We’d known each other for years, gone to church and Bible study together.
But my friend said she didn’t want to hear from me again unless I started observing Old Testament dietary laws and holy days.(1)
In researching the sites she recommended, as well as the sites of other "Christian cults" such as Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses, I've found these similar characteristics:
1. Because Scripture clearly refutes their doctrines, they claim the Bible is incomplete, corrupted, or mistranslated.
2. They change the meaning of certain passages by using complex interpretations that are historically and/or academically inaccurate.
3. Sometimes they add "new revelations" that change and contradict Scripture passages.
4. Their claims are based on the assumption that God allowed the gospel to be corrupted and misunderstood for most of history.(2)
I'm sad my friend was taken in by this sect. Please pray for her and others like her. And beware of any teaching that uses these methods of persuasion.
💙 Beyond 1-minute for those who want more 💙
For a fuller understanding of the false teaching my friend has adopted (the Hebrew Roots Movement), see All or Nothing, Christ's Fulfillment of the Law.
Some Scriptures that warn us of these false teachers:
2 Timothy 4:3-4: "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
Acts 20:30: "Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them."
2 Peter 3:17: "Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position."
Also: 2 Peter 2 and Jude.
(1) In the case of my friend’s beliefs, here are two of the passages which refute her beliefs: Galatians 4:9-11; Acts 10:9-16. This 1-minute devotion also addresses Old Testament law-keeping: Laws, Commands, and Errors.
(2) Typically, these sects are only several hundred years old. Their prophets claim that they understand God better than millions of martyrs, missionaries, and diligent Bible scholars throughout history.
Bible Love Notes
I am so sorry for you and for your frend!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gerreke.
DeleteHi Gail, wow, its amazing how people twist God's word to bend it around what the want to do or achieve. We too have been bashed by a family member with a twisted version of what the word says. It is sad and hurtful but i will be praying. And for relationship to be restored too.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Thanks for your prayers, Tracy.
DeleteSecond post I've come across today on this subject. I never know how to comment other than praying.
ReplyDeletethanks, KM.
DeleteIt's not hard to tell when a religion is baloney. For example, how hard is it to see the error in Mormonism when you consider the way their main documents were obtained---by an occultist placing his face in a hat in which he had placed "seer stones"? Then....blacks denigrated for over a hundred years, until 1978! Also...the worst slaughter of innocents in the 19th century---the Mountain Meadow Massacre! And this: Native Americans are descendants of Jews! It has been scientifically proven that this is not so. What are people waiting for? I would think they would exit en masse from that silly religion!
ReplyDeleteThank you, this is worth sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am grieved about this post.
ReplyDeleteOur father wants us following Jesus and his example. Jesus kept the dietary laws, and we should too. Ironically the foods God commanded us not to eat are also damaging to our health, proven by “science “ if that’s something that matters to you.
The laws in regards to the feasts and holy days (also the food laws) are EVERLASTING.
They don’t go away, and saying Christ “fulfilled” this is sorely taking scripture from context.
There is a time when we will all keep these commandments, all of Gods commandments. blessings with follow for obedience.
Hello,
DeleteI have found that once a person is trapped in this false teaching, it is very hard for them to give it up. It was also true in the early church and that's why Paul wrote: "But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you." (Galatians 4:9-11)
That's why Romans 14 clearly tells us not to judge fellow believers for their diet or their observance of holy days.
That's why God spoke in an audible voice to Peter three times telling him that no food was unclean in Acts 10: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Sadly, Satan is behind these attempts to enslave God's children to Old Testament ceremonial and dietary laws which were fulfilled in Christ.
I am sorry for you because this deception is a powerful one and it will draw you away from the true gospel and make you focus on external observances that have nothing to do with true faith in Christ.
As Jesus said, "A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it" Matthew 15:11
There is nothing wrong with eating healthy or celebrating Old Testament holidays, but those are not requirements of the New Covenant in Christ.
I have many friends who feel a person can be homosexual and be a Christian. Many (most?) churches accept homosexuals into the fold in the name of Christian love for them the way God made them. Everywhere I turn, homosexuality is being accepted as the normal Christian belief. I find this so tiresome and disappointing. Thank you for your inspiring blog posts.
ReplyDeleteYes, Grammy Gram,
DeleteWe are living in trying times and many people have forgotten that we love people best when we encourage them to obey God's loving commands.