English
Português
Español
Français
Response
False apostles are individuals who pretend to be Christian leaders, gather followers, and then lead them astray. A genuine apostle is someone who is sent by God as a representative of Jesus Christ with a divine message. A false apostle is a deceiver who does not authentically represent Christ and spreads misinformation.
In 2 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul confronts the issue of false apostles infiltrating the Corinthian church. He characterizes the false apostles as those who seek to be regarded as equal to the true apostles in their self-promotion (verse 12). The book of 2 Corinthians showcases Paul’s direct approach as he urges the church to acknowledge the falsehood that had entered their community. He contrasts his humble service with that of the “super-apostles” (verse 5) who were enticing the church with their eloquence and supposed wisdom. These impostors were feigning to be genuine servants of Christ, yet they lacked true knowledge of the Lord. They were manipulators, taking advantage of naive Christians in Corinth for their own gain and self-importance. Paul rebukes the church for tolerating those who exploit and mistreat them, likening these impostors to Satan, who disguises himself as an angel of light (verse 14).
Paul also cautioned the Ephesian elders about false apostles: “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Even from your own number, men will arise and distort the truth to draw disciples after them” «For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. », (Acts 20:29). They appear to have taken heed of his warning, as evidenced in Revelation 2:2, where Jesus praises the church in Ephesus.
As for spotting the false apostles in their midst and rejecting them.
False teachers and false apostles have been plentiful throughout the history of the church. They still infiltrate unsuspecting churches and have even led whole denominations into heresy and apostasy (see 1 Timothy 4:1-4). Scripture gives us clear warning if we will pay attention. First John 4:1 says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
The following are some ways we can identify false apostles:
1. False apostles deny any or all truths about the identity and deity of Jesus Christ. In 1 John 4:3–4, John warns his readers against Gnostic teaching; the test, he says, is Christological: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.” There are many ways a spirit may deny that Jesus is the Christ. From demonic cults to denominations that have veered away from the gospel, evil spirits are always behind the slander of Jesus. Any teacher who attempts to take away from or add to Jesus’ finished work on the cross for our salvation is a false prophet (John 19:30;Acts 4:12).
2. False apostles are motivated by their greed, lust, or power. Second Timothy 3:1–8 describes such teachers in more detail: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. HavThe individuals mentioned have nothing to do with such people.
“They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.” Jesus said that an identifying mark of a false apostle/prophet is sinful behavior: “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16,20;cf: Jude 1:4).
False apostles distort or deny the Bible as God’s infallible, inspired Word “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16). In Galatians 1:8–9 Paul counters legalism with these strong words: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (KJV). The inspired writings of the apostles are part of the Word of God, and no one has a right to change their message.
False apostles refuse to make themselves subject to spiritual authorities, but consider themselves the final authority (Hebrews 13:7;2 Corinthians 10:12). They will often adopt lofty-sounding titles for themselves, such as “Bishop,” “Apostle,” “Reverend,” or “Father.” This does not mean that every person carrying such titles is a false prophet, only that evil impostors love lofty titles and will self-title to gain a hearing.False apostles can arise anywhere the Word of God does not reign supreme. From organized churches to home Bible studies, we must always be on guard against “new teachings” or “revelations” that are not subject to the “whole counsel of God” «For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.», (Acts 20:27).
