Another Jesus. A Different Spirit. A Different Gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:1–15 NKJV

Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Paul warned of deception in the last days

2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 NKJV

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Timothy 4:1–4 NKJV

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Acts 20:28–31 NKJV

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

2 Corinthians 11:12–15 NKJV

But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Statistics show that people choose the church they attend, not based on core Christian tenets of the faith, but based on friendliness, facilities, music, programs, spiritual “experiences” and “manifestations”, nurseries, children and youth activities, charisma, personality, popularity, social class. Many have no idea what the church believes. They trust that if the name “church” is on the sign, it must be doctrinally sound.

Unfortunately, many do not know or understand the core tenets of the Christian faith. They are not growing and learning as disciples. They are unprepared to discern. They are prime candidates for deception.

Christians are betrothed to one Husband, Jesus Christ

Paul was concerned that Satan could deceive them and corrupt their minds.

A good shepherd will warn his flock of the dangers of false doctrine and of the false apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers that teach and preach it.

Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing who invite you to their “house” for dinner!

Paul was concerned that the Serpent (Satan) who deceived Eve by his craftiness could also deceive them through men who preach:

Another Jesus

A Different Spirit

A Different Gospel

Another Jesus

Deceivers seduce by redefining accepted terminology. Satan deceived Eve by distorting the truth so that she believed the lie.

Many believe in and preach another “Jesus”.

Mormons believe Jesus is a separate god from the Father and a brother to Lucifer.

Jehovah Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the archangel and not God.

Islam believes that Jesus is a prophet lesser than Mohammed and not God.

Philosophers say Jesus was simply a good moral teacher.

Jews believe that Jesus was either a false Messiah or a good rabbi that was martyred.

Buddhist’s believe that Jesus is an enlightened man.

Hindus see Jesus as a spiritual guru, not God.

The New Age believes Jesus is not the one true God or a savior, but a spiritual model and guide.

Christian Science believes that Jesus was not the Christ, but a man who displayed the Christ idea.

Scientology rarely mentions Jesus and that He did not die for our sins.

Oneness or “Jesus Only” believers do not believe in the Christian doctrine of the Godhead. They believe that Jesus is eternally God the Father. Jesus as and that His “manifestation” as the “Son of God” referred only to His fleshly body upon this earth. God the Father, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit are all Jesus. Believing in Jesus as the Father, baptism specifically “in the name of Jesus” by an ordained oneness minister, and speaking in other tongues are all necessary to salvation.

Which Jesus? We cannot unify around “Jesus” unless we mean the Jesus of the Bible.

Matthew 16:13–17 NKJV

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

The True Jesus

It is not enough to talk about “Jesus”. The question is whether we are talking about the true Jesus or an imposter.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the second Person within the Godhead—one God in three Persons (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit)—one in divine essence but eternally distinct in Persons.

He is God’s last days Messenger (Hebrews 1:1-2).

He is greater than all the prophets (Hebrews 1:2).

He is greater than the angels of heaven (Hebrews 1:4-7).

He is God (Hebrews 1:8-9).

He is eternal (Hebrews 1:10-12).

In Him is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).

He has been given a name that is above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11).

He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).

Jesus is not the Father (Galatians 1:3; 2 John 3; Revelation 3:12, 21).

He is equal to the Father (John 5:18; Philippians 2:5-6; John 5:22-23).

He is not greater than the Father (John 14:28).

He and the Father are one (John 17:21).

He pre-existed with the Father (John 1:1; 1:15; 8:58; 17:5).

He assisted the Father in the creation of the world (Colossians 1:16-17).

He, is the Word of God (John 1:1)

He became flesh and dwelt among us on this earth (John 1:14).

He was born in Bethlehem to the virgin, Mary (Luke 1:34-35; 2:1-7). Jesus came to reveal the Father (John 1:18).

He suffered in the flesh and died on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 15:3; Philippians 2:5-11).

He was buried and rose again on the third day (2 Corinthians 15:4).

He ascended to the Father and is now seated at His right hand (Acts 2:32-33).

He is our High Priest before God (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 7).

He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

Jesus is the only name in which there is salvation (Acts 4:12).

He will come again (Acts 1:11).

He is our Judge (John 5:22).

Don’t be fooled by an imposter.

Don’t be fooled by Satan posing as an angel of light.

Don’t be tricked by false teachers.

Find the real Jesus in the Bible.

Get to know Him in prayer.

Hold on to the real Jesus!

A Different Spirit

A "different spirit" refers to a spirit other than the Holy Spirit.

A different spirit is called a false spirit (Micah 2:11) and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)

A different spirit is called a deceiving spirit whose lies are called doctrines of demons.

1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

We are commanded not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits.

1 John 4:1 NKJV

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

The spirit operating in false apostles and deceitful workers is not the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth. (John 15:26)

The Holy Spirit leads and guides us into the truth. (John 16:13)

The Holy Spirit testifies of the real Jesus. (Jn 15:26).

The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. (John 16:8)

A Different Gospel

Paul warned about embracing a false gospel

Galatians 1:6–9 NKJV

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

A false gospel is one that deviates from the gospel presented in the New Testament.

Paul declared the gospel he preached in 1 Corinthians 2:1-4

1 Corinthians 2:1–4 NKJV

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

The gospel includes a clear presentation of the real Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the only means of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Response to the Word

Believe and embrace the real Jesus.

Test the spirits to see if they are of God.

Believe the true gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified so that you might be saved.