In a world where many leaders try to lie to us about international scandals involving religious leaders, everybody is aware and cautious, to avoid being cheated by religious figures.
Jung Myung-Seok opened his first church, Jesus Morning Star, claiming to be the Messiah. In the period between 2001 and 2006, he was charged with sexual abuse, using his religious standing to abuse and rape women. He was arrested in 2008 and convicted of assaulting his followers of the church; in 2018, he manipulated and carried out the sexual abuse of 3 victims. In 2023, he was sentenced to 23 years.
"Following someone" can be a safe life decision or an egregious life mistake. Being aware is crucial for our eternal salvation. Properly defining who is and who was not a disciple of Jesus is an essential doctrine that salvation depends on. We must find out ourselves, rather than just follow our family and community traditions.
The concept of a false prophet in the Bible
Understanding that a false Messiah and a false prophet are dangerous is crucial. The Bible underscores the severity of the issue and the need for vigilance. We have current examples of false prophets that we will discuss later, some of whose scandals are evident today.
We can see a contrast between early Christianity, Judaizing Christianity, and Paul's doctrine. Here, the consequences of following a false prophet could be egregious and should make us feel responsible and accountable.
This doctrine of the false prophets has been studied even in some Christian circles. For example, The Dead Sea Scrolls contain numerous references to an enigmatic figure known as the "Teacher of Righteousness" (Moreh ha-Tsedek in Hebrew). Many scholars believe this individual was instrumental in establishing the sect responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls, often associated with the Essenes. According to prevailing theories, the Teacher of Righteousness played a crucial role in organizing the Community (Yahad) and authored several of its key texts.
In contrast to this revered figure, the scrolls also mention an adversary known as the "Wicked Priest" (ha-Kohen ha-Rasha). This antagonist is referred to by various other names, including the Lion of Wrath, the Liar, the Spreader of Lies, and the Man of Scoffing. The mystery surrounding these figures adds an intriguing layer to our understanding of false prophets.
While these interpretations represent the mainstream view among Dead Sea Scroll scholars, some researchers such as Robert Eisenman and Barbara Thiering propose more controversial theories. Robert Eisenman suggests that the Teacher of Righteousness was actually James, Jesus' brother, and that the apostle Paul was the figure referred to as the Liar.
In the Bible, we find many warnings against false prophets and idolaters:
Deuteronomy 13:4: It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from how the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
Characteristics of a Messenger of God
The main feature in identifying a false prophet or messenger is knowing the character of a real messenger.
The Goal of the Wise teaches us the proofs:
1. Appointment by God: The Vicegerent must be appointed and mentioned by a previous Prophet or Messenger
Jesus was appointed by John the Baptist:
John 1:24: Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptise if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
Jesus claims the will written in Isaiah 61, and refers to it in Luke 4:21:
He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
2. Possession of Divine Knowledge: The Vicegerent must be well informed and possess Divine knowledge
The Knowledge of Jesus in the scriptures was tremendous, and people came and witnessed it from him. He always said that his knowledge was not from himself.
John 14:10: Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Instead, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
3. Call to God's Rulership: The Vicegerent should call to God and God's rulership, emphasising that only God appoints the Caliph or ruler
John 5:30: I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but the one who sent me.
If you review these points, all of the divinely sent messengers have these three criteria in the holy scriptures.
Signs of a false prophet are the following:
1.He names himself
The false prophet in the Bible is the one who, instead of being mentioned by a previous prophet or messenger, testified about himself and his conversion.
Scripture says that:
1 Corinthians 15:8: And last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
2.Differing versions of events
Saul’s conversion:
Contradictory accounts of Saul’s conversion are presented in the Book of Acts. One version states:
Acts 9:1: Meanwhile, Saul still breathed murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. 2 He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
One issue with this account is that the function of the high priest was not to send letters or to accept attacks on Christians.
The Jews argue the high priest didn’t offer sacrifices for the people's sins. The Jews point out that high priest did not give a letter to kill anyone because it was not their work. And Damascus had no relationship with Jerusalem or political association between them and the prisoners. This is one of the reasons why they consider Paul a liar.
Act 22:4: I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 About noon, as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.” ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting, ‘he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There, you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’” 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.
We can notice a difference in the book of Acts. Acts 9 states that: “The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone”. Later in Acts 22, it says the opposite: “My companions saw the light, but they did not understand his voice.” He was being deceptive, presenting different versions and going around the topic in different ways. When in a court, you give different versions, that could be considered a misrepresentation to a jury.
The resurrection of Christ:
Another contradictory testimony is given about the witnesses of the resurrection of Christ:
1 Corinthians 15:1: Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel, you are saved if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, five and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Here, we have two contradictions in the scriptures. Paul considers that only those who receive his gospel are saved, but Jesus never said that only faith will save believers.
