Contents Page

CHAPTER ONE
1.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Background of the study............................................................................................ 4
1.3. Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................ 10
1.4. Objectives of the Study ........................................................................................... 11
1.4.1. General Objective ................................................................................................ 12
1.4.2. Specific Objectives .............................................................................................. 12
1.5. Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 13
1.6. Limitation ................................................................................................................ 13
1.7. Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 14
1.8. Definition of the Term ............................................................................................. 15
1.9. Organization of the Study........................................................................................ 16
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................ 17
2.1 Theoretical Frame Work ......................................................................................... 17
2.1.7. Why are there false prophets? .............................................................................. 20
2.1.8 Christianity in Ethiopia .......................................................................................... 20
2.1.10 History of the first Ethiopia Archbishop .......................................................... 21
2.1.11 The Prophets' Role in Christianity........................................................................ 22
2.1.14 What does the Bible say about false prophets? ................................................ 31
2.1.15 Protestant Church False Prophets and Teachers in Addis Ababa ........................ 33
2.1.17 The Origin and Presence of False Teaching ........................................................ 37
2.1.18 How False Teaching Enters ................................................................................. 39
2.1.21 A description of the false prophet ....................................................................... 48
2.1.22 Some of False Prophets and Teachers Characteristics ......................................... 50
False Prophets .................................................................................................................... 61
Four tests to prove whether a prophet is true ....................................................................................61
God explains why some people love to listen to lies and fables........................................................63

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 2.1.26 God’s warning to false prophets.....................................................................................67

CHAPTER THREE
3.2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........................................................................... 84
Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 84
3.3 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 85
3.4 Research Type ......................................................................................................... 85
3.5 Research Approach.................................................................................................. 86
3.5.1 Research Strategy (Method) ................................................................................ 86
3.5.2 Time Dimension of the Research ........................................................................ 86
3.5.3 Data Collection Method /Tools ........................................................................... 86
3.6 Sampling And Population Size................................................................................ 86
3.7 Sampling Techniques .............................................................................................. 87
3.8 Source of Data ......................................................................................................... 88
3.9 Key Informant Interview ......................................................................................... 88
3.9.1 Questionnaire ....................................................................................................... 89
3.9.2 Document Review ............................................................................................... 89
3.9.3 Methods of Data Analysis and Interpretation ...................................................... 89
3.9.4 Ethical Consideration........................................................................................... 90
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ....................... 91
4.1. Response Rate ......................................................................................................... 91
4.2. Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents ................................................... 91
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS............................................ 97
5.1. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 97
5.2. Recommendation ..................................................................................................... 98

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.1. Introduction

The Pentecostal movement started from humble beginnings in 1901 and 1906 and

developed into perhaps the most significant religious movement in the twentieth

century, with a growth rate of 52 000 a day or 19 million a year, as estimated by

David Barrett (1998, 50).1 In 1993 the number of Pentecostals and charismatics

exceeded 420 million people (Synan 2006, 1) and in 2006 the number exceeded 580

million (Blumhofer 2006, 21), making Pentecostalism the fastest growing branch of

Christianity worldwide (Turnage 2003, 6). McGee (2012, 35) calculates that at the

current rate of growth, there will be 1 billion Pentecostals by 2025, with most of

them living in Asia, Africa, and Latin America (McGee 2012, 35), presenting the

southward swing of the Christian centre of gravity (Anderson, A.H. 2003, 1).

The movement started with classical Pentecostals in Parham’s Bible School and at

Azusa Street; was perpetuated in the charismatic renewal of the 1960s with Dennis

Bennett, Kevin Ranaghan, and Kathryn Kuhlman in Van Nuys, California, only a

few kilometres north of Azusa Street (Harper 2008, 108; Tickle 2012, 67-69); and

invigorated by the third-wave neo-charismatic movement headed by Peter Wagner

and John Wimber (Gabriel, 2012, 150-154; Synan 2001, 177-232).

Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church establish in 1965 by 6 university students here in

Addis Ababa. By now in Addis Ababa and its surroundings above 200 local

churches reside and above 3000 local churches in Ethiopia.

3
In the year 1974, Full gospel church applied and secured licence for religious

assembly. The church used this opportunity and rented a house next to the old Belay

Zeleke School (near Nazareth Girls School).

Different researches portrays, prophecy is not specifically or even principally the

forecasting of the future but rather the mediation and interpretation of the divine

mind and will Operationally, the term prophecy is defined as the word of God

proclaimed by a prophet commissioned by God to speak for him publicly to the

people. The Hebrew word denotes one who communicates divine revelation.

The Hebrew Bible applies this word both to the so called false prophets of Israel or

even to the prophets of other religions like Baalism as well as for the genuine

prophets of Yahweh. Ugwueye (2002)

This proposal was intended to conduct a study on meeting the proposed objectives

of the study the desired information had been gathered from both primary and

secondary data sources using different data collecting instruments, related

literatures were reviewed and appropriate methodology was used, and finally

conclusions and possible recommendations were forwarded. This section comprise

the background of the study, problem statement, research objectives, research

questions, scope and significance of the study, description of the study area,

operational definitions of terms and organization of the thesis.

1.2. Background of the study

From time immemorial, the human person is being confronted with many evils

ranging from social, religious, economic, and political to psychological problems.

These problems are sources of worry to the human being and as such there is need

to ask questions about the happenings in one’s life. Therefore, human beings seek

4
answers to these perplexities of existence. To get answers or solutions, religious

people need charismatic persons to interpret the divine mind.

Hence, contemporary Christians have made recourse to prophets in order to have

their problems and needs solved and met respectively, just like the Israelites of

Jeremiah’s time. Prophecy is a common practice in Christian prayer houses in

contemporary Ethiopian society.

Within the development of the prophetic movement in Israel during the period of

the monarchy, there arose two types of prophets. The first type was a group of

independent prophets who claimed to speak on behalf of Yahweh and whose

primary function was to challenge the awful policies of the king. These prophets

also warned the people to return to the old traditions of the covenant. The second

type was a group of prophets who were paid by the temple or the court and who

proclaimed the kind of message their patrons desired to hear. This group of

prophets came to be known as false prophets, not because of their desire to mislead

the people, but rather, because they misinterpreted Yahweh's intentions at times

when the nation was facing great dangers. According to Vangemeren (1990), in

times of moral darkness the false prophets, Predicting smooth things for the nation,

independent of repentance, consecration and the pursuit of spiritual ideas, were

honored above the true prophets who emphasized the moral greatness of Yahweh

and the necessity of righteousness for the nation.

Two prophets who represent these styles of prophetic ministries are Jeremiah and

Hananiah (Jeremiah 27-28) who are the chief actors in our narrative passage.

Jeremiah spoke truly in the name of Yahweh, Hananiah spoke falsely in the name of

5
Yahweh, and the central question is how to understand this phenomenon of false

prophecy.

The confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah took place in the temple (Jer.

28:1). Faced with two contradictory views of God’s work, which one should the

people accept as the legitimate interpretation of God’s will? Which prophet was

applying prophetic tradition properly to determine what God was doing in the

current situation? The contemporary Judeo-Christians are also being confronted

with such opposing prophecies by Christian prophets and ministers who claim that

their prophecies came from God.

Etymologically, the English word prophecy comes from the Greek verb prophemi

which means ‘to speak for’. Thus prophecy is God’s message delivered by the

prophet who speaks on behalf of God. According to Price (1984), “Prophecy is an

inspired communication from God” (p. 396). Literally, prophecy means speaking

for, or on behalf of God (Matthews, 1918; Mowvley, 1979; Obielosi, 2012). The

prophetic word lives a life of its own once it has emanated from the prophet, and the

prophet is very much identified with the word that he has uttered. In other words,

the prophetic word is greater than the prophet, which the prophet, himself would

have been the first to acknowledge.

For Ugwueye (2002), prophecy is not specifically or even principally the

forecasting of the future but rather the mediation and interpretation of the divine

mind and will Operationally, the term prophecy is defined as the word of God

proclaimed by a prophet commissioned by God to speak for him publicly to the

people. The Hebrew word denotes one who communicates divine revelation.

The Hebrew Bible applies this word both to the so called false prophets of Israel or

6
even to the prophets of other religions like Baalism as well as for the genuine

prophets of Yahweh.

From the beginning, Old Testament prophets grew into quite distinctive persons.

Several examples of this kind of religious persons have been collected together by

Lindblom (1973). He enumerates a number of characteristics which enable one to

describe a person as prophetic and then uses this as a kind of check-list against

which certain individuals and groups of people may be examined: They must be

wholly devoted to the god whom they worship; they are inspired and under divine

constraints showing signs of ecstasy and abnormal behavior; they receive

revelations from their god and announce them publicly; they have a special call

from the deity to fulfill his purpose unconditionally. This would be a fair

description of Israelite prophets.

The Old Testament shows how false prophets told kings exactly what they wanted

to hear, to garner favor for their own personal gain. There is no hint of their

complete disappearance until the end of the fourth century (Zech. 13:2). Under

Ahab, they declared to the king that he should make war on Ramoth-Gilead, with

the certainty of capturing the town; in fact he was defeated and killed (3 Kings 22).

In the time of Jeremiah, Hananiah addressed the people and priests in Jerusalem and

foretold the overthrow of Nebuchadnezzar, because that was what everyone was

hoping to hear (Jer. 28)

To overcome the very problem related to false prophecy, gospel believers should

back to praying, reading bible are the most important thing we should follow From

time immemorial, the human person is being confronted with many evils ranging

from social, religious, economic, and political to psychological problems. These

7
problems are sources of worry to the human being and as such there is need to ask

questions about the happenings in one’s life. Therefore, human beings seek answers

to these perplexities of existence. To get answers or solutions, religious people need

charismatic persons to interpret the divine mind.

Hence, contemporary Christians have made recourse to prophets in order to have

their problems and needs solved and met respectively, just like the Israelites of

Jeremiah’s time. Prophecy is a common practice in Christian prayer houses in

contemporary Ethiopian society.

Within the development of the prophetic movement in Israel during the period of

the monarchy, there arose two types of prophets. The first type was a group of

independent prophets who claimed to speak on behalf of Yahweh and whose

primary function was to challenge the awful policies of the king. These prophets

also warned the people to return to the old traditions of the covenant. The second

type was a group of prophets who were paid by the temple or the court and who

proclaimed the kind of message their patrons desired to hear. This group of

prophets came to be known as false prophets, not because of their desire to mislead

the people, but rather, because they misinterpreted Yahweh's intentions at times

when the nation was facing great dangers. According to Vangemeren (1990), in

times of moral darkness the false prophets, Predicting smooth things for the nation,

independent of repentance, consecration and the pursuit of spiritual ideas, were

honored above the true prophets who emphasized the moral greatness of Yahweh

and the necessity of righteousness for the nation.

