How are we to identify false prophets?

[ChessCastle]

A friend and I were having a bible study and he wanted to start with Matthew chapter 24. As we read through the verses and talked about them there were a couple of times Christs tells us there will be false prophets.

(Mat 24:11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

and

(Mat 24:24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

What I'm wondering is if there is some teaching that tells us how we may identify false prophets?

Also (Mat 24:24) specifically says false Christs, and false prophets giving the impression that there may be numerous impersonators of both our Lord and messengers. Are there teachings on how we might identify, and thus not follow these impersonators?

Before I get jumped on, when I ask for teachings I am asking for other scripture, of which I may be ignorant, or teachings of the church which are not found in scripture but perhaps speak on these topics, both would be preferable, any help will be appreciated.

CC

[PaladinValer]

Sounds to me like anyone who would promote heresy, schism, or play the scam with "faith healings"/"snake handling"/etc.

[gtsecc]

There are a couple of ways:
Is the teaching in accord with what the Church has always taught, or is it a new teaching?
The Desert Fathers taught that evil spirits appeared benevolent, so the thing to do was always ignore them, least they be deamons, and turn to Christ.

[karen freeinchristman]

There are a couple of ways:
Is the teaching in accord with what the Church has always taught, or is it a new teaching?
The Desert Fathers taught that evil spirits appeared benevolent, so the thing to do was always ignore them, least they be deamons, and turn to Christ.

How then do we test what appears to be a fresh moving of the Spirit? I find it hard to believe that a God as creative as ours wouldn't ever bring in fresh ways of expressing himself through the Spirit. :confused:

[Naomi4Christ]

What I'm wondering is if there is some teaching that tells us how we may identify false prophets?



A prophesy stregthens, ecourages and comforts us. It is always a positive message. If you hear a negative message, then it is not a prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14, especially v3.

Prayer is very important. You can pray for God to send you a discerning spirit; you can ask God to speak to you and see if you receive a message from him (remember, it has to be positive).

[Aymn27]

A prophesy stregthens, ecourages and comforts us. It is always a positive message. If you hear a negative message, then it is not a prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14, especially v3.

Prayer is very important. You can pray for God to send you a discerning spirit; you can ask God to speak to you and see if you receive a message from him (remember, it has to be positive).I'm not sure I agree with that...OT prophets certainly didn't tickle the ear of the faithful!!

[gitlance]

How then do we test what appears to be a fresh moving of the Spirit? I find it hard to believe that a God as creative as ours wouldn't ever bring in fresh ways of expressing himself through the Spirit. :confused:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not bring "fresh moves." The faith was ONCE delivered to the saints, preserved through the Church by the Apostolic Succession. The Succession is our protection against false prophets.

[gtsecc]

How then do we test what appears to be a fresh moving of the Spirit? I find it hard to believe that a God as creative as ours wouldn't ever bring in fresh ways of expressing himself through the Spirit. :confused:

If the entire church puts it forth, it is truth.
Otherwise, it is a false teaching of possibly not the Holy Spirit in origin.
The Church has been clear to reject what seems to be a "fresh moving" of the spirt. Read the Desert Fathers.

If both the Eastern Church and Roman Catholic Church accept a teaching, it is true, and if they reject it we have absolutely no grounds to accept it.

[svdbygrace]

Is what the person is teaching/preaching 100% Scriptural? If not, there is a problem.

[gtsecc]

Is what the person is teaching/preaching 100% Scriptural? If not, there is a problem.
The Jehovas Witness are 100% scriptural, but they are certainly not Anglican.
The CHurch must interpret Scripture, otherwise you may coem up with a new idea which is not the inet of the scripture.
Scripture is not self exegesing.
Let's look at the BCP catechism:


Q. How do we understand the meaning of the Bible?

A. We understand the meaning of the Bible by the help of



the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church in the true

interpretation of the Scriptures.

[Naomi4Christ]

And the church is???

The people, of course! Anyone can interepret the bible - they can do it on their own, they can do it is small groups, they can do it with the help of special education, they can do it by listening to experts.

nd the Holy Spirit is very important - it's a good idea to ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit before reading.

[Naomi4Christ]

I'm not sure I agree with that...OT prophets certainly didn't tickle the ear of the faithful!!

But the meaning of the word prophesy in Old Testament times is different from the meaning in New Testament times.

[PaladinValer]

The Church is an institution as well as the people.

[gtsecc]

And the church is???

The people, of course! Anyone can interepret the bible - they can do it on their own, they can do it is small groups, they can do it with the help of special education, they can do it by listening to experts.

nd the Holy Spirit is very important - it's a good idea to ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit before reading.

This is completly wrong.
It is not what the Church taught before 1066, nor is it what the Anglican Branch teaches now. These ideas about Bible alone are new and have not been accepted by Anglicans, or Roman Catholics, or Eastern Orthodox. Do not be fooled - Check the catechism!

[Naomi4Christ]

The Church is an institution as well as the people.

let's not forget that it's a building as well.

[Naomi4Christ]

snippety snip snip

[gitlance]

Going back in time now, eh? Not 1500 anymore...

:sigh: Most people couldn't read in 1066 and they didn't have bibles either.

Surely you don't need a priest to interpret all scripture for you. There must be some that is pretty clear and self-explanatory.

Now I am possessed by demons, eh? How nice of you to let me know.

So anybody can interpret Scripture by themselves, eh? OK, interpret these for me:

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ 52The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ 53So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.


I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 25In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

What do those passages teach?