False Prophet
False Prophet Silenced
Acts 13:6 False Prophet
ACTS 13:6 6 Now when they had gone through the island to
Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew
whose name was Bar-Jesus,
What is a "false prophet" (Acts 13:6)?
In the narrow sense, a false prophet is a self-proclaimed prophet of
God who gives a prophecy that turns out to be false: "When a
prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not
happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not
spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not
be afraid of him" (Deuteronomy 18:22). In a wider sense, a false
prophet is anyone who falsely claims to speak God's truth.
How can you tell whether or not a "prophet" is speaking God's
truth?
God wrote the Bible using people as His writing instruments. Because
God is perfect, so is what He wrote, and God doesn't contradict
Himself. Therefore, a false prophet is someone who contradicts the
Bible.
Does a false prophet always contradict the Bible and give
prophecies that always turn out to be false?
Then s/he would expose him/herself quickly as a false prophet. A
false prophet typically says things that seem true often enough to
retain his/her audience.
What must you read constantly to know when a false prophet is
contradicting the Bible?
“
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in
Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness
and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was
true.” (Acts 17:11)
How do false prophets present themselves?
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
What do false prophets' "sheep's clothing" look like?
Clean cut, fashionable attire, degrees from well-known seminaries,
messages that reassure and please sinners with worldly 'wisdom,'
humor, etc., business cards that elevate them as "Apostle," "Prophet,"
"Bishop," "The Reverend" and with other unbiblical titles (see Acts
13).
Can a false prophet do 'miracles'?
Jesus warned us, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the
Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false
prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive,
if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:23-24).
How can a false prophet "show great signs and wonders"?
False prophets are empowered by evil spirits, whose power pales
compared to the power of the Holy Spirit but could appear to humans,
even Christians - "even the elect" - as "great signs and wonders."
How can "great signs and wonders" of evil spirits working
through false prophets be distinguished from the Holy Spirit's
supernatural works?
All works of the Holy Spirit glorify Jesus, who said, "... When He, the
Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He
will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He
will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me,
for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:13-
14). Therefore, supernatural works that do not glorify Jesus are not of
the Holy Spirit.
Where is "Paphos" (Acts 13:6)?
During the Roman era, Paphos, situated on the southwest coast of
Cyprus, served as the island's capital. So, Paul, Barnabas and John
Mark had traversed Cyprus from its northeast coast to its southwest
coast.