Two prophets who represent these styles of prophetic ministries are Jeremiah and

Hananiah (Jeremiah 27-28) who are the chief actors in our narrative passage.

8
Jeremiah spoke truly in the name of Yahweh, Hananiah spoke falsely in the name of

Yahweh, and the central question is how to understand this phenomenon of false

prophecy.

The confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah took place in the temple (Jer.

28:1). Faced with two contradictory views of God’s work, which one should the

people accept as the legitimate interpretation of God’s will? Which prophet was

applying prophetic tradition properly to determine what God was doing in the

current situation? The contemporary Judeo-Christians are also being confronted

with such opposing prophecies by Christian prophets and ministers who claim that

their prophecies came from God.

Etymologically, the English word prophecy comes from the Greek verb prophemi

which means ‘to speak for’. Thus prophecy is God’s message delivered by the

prophet who speaks on behalf of God. According to Price (1984), “Prophecy is an

inspired communication from God” (p. 396). Literally, prophecy means speaking

for, or on behalf of God (Matthews, 1918; Mowvley, 1979; Obielosi, 2012). The

prophetic word lives a life of its own once it has emanated from the prophet, and the

prophet is very much identified with the word that he has uttered. In other words,

the prophetic word is greater than the prophet, which the prophet, himself would

have been the first to acknowledge.

For Ugwueye (2002), prophecy is not specifically or even principally the

forecasting of the future but rather the mediation and interpretation of the divine

mind and will (p. 3).

Operationally, the term prophecy is defined as the word of God proclaimed by a

prophet commissioned by God to speak for him publicly to the people. The Hebrew

9
word denotes one who communicates divine revelation. The Hebrew Bible

applies this word both to the so called false prophets of Israel or even to the

prophets of other religions like Baalism as well as for the genuine prophets of

Yahweh.

From the beginning, Old Testament prophets grew into quite distinctive persons.

Several examples of this kind of religious persons have been collected together by

Lindblom (1973). He enumerates a number of characteristics which enable one to

describe a person as prophetic and then uses this as a kind of check-list against

which certain individuals and groups of people may be examined: They must be

wholly devoted to the god whom they worship; they are inspired and under divine

constraints showing signs of ecstasy and abnormal behavior; they receive

revelations from their god and announce them publicly; they have a special call

from the deity to fulfill his purpose unconditionally. This would be a fair

description of Israelite prophets.

The Old Testament shows how false prophets told kings exactly what they wanted
to hear, to garner favor for their own personal gain. There is no hint of their
complete disappearance until the end of the fourth century (Zech. 13:2). Under
Ahab, they declared to the king that he should make war on Ramoth-Gilead, with
the certainty of capturing the town; in fact he was defeated and killed (3 Kings 22).
In the time of Jeremiah, Hananiah addressed the people and priests in Jerusalem and
foretold the overthrow of Nebuchadnezzar, because that was what everyone was
hoping to hear (Jer. 28)

1.3. Statement of the Problem

A false prophet is a person who spreads false teachings or messages while claiming

to speak the Word of God. In the Bible, false prophets also spoke on behalf of false

10
gods. False prophets functioned in their prophetic role illegitimately or for the

purpose of deception. The Bible denounces false prophets for leading people astray.

Christ Himself taught us that we would be able to judge, discern or identify the

characteristics of a false prophet by their fruit. In the Bible a false prophet is a

person who spreads false teachings or false prophecies while claiming to speak on

behalf of God. We live in a world where many self-proclaimed prophets have

uttered many failed prophecies. Some have had the audacity to predict a specific

date concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ. Others have made failed

prophecies about the outcome of political elections, to making failed predictions

about the end of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Jesus went on to explain the grave consequences of being a false prophet: “Every

tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their

fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will

enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who

is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in

your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many

miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you

evildoers!’”(Matthew 7:19–23).

So my studies focus on mainly victims due to False Prophets and Teachers Effect

on the Lives of Believers special emphasis on Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church,

Addis Ababa.

Research Questions

1.4. What are the characteristics of false prophets & teachers? In the case of
Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church.

11
1.5. Objectives of the Study
1.5.1. General Objective
The general objective of the study is to identify the effect of False
Prophets and Teacher on the Lives of Believers in Addis Ababa.
1.5.2. Specific Objectives
In line with the general objective, the specific objectives of the

study were:

1. Identifying the characteristics of false prophets who appeared at various periods

2. Identify the current level of influence of false prophets
3. Determining what action the solution choice should take

Purpose of the Research

You are aware that the greatest danger to our planet is posed by false prophets and

teachers. The issue brought on by this false prophecy is becoming increasingly

problematic, especially in Africa due to the continent's poor economic standing.

The Bible has numerous descriptions of this appearance and presentation of false

teachers and prophets in both the Old and New Testaments.

In Ethiopia, the number of false teachers and prophets is growing. As an example,

the parties who have been assaulted by these false prophets can be seen protesting

through various media outlets. However, until it is determined whether this fact is

founded on actual proof or not, no individual will be held accountable by any court

of law. As a result, the major objective of this research paper is to give back to

people who were victims of false prophecy based on the direction of research and

genuine data; next, it is to show the direction of solution from false teachers and

false prophets based on the biblical basis.

12
1.6. Significance of the Study

In religion, a prophet or prophetess is a person who is supposed to be in contact

with a divine being and to speak on its behalf, acting as an intermediary between

humanity and the supernatural source by imparting messages or teachings to others.

People have made claims to be prophets delivered with divine messages throughout

history. Which of these assertions is accurate? How do you spot fake prophets?

A false prophet is someone who falsely claims the gift of prophecy or divine

inspiration, or pretends to speak for God, and does so for wicked purposes. Often,

someone who is seen as a "true prophet" by some is regarded as a "false prophet" by

others, even within the same religion as the "prophet" in issue. In a broader sense, it

is anyone who, in the absence of it, claims a special relationship to the divine and

positions himself or herself as a source of spirituality, as an authority, preacher, or

teacher. Similarly, the word is frequently used outside of religion to characterize

someone who passionately advocates a notion that the speaker believes is false.

The Christian community must protect itself, its family, the Church and the nation

from the consequences of false prophesy and teachings. This research can be

utilized as a data source for churches, the general public, or the country as a whole,

as well as other scholars interested in conducting research in a relevant topic. This

research can be utilised as a data source for churches, the general public, or the

country as a whole, as well as other scholars interested in conducting research in a

relevant topic.

1.7. Limitation

There have been a lot of difficulties the researcher has faced while conducting the

study. Since this study is a first of its sort in Ethiopia, it has been difficult to locate

13
reviews and materials that are well-organized and relevant. And that causes a data

shortage. However, the researcher made an effort to overcome these difficulties by

looking for various sources to fill the gap caused by the lack of data and to cross-

check as many distinct data sources as feasible. Another problem was some

respondents' hesitancy to share useful information to the researcher. Furthermore,

due to frequent meetings and other administrative tasks and different engagements,

it is impossible to meet with concerned bodies. As a result, the researcher was

forced to conduct interviews on short notice. To reduce risk, the researcher

attempted to enlighten interviewees about the goal of the study with as much care

and patience as feasible.

1.8. Delimitations

This study's boundaries are strictly limited to information Believers in Ketena Hulet

Full Gospel Church, Addis Ababa.; neither other concerns nor other regions of

Ethiopia are included.

Data gathering techniques used by the researcher included interviews,

questionnaires, focus group discussions, and document reviews. The imposition of

allocations may be necessary for practical reasons, such as a lack of time or

finances to conduct a more full study.

The researcher chose to focus on false teachers and prophets because of the

potential effects that false prophecy could have on much of Christendom today.

Additionally, because the goal of the study was to gain a comprehensive picture of

the situation, the researcher collected qualitative data. Questionnaires with a Likert

scale will be used in qualitative data collection procedures. The questionnaire is set

up with closed-ended questions that offer a variety of possibilities or answers,

14
which the respondents can select from. These inquiries are simpler to respond to

quickly, and respondents' answers are more comparable. The drop-and-pick

approach will be used to administer the questionnaire.

1.9. Definition of the Term

Prophet: - a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of

God.

"The Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah"

Prophesy: - say that (a specified thing) will happen in the future.

True prophet: - a prophet or prophetess is an individual who is regarded as being

in contact with a divine being and is said to speak on behalf of that being, serving as

an intermediary with humanity by delivering messages or teachings from the

supernatural source to other people.

False prophet: - a person who falsely claims the gift of prophecy or divine

inspiration, or to speak for God, or who makes such claims for evil ends.

Religion: - human beings' relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred,

absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. It is also commonly

regarded as consisting of the way people deal with ultimate concerns about their

lives and their fate after death.

Religious teachers: - offers instruction in subjects such as theology, divinity, and

religious studies.

15
1.10. Organization of the Study

This paper is divided into five sections. The first chapter discusses the introduction,

which includes the study's background, statement of the problem, research

questions and hypothesis, objectives of the study, purpose of the research,

significance of the study, limitations, delimitations, definition of terms, and study

organization. The second chapter includes a theoretical framework as well as a

literature review on false teachers and prophets and their impact on society. The

third chapter describes the research method. Chapter four included data analysis,

presentation, and interpretation in addition to the methodology section. The final

chapter discusses the research's conclusion and recommendations.

16
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoretical Frame Work
2.1.1 Biblical definition of prophet
In the Bible, the word prophet comes from the Hebrew word nabi, meaning

spokesperson. Another Hebrew word, ro’eh, literally means one who sees—a seer.

In Greek, the word is profetes, meaning one who “speaks forth” (Vine’s Expository

Dictionary of the Old and New Testament Words, 1985).

A prophet is thus someone who speaks for another, foresees the future or proclaims

a message.

An important function of a true prophet is found in a statement from God to the

ancient Israelites through Moses: “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from

among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to

them all that I commend Him” (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).

God was foretelling that, like Moses, Jesus Christ would come as a true prophet and

God would speak through Him.

2.1.2 What is a false prophet?

The Bible explains that, in addition to true prophets, there would also be false ones.

A good definition of a false prophet is anyone who falsely claims to speak God’s

words or who teaches errors in His name.

