False prophets reveal themselves by their teachings. The table below lists common false doctrines about salvation along with the biblical refutation for each one.
False Teaching |
Biblical Teaching |
Salvation can be earned by human merit or good works. |
Salvation is a free gift (Eph. 2:8–9). |
No one can be certain of salvation. |
Those who trust Christ alone for eternal life can be certain of salvation once and for all (1 John 5:13). |
A self-appointed leader is the messiah. |
Christ alone is the Messiah (John 4:25–26; John 14:6). |
The Bible is not inspired by God. It is only a work of men. |
The Word of God is divinely inspired, meaning “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:14–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). |
God is still giving additional scriptural revelation. |
Scripture affirms that all revelation has already been given through His Son (Heb. 1:2; Rev. 22:18–19). |
Jesus Christ is not divine. |
Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is the One He claims to be—God in the flesh (John 14:7; John 20:24–29). |
Followers must obey a set of extra-Biblical rules to receive and keep their salvation. |
Scriptures teach there is freedom in Christ (John 8:36; 10:10). We are not to be “entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1). |
(Editor’s Note: This post is adapted from an article in The Evangelism Study Bible.)