Letters to the Church

When certain “ super-apostles ” began to undermine his teachings and question his apostolic authority, Paul reminded believers in Corinth that the “ Serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness .” He warned against anyone who might appear among them, “ Proclaiming another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or a different spirit, or a different Gospel .” The Assembly must not deviate from the original message taught by the Apostles.

The final block of teaching by Jesus given on the Mount of Olives includes several warnings about coming “ deceivers ,” “ false messiahs ,” and “ false prophets ,” men and women who are intent on misleading the saints. And these warnings are reiterated and expanded in the writings of the Apostles. The Lord’s ‘Olivet Discourse’ opens with a stern warning to “ beware lest anyone deceive you .” For that matter, “ MANY ” deceivers will come and succeed at “ deceiving MANY .” Deception in the church is NOT a minor problem.