2.1.3 False prophets in the Old Testament

There were false prophets in the Old Testament, such as Balaam (Numbers 22 to

24), the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:22), Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah and

his fellow prophets (2 Chronicles 18:10-11) and Hananiah (Jeremiah 28).

17
During the time of Jeremiah, God said of the nation of Judah, “Because from the

least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and

from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely” (Jeremiah 6:13;

compare 8:10).

When Ezekiel was serving as a true prophet, God said that there were “prophets of

Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her

when there is no peace” (Ezekiel 13:16).

2.1.4 False prophets in the New Testament

In Acts 13:6 we find that Barnabas and Saul encountered a false prophet named

Bar-Jesus.

Additionally, Peter warned members of the first-century Church, “But there were

also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among

you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who

bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

It is also important to note that the activity of false prophets will escalate prior to

Christ’s return to earth.

2.1.5 False prophets just before Christ’s return

During His earthly ministry Christ described conditions in the last days just before

His return to earth in glory to set up His Kingdom. He said false prophets would

have power to show great counterfeit miracles that would almost deceive even the

faithful.

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to

deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” (Matthew

24:24-25).

18
One especially deceptive and malicious false prophet is prophesied to arise and

have great authority over people in conjunction with a person called “the beast” just

before Jesus returns to earth to establish the Kingdom of God.

2.1.6 The false prophet in the book of Revelation

There are three passages in the book of Revelation that refer to this end-time person

called “the false prophet.”

 “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the

dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet”

(Revelation 16:13).

 “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who

worked signs in his

presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and

those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire

burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:20).

 “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone

where the beast

and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever

and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

This highly deceptive person is also referred to as “the man of sin,” “the lawless

one” and the “the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8-9; 1 John 2:18). He will be able

to work miracles through the power of Satan to deceive people (2 Thessalonians

2:9-10).

19
For further study of this evil person who will come on the world scene at the end

of this age, see “Will You Recognize the Antichrist?”

2.1.7. Why are there false prophets?

Satan the devil, a fallen angel, is the father of lies and has deceived the whole world

(John 8:44; Revelation 12:9). His goal has been to twist and falsify the truth of God

and to discourage humanity from following the path to true happiness and eternal

life. To assist him in this effort, he influences people to become counterfeit

prophets.

Another reason given in the Bible is that some people speak from their own

imagination. God says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit

and have seen nothing!” (Ezekiel 13:3-4). Throughout the centuries, numerous false

prophets have arisen because of their own desires and Satan’s influence.

2.1.8 Christianity in Ethiopia

The Introduction of Christianity into Ethiopia (The Ethiopian Eunuch) The country

embraced Christianity and maintained the doctrine of Christ from the era of the

Apostles to the present day, as it is narrated in (Acts 8:26-39). The history of St.

Phillip the Apostle baptizing the Eunuch, who was very much interested in religion,

is of great interest for the Ethiopian Church history. This Eunuch was a man of high

rank, the finance minister of Candace Queen of Ethiopia. Eusebius speaks of him as

the first fruits of the faithful in the whole world. Irenius writes that preached the

Gospel of the Ethiopians. Other evidence is that during the time that the Eunuch

preached Christianity, Ethiopian women wore crosses upon their heads signifying

the recognition of the Crucifixion of Christ. Besides St. John Chnysostom witnessed

20
that among those who were present at Pentecost (the birth of the Universal Church)

were Ethiopians. In the history of the Church, it is further recorded that St. Matthew

the Apostle preached the Gospel to the Ethiopians and won a few converts to the

new doctrine and left the country.

2.1.9 Ethiopian Eunuch and St. Phillip

An angel directed Philip the Evangelist to the road that goes from Jerusalem to

Gaza, where he met the Ethiopian eunuch, the treasurer of the Candace, Queen of

the Ethiopians (Ancient Greek: v, the "Candace" was the Meroitic language term

for "queen" or possibly "royal woman"). The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to

worship [Acts 8:27] and was on his way back home. He was reading the Book of

Isaiah while sitting in his chariot, specifically Isaiah 53:7-8. "Do you understand

what you're reading?" Philip inquired of the Ethiopian. He stated that he did not

("How can I understand unless I have a teacher to teach me?") and requested that

Philip explain the text to him. After hearing the Gospel of Jesus, the Ethiopian

requested baptism. Philip baptized him in a water source, which was traditionally

thought to be the Dhirweh fountain near Halhul.

2.1.10 History of the first Ethiopia Archbishop

Frumentius – First Bishop of Ethiopia The book of St. Tekle Haymanot tells us that
in the beginning of the fourth century after Christ, there came to Ethiopia Meropius,
a philosopher (pilgrim) from Tyre, accompanied by two young men, Frumentius
and Aedesius (Sidrakos). They were received graciously by Anbaram the high
Priest. In that very night Meropius was ill with fever and after a few days he died.
But the two young men were introduced to the King Ella-Amida; they grew up in
the house of Anbaram, learning the customs and life-style of Ethiopia. Later
Frumentius was chosen and was sent to Alexandria, then Patriarch Athanasius

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consecrated him bishop and sent him back. Upon arrival in Axum, he was called
Abba Selama (Father of Peace). As the first Archbishop he preached the gospel
throughout the country. The book of St. Tekle Haymanot tells nothing about
whatever occurred in relation to Aedesius, but according to the information given
by Rufinus, a contemporary writer, he was made a priest in Tyre.

Emperor Ezana (Edna) and Christianity

According to the western historians and writers the introduction of Christianity to

Ethiopia was in the fourth century during the reign of Ezana (320-356 A.D.) and

Ezana became the first African King to have been a Christian and to have made

Christianity the official religion of his empire. Nevertheless, Christianity was

certainly known in the country before the time of Frumentius. Of course, Candace

whose conversion had been due to the Eunuch becomes the first Christian Queen of

the country. The official declaration of the doctrine of Christ by Ezana was done not

as a new introduction to the people; he did it to

prove himself as the true Christian leader of the nation.

2.1.11 The Prophets' Role in Christianity

The importance of prophecies and the role of prophets in Christendom can be found

in several passages of the Bible. The Bible is full with the works of dozens of

prophets. Some of these prophets existed before the advent of Christ himself.

They include: John the Baptist, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel and others. Both

John the Baptist and Isaiah prophesied about the coming of Jesus Christ (Isaiah,

40:3; Mark, 1:1-3; John, 1:23), which was considered good news because of the

redemption that Christians believe Jesus Christ brought to them. Prophets who

prophesied about catastrophes also abound. Noah, for example, preached to his evil

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generation to repent but when they failed to heed him, God commanded him to

build an ark to save his family and every kind of creature during the destruction by

flood that would follow (Genesis, 6:13-22).

The Bible also describes “fake” prophets, who are said to prophesy from their

imagination and follow their own spirit without any direction from God (Ezekiel,

13:2). The Lord did not send them and their prophecies were rooted in falsehood

(Ezekiel, 13:3). The above Christian prophets were prophets of the past, whose

deeds are documented in the Bible. However, many Christians believe prophets still

live in their midst today in accordance with the biblical passages stating that God

does not change his mind (1 Samuel, 15:29; Malachi, 3:6) in the way he does

things. The importance of prophets is described in several passages of the Bible

(Exodus, 4:16; Luke, 1:70), for instance making known the will and character of

God, guiding people and warning them of an impending catastrophe resulting from

sin.

Christians are admonished to “believe in God and his prophets in order to succeed”

(2 Chronicles, 20:20). Studies suggest that Christians believe in biblical statements.

For example, a Gallup survey in the United States found that 28 percent of

participants believed that the Bible contains the actual word of God and 49 percent

believe that it contains the inspired word of God (Newport, 2006). This suggests

that any Christian who is determined to do the will of God will take the Biblical

teachings seriously.

2.1.12 Prophets in ancient Israelite society

Prophecy is a social phenomenon. In other words, it is an activity that is carried out

in a specific society and conforming to the social norms of the people. The

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prophets are the intermediaries between man and God. They are vehicles through

which the divine message reaches the ordinary world and through which human

beings can gain access to the divine world.

Since prophets do not operate in a vacuum, the role the society in which they lived

played in their lives and ministries is very crucial. The prophets are integral part of

their societies and cannot exist without social guidance and support. This support

need not come from the whole society, but it must be present in some form,

otherwise the prophets will disappear. The society also regulates the various

processes by which people became prophets. The role of the society in the

validation process varies from prophet to prophet. It depends on the group the

candidate belongs. For instance, for the peripheral prophets the society is involved

at the very beginning. The approval of the society is sought and obtained before

entering into the group. Sometimes the society is divided on a candidate. When

such differences occur, the stage is set for future social tension between groups that

accept and those that tolerate or reject him. Also, the society sometimes takes a

more active role in evaluating the credentials of a prophet without recourse to the

opinion of specialists. An individual who is a well-integrated and respected

member of a group is more likely to be accredited as an intermediary than someone

who attacks the group. A person who delivers oracles that are not in conflict with

the ideology of a group is more likely to be accredited than an individual who

delivers outrageous and disruptive oracles. i The group which requires the service

of a prophet simply elects or appoints one with a good standing into the position.

This is particularly true of societies where each family or group is expected to have

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an intermediary. A person may be compelled to accept the task and later go for

training in order to acquire the techniques.

It should be noted, however, that just as the society supports and provides the

conditions necessary for prophets to function, societies can also withdraw their

support. This is always the case when the prophets can no longer function

adequately. In other words, the prophet has lost the ability to receive or deliver

genuine oracles. Similarly, the society no longer believes a prophet when he brings

messages which deviate completely from the traditional values or violates group

morality.

Beecher, in an attempt to describe the relationship between the prophets and the

society in Israel, maintains that the prophets of Yahweh were raised up by God

from the society (Deut. 18:15) and are seen by the society as political and religious

leaders, preachers of the law, predictors of future judgment, watchmen, intercessors

and persecutors against covenant breakers. Prophets were concerned with the local,

national and international events and the future. Consequently, prophets were

agents of social change in the society. They were able to make appreciable impact

in their societies, because any pronouncement they made was believed to have been

approved by Yahweh. For instance, Yahweh communicated continually with the

Israelites through his truly chosen prophets. The prophets through their messages

opposed whatever threatened the life and the survival of the nation of Israel and as

such they were political activists.

E. G. Kraeling opines that the Hebrew prophets were public men who were

primarily concerned with the political and social questions of their generations.

