By Alfio La Spina & William P Goff
April 6, 2021
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
The scriptures are full of warnings about false teachers. Jesus said many times “watch not to be deceived”. With all these warning there are still many that are deceived.
The main problem is that too many are putting their trust in man and believe what is being taught from the pulpit without checking the scriptures to see if it is true.
In addition to checking the scriptures we need to pray for discernment and wisdom.
Jude 1:3 (KJV) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jude 1:4 (KJV) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
False teachers infiltrated the church long ago. Notice that Jude instructed the brethren to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints.
ἐπαγωνίζομαι
epagōnizomai
1x: to contend strenuously in defense of, Jud 1:3.
Jude used strong language here because it was a huge problem. The problem is even greater in the GOG today. Most COGs have been teaching the same doctrines for over 50 years. Brethren have become comfortable lulled asleep and when the truth is presented, they don’t believe it.
Brethren it is extremely important to prove what we believe. When shown a doctrine that is different than what we have believed for many years it is difficult to change our mind set. But the studying of it and even reproving is necessary. And if the Scriptures prove that some previous belief is false, we have to change and follow Truth, However, doctrine that is introduced as being more correct shouldnever be dismissed until it is proven to be wrong by scripture. We need to have a mind open to correction. We need to prayerfully search the scriptures for the proof.
If we do not do this, we may find ourselves being told by Christ that He never new us.
Here are some examples of wrong beliefs.
Many Brethren believe it was impossible for Jesus to sin.
The Scriptures make it very clear that Jesus could have sinned, as it says in Hebrews 4:15 and other places “He was temped in all points like as we are.” (If Jesus could not sin, how could he be tempted?) Brethren, Jesus was just as human as you and me. He was made “flesh” and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) Just compare the meaning of the word “flesh” that Jesus came in used in that verse, to the “flesh” where it is talking about us, or all other humans like us in Luke 3:6. Yes, in both verses flesh means the same, carnal, human nature with all its frailties and passions of a human being, quite capable of sinning. It is true that Jesus never sinned but it was quite possible for him to do so, just like us. The reason Jesus did not sin, was because he chose not to, and the way he succeeded to not sin, was due to the powerful Holy Spirit of the Father that He was full of.
Here in Hebrews, it is very clear he was just like us having all the same desires we have.
Hebrews 2:17-18 (ESV) 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Many brethren believe that we cannot stop sinning; we will be sinning until the end of our lives.
From Genesis to Revelation Scripture says that sinners will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus told the sinners that he made us whole, to go and sin no more. We in God’s church have been given that same exact Powerful Holy Spirit of the Father that Jesus was given, and if we use it, if we become filled with it, we too (just like Jesus) can also walk upright just as He walked. In fact, it is a command for us to do so, after all, He is our Chief corner stone, the one we are to conform to. That’s why we are told to become Holy, just like our Heavenly Father is Holy. And that is why we are told in numerous places in Scripture to become pure just as pure as He is pure (1 John 3:3)
It is taught that the Hebrew calendar that has postponements of God’s appointed times is correct, and that there is no calendar in the Bible.
The Hebrew calendar is man-made and false. The Scriptures do show God’s calendar, and many who are home studying the Scriptures for themselves, and not just following men’s teachings from the pulpits, but proving their beliefs, find the Hebrew calendar to be false, non-Scriptural, and see God’s true and simple calendar is in the Bible. The authority given to proclaim God’s calendar was NOT given to men, the authority to do that, the authority to “rule” time (including God’s appointed times or Holy days) was given to the Sun, Moon and Stars. (Genesis 1:16) Look up that word “rule” And let us Believe what Scripture clearly tells us in (Genesis 1:14). The Sun clearly shows when one day ends and another day begins, and if we will open our eyes to the Scriptures, and get our focus off pulpits, we will see that the Moon just as clearly shows us when one Month ends and another Month begins, and when one-year ends, and another year begins. Yes, God placed those lights in the sky to clearly show us His calendar.
Lord’s Supper to only be taken once a year?
But the Scripture is clear in numerous places that the Bread & Wine should be taken often, like it states in 1Corinthians 11:26. That word “as often as” means many times. (a study on that can be found at) https://vwcog.org/Documents/Feastofcharity.pdf
Many of the teachings in the COGS have been in place for many years, however that does not make them correct.
Acts 17:11-12 (NIV) 11 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. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Brethren we need to question and check the scriptures whenever anyone teaches a doctrine to insure, we are in faith, our salvation could depend on on it.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
ἀδόκιμος
adokimos
ad-ok’-ee-mos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1384; unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless(literally or morally): – castaway, rejected, reprobate.
Brethren if we are believing the wrong doctrines we are not in the faith.
Matthew 24:3 (KJV) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Matthew 24:4 (KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed that no man deceive you.
Jesus said that because he knew there would be many false teachers during our time and even theirs.
1 Corinthians 11:29 (KJV) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
If we have our doctrines wrong because we have not bothered to search the scriptures to prove them correct and instead, we believe a lie taught by a man, then when we partake of the Lord’s Supper we are condemned.