For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted – you may well put up with it! (2 Corinthians 11:4 NKJV)
Another Jesus is when people preach and teach strange doctrines that are contrary to the word of God. Believers need to learn how to test the spirits and the apostles. Any practice that was not practiced in the early Church by the apostles is a strange doctrine, it is another Spirit and another Jesus different from the Jesus that was preached by the apostles.
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. Revelations 2:2
We, as believers must constantly search the Scriptures to make sure that what is being preached by our pastors is in line with the Bible. The Berean Christians did it to Paul. The only way to have a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures is by constantly reading the Bible and comparing spirits or doctrines with the Bible.
The source and origin of every doctrine is spiritual. Doctrines come from spirits. Bible doctrine comes from the Holy Spirit while false doctrines come from demons. They are called doctrines of demons by the Bible. Demons will always introduce doctrines that exalt man or created things and scorn or ignore Christ. They never ever glorify Christ.
We must be wise enough to realize that not everyone who claims to be an Apostle or messengers of light is one. We need to guard ourselves against the yeast and teachings of false teachers. Jesus Himself warned us that there will be false prophets and teachers. This wisdom might sound simple but it can be the difference between life and death, heaven and hell.
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. Acts 18:24
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. Acts 18:25
Apollos had accurate and thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. This shows that we can also have thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. When we have a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, we will be able to defeat errors, lies and the fiery darts of the enemy. We must put truth on our waist. The truth is the whole counsel of the word of God.
May God help us the constantly clothe ourselves with the word of God and defeat false doctrines.
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