They were keenly interested in social justice as well as religious orthodoxy. They

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rebuked unequal and unkind practices in the administration of justice. Their main

intention in engaging in public affairs was for the purposes of reformation. It should

be noted that while the prophets were involved in social concerns, they were not

primarily social reformers. That was why Bullock regards the prophets as

theological reformers. In other words, prophets saw it as their primary assignment

to make the society to be committed to the law of God. They encouraged the

society to fear God by doing what was written in the Law of God. This continued

to reflect in their messages as they addressed concern for the oppressed, the widow,

the orphan, the poor and the strangers (cf Deut. 15:11; 24:14-15; Exo. 22:21-27).

In the same vein, A. J. Heschel asserts that justice was important to the prophets

because it is one of the attributes of Yahweh. This supports the view that the

prophets were concerned about theological reform because of the aim of elevating

the reputation of God and his standards in the society.

As far as the prophets were concerned, every Israelite was expected to dispense

justice (Micah 6:8). For instance, Isaiah the prophet called on the nation of Israel

‘to give rest to the weary’ (Isaiah 28:12). The prophet interceded on behalf of

members of the society who fell short of Yahweh’s standard. He pleaded with God

for mercy. Bullock remarks thus: “Where the king and officials, either because of

apathy or inaccessibility, stepped out of their expected role, the prophets stepped

in.” In other words, a higher moral standard was expected of a prophet or the man

of God. They had the responsibility of enforcing God’s standard on any issue that

perverted righteousness rather than pamper the situation.

In the same fashion, J. C. Laney examines the concern of the prophets on social

issues and concludes that the prophets were greatly interested in both moral and

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religious issues in their day. He stresses further that the prophets saw social and

moral concern at the very heart of true religion. They frequently rebuked idolatry,

formalistic worship, oppression of the poor, murder, neglect of orphans and

widows, failure to support temple worship and other vices in the society.

At this juncture, it should be noted that the origin of the social and moral concern

by the prophets is a subject of debate. According to E. Hammershaimb and some

scholars, there exists a parallel between the Deuteronomic law and the prophets.

This is an indication that the Deuteronomy was an attempt to bring the teaching of

the prophets into practice. His opinion agrees with that of Y. Kaufmann who

observes that “the prophetic demands for social justice echo, for the most part, the

ancient laws.”

The researcher would like to concur with these scholars that the prophets of Israel

were not great imitators, presenting to the Israelites new responsibilities in social

and moral spheres. They rather presented to the people the ideal society as laid

down in the covenantal relationship between Israel and Yahweh. To this end, justice

and righteousness are the foundation of the Law and the pillar of the society. In

other words, the social and moral issues addressed by the prophets had their origin

in the Mosaic Law and Yahweh Himself. What the prophets did was simply to

apply the Mosaic legislation to their contemporary situation.

It should be noted that, in ancient Israel the worth of prophets can only be assessed

by the degree of their acceptance in the society in which they operate or live.

However, reading through the Old Testament it is difficult to determine whether

prophets in Israel were whole heartedly accepted by their audience or not because

of the scanty and inexplicit data at our disposal. According to Overholt, the

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problem we face as interpreters is that although the Hebrew Bible informed us that

the process by which prophetic activity is authorized has more to it than the

reception of Yahweh’s oracle, the additional remains hidden to us. In other words,

the biblical writers emphasize the nature of Yahweh and his relationship to his

people and mankind but did not tell us the social dynamics of the prophetic process.

In spite of the scanty data supplied, it is still possible to know how the prophets in

ancient Israel fared socially.

The picture of acceptance of prophets became clearer if we work with the

framework that prophecy is intrinsically linked to the communication process of

God – prophet – audience – feedback – God. In other words, a prophet is expected

to receive message from God, deliver same to his audience and take back their

response to God. When a prophet claimed that Yahweh spoke to him and relates

the message to the people, the response of the audience is very crucial. What

informed their response is also important. Was he believed or do people doubt the

source of his inspiration? Was the character or behavior of the prophet offensive to

the audience? Or was the message of the prophet trying to upset the social order?

Answers to the questions above are found in the Old Testament. The response of

the audience to the message of the prophets in ancient Israel varied. In some

instances their message and persons were ignored, in other instances they were

tolerated, while at other times they were out rightly rejected and they even suffered

for their actions.

It should be noted that in some passages in the historical books, prophets did not

stand in high estimation of the people. For instance in I Samuel 10:9-11, when the

people saw Saul the son of Kish among the prophets they asked: Is Saul also among

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the prophets? Perhaps because Saul’s father was a wealthy man, the people

wondered what his son was doing with the prophets. From the story we may infer

that the prophets were not accorded positive social recognition from the early

period of their existence. This may be as a result of the irrational behavior which

was offensive to the people.

Gleaning from the Old Testament literature itself, the society’s response to the

person and message of the prophets can be clearly seen. For instance, in the story

of the anointing of Jehu as king, the prophet sent to anoint him was looked upon as

a mad man. When Jehu returned to his fellows after the encounter with the prophet,

one of them asked him, “why did this mad man come to you?” (2 Kings 9:11). The

madness used in describing the prophets may not connote madness in the real sense

of the word but the actions and characteristics of the prophets.

Also, in the Old Testament prophetic text, we discussed that in the political and
established religious circles in ancient Israel the prophets were not given a
favourable reception. It was observed that some of the oracles were directed against
the established order. It appeared that the prophets’ understanding of socio-political
issues of their time was different from that of an average Israelite. It was this clash
of perception and understanding of issues that made the prophets to clash repeatedly
with political and religious leaders of their time. The leaders of the established
socio-religious order realized that if the activities of these prophets were left
unchecked, they might upset and disrupt the social order and as such attempts were
made to suppress prophetic movement. This made some prophets and their
message unpopular before their audience. The Israelites realized the importance of
their messages long after their death.

2.1.13 Prophets as consultants in ancient Israel

Prophets in ancient Israel were consultants to their contemporaries. Oracles were
requested by those who wished to know the whereabouts of lost property (I Sam.

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9:3-10), the outcome of an illness (2 Kgs. 1:2; 8:7-15), the results of a forthcoming
military engagement (I Kgs 22:6), deity (I Chr. 2:18-19), or appropriate ritual
protocol (2 Chr. 29:25).
A systematic study of the Old Testament prophetic literature revealed that prophets
were consulted by the kings before they embarked on wars. They functioned both
to rouse the kings to war and to predict the outcome. Inquiries were regularly made
from both court and temple prophets (I Kgs. 22:5-6; 2 Kgs 22:13; Isa. 30:2; Zeph.
1:6). Peripheral prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Micah were consulted
by those desiring oracular responses.
It should be noted that the advice of the prophets are sought and obtained before
religious, political, military, economic and social activities are carried out in ancient
Israel. The prophets were intimately associated with politics from the time they
appeared in Israel (I Sam 10:5-13). For instance, the prophetic band was located
next to a Philistine garrison, with the intention of inciting the Israelites to engage in
wars against the Philistine. Also, Elijah and Elisha were so committed to the
Israelite faith and politics to the extent that they were referred to as “the chariots of
Israel and its horsemen” (2 Kgs 2:12; 13:14). Despite the fact that there were other
channels of ascertaining the will of Yahweh on issues i.e (Urim and Thummin),
prophecy was preferred. The prophets were generally believed to have spoken
under the inspiration of Yahweh.
From the era of Saul, Yahweh has always sent prophets to influence political
decisions of the nation. It was Israel’s persistent deviance to warnings from the
prophets that led her into captivity under the Assyrian and Babylonian. It was
Samuel that enthroned Saul and David. During the reign of David, Nathan achieved
a position of great influence in the royal court. His oracle on Yahweh’s covenant
with David had a lasting effect on Israel’s life and thought. However, when David
misused his power he did not spare him (2 Sam 12:1-15). Attempts were made by
subsequent kings to bring the prophets under the control of monarch but this failed
because even after the death of Solomon the prophet had a voice in both northern
and southern kingdoms. In the time of political crisis and aggression of foreign
nations that threatened their national life, prophets do deliver oracles of victory to
Israel if they only put their trust in Yahweh alone.

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According to Lasebikan, the ancient Israelite prophets are political activists who
were always fighting against anti-Yahweh’s activities. He asserts that the prophets
could go as far as carrying the war into the enemy’s territory in order to win a
political and religious victory for Yahweh and the nation of Israel.

2.1.14 What does the Bible say about false prophets?

A false prophet is a person who spreads false teachings or messages while claiming
to speak the Word of God. In the Bible, false prophets also spoke on behalf of false
gods. False prophets functioned in their prophetic role illegitimately or for the
purpose of deception. The Bible denounces false prophets for leading people
astray.
In the Old Testament, the actual term false prophet does not occur, but references to
false prophets are evident and abundant. In the book of Jeremiah, we encounter a
clear description of false prophets: “Then the LORD said to me, ‘The prophets are
prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to
them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the
delusions of their own minds’” (Jeremiah 14:14; see also 23:21–33; Zechariah
10:2).
The primary difference between men like Jeremiah—a true prophet of God—and
false prophets was their source of information. Rather than speak the Word of the
Lord, false prophets delivered messages that originated in their own hearts and
minds: “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Do not listen to what the prophets
are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from
their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD’” (Jeremiah 23:16; see also
14:14; 23:25–32; Ezekiel 13:1–7). God distances Himself from all false prophets: “I
did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to
them, yet they have prophesied” (Jeremiah 23:21).
Another difference between true prophets and false prophets in the Bible is
motivation. True prophets are motivated by loyalty to God above all else, whereas
false prophets are motivated by self-interest and a desire to be popular among the
people (1 Kings 22:13–14). While Jeremiah foretold the grim truth of coming
desolation upon Jerusalem (Jeremiah 4), the false prophets promised peace

