few would find the narrow road. "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. (Matthew 24:10-13 NASB) "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB)
Since one has to be on the right path before one can be led astray, Jesus had to be speaking about believers. Doesn't that give us ANY pause for thought? Do we not at least have the sense to look around and wonder why JESUS PROPHESIED that only a few will find the way even though Christianity is apparently booming with the vast majority of Christians in church on a regular basis, dozens of Mega-churches strewn all over the country, endless 'Christian' TV programs and 'conferences', and literally thousands of "Christian" books being published every year? (Matthew 7:13-14)) What can possibly account for the discrepancy between what appears to be a relatively stable/spiritually prosperous church and the Savior telling us that many will be misled. Did Jesus and Paul have absolutely no idea what they were talking about or has the situation done this marvelous turn around since they spoke which, by the way, would make both of them false prophets. Or is the problem that the people whom Isaiah described in his fifth "woe" proclamation (Isaiah 5:21) as 'wise in their own estimation and clever in their own sight' includes those who do not believe they can be led astray by false doctrine?
Most Christians Think They Cannot Be Fooled ...
When non-Christians cling to beliefs they may have held from their childhood we urge them to examine the evidence for themselves. Yet Christians rarely seem to take their own advice seemingly unwilling to even consider that any of the doctrines they have unquestioningly accepted may not conform to what the Bible teaches. In spite of the fact that deception is one of the major themes of the New Testament - the words deceit, deceitful, deceitfully, deceitfulness, and deceive used over and over again all too many believer seem to be under the very perilous delusion that they themselves cannot or have not been fooled. While this is tragic, the meaning of the English word 'deceive' explains why. To Deceive means to cause someone to believe what is not true; To lead another into error, danger or a disadvantageous position. Deception is a misrepresentation of the truth, regardless of whether the person doing the misleading is himself deluded.
Deception can only occur if it looks like the real thing. Thus the deceived person wholeheartedly believes that the path they are on is the right one, the beliefs they hold are Biblical, and the practices they indulge in are supported by Scripture. As the author of Proverbs said... There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12 NASB)
... And Rely On Others To Tell Them What They Should Believe
Another very dangerous thing any Christian can do is assume that his or her pastor, mentor, spiritual leader, denomination as a whole or the latest $12.99 paperback by their favorite 'Christian' author cannot be wrong.
The Bible says Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB)
It DOES NOT Tell you to "sit back and let your beliefs be determined by someone who has arrived at his or her own conclusions and quotes verses at you to back them up" (Greg Koukl. Never Read a Bible Verse) The Warnings in Scripture
When, in Matthew 16:6, our Lord's warned His disciples to "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees", He was speaking to men He had hand picked to found and lead His new church. They had been under Jesus' personal care and guidance for some time and had little in common with, or sympathy for, the Pharisees and Sadducees. That they needed to be warned only serves to underscore the fact that no one, not even the leaders of the church, are immune to being influenced by false doctrine. Additionally, Paul was very emphatic about the fact that wolves would come from the flock itself (Emphasis added) "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30 NASB)
And, in speaking of men who preached a different gospel, said this For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NASB)
The Bible is as unambiguous as it is vigorous in it's censure of teachers of false doctrine. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8- 9. NASB)
In an unerring prophecy Peter said that many shall follow their destructive doings But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; (2 Peter 2:1-2 NASB)
And note very carefully that those who listen to the lies spewed out by false prophets and give credibility to their fabrications are not excused. The Lord calls them called wicked and clearly describes their fate. Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who are prophesying in My name, although it was not I who sent them - yet they keep saying, 'There will be no sword or famine in this land' - by sword and famine those prophets shall meet their end! "The people also to whom they are prophesying will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and there will be no one to bury them - neither them, nor their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters - or I will pour out their own wickedness on them. (Jeremiah 14:15-16 NASB)
And this is nothing new. If you take the time to read Jeremiah 23, you should realize that even in his time deception was widespread. He wrote of the "polluted" prophets and priests who "prophesied by Baal" and related visions that came from their own imagination not from the mouth of the Lord. They were false shepherds who were destroying and scattering the sheep, leading the people into "futility". See Prophets Or Deluded Charlatans
The Bible tells us that that false prophets are ferocious wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15) and if a prophet presumes to speak a word in God's name that God has not commanded him to speak, that prophet shall die. Yet false prophets abound and thrive in the 21st century church The authority of Scriptures cannot be superseded by anything else... Not by words of prophecy, not by signs and wonders, not by personal experiences, and certainly not by the seemingly endless stream of programs and courses. As a reminder of how far deception can go, the Bible tells us that miracles, prophecy, and other signs and wonders (even those that actually come to pass) can also be accomplished by workers of iniquity. See Footnote I So what is it about us? Why do we think we or our teachers cannot possibly be wrong?
