You're right, Brij - the false teachers on our list “
are preaching according to their understanding.” Christ's ministers, on the other hand, preach according to
God's understanding.
“But I make known to you, brothers, the Gospel preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12 EMTV).
“No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God's direction” (2 Peter 1:21 GW).
Does God get things wrong half the time? Does He pass anyone with 50%?
“Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 MKJV).
What man has the right to teach error in God's Name? And what becomes of those who do? “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:13-14 MKJV).
Didn't the scribes and Pharisees teach some truth? Were they therefore true or false?
“Then Jesus spoke to the crowd and to His disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do. But do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do” (Matthew 23:1-3 MKJV).
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outside, but inside they are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also appear righteous to men outwardly, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27-28 MKJV).
Brij, Victor was just such a sinner as you describe, whom God drew to Christ in order to show Victor mercy using a man to preach from the Scriptures that we would list as a false teacher. In
wHaT tHe LoRd HaS dOnE wItH mE, Victor writes:
Particle -
All Is God's to Do with as He Pleases
I stand amazed at the ways of the Lord. He uses unrighteous men to bring us truth. Whereas He used the Roberts to confirm things to us, they were spiritually, as well as doctrinally, in error on many things, unable to discern between good and evil on some matters.
I recall their presenting us with a sermon audiotape by a man who was screaming as he preached, not sporadically or rarely, but consistently. I knew immediately that something was terribly wrong, likely demonic, but the Roberts were entertained by him.
We heard later that the preacher died a premature death. It wasn't a surprise that the Lord had to take him out. I don't recall his name, but I expect some United Pentecostals from that day might know of whom I speak.
The Roberts also had an emphasis on form, in dress and ceremony. They were part of the system, as were George Lynn - who led me to Christ; Dave Loewen - who was used of God to lead us to receive the Spirit; and R. A. Torrey - who wrote the booklet Dave left with us, “The Baptism in the Holy Spirit,” through the use of which we received the Spirit. Torrey was associated with D. L. Moody, another man who was part of the system. There were many such occasions and examples in our lives.
In spite of themselves, the Lord uses all, and all have their purpose. Indeed, man's unrighteousness commends God's righteousness, in more ways than one. He works His purposes with all, and we have all been among the unrighteous. [END]
When God calls and chooses a person, who or what will stop Him? All things are at His beck and call to use as He pleases.
Thank you for your blessing, Brij. Will you receive us in Christ and partake of His blessing on our lives?
Paul