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(Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11). Naturally, the people of Judah preferred the pleasant
messages of the false prophets: “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell
us lies” (Isaiah 30:10, NLT). Often false prophets were hired for payment or spoke
their messages for financial gain: “Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach
for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the LORD’s
support and say, ‘Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us’”
(Micah 3:11; see also Nehemiah 6:12–13; Jeremiah 6:13–14; Ezekiel 13:19; 2 Peter
2:1–3).
Israel could not always discern the difference between a true and false prophet. In 1
Kings 22, King Jehoshaphat of Judah sought counsel from the Lord before he and
King Ahab of Israel embarked on their mission to retake the city of Ramoth in
Gilead. Jehoshaphat heard the predictions of victory from Ahab’s 400 counselors
but suspected that these men were false prophets who did not have the mind of the
Lord. Jehoshaphat’s suspicions were correct: they were Ahab’s “yes men,” false
prophets who had no concern for relating the true Word of God. They merely said
what the king wanted to hear and collected their salary from the royal treasury.
Jehoshaphat asked if there was another prophet who could give a second opinion.
Ahab called for the prophet Micaiah, albeit reluctantly: “I hate him,” Ahab
complained, “because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always
bad” (1 Kings 22:8). True to form, Micaiah prophesied that Ahab would be killed in
the battle and Israel would be “scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd”
(verse 17). Micaiah, whose words came to pass, proved to be the true prophet of
God. None of the false prophets in Ahab’s court could keep the king alive.
The punishment specified for false prophets in the Old Testament was severe: “If
any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him
to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death”
(Deuteronomy 18:20).
In the New Testament, Jesus taught about false prophets in His Sermon on the
Mount: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do
people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good
tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad

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fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:15–18).
Jesus went on to explain the grave consequences of being a false prophet: “Every
tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their
fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who
is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in
your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many
miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you
evildoers!’”(Matthew 7:19–23).
The Bible describes false prophets as adulterous (Jeremiah 23:14), treacherous
(Zephaniah 3:4), drunkards (Isaiah 28:7), wicked (Jeremiah 23:11), liars (Jeremiah
14:14; 23:14), and associated with divination and witchcraft (Jeremiah
14:14; Ezekiel 22:28; Acts 13:6). Scripture teaches believers to be diligent in faith
and devotion to Christ’s teachings so that they will be able to spot false prophets
and false teachers quickly (2 Peter 1:10; 1:19—2:1; 1 John 4:1). Thankfully, the
Bible outlines fool proof tests for recognizing a false prophet.

2.1.15 Protestant Church False Prophets and Teachers in Addis Ababa

Self-Proclaimed Addis Ababa Protestant Church Prophets publicly charges on

Deception, Money Laundering, Rape and Cheating. There is money laundry and
sexual harassment to spraying their followers with doom in their faces. The
worshiping rituals of these so-called Teachers and prophets have been labeled as
ridiculous and dangerous. Some testimonies disclosed in social media this week to
say that something needs to be done about these false prophets. Testimonies
claimed that these false prophets are making millions at the expense of the most
poor and exposed in our society. They also claim that Teachers are using their
power to abuse and sexually harass woman in the congregation. One of the victims
told for our reporter says that “false prophets are making a mockery of real
Christian values. We’re asking to the police and Human Rights Commission which
is indirectly part of the government. These fake Teachers and prophets that had
invaded the church in Ethiopia are criminals. They bought bastardizing you know
how church should be they taken advantage of women raping them, sleeping with

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them, getting them pregnant, abusing power, taking money from people they have
commercialized the church and we need to stop them. So, that’s why we’re here
today and also for the victims. just to go out there and say yes the victims their
voices need to be heard because normally in church. We’ve tried to quiet them we
push them down which is not the right thing to do.
The chairman of churches unity says that “Constitutional rights like freedom of
religion are being abused by these false teachers and prophets. It’s time for us to say
it stops the end. it goes nothing. Constitution as limitations and were saved, what is
in this memorandum today is where the mutation stats and was always reputedly
set. It’s not about the money cheating and the pet role and what am I looking there’s
something much more evil their discipline abuse. There’s an issue on the rights of
women yet is happening in churches. The majority of people in those churches are
women. It’s not by accident, women have been targeted deliberately do you
impoverish us even further to take whatever little dignity we have that is left and to
take it away. Because, you are a pastor and can tell us you talking to word and God
is telling you. I need to sleep with you. All this false prophets must be helped
through legislation to walk away and find other jobs… no no this is not the place
for them.”

False Prophets and Teachers often deviate from the traditional beliefs

It's great to see that you are interested in exploring the topic of false prophets in
Ethiopia's Protestant churches. This is indeed a fascinating topic that warrants
further examination.
To begin, it's important to note that the growth of Protestantism in Ethiopia has
been remarkable, with various denominations establishing a presence in the
country. However, with this growth, there have been instances where individuals or
groups have emerged who claim to have a special connection with God or a unique
understanding of the Bible.
These false teachers and prophets often deviate from the traditional beliefs and
practices of the Protestant churches, causing concerns within the religious
community. Some of these individuals may claim to have received divine

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revelations or messages from God, while others may promote unconventional
interpretations of the Bible.
The presence of false prophets in Ethiopia's Protestant churches has raised several
concerns. For instance, some of these individuals may be motivated by personal
gain, using their supposed divine connection to accumulate wealth and power.
Others may be driven by a desire for fame or recognition within the religious
community.
Moreover, the teachings of false prophets and teachers can lead to confusion and
division within the church. Their unconventional beliefs and practices may
contradict the traditional teachings of the Protestant churches, causing friction and
disagreements among members.
It's important to note that not all individuals who claim to have a special connection
with God or a unique understanding of the Bible are false prophets and teachers.
However, it's essential to approach such claims with caution and to carefully
evaluate them in light of the Bible's teachings and the traditional beliefs and
practices of the Protestant churches.
In conclusion, the presence of false prophets and teachers in Ketena Hulet Full
Gospel Church is a complex issue that warrants further exploration. It is crucial to
be aware of the potential risks associated with such individuals and to approach
their claims with discernment and caution.

2.1.16. Here in Ethiopia context false prophets

 Cheating believers by selling the so called anointing oil, salt, and candles.
 And cheating by changing one Ethiopian birr by hundred birr in their
churches and publicise either mainstream or social medium. And engaged in
breaking the family by their false prophesy.
Due to these false characteristics many were victims.

Here are four ways to test a prophet:

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1. Follow the money. No prophet in the Scriptures was ever rich. “What did you

go out to the desert to see?” asks Jesus about John the Baptist in Luke’s Gospel.

“Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live

sumptuously are found in royal palaces.” A true prophet does not get rich

speaking for God.

2. Who are the prophet’s friends? A true prophet is friends with the poor and the

powerless. A false prophet keeps company with the rich and powerful. Jesus

was criticized for keeping company with tax collectors and sinners. “Put no trust

in princes,” says the psalmist in Psalm 146. Prophets should not get in bed with

politicians.

3. For whom does the prophet speak? The job of the prophet is to comfort the

afflicted and afflict the comfortable. False prophets tell their congregations what

they want to hear. We can see some clergy fawning over political leaders as

others challenge them to protect the marginalized and serve the common good.

A prophet who ignores the sins of his friends is a prophet for a party, not for

God.

4. How does he speak? The words of a prophet can ring with righteous anger but

not with hate. The prophet must condemn exploitation but have compassion for

sinners. If there is no love in the prophet’s voice, then he does not speak with

the voice of God. A true prophet speaks only after listening and praying.

Religion can be a political support or a prophetic voice. History should teach

religious leaders not to get in bed with political leaders. Religious and political

leaders can work together for the common good, but they should be enriching the

community, not each other. A prophet can speak courageously about issues, but

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when he starts endorsing political parties and candidates, he is no longer speaking

for God.

So in order to confrontation the problem of false prophets and teachers; the

believers should read the word of God and pray. And to overcome the problem of

false prophets and teachers, having an open discussion on the issue using

mainstream and social media.

As a resolution option should be taken to solve the problem of false prophets and

teachers, the Ethiopian Evangelical Churches Council and the Church of Ethiopia

have established a level of agreement by holding false prophets and teachers

accountable, returning to the word of God not only the false teachers and prophets

but also create awareness for the rest of the world

2.1.17 The Origin and Presence of False Teaching

Following the true teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ is central to what it means to

be a Christian. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20), perhaps the most well-

known passage on the purpose of the church, has at its core this concept: “Go

therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I

have commanded you.” As a result, the church has always made great efforts to

teach the Bible. But efforts do not always bring about results. Interaction with

culture, difficult passages in the Bible, and the power of sin to affect the mind have

contributed to the formulation and dissemination of false or incorrect teaching.

Churches and individual believers make a serious mistake if they think to

themselves, “It can’t happen here.” Thinking we are immune to error places us in a

very dangerous position. It is exactly what the enemy wants—for us to be asleep

and unaware of his efforts to attack believers through false teaching.

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The Reality of False Teaching

False teaching is a real threat to the church. False teaching is not a threat only in

certain circumstances, or only in churches with certain governmental structures, or

only in certain places and cultures in the world. We must recognize it as a threat

because the Bible continually warns us that it is a threat. Jesus warns us that false

teachers will come from outside the community of believers, trying to hide their

true intentions (Matt. 7:15–20). Peter tells us that false teachers can also arise from

within the community of believers, bringing doctrine that is destructive and

poisonous (2 Peter 2:1). The Apostle Paul continually warned the churches that he

served that if false teachers in their midst were left unchecked, the results would be

disastrous (Gal. 1:6–9; 2 Cor. 11:1–21; 1 Tim. 6:3–5). Simply put, false teaching is

not just a problem for other people and churches out there; it is a problem about

which all believers must be vigilant and against which they must be on guard.

The Bible’s testimony about false teaching should make it clear that we are not
invulnerable to this threat. When we are tempted to think we are beyond such
threats because we have it all together, we will do well to remember the Apostle
Paul’s warning to the Corinthian church, which thought it was beyond the errors
that had sprung up during the days of Old Testament Israel: “Therefore let anyone
who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). If doctrinal
aberrations can spring up in churches that were nurtured with the teachings of the
Apostles, what makes us think we are immune? Paul had to warn the Galatians
about false teaching on the central doctrine of the faith—how man is justified
before God—when the generation of disciples that were taught directly by Jesus
was still walking the earth. How, then, can we afford to be complacent?
To be a Christian means to believe that what God says in His Word is true,
even if everyone around you disagrees.

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2.1.18 How False Teaching Enters
Since we are called to be alert to the threat of false teaching in our midst, for what

should we be looking? Should we expect someone to stand up in the middle of a

worship service and declare: “The church has had it all wrong for years and years.

Let me tell you what the Bible really teaches.” Do we expect bold declarations that

strike at the heart of the Bible’s teachings such as “God is not real” or “Jesus is not

God”? If we expect that a sudden and dramatic falsehood will enter the church, we

will not be looking in the right place. It is true that great falsehoods have been

found in the church, but not typically in a sudden fashion. The enemy of our souls

prefers a subtler approach, sowing doubts and twisting the truth to make falsehood

acceptable. After all, the first attack on man was not, “How can you possibly

believe that?” but, “Did God really say that?”