Here there is also an enormous mistake: there were not 12 apostles because Judas died, and Matthias was named as apostle after the above event. The book of Acts of the Apostles, chapter 1, refers to the fact that Matthias was appointed only after the Ascension.
Paul didn’t meet Jesus when he was alive and said the people would be saved if they accepted his gospel.
Events in Damascus:
There is yet another contradiction in events in the city of Damascus.
2 Corinthians 11:32: At Damascus, the governor of the province of King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascus, to arrest me; 33 And I was taken down from the wall in a basket by a window, and escaped from his hands.
Contrast with:
Acts 9:23 After many days had passed, the Jews decided in counsel to kill him; 24 But their snares came to the knowledge of Saul. And they guarded the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, lowered him down the wall, and let him down in a basket.
In one declaration, Paul says that the governor of the province of King Aretas and, in the other, the Jews decided in counsel to kill him.
3. His Prophecy is not fulfilled
About the false prophets the Bible states that their words are invention and falsehood, and they have not been to God's secret council. Their prophecy was not fulfilled:
Jeremiah 23:15: Therefore, this is what the Lord Almighty says concerning the prophets: “I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” 16 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts, they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’ 18 But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word?
The false prophecy has no fulfilment.
Jeremiah 28:8: From early times, the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 Still, the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognised as indeed sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true.
Let us look at the example of the rapture:
Thessalonians 4:14: For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we think that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever.
So, Paul said he would still be alive, “we who are still alive.” Not only was he teaching the men to avoid marriage, he claimed an apocalyptic vision in which he would be caught in the clouds. Of course, this never happened.
4. Acts as an infiltrator
How does an Insider act? One way to gather data and information about an organisation is to infiltrate its ranks. Spies can then pass on information such as enemy forces' size and strength to destroy or attack them.
Spies may also find dissidents within the organisation and influence them to provide more information or defect. In times of crisis, spies steal technology and sabotage the enemy in various ways. Counterintelligence is the practice of thwarting espionage and intelligence gathering from the enemy. Almost all sovereign states have strict laws on espionage, including those spies that engage in espionage in other countries, and the penalties for being discovered are often severe.
As we have explained, according to the scriptures, a messenger never named himself. Even Jesus said:
John 5:31: If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favour, and I know his testimony about me is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony, but I mention it that you may be saved. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.
As you can note, he said, “But if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.”
Paul wasn’t a disciple of Jesus.
Paul was not one of Jesus's original twelve disciples and did not meet him once during his lifetime. Despite this, more than a dozen of the 27 books of the New Testament were written by Paul alone.
Jesus didn’t ever appoint him.
He does not know Jesus, nor does he quote him; he referred to a character of Jesus that he only knows from a vision that was revealed to him in a vision.
Luke 6:12: In those days, he went into the mountain to pray and spent the night praying to God. 6:13 And when it was daylight he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also called apostles: 6:14 Simon, whom he also called Peter, Andrew his brother, James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, 6:15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called Zealot, 6:16 Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became the traitor.
According to some theologians, what is stated in the Bible indicates five characteristics necessary to be called an Apostle. A true Apostle must possess all five characteristics:
1. To have known Jesus.
2. To have been chosen and sent by Jesus.
3. To have been witnesses of the risen Jesus Christ.
4. To give one's life for God and the gospel.
5. Follow Jesus Christ.
Jesus did not send the apostles to the Gentiles:
Matthew 10:5: Jesus sent these twelve and gave them instructions, saying, do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter the city of the Samaritans, 6 but go first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Paul calls himself an apostle to the Gentiles.
The opposition with other apostles
Not only does Paul contradict the command of Jesus, Paul accepted that other apostles were preaching a different gospel, and he recognised that Satan could appear as an angel of light. These differences between Paul and the apostles were evident in early Christianity, most predominantly in the gospels and the differences between Paul and Peter about the law and circumcision.
Paul rebukes Peter in Antioch
Galatians 2:11: But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterwards, when some of James' friends came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13 As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
Paul recounts how he publicly confronted Peter, also called the "Incident at Antioch," because of Peter's reluctance to share a meal with Gentile Christians in Antioch. Paul soon left Antioch as a persona non grata, never to return.
Revelations 2:1: Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: 2 I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.
This happened in Asia, where Ephesus is located and also a place that Paul never returned to, so this writing seems to refer to him.
