The Facts and Features of False Apostles

The Facts and Features of False Apostles

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. — 2 Corinthians 11:13

Have you ever been financially floored by a “knock off”? That is, you bought something that you believed to be bone-fide, but in a short period of time, you realized that you have been bamboozled!

A “knock off” is usually a product made to closely copy a more expensive or renowned brand, generally without permission, and often retailed at a lesser price. However, it’s not quite the same as a counterfeit.

To develop our discernment, let’s dive into a distinction of the two terms (knock off and counterfeit):
A knock off is an imitation that resembles another product but isn’t an exact copy—specifically, a different brand name, notched with poorer quality, and laying in a legal gray area.
A counterfeit is a replica that’s passed off as the real thing and employs logos, trademarks, or an exact design illegally.

To illustrate: Let’s say you were looking to purchase a brand name purse for your wife, i.e., “Coach,” but you got caught with a (knock off) purse being marked as a “Couch.” However, if the purse is branded as “Coach” and has fake branding to look identical, that’s a counterfeit.

I respectfully and sincerely submit to you that in Christian circles and evangelical environments, you will see a proliferation of “knock off” and counterfeit apostles.

The Word of God (scriptures) emphatically echoes robust and recurrent warnings with respect to false apostles and prophets, advising believers to remain resolute and anchor oneself in astuteness. Let’s examine what the eternal Word of God has to say by way of warning about false apostles and prophets:

Matthew 7:15–17

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.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Peter 2:1–3

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 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Join me next time as we resume our focus on The Facts and Features of False Apostles.

Not a sermon, just some thoughts,
FtGG