Another thing we need to remember is that false teaching does not always come

into the church as a result of deliberate attempts to deceive Christians and trick

them into denying the faith. Such tactics certainly are possible, for the New

Testament does record instances of “the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy

out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 2:4) and those who “crept in

unnoticed . . . ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness

and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). We should not be naive

and ignore signs of such attacks. But more often, the danger of false teaching comes

from other avenues. Three avenues to which we must be especially alert are the

desire to find some new and interesting teaching or doctrine, an overreaction to

other teaching errors in the church, and a desire to avoid criticism, particularly

criticism from the world around us.

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The Desire for New Teaching

Perhaps the most “innocent” way that false teaching can come into the church is

when someone attempts to find a new and innovative way to understand the Bible.

The Bible is an ancient book that pastors, elders, and scholars have studied for

millennia. It is hard to think of a biblical topic about which hundreds of books have

not been written. On the most controversial of topics, such as baptism or

eschatology, virtually every theological position has been staked out. Not every

teacher is satisfied with describing various historical interpretations or presenting

historically biblical truth in a clear and convincing fashion. For some, there is a

need to blaze a path where no one has gone before, teaching the Bible in a way that

is not dependent on any predecessor.

One example of this was John Nelson Darby, whose desire to organize the Bible

and its prophecy into a single definitive system produced what is now known as

dispensationalism. His teachings led to deviations from historical understandings of

the church, the sacraments, and, in some ways, original sin.

For others, there is a desire to solve definitively a thorny biblical issue over which

theologians have wrangled for centuries. This leads them into uncharted territory—

expressing untested ideas and interpretations of the Bible. The Jesuit scholar Luis

de Molina thought that he had discovered a way to reconcile the age-old conflict

between theologians about free will and predestination in the new teaching of

“middle knowledge.” In the end, all he accomplished was to confuse people about

God’s will and His providential care. A more modern example would be those who

have put forward the idea of “open theism” in an effort to protect God from being

accused of responsibility for evil in the world. The result has been to present a God

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who is weak, unable to provide for His people, and ultimately at the mercy of the

actions of men. We should be aware of this entry point for false teaching, both

when others come up to convince us of a great new insight that has never been

heard before and when we are tempted to make a name for ourselves with some

new teaching. It is far better to be thought of as boring when we stand fast and

“contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints”

(Jude 3).

Overreaction to Error

A second way that false teaching can enter the church is when teachers try

overzealously to protect the church from error. By saying “overzealously,” I am

referring not to the mere effort made to protect the church from error, but rather to

the extent to which some go in the name of protecting the church. The greatest and

most precious truths of the Bible have been explained and understood with great

care throughout the centuries. Doctrines such as the Trinity, the person of Christ,

and the relationship between faith and works have been developed from an

understanding of the totality of Scripture and with the knowledge that there are

equal and opposite errors that someone can fall into. In The Pilgrim’s Progress,

John Bunyan described the Christian’s journey through the Valley of the Shadow of

Death as walking between two dangers: a deep ditch on the right, and a dangerous

quag on the left. If one moves too sharply in one direction to avoid one danger, one

can fall into the other opposite danger.

Perhaps the best historical example of this is the way that false teaching on the

person of Christ came into the church. In trying to understand how Christ can be

both human and divine, Nestorius and his followers taught a sharp division in Christ

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that essentially made Him two persons, one human and one divine. The church took

issue with this teaching and condemned it at the First Council of Ephesus. But in an

overzealous attempt to correct the Nestorian error, Eutyches and his followers

taught that the way to avoid conceiving of two persons in Christ was to understand

the divinity of Christ as overwhelming the humanity of Christ, essentially denying

His true humanity. They had successfully avoided one false teaching only to fall

headlong into another. Another example is when various false teachers throughout

history have sought to deal with the supposed problem of tritheism in the doctrine

of the Trinity (that the doctrine appears to teach there are three Gods). From

Sabellius in the third century, to Michael Servetus during the Reformation, to

oneness theologians today, attempts to “ensure” that the church teaches monotheism

have often resulted in false teaching about the Trinity.

The Desire to Avoid Criticism

A third way that false teaching enters the church is when teachers are overly

desirous to avoid criticism, especially when that criticism comes from the

surrounding culture. This is where human nature, especially our sinful pride, comes

in. People do not like to be thought of as ignorant, uncultured, or uneducated. They

do not enjoy being looked down on by others for things they believe or say. And yet

this is a fundamental part of being a Christian.

To be a Christian means to believe that what God says in His Word is true even if

everyone around you disagrees. “Let God be true though every one were a liar,” the

Bible tells us (Rom. 3:4). Martin Luther put it with his characteristic wit: “One with

God is a majority.” But often this is easier said than done. Teachers within the

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church can become afraid that they will have no effect on the world around them

unless they teach in a way that is acceptable to the culture.

It was this way of thinking that led to a departure from the biblical truth about the

atonement and Christ’s sacrifice. Cries against “cosmic child abuse” and a “harsh,

vengeful Father” have led some to teach against the substitutionary atonement of

Christ. This, in turn, has led to the redefinition of sin, repentance, and holiness.

Once the thread starts to unravel, the whole cloth begins to tear.

Another example of this tendency is the way that teachers within the church have

shied away from the biblical doctrine of creation as set forth in Genesis 1–2, Isaiah

40, and Colossians 1, among other places. Rather than seem to go against a

scientific “consensus,” such teachers will deny that God is the Creator of all things.

What is especially dangerous is that false teaching can come into the church from

the culture because people have good intentions—they want to reach the lost, so

they try to remove anything that they think is a barrier. We should not make a point

of intentionally attacking our neighbors, but we must also never be afraid to stand

on the Word of God—even when such a stand is unpopular. That also means we

must be wary of those within the church who are constantly trying to accommodate

the latest cultural thinking.

Church discipline upholds the glory of Christ and His truth and protects the people

of God from error and its consequences.

2.1.19 How False Teaching Takes Root

We have seen some of the ways that false teaching arises in the church. How, then,

does it take root and continue, despite being contrary to the truth of God’s Word

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and the mission of the church? If we can see how false teaching spreads and

becomes accepted, we will be more prepared to confront it. There are a variety of

factors involved here, but for brevity’s sake, let us look at three: one educational,

one institutional, and one related to leadership.

One of the most common contributors to the spread of false teaching in the church

is a general lack of Bible knowledge and discernment among the people. It might

seem counterintuitive to say that students should be able to correct teachers when

they bring falsehood into the church, but that is exactly what the Bible teaches us.

When Paul was in Berea, his teaching was not merely accepted on his own

authority, but his listeners examined it daily by the Scriptures to see whether it was

true (Acts 17:11). For this, they were praised by Luke as being “more noble.” All

believers must read the Scriptures for themselves and compare what is being taught

to the Scriptures. This does not require a radical skepticism, but it does mean that

believers are not to unhesitatingly trust every word of mere men. They are to trust

only the Scriptures in such a way. A problem arises when believers do not have the

willingness or the ability to search the Scriptures for themselves. This leads to a

dependence on human authority and allows false teaching to take root and spread.

The educational goal of the church should be not just to transmit knowledge of the

Bible but also to transmit a love for the Bible and an eagerness to study it.

A second contributor to the spread of false teaching is institutional—the failure to

hold people accountable for their false teaching. It has often been noted that there

are three marks of the true church: the right preaching of the Word, the right

administration of the sacraments, and the exercise of discipline. The third mark

exists to make sure the first two marks are maintained. When the church turns a

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blind eye to false teaching because its proponents are popular or have “successful

ministries” (one thinks of more people or more money), or simply to avoid conflict

in the church, it allows false teaching to spread and to be the source of further

division and conflict. Church discipline exists to uphold the glory of Christ and His

truth and also to protect the people of God from error and its consequences.

There is a third contributor to the advance of false teaching in the church, and it is

related to leadership. Even when the people of God are eager to study His Word and

the church is prepared to exercise discipline, false teaching can flourish when the

leadership of the church is ill prepared and poorly trained. The lower we set our

standards for training pastors and elders for the ministry, the less prepared they will

be to recognize false teaching. Pastors and elders who are untrained in historical

theology will miss the reappearance of ancient false teaching in modern clothing.

Those who have not been trained well in the Bible, its languages, and principles of

its sound interpretation may fall prey to novel teachings that seem to explain away

problems or contradictions. To combat false teaching, the church needs pastors,

elders, and teachers who are both willing and able to confront falsehood (Titus 2:8;

1 Peter 2:15).

2.1.20 What We Can Do About False Teaching

False teaching is a danger to the church of Jesus Christ, and it can arise from

different quarters and flourish if not confronted. How does knowing the origin and

presence of false teaching help us combat it? Briefly put, such knowledge keeps us

from being complacent about false teaching and the danger it presents. Being aware

of where false teaching comes from keeps us alert. And perhaps most importantly,

if we are mindful of false teaching, we will be driven to study our Bibles more and

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more, to be prepared to stand for the truth that the Lord has given to us and

impresses on our hearts by the work of the Holy Spirit. Matt. 7: 15-20

The danger of false prophets

After warning His hearers about the danger of the broad way, Jesus now warns

them about the danger of false prophets. These are men and women who stand by

the broad road that leads to destruction and encourage people to enter into it. The

fact that Jesus warns us about these people reveals that the danger they pose toward

humanity is real. Jesus knew that it was imperative to warn us about false prophets.

Our society does not think it is appropriate to label someone as a false teacher.

Sadly, the mindset has crept into the church as well. In our attempt to offend no

one, we are hurting everyone. It is not politically correct to make a judgment on

someone for their moral or spiritual actions. As believers, we should expect that

type of thinking from the world. As believers, however, we should be devastated

that that mind-set has come into the church.

We are people of the book. That being said, we should govern our actions and

teaching by the book. Let’s consider what the Bible has to say about false teachers:

 In Deuteronomy 13:1-5 the Bible tells us that we can determine if a prophet

is true or

false not by the miracles he does but by his doctrine. If his teaching causes a

person to follow after other gods he is a false prophet.

 In Jeremiah 5:31 the prophet says “The prophets prophesy falsely… and my

people love

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 to have it so”.

 In Matthew 24: 11 Jesus said “And many false prophets shall rise and

deceive many”.

 2 John 7 says “For many deceivers are entered into the world who confess

not that Jesus

Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and is an antichrist”.

