Where In The  Bible Will I Find: Jesus' Warning on False Teachers By:  Gary Colley Date:  May 5, 2002 Past/Future Articles

The Bible warns mankind many times about false teachers who would lead anyone who follows them into eternal ruin (Matt.7:13-14).  In the first temptation of Jesus by Satan, we have a warning by the example of Jesus’ temptation.  We know that Satan was a murder and liar from the beginning (Jn.8:44), and that is the “stock in trade” of a false teacher to deceive his subjects.   In Matthew 7:15, Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets (teachers), which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”  Jesus warns, that these false teachers do not look like false teachers, but rather innocent sheep!   Without their disguise they would fool no one!  False teachers have little use for the Bible, especially concerning the church built and purchased by the Lord, and which He promised to save (Acts 20;28; Matt.16:18; Eph.5:23).   To sight a modern example, Mr. Billy Graham received the following letter:  “Dear Dr. Graham:  When I was growing up, I committed my life to Jesus, but I never joined a church…But now I’m worried God won’t let me into heaven because I’m not a church member.” Mr. Graham’s answer is consistent with his denominational belief: “Let me be as clear as I possible can: The only thing that counts as far as our salvation is concerned is our relationship to Jesus Christ.  In other words, if you have truly trusted Christ to save you and have committed your life to Him, then God has already forgiven you, and nothing can take that away.  Don’t misunderstand me, however.  If we are committed to Christ, I firmly believe it is God’s will for us to be a part of a fellowship of believers. S/Billy Graham.”  The uninspired Mr. Graham, failed to tell this person what the inspired apostle Peter told the sinful murders of Jesus on Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:  and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:38-41).  Mr. Graham honored his human creed rather than the Bible.  Mr. Graham believes and teaches falsely that men are saved by faith alone, but the Bible does not so teach (Jas.2:14,17,20,22,24,26).  Jesus did not say, “He that believeth alone shall be saved,” but rather “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk.16:15-16).  Paul declared that the church over which Christ is head, is the fullness of Christ (Eph.1:22-23), and that no saved person is outside the church of Christ (Eph.5:23; Acts 2:47).  Will you be deceived?

-Gary Colley