Gullibility
In today's Biblically illiterate Christian world many Christians think that doctrine is not important. Our anti-intellectual, entertainment oriented, superficial culture that wants everything including religion in pre-digested convenient little packages, is giving less and less heed to in-depth Biblical study and understanding, which is the ONLY path to right doctrine.
Considering this generation's propensity to judge a book by its cover, a little wit, charm, and charisma go a long way in getting people to believe that they are the 'real thing'. If the so called leader appears to be very sincere and genuine, claims to have had a vision or prophecy from God (See Prophets Or Deluded Charlatans), and/or is the author of multiple books, it is almost guaranteed that hundreds of thousands of believers will put their faith in him or her without once testing what they say against the Scriptures. Sadly, testimonials and dramatic stories sell. Even worse, hype, hoopla, and heightened emotions are now often seen as the work of the Holy Spirit. See Slain in The Spirit
The texts put forward to 'prove' that being 'slain in the spirit' and other related manifestations (laughter, shaking, trance like states etc.) are Biblical, do no such thing. The Scriptures are void of any account that even faintly resemble any of these bizarre manifestations. Where then does the practice originate? Most false teachers will glibly rattle off Scriptures that supposedly support their teachings and give them the appearance of orthodoxy. However, how many realize that these quoted Biblical verses are usually taken way out of context and do not say what is claimed or do not tell the whole story. See Context is Crucial
No Biblical author simply strung together a number of lofty sounding phrases disconnected from one another. Since each verse is an integral part of a particular point the author was trying to make, no one should read, much less base their beliefs on stand alone verses. The reader can only be accurately informed by God's Word the way it is written - in its context. Understanding what the author meant comes not only from the words he wrote, but also by what the overall message of the chapter is intended to convey. Are we just so used to having the Bible interpreted for us that we are too lazy or too gullible to go look for ourselves? Or have we been so indoctrinated that when we read the verses in question, we read into them what we have been told what they mean? Or do we, as a matter of course, just believe the man behind the pulpit, the one with a string of letters behind his name, and/or the author of one or more books (After all, he must know what he is talking about). It is not surprising that Jesus called us sheep over and over again. "Rigorous Intellectual Skills" - Seriously?
Not too long ago I read a statement that I will never ever forget. "Doctrinal development requires rigorous intellectual skills and sound philosophic categories to accurately apply God's revelation" [01]
And, the man in the pew, having been well indoctrinated into believing that those with "rigorous intellectual skills" have to know what they are talking about, accepts and believes what they say as coming from the mouth of God Himself. The quote above was made in connection with the Trinity. However, the "intellectual skills" managed to come to the wrong conclusion simply because much more emphasis was placed on "historical foundation", philosophy, and the writings of Origen - an absolute heretic. Apparently just reading the Bible and trusting what it says has gone the way of the dodo. Now we need philosophers and heretics to tell us what it means. See Is God a Trinity?
Part VII deals with Origen and the Cappadocian Fathers who were Greek philosophers and Catholic Mystics In other words, supposed truths were decided somewhere back along the line, often many hundreds of years ago, then been passed down as Gospel truth from one generation to the next ad infinitum - in one or the other seminary/church/Bible study with the same proof texts offered and unquestioningly accepted. The end result being that when people go to their Bibles, they do so with preconceived idea already firmly in place. The late Dave Hunt once very correctly asked... If by reading I cannot discern "the intended meaning of the Holy Bible," then who can? Was it written only for some elite? Must we trust a pastor, priest, denomination? The Roman Catholic pope and magisterium? How could I or you or anyone else today know to whom to look for the correct interpretation of the Bible? If you are suggesting that no one can know, then God has given us a worthless book. [02]
See Footnote II - The ‘Proof Texts” That Don’t Prove a Thing Sadly, this is exactly what has happened in the church. We tend to look to others - theologians, Bible scholars, pastors, etc. for the correct interpretation, many of whom tend to believe that they and/or their denomination are the sole reliable interpreters of Biblical truths, and will defend to the death their version of what the Bible says.
Study The Scriptures For Yourself
If you are a Christian who thinks that theology is best left to the pastor or other church leader you may be treading very dangerous ground simply because you have placed your eternal destiny in the hands of a very fallible human being rather than in the hands of the God of the universe.