 2 Peter 2:1 says “But there were false prophets among the people even as

there shall be

false teachers among you… And many shall follow their pernicious ways”.

2 Corinthians 11: 26 says that there are false brothers in the church, 2 Corinthians

11:13 says that there are false apostles, 2 Peter 2:1 says there are false teachers,

Matthew 24:24 says there are false Christ’s, and Galatians 1:9 speaks of a false

gospel.

False teachers are a real threat to the kingdom of God and therefore they must be

identified. What makes it difficult to identify the false prophet is his deceptiveness.

Some false teachers are obvious. They make no reference to the Bible or Jesus

Christ. They are not in sheep’s clothing at all. They openly reject Christ and His

church. We should be concerned about tem but we should be more concerned about

the wolves in sheep clothing.

The greatest threat to a sheep in the culture Jesus lived was wolves. The fact that

Jesus calls them ravening reveals that He knew what a wolf would do to a sheep. A

wolf would tear apart a sheep and devour it. In order to get to the sheep the wolf

had to be sneaky and cunning. He would hunt under the cover of darkness, slip into

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the fold and then destroy as many sheep as he could. The wolf was mot dangerous

when he was among the fold.

The fact that the false prophets are in sheep’s clothing shows their deception.

Shepherds usually made their clothing from the wool they got from their sheep. It

was easy to identify a shepherd because he would be wearing wool clothing. The

false prophet robes himself in the clothing of the shepherd so he can get close to the

sheep. Satan transforms his ministers into angels of light, 2 Cor. 11:15 tells us. The

false prophet will come into the church as a leader among the sheep. He will appear

outwardly to be a shepherd. He may wear the clothing of a preacher.

He may speak the language of a preacher. He may do the work of a preacher. The

reality is that he is a wolf on the inside.

Notice also that the false prophet will “come to you”. He is looking for a pulpit and

an audience. He is roaming abut seeking whom he may destroy. For the church to

allow such men and women to enter into the realm of Christianity is very

dangerous. False prophets must be identified and pointed out before they get a hold

of the sheep.

2.1.21 A description of the false prophet

Jesus tells us that are able to discern a false prophet by the fruit he brings forth. He

explains that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce

good fruit. Good fruit are the teachings and actions that proceed out of a good heart,

one that has been changed by God’s grace. Bad fruit is the teachings and actions

that proceed from the corrupt heart of an unredeemed person. We identify good and

false teachers through their doctrine and character.

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In verse 16 Jesus tells us that we do not gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs

from thistles. Thistles are weedy plants with prickly leaves and stems. From a

distance a thorn bush may look like a grape vine and a thistle may look like a fig

tree. As we draw close to it, we are able to see the tree for what it is. It is sometimes

difficult to see, however. It is possible for a person to take grapes and stick them on

a thorn bush or to take figs and fasten them to a thistle. The tree may than appear to

be bearing fruit.

False teachers sometimes appear to have fruit. They have certain virtues in their life

that may appear to be fruit. They have followers that sometimes may even be real

believers that appear to be fruit they are bearing. The truth is that the apparent fruit

does not come from the Spirit of God. It is simply attached to their branches

through human effort, as a person may attach grapes to a thorn bush.

Consider this true story. There was a preacher who had at least one thousand

followers here in America. He was involved in evangelism and many ministries in

the name of Jesus. He counselled prisoners and juvenile delinquents. He started a

job placement centre. He opened up rest homes and homes for the mentally

handicapped. He started a health clinic and a vocational training centre. He gave

free legal aid and founded a community centre. Sounds like a good guy. Many

ministers would have loved to have a ministry that size and be involved with so

many community outreaches. The man I am describing is Jim Jones. In 1978 he and

914 of his followers committed mass suicide in a community they built together in

South America. Jim Jones appeared to have fruit. He had followers. He had

ministry. In the end, however, he proved to be a tool of Satan, leading people

astray.

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The Destiny of false prophets

Jesus says that the false prophet will be hewn down and cast into the fire. This, of

course, speaks of the judgment of hell. 2 Peter 2:3 says that “their damnation

slumbered not”. The false prophet does not believe he/she is going to hell. They are

deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13 says they are “deceiving and being deceived”. As we see

in verses 21-23 they will cry out to the Lord proclaiming all they have done for

Him. Jesus will tell them that He never knew them, however.

False teachers will pay a high price for their actions. They have not only taken

themselves to hell, they have taken many other with them. They have caused people

to stumble and miss the grace of God. They will remember this for all of eternity.

It is imperative that we identify false prophets and mark them as deceivers. We

need to remember that not every bush with beautiful fruit is safe. Some of that

beautiful fruit can kill a person if it is ingested. It is our responsibility to point out

those poisonous plants before men and women are deceived and cast into the fire

with them. We do this simply by living and teaching the truth of the gospel

message.

In conclusion, I do hope that we will examine our own hearts. We need to make

sure that the wool we are wearing is not just a uniform. We need to be certain that

our belief system comes from the Bible and that our fruit comes from the Holy

Spirit. We should also cling to doctrine. We should hold high the Scripture and

search it for the truth of God. As we do this we guard our own hearts and are able to

guide others into the truth that saves and seta free.

2.1.22 Some of False Prophets and Teachers Characteristics

1. False Prophets and Teachers are Men-Pleasers

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False teachers are men-pleasers (Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:1-4). They preach more to

please the ear than to profit the heart: 'which say to the seers, See not; and to the

prophets, Prophecy no unto us right things: speak to us smooth things; prophecy

deceits'' (Isa. 30:10). 'A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land: the

prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and my people

love to have it so. And what will you do in the end thereof?' (Jer. 5:30,31). They

handle holy things rather with wit and dalliance (playful come-on) then with fear

and reverence. False teachers are soul-undoers. They are like evil chirurgeons, that

skin over the wound, but never heal it. Flattery undid Ahab and Herod, Nero and

Alexander. False teachers are hell's greatest enrichers. Non acerb, sad bland, Not

bitter, but flattering words do all the mischief, said Valerian, the Roman emperor.

Such smooth teachers are sweet soul-poisoners (Jer. 23:16,17).

2. False Prophets and Teaches Throw Dirt at Christ's People

False teachers are notable in casting dirt, scorn, and reproach upon the persons,

names, and credits of Christ's most faithful ambassadors. Thus Korah, Dathan, and

Abiram charged Moses and Aaron that they took too much upon them, seeing all

the congregation was holy (Num. 16:3). You take too much state, too much power,

too much honour, too much holiness upon you; for what are you more than others,

that you take so much upon you? And so Ahab's false prophets fell foul on good

Micaiah, paying of him with blows for want of better reasons (1 Kings 22:10-26).

Yea, Paul, that great apostle of the Gentiles, had his ministry undermined and his

reputation blasted by false teachers: 'For his letters'' say they, 'are weighty and

powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and contemptible' (2 Cor. 10:10). They

rather contemn him than admire him; they look upon him as a dunce rather than a

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doctor. And the same hard measure had our Lord Jesus from the Scribes and

Pharisees, who laboured as for life to build their own credit upon the ruins of his

reputation. And never did the devil drive a more full trade this way than he does in

these days (Matt. 27:63). Oh! the dirt, the filth, the scorn that is thrown upon those

whom the world is not worthy. I suppose false teachers mind not that saying of

Austin, Quisquis volens detrahit famae, nolens addit mercedi meae, He that

willingly takes from my good name, unwillingly adds to my reward.

3. False Prophets and Teachers are Driven by Their Own Heads and

Hearts

False teachers are venter’s of the devices and visions of their own heads and

hearts. 'Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent

then not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophecy

unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their

heart (Jer. 14:14); 'Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Harken not unto the words of the

prophets that prophecy unto you; they make you vain: they speak a vision of their

own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord' (Jer. 23:16). Are there not

multitudes in this nation whose visions are but golden delusions, lying vanities,

brain-sick phantasies? These are Satan's great benefactors, and such as divine

justice will hang up in hell as the greatest malefactors, if the physician of souls does

not prevent it.

4. False Prophets and Teachers Pass Over the Law and the Gospel
for Other
Things

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 False teachers easily pass over the great and weighty things both of law and

gospel, and stand most upon those things that are of the least moment and

concernment to the souls of men. 'Now the end of the commandment is charity out

of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned; from which some

have swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the

law, and understand neither what they say nor whereof they affirm' (1 Tim. 1:5-7).

'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise

and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and

faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone' (Matt. 23:2,3).

False teachers are nice in the lesser things of the law, and as negligent in the

greater. 'If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the

words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,

he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife of words,

whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising’s, perverse disputing’s of men

corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such

withdraw thyself' (1 Tim. 6:3-5). If such teachers are not hypocrites in grain, I know

nothing, Romans 2:22. The earth groans to bear them, and hell is fitted for them,

Matt. 24:32.

5. False Prophets and Teachers use Clever Language and

Appearances to Disguise
Themselves
False teachers cover and colour their dangerous principles and soul-impostures with

very fair speeches and plausible pretences, with high notions and golden

expressions. Many in these days are bewitched and deceived, viz. illumination,

revelation, deification, fiery triple city, &c.

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 As strumpets paint their faces, and deck and perfume their beds, the better to allure

and deceive simple souls (Gal. 6:12; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rom. 16:17,18; Mat.

16:6,11,12; 7:15), so false teachers will put a great deal of paint and garnish upon

their most dangerous principles and blasphemies, that they may the better deceive

and delude poor ignorant souls. They know sugared poison goes down sweetly; they

wrap up their pernicious, soul-killing pills in gold.

6. False Prophets and Teachers Strive to Win People to Their

Opinions by Winning Debates
False teachers strive more to win over men to their opinions, than to better them in

their conversations. 'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye

compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him

twofold more the child of hell than yourselves' (Matt. 24:17). They busy themselves

most about men's heads. Their work is not to better men's hearts, and mend their

lives; and in this they are very much like their father the devil, who will spare no

pains to gain proselytes.

7. False Prophets and Teachers Gain from Their Followers

False teachers make merchandise of their followers. 'But there were false prophets

also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who

privacy shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them,

and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their

pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And

through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:

whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbered

not' (2 Peter 2:1-3). They eye your goods more than your good; and mind more the

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serving of themselves, than the saving of your souls. So they may have your

substance, they care not though Satan has your souls (Rev. 18:11-13). That they

may the better pick your purse, they will hold forth such principles as are very

indulgent to the flesh. False teachers are the great worshippers of the golden calf

(Jer. 6:13).

