Do you follow a False "Christ"?

Today there are countless religions. All claiming to be true and most claiming to be the "only way." Christians who claim that these other religions are incorrect are many times, branded as bigots, or intolerant of others' beliefs. What about Christianity itself? Is it any more uniform? After all, the Christian church has divisions itself! Who can count all of the various Christian denominations? How can one know which denomination, if any, is the "right" one?

While most Christians are convinced that they are following Jesus Christ, some others may question their views on certain doctrines. This is where an understanding of essential and non-essential doctrines of Christianity is beneficial. You can find that article here. While Paul reveals that it is acceptable to diverge on non-essentials, unity in the body of Christ concerning the essentials is required. All orthodox Christian denominations adhere to the essential doctrines of Christianity, it is non-essentials that they differ on. These non-essentials while important, do not affect the believer's salvation. Differences over non-essentials is where some have broken with their "parent" church and formed a new denomination. This is biblically acceptable. (Romans 14:5-12) While they may have formed a new church, both these churches adhere to essential doctrines. In other cases, a church split is more serious. When a church becomes divided over an essential issue, careful examination over the Bible is required to expose the truth from error. If a church decides to forsake one or more of the essentials of Christianity, it is no longer a true Christian church.

Of these essential doctrines, the nature of God is undoubtedly one of the most important to understand. Having said that, a total understanding of God's nature is beyond human understanding, but knowing the basics is not. After all, if one does not understand God in at least a basic sense, it is impossible to know if that God is true. For example, there are many differing views on just who exactly Jesus Christ is. Orthodox Christianity maintains that he is God, one person in a tri-unity that makes up the one God. Some say Jesus was merely a great teacher, others say he is our big brother, while others still, say he was an angel! And these are only three of the countless theories and interpretations of who he is. In light of all of these views, how can one come to an understanding of who Jesus really is? This question is one of the most fundamental and important in all of Christianity. Jesus knew this and warned accordingly:

Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. (Mark 13:6; 21-22)

Jesus is seen in these verses issuing warning to his followers that false Christs and prophets will come and deceive many people. But how can one know if they are following the real Christ? God did not leave us with no certain way to answer that question. The answer quite simply is, The Bible.

When the Bible is regarded as the primary source of God's truth, many inconsistencies vanish. Scripture itself claims that it is inspired of God. (2 Timothy 3:16) Since God never changes His mind, the word of God should be consistent and not contradict itself. (James 1:17) If a church's teachings contradict what the Bible reveals about the person of Christ, they are teaching a false gospel and thus the Christ they follow is false. This can happen when one person is given unquestioned authority over God's word and dictates how it is taught to followers. Usually supplemental writings are touted as of equal authority or even surpassing authority of the Bible. Sometimes the Bible itself is modified to support the church's false doctrines. When the authority of the Bible is removed, followers are left to the corrupted teachings of fallible human beings.

Christians are commanded by scripture to expose these false teachers and Christs. (Titus 1:9, Colossians 2:8) Therefore, it is necessary to know and teach what the essential doctrines of Christianity are. Without understanding them, one is prone to being deceived and ultimately condemned. Again, the source of the truth of who Jesus Christ is, is God's own word. If a teaching clearly contradicts the Bible, is is false.

If you, or a loved one is attending a church who's teachings contradict scripture, make no mistake, you are being deceived.

Read more about the false Christ of the:

Jehovah's Witnesses

Mormons

Church of Christ, Scientist