You cannot know what is Biblically unsound unless you know what is Biblically sound. In other words, you have to know what the Scriptures teach - Biblical doctrine in other words. There is simply no other way. Considering the astronomical stakes, are you willing to risk that your are being "tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming"? (Ephesians 4:14 NASB) See Theology and Doctrine both of which are crucial to right belief. By this, I certainly do not mean that we cannot learn from those who may have devoted much of their lives to the study of the Scriptures and may have great insight into God's word. But the fact is that if we are smart, we had better not hang our hats on the peg labeled 'official church doctrine' (what supposedly orthodox Christians/churches think, believe, or teach), nor on what the so called early "church fathers" wrote. Nor can we blindly believe what Bible scholars tell us, however highly respected and/or well known they might be. Every single word that proceeds from the mouth and pen of man has to be carefully checked against the standard that the Almighty Himself has given us. If you are not in the habit of doing so how will you know if your church veers off course and starts teaching false doctrine? Where will you stand if your pastor decides that his church needs to join the 21st century and become a seeker-sensitive, or purpose driven church or if you hear someone claim that he or she is an apostle and/or a prophet. Most of the last mentioned are part of a movement centered around the belief that an elite group of believers will be revealed in the end times to prepare the world for the millennial reign of Christ. In fact, Christ can't return to earth until they do. C. Peter Wagner and The New Apostolic Reformation. Apostles Or Deluded Impostors Also See Four Part Article on Dominionism
It's Occult Roots and Spread.
Part III - Wrong On ALL Counts shows how every doctrine preached and taught by Dominionists comes from
playing fast and loose with the Scriptures. Regardless of how eminent the theologian, if his words do not agree with the Scriptures they are to be discarded forthwith. No, I take that back. Considering that all too many of the issues are a matter of life and death, false doctrines are not just to be simply rejected but, they are to be actively opposed. See Fraternizing With The Enemy
But Knowing What The Bible Teaches Takes Work
The problem is there is no magic wand that automatically causes a believer to know what the Bible says nor is the Bible a single sheet instruction book. Occasionally reading a few favorite texts will get you absolutely nowhere. The whole counsel of God can only be ascertained by a very careful and in depth study of the Holy Book which means reading, rereading and comparing Scripture with Scripture. It also involves carefully considering what you are reading.
Although the basics are not at all complicated it takes years (not days or weeks) to come to a more complete understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Like an onion, you can peel back layer after layer - a process that takes much time. Even after years of study a detail will pop up that can intrigue, fascinate, make you smile, leave you in awe, or simply throw more light on something else. Wisdom is attained by giving heed to God's words, and treasuring His commandments, by seeking and searching. Consider this advice from the book of Proverbs... My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5)
Modern software programs have made it relatively easy to examine Hebrew and Greek words and, by tracing every occurrence of the word, see how they are used in the Scriptures. There is no question that the study is time consuming and can get a little complicated but how much time and effort you put into it all depends on how important Biblical truths (and your soul) are to you. See Bible Study - Some Useful (And Very Important) Guidelines. But all that sounds like work - hard work and Christians are not usually so inclined. Why start an in-depth study of a particular subject in the Word of God when the preacher can deliver in just a few minutes every week? After all, wasn't that what he went to seminary or Bible school for? Isn't that what he is being paid to do? Yet, as an example, men seem to have the time to attend to the voluminous writings of a 16th century influential French theologian who tried (successfully in many cases) to persuade people that two diametrically opposing and completely contradictory points view are both Gospel truth. To say nothing of an ancient Catholic philosopher (Augustine) who believed in a purgatory, masses, prayers for the dead, the intercession of saints and martyrs in our favor and the innocence of Mary... In short all the superstitious baggage of the Catholic church. See Calvinism Part I - An Introduction to The Reformed Doctrine of Calvinism The Sins of Augustine There is one other reason that rank heresy has gained so much of a foothold in the church and that is because contemporary churches have deviated so far from the pattern established in the New Testament that they have literally paved the way for preachers of false doctrines.
Deviation From The New Testament Pattern for 'Church Meetings'
In the early church neither the sermon nor 'the preacher' was the center of the assembly (In fact there was no sermon which has somehow becomes the center of our services) The meeting were never dominated by one man but led by the Holy Spirit who was free to move through the gathering as He saw fit. Questions and discussions were a healthy part of the meeting (I Corinthians 14:27-40). If one person received an insight while another was speaking the speaker would stop and listen to the recipient of the insight. Consider how the phrase 'one another' is used in the NT.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16 NASB) Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB) But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13 NASB) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, (Hebrews 10:24 NASB) As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10 NASB)
Present-day churches have long forgotten this pattern. How many do you know that trust the Holy Spirit to direct and shape their services? Actually if the truth be told, the Holy Spirit could be taken out of the average church and 98% of the program would not be affected in any way. For Details See Is The Church Supposed To Be a Largely Spectator Event? -
Chapter IV of The Church Then and Now
Footnote I - As A Reminder Of How Far Deception Can Go, The Bible Tells Us That Miracles, Prophecy, And Other Signs And Wonders (Even Those That Actually Come To Pass) Can Also Be Accomplished By Workers Of Iniquity
If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let's follow other gods (whom you have not known) and let's serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 13: 1-3 NASB) Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23. NASB) Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 NASB) And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire, which burns with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20. NASB)
Prophets Or Deluded Charlatans
(Charlatan - A person who makes elaborate, fraudulent, and often voluble claims to skill or knowledge) And Apostles Or Deluded Impostors
(Impostor - One who engages in deception under an assumed name or identity)
Footnote II - Completely False 'Proof-Texts'.
Note: it is totally pointless to even read any of these articles unless you are prepared to at least consider that what your pastor or any other Christian leader teaches. Sadly relying strictly on what the Word says is something that seems to be easier said than done for most Christians.
Filthy Rags: Isaiah 64:6 has long been used as a proof-text for two totally distinct yet equally unfounded beliefs. See Filthy Rags None That Seeketh: Romans 3:11-18 is often quoted to bolster the claims of universal depravity - but one really need to examine the source of Paul's quotes. See None That Seeketh? Original Sin and Epigenetics: It has long been assumed, by those that believe in Original Sin, that Adam's transgression was transferred to all future generations, tainting even the unborn. However, there is a distinct possibility that Adam's sin did something that affected his descendants to the point they were no longer "in His image"? ...A something that has to be put right before a person can be considered once more a "son of God", eligible for the Kingdom of Heaven. See Original Sin Or Epigenetics - What exactly was it that Adam passed down to his descendants? The Trinity:
The doctrine of the trinity is one of mainstream Christianity's most universally accepted, hallowed and may I say totally incomprehensible doctrines held sacrosanct by Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox believers alike. In fact, it is widely believed that one cannot be saved without believing in the Trinity although the Bible says nothing of the sort. The doctrine evolved in the late first century, then gradually gained momentum in the subsequent three hundred years or so, taking final shape in 381 AD. Doctrinal bias not grammatical accuracy, is responsible for referring to the Holy Spirit with masculine rather than neuter pronouns when both are equally legitimate. Read without prejudice or preconceived ideas, all the "proof texts" merely state that Father, Son and Holy Spirit exist - None of them can be used to prove the three-in-one theory. This becomes even more apparent if you consider how the New Testament authors consistently ignored the "third person of the Godhead" who is missing from the opening salutation of most of the New Testament books, from the approximately eighteen doxologies found in these books, and curiously absent from Daniel's, Stephen's and John's visions of heaven. Note however, that challenging the doctrine of the Trinity does not mean challenging the Divinity of Christ and it does not mean challenging the Divinity of the Holy Spirit. See The Trinity - Part IV. Note this is a six part article. Hell: Unfortunately, most Christians believe that an everlasting nightmare is a core doctrine of the church. It is not. It took the Christian community hundreds of years to come up with a consensus on the issue. Besides which, in order to support what they think is right, various translations have rendered several Hebrew and Greek word according to their own preconceived ideas. See What and Where is Hell? Heaven: And while you are about it, you may as well read What and Where is Heaven? Christians who believe they will spend an eternity in "heaven", seem to have little or no idea where this heaven is, what it will look like, or what they will do there. Either they have vague, half formed ideas about some ethereal place 'out there' or resort to pious phrases that amount to little more than spiritual gobbledy gook. If this is the best we can do then it is little wonder that non Christians are not in the slightest bit interested in our "heaven" and Christians themselves so rarely seem to look forward to the coming of the kingdom of God. Luckily the Bible isn't at all silent on where "heaven" is and, even more importantly, what it will be like. Actually, the Bible's description of the coming kingdom is
far, far, more practical, and a lot less pious sounding than that of our theologians. See What and Where is Heaven?
Footnote II - The Many Warning About False Teachers. (All Emphasis Added)
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15 NASB) For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. "Behold, I have told you in advance. (Matthew 24:24-25 NASB) I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. "Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. (Acts 20:29-31 NASB) Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (Romans 16:17-18 NASB) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; (Ephesians 5:6-7 NASB) See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ ... Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, (Colossians 2:8, 18 NASB) But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, (1 Timothy 4:1 NASB) But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13 NASB) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NASB) Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3-4 NASB)
End Notes
[01] Melinda Penner. https://www.str.org/w/the-doctrine-of-the-trinity-at-nicaea-and-chalcedon
[02] https://www.thebereancall.org/content/may-2008-q-and-a-3 | 
