1 Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

2 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:15-20) Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

3 A prophet of God was one who could foresee and issued Spirit guided teaching (1 Cor. 12:8-10). There was protection in place (1 Cor. 12:10; I Jn. 4:1; 2:20). One could and can also ascertain “false prophets” based on their teaching (1 Jn. 4:2-3; 2 Jn. 9-11) and life (Gal. 2:14; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him” (Duet. 18:22).

4 We are not to identify false teachers by: –His heart! – 1 Cor. 2:11 Matt. 7:22-23; 15:14 Apollos – Acts 18:24-28 –Their audience! - Lk. 6:46 – Number of converts! – Matt. 7:13-14 – Their age or preaching years! Gal. 2:9-14 –Their friends – 1 Cor. 4:6 –By their outward appearance – Matt. 7:15. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

5 Jim Jones People’s Temple Cult David Koresh Branch Davidian Cult Joseph Smith Mormon Cult Mary Baker Eddy Christian Scientist Cult Ellen Gould White Seventh Day Adventist Cult “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Pet. 2:1). Oral Roberts Oral Roberts Ministries Benny Hinn Ministries “Latter-Day” False Prophets!

6 “Earlier this year, I went out to look for a new car. I went to the first dealership, but I felt uncomfortable in my spirit about the place. He could not find me the kind of car I really wanted, and the stories he told me changed several times. I ended up going to another dealership and buying a new car from them. They sold me a car that was precisely what I wanted, and at a very advantageous price. I felt good in my spirit about this deal and this dealership. When the salesman from the first dealership found out that I had bought a car from another dealership, he went into a rage. He tracked me down, confronted me in a parking lot and screamed obscenities at me. Wow. I had no idea that salesman and that dealership was evil like that. And if the salesman and the dealership management were this obnoxious to me before a sale, how would they have been concerning follow-up experiences like standing by the warranty on their car? They were probably just as unreasonable on the follow-up matters too. I didn’t know these people were crooks, but the Holy Ghost did. I’ve had no regrets at all with the dealership I ended up buying from. And their follow-up has been excellent also. They have fulfilled to me every part of the car's warranty. It pays to listen to the Spirit of God. He will save you money and trouble if you'll listen to him.” Source: An Example of The Influence & Feelings View

7 How do we identify false teachers? Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing BY THEIR FRUIT! Matt. 7:15-20

8 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:15-20) Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

9 They teach salvation by “faith only!” –James 2:24 –2 Cor. 6:1. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

10 They teach “once saved always saved”! –Gal. 5:1-5 –2 Pet. 1:5-10 –Acts 1: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

11 They teach “doctrines & commandments of men”! –Mk. 7:1-7 –Matt. 15:7-9 –Col. 2:16-23 –Tit. 1:10-14 –1 Cor. 4:6. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

12 Denominational Creeds Hiscox’s Baptist Manual – “…salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the meditorial offices of the Son of God…” (p. 138). Hiscox’s Baptist Manual – “…salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the meditorial offices of the Son of God…” (p. 138).

13 Denominational Creeds Hiscox’s Baptist Manual – “…Justification…is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood” (p. 140). Hiscox’s Baptist Manual – “…Justification…is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood” (p. 140).

14 Denominational Creeds Methodist Discipline : Article IX. - Of the Justification of Man – “ We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” Methodist Discipline : Article IX. - Of the Justification of Man – “ We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” Source:

15 They teach “Unity-in-Diversity!” –1 Cor. 1:10 –Eph. 4:1-6. “One taught, ‘we are hypocrites when we look down our noses at the denominations, they are Christians….all come to Christ through the cross’…They taught ‘we are NOT saved because we are right, BUT because Jesus was right. It is just the PERSON, not the doctrine’…They constantly said ‘we are saved by GRACE, not by being united in doctrine,’ making fun of unity in doctrine and practice.” Comments by brother David D. Bonner in his article entitled – –“ACU Lecturship-2006,” Gospel Truths, April 2006, p.1. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

16 They teach Doctrine does not matter! –2 Jn –1 Tim. 1:3; 6:3-6 –Gal 1:6-10. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

17 They teach all religions lead to Heaven! –Jn. 14:6 –Acts 4:12 –Gal. 1:8-9. A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

18 They teach “one church is good as another”! –Matt. 16:18 –Acts 4:12 –Eph. 4:4 Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18, 24; 5:23, 30. A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

19 They teach baptism is not essential to salvation! –Mark 16:15-16 –Matt. 28:19-20 –Acts 2:38; 22:16 –Acts 18:7-8; 1 Cor. 15:1-4 –1 Peter 3:21. A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

20 They teach other causes for divorce! –Matt. 19:1-9 –Matt. 5:32. A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

21 They teach the social gospel concept! –1 Tim. 3:15 –1 Cor. 11:17-34 –Rom. 14:17 –Jn. 6: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

22 They deny the humanity/deity of Christ! –Heb. 1 & 2 –Jn. 5:19-30 –Jn. 6:44-57; 14:9. A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

23 They will not give an answer! –1 Pet. 3:15 –Col. 4:6 –Jn. 3:19-21 Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

24 In November of 2007 I made the following request of a preaching brother: –“Could you please send me any of YOUR material, such as articles, PowerPoint sermons, sermon outlines or tapes of your study on the subject of “marriage, divorce and remarriage?” You can send any material to the address or PO Box below. I look forward to receiving your material.” This preacher answered my request as follows: –“Brother McClure, in regard to your request for my material, the answer is No. I pray your work is doing well.” Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

25 Another preaching brother was asked the following questions: –“Do you believe God’s law on marriage is universal? In other words, does it apply to believers and unbelievers? Do you believe one put away for the cause of fornication may scripturally remarry? Do you believe repentance demands that those who are in an unscriptural marriage separate? Do you believe 1 Corinthians 7:15 constitutes authority for one who is deserted by an unbeliever to remarry?” He answered in part as follows: –“I don’t know whether to envy or pity those who are so sure of themselves on this subject...I don’t want to appear rude, but I won’t be answering your specific questions.” Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

26 How do we identify false teachers? Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing BY THEIR FRUIT! Matt. 7:15-20