Now, by these characters you may know them, and so shun them, and deliver your

souls out of their dangerous snares; which that you may, my prayers shall meet-

yours at the throne of grace.

2.1.23. Characteristics of false prophets and teachers on a global trend

What are the characteristics of a false prophet? How do we identify a false prophet?

Jesus warned us several times to beware of false prophets and teachers. Christ

Himself taught us that we would be able to judge, discern or identify the

characteristics of a false prophet by their fruit. In the Bible a false prophet is a

person who spreads false teachings or false prophecies while claiming to speak on

behalf of God. We live in a world where many self-proclaimed prophets have

uttered many failed prophecies. Some have had the audacity to predict a specific

date concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ. Others have made failed

prophecies about the outcome of political elections, to making failed predictions

about the end of the Covid-19 coronavirus. For example late church leader and self-

proclaimed prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua popularly known as TB Joshua

falsely prophesied that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 American Election

when he tweeted the following: “I want to tell you what i saw. I saw the new

President of America with a narrow win. And the new president will be facing

challenges over many issues, including attempted vote of no confidence. In order

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not to keep you in suspense, i frankly saw a woman. “In 2020 a few months after

the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in China, TB Joshua falsely prophesied that the

Covid-19 coronavirus would disappear by 27 March 2020. However this prophecy

did not come to pass. TB Joshua was quoted as saying: “This month, 27th, it will be

over. By the end of this month, whether we like it or not it will go the way it came.

If it is not medicine that brought it to the world, then medicine cannot take it out.”

These are a few examples of false prophesies which have been made by the likes of

the late TB Joshua and many other self-proclaimed prophets that exist in the world

today. From deceased false prophets such as Charles T Russell, William M

Branham, Ellen G White, and Joseph Smith to various living televangelists in the

Word of Faith and NAR movement, there are many false prophets around the world

who have made many false predictions whilst claiming to speak for God.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 says: And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the

word that the Lord has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the

Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord

has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid

of him. According to Deuteronomy 18:21-22 and similar scriptures, a true prophet

of God must utter prophecies that are 100% accurate every time. Therefore a true

prophet of God should never utter a false prophecy if he/she claims to speak for

God because God’s character is that He cannot lie and He does not speak in error.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 says: If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with

the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with

godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing… imagining that

godliness is a means of gain.1 John 4:1 says: Beloved, do not believe every spirit,

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but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have

gone out into the world. We are encouraged by God Himself to practice

discernment. We should test the spirits and distinguish between good and evil. We

have God’s authority to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) who used the Scriptures to

distinguish false teachings from true teachings. Why? Because our spiritual life is at

stake. The souls of many who follow deception and false teachers are headed for

destruction where there is a failure to distinguish between good and evil. Jeremiah

23:16 says: Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets

who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own

minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.”

2.1.24 False prophesy in USA presidency

Although 55% of the Republicans polled on June 6 and 7, 2022 said they believed

the January 6, 2021 riot was led by violent left-wing protesters, nearly all of the 840

people arrested following the attack have been Trump supporters, according to U.S.

prosecutors, and FBI Director Christopher Wray has said there was no evidence

leftist extremists disguised themselves as Trump supporters during the attack.

More than 840 US Capitol rioters have been arrested in nearly every US state and

Washington DC. The Justice Department says over 800 of them have been charged

with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. More than 250+ riot defendants have

pleaded guilty, mostly to nonviolent misdemeanours.

Robert Palmer is the 65th defendant of the 840+ charged to be sentenced in the

assault on the US Capitol. Like many others he realized too late that he had been

misled by fake news and false prophets. Palmer said in a handwritten letter to the

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judge that he felt betrayed by Trump and his allies who fed them conspiracy

theories.

According to the Hebrew Bible a false prophet is one who pretends to speak for

God but in reality speaks for himself and is moved by his own intentions, emotions

and political commitments. (Jeremiah 14:13–15; 23; Ezekiel 13:2, 3, 10, 11).

Yet today’s False Prophets are getting more popular ,and had a religious hand in

motivating the terrible events at the US Capitol according to Brad Christerson, a

professor of sociology, at Biola University, a nationally ranked private Christian

university in Southern California and a member of the Council for Christian

Colleges.

Professor Christenson has written a very perceptive article (in The Conversation)

about the self-proclaimed ‘prophets’ from a small but growing evangelical Christian

movement who provided religious motivation for the January 6 events at the US

Capitol. Since they think Donald Trump is God’s chosen candidate, they believe

any other candidate, no matter what the vote totals show, is illegitimate.

Many white evangelical leaders have provided religious justification and undying

support for Trump’s presidency, including his most racially incendiary rhetoric and

policies. But Professor Christenson argues that a particular segment of white

evangelicalism that he and his colleague Richard Flory call Independent Network

Charismatic, played a unique role in providing a spiritual justification for the

movement to overturn President Biden’s election, which resulted in the storming of

the Capitol.

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Independent Network Charismatic Christianity is a group of high-profile

independent leaders detached from any formal denomination yet cooperating with

one another in loose networks.

In the days and hours leading up to the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6,

2021 the group Jericho March organized marches around the Capitol and Supreme

Court building praying for God to defeat the “dark and corrupt” forces that they

claimed, had stolen the election from God’s anointed president – Donald Trump.

Jericho March is a loose coalition of Christian nationalists formed after the 2020

presidential election with the goal of overturning its results. Jericho March’s main

activity is organizing prayer marches around state Capitol buildings throughout the

country after the election.

By imitating the “battle of Jericho” in the Bible when God commanded the army of

his chosen people, the nation of Israel, to blow rams horn trumpets and then march

around the Jericho city walls until God brought the walls down, so Israel could

conquer the city, Jericho March members believe their prayer marches will help

defeat the corrupt forces they claim, “stole” the election.

Some of the Jericho marchers even carried ram’s horns, 10-18 inches long, or the

more distinctive 3-4 foot long spiral Kudu Yemenite Shofar Horn which costs

$125-200. These marchers are generally Independent Network Charismatic

Christians and are very rarely Jews.

Before the 2016 election a group of Independent Network Charismatic “prophets”

proclaimed Trump to be God’s chosen candidate, similar to King Cyrus in the

Bible, whom God used to restore the nation of Israel to the Land of Israel.

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After their prophesies of Trump’s winning the 2016 election came true, these

“prophets” became enormously popular in Independent Network Charismatic

Christianity. According to the World Christian Database there are now over 36

million people attending U.S. independent Charismatic churches – that is, churches

not affiliated with any traditional Protestant denomination.

Independent Network Charismatic promotes a form of Christian nationalism the

primary goal of which is not to build congregations or to convert individuals, but to

bring heaven or God’s intended perfect society to Earth by placing “kingdom-

minded people” in powerful positions at the top of all sectors of society.

Professor Christerson writes that many of those referred to as prophets in

Independent Network Charismatic Christianity predicted another Trump victory in

2020. After Trump lost the election, they did not recant their prophecies, but

adopted Trump’s conspiratorial rhetoric that the election

was fraudulent. Many believe that demonic forces have stolen the election but can

still be defeated through prayer.

Yet Jesus had warned his followers in the Gospel of Matthew: "Beware of false

prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening

wolves." (Matthew 7:15) and "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive

many [believers].” (Matthew 24:11)

So we all should watch out: ”For there shall arise false Messiahs, and false

prophets, and (they) shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were

possible, they shall deceive the very elect (themselves)” (Matthew 24:24)

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False Prophets

Chris Moen said that Throughout history people have claimed to be prophets sent

with divine messages. Which of these claims are true? How can you recognize

false prophets?

Four tests to prove whether a prophet is true

We need to carefully consider God’s Word—the Bible—in order to discern between

false and true prophets. The Bible provides four tests to determine the genuineness

of a prophet.

Does the conduct of the prophet reflect godly character?

Jesus and the apostles warned many times about deceptive prophets. In the Sermon

on the Mount Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s

clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their

fruits” (Matthew 7:15-17)

These prophets can be identified by their “fruits”—a term used metaphorically by

Jesus to describe one’s actions and character. The law of God is the only standard

we have to determine whether someone’s fruits are good or bad. True prophets will

live in accordance with God’s law.

Do the predictions of the prophet come true?

Moses instructed ancient Israel: “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).
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The Bible gives a few exceptions. It shows that God has the prerogative to change

His mind, as was the case with Jonah’s prophecies about Nineveh (Jonah 3:10).

Also, this does not mean that God’s true servants couldn’t be wrong about timing,

as Paul was in assuming he would be alive at Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:15).

Except in circumstances like these, if a prophet’s predictions do not come to pass,

then he or she is not a true prophet. Are the words of the prophet consistent

with Scripture? God explained to those who foolishly seek knowledge from

mediums and wizards, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak

according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19-20).

Peter declared that the apostles could truthfully attest to many fulfilled Bible

prophecies concerning the life and deeds of Jesus Christ. “For we did not follow

cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our

Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty . . . And we have the

prophetic word made more sure” (2 Peter 1:16, 19, Revised Standard Version).

Peter also stated that true prophets do not speak their own words. As Peter wrote,

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,

for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they

were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20, emphasis added).

Do the people benefit spiritually from the prophet’s ministry?

God’s desire was that ancient Israel would serve as a model nation and represent

Him to the nations around them. Israel would be blessed as it fulfilled God’s

expectation.

With this background, God warned His people, “‘Behold, I am against those who

prophesy false dreams,’ says the LORD, ‘and tell them, and cause My people to err

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by their lies and by their irresponsibility. Yet I did not send them or command

them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah

23:32; also read verses 13-14).

The results of a prophet’s ministry can also indicate whether this person is a false or

true prophet.

God explains why some people love to listen to lies and fables

God exposed prophets who spoke lies as “an astonishing and horrible thing” and

noted that “the prophets prophesy falsely . . . and My people love to have it so”

(Jeremiah 5:30-31). Why would people listen to them?

Before the apostle Paul’s death, he predicted that some brethren would be easily led

astray by false teachers. “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” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

2.1.25. How Self-Proclaimed Prophets Compromise Human Security

As noted by one scholar, false prophets rob and steal from the people. They speak
lies and utter vain prophecies and visions, leading people astray. They draw people
to themselves, claiming to have a special relationship with God, but they lie and
deceive the people. They claim to know everything about a person, but they lie and
know nothing! They sleep with married women and break the hearts of single
women. They destroy homes and families, marriages, businesses, and destinies, yet
they are mere diviners and sorcerers. The growing cