THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
In a previous article I wrote about my niece being deceived by teachings that say Jesus is not the only way to God the Father as the Bible tells us (John 14:6; John 3:16). I promised to study and share what I found in comparing what she was being taught with what the Bible teaches. The Bible, which is the “inspired” written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), declares, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32).
The Bible says: “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25).
And God’s biblical Word “urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
In the Bible, the apostle Paul said let anyone, even an angel, “be accursed” who teaches any other gospel than what Jesus’ disciples agreed upon and taught concerning Jesus Christ being crucified and resurrected for the sins of the world (Galatians 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:2; John 3:16). The written gospels of Jesus Christ in traditional Bibles are evidences of what disciples agreed upon as eyewitnesses concerning Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. When Jesus appeared in the company of his disciples after he was crucified and rose from the dead, he told them , “You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:44-48).
EARLY CHURCH FALSE TEACHINGS
Teachings contrary to what the disciples and Early Church Fathers taught were recognized as being of “the spirit of antichrist.” The disciple John said, anyone who denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and died for the sins of the world, as God’s only way of salvation is a deceiver of the “spirit of antichrist.” (1 John 4:1-3; John 3:16; John 14:6). Early Churches Fathers said teachers of gnosis were seen as being of the spirit of the antichrist.
Today, the following antichrist teachings are still found in the Gnostic Society Library, in the introduction toThe figure of Error in The Gospel of Truth:
- Gnostics do not believe in the physical death and atoning blood of Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God as the only way to God.
- Gnostics do not believe in the original sin of Adam and Eve
- Sin is seen as ignorance of one’s “Godself.”
- Salvation comes through arriving to a knowledge(gnosis) of one’s “higher self” with the help of “Messengers of Light.”
Beside Gnostics, teachers of “the spirit of the antichrist” exist today by various names; including “New Age Religion” and others deceptive religious names. However, different teachers may modify or be selective in their teachings; but they essentially deny and teach that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for sin is adequate or the only way to God and salvation.
WE STRUGGLE AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS
The Bibles reveals in Ephesians 6:12-!8: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of TRUTH buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
The Bible urges that believers: “pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf…This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
THE TRUTH SETS YOU FREE
The Bible-Word of God, who loves us enough to send his Son to die for our sins tells us how to be freed from sin, deception and the devil:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