Paul opposed other apostles
Acts 15:36: Some time later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
5. Hypocrisy
Paul spoke of hypocrisy and admitted that he applied it:
1 Corinthians 9:19: Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews, I became like a Jew to win the Jews. To those under the law, I became like one under the law (though I am not under the law) to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law, I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak, I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means, I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Paul was born a Roman gentile, not a Jew. Based on supposed "visions" and contradicting the scriptures, against the true apostles, and above all, Jesus, he shamelessly proclaimed himself to be the greatest apostle, preacher, and one chosen by Jesus to bring his personal and contradictory theology to the world.
6. Doctrinal differences
We can find some differences between the doctrines. The doctrinal differences between them are the key point that made me, as a Christian, reflect. As you must reflect about it, if you want to follow Jesus.
John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way, truth, and life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
We notice that it is essential to understand why the one appointed by God must be followed.
The Holy Quran said, referring to the Christians:
Surah 5:77 says, “O People of the Book! Do not go to extremes in your faith beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of those who went astray before you. They misled many and strayed from the Right Way.”
Jesus's doctrines emphasise the law and following the correct person. He also appointed Peter.
The main points at which Pauline theology conflicts with Jesus' theology are critical: elements so crucial that deviation from the truth threatens a person's salvation. In order of importance, they rank:
1. Justification by faith, proposed by Paul, versus the Old Testament law, endorsed by Jesus Christ.
Matthew 15:3: Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” 8 “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rule.”
You must ask yourself, "Do I want to follow Jesus, or do I want to follow human rules?"
Matthew 15:17: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the most minor stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
James talked more about keeping the law as a part of Judaism. He is an example of a genuine disciple of Jesus.
James 2:10: For whoever keeps the whole law, but offends in one point, is guilty of all. 11 For he who said, thou shalt not commit adultery, has also said, Thou shalt not kill. Now, if you do not commit adultery but kill, you have already become a transgressor of the law. 12 Thus speak, and so do, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment without mercy shall be made upon him that doeth not mercy; and mercy triumphs over judgment.
Paul was preaching a different gospel
2 Corinthians 11:4: For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it quickly enough.
Faith without works is dead.
James 2:14: My brethren, what profit will it profit if anyone says he has faith and has no works? Can faith save him?15 And if a brother or sister is naked, and needs daily sustenance, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warm, and be satisfied, but do not give them the things that are necessary for the body, what profit does it profit?" 17 Faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.18 But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Demons also believe and tremble. 20 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Paul said that Christ died for the sins of the believers and even went further to say that to be saved, one only needs faith in Christ and, of course, following his gospel.
1 Corinthians 15:1: Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel, you are saved if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
Ephesians 28: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2. The divinity of Jesus claimed by Pauline theology versus the unity of God taught by Jesus Christ:
Part of the trinity is essential to this idea, which was introduced in the Council of Nicea.
Romans 8:32: Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
2 Corinthians 1:21: It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first instalment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
But Jesus never said he was the same as God; he always accepted God's authority. As you know, submission to God's authority is one of the critical points to identifying a prophet of God. Jesus had all of these, as we already know.
John 12:49: I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.
John 14:28: Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will return to you again. If you loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is more significant than I am.
The Paraclete
Jesus also said he would send prophets and messengers, so you must be open to this possibility.
Matthew 23:34: Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. 35 As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time—from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah, son of Berekiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar.
You might only accept the previous prophets but must realise he sent a Paraclete.
The term Paraclete, originally a verbal adjective, referring to someone summoned to provide assistance in a court of law. In Jewish tradition, the Paraclete represented angels, prophets, and righteous individuals who act as defenders or intercessors before God's divine tribunal. Over time, the meaning of Paraclete also signified a comforter or ‘one who consoles’.
Job 16:2: “I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are!
John 14:16: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognise him. But you know him because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
The Roman power imposed a non-aggressive, non-combative movement. And accepted some of the books and rejected others.
But even though you have enough evidence to reject Paul and accept Jesus and the prophets who lived after him, such as Mohammed and the Mahdi, how does it happen that most Christians follow the teachings of the false teacher Paul?
Matthew 15:9: Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.
Matthew 7: 21: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day, many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name, cast out demons, and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”
There are only two ways to deceive someone: not having the knowledge and falling into the trap, in which case you will be a victim, or having the knowledge and not wanting to see or analyse the reality, in which case you will not be innocent of that deception.
The Bible tells us that those who reject God's message whether or not they are religious people; God doesn’t accept their prayers or their worship. Search and find out for yourself. We invite you to research and ask God about us, and to see further evidence on our website: https://theahmadireligion.org/.
Very well written article. Thank you so much.
Was ein großartiger Artikel, der für die heutigen Christen unglaublich wichtig ist, um ihren Glauben zu prüfen und ihren Weg zu korrigieren. Vielen Dank!
Wow thank you for taking the time in writing and publishing this article!
May God bless your efforts
wow, it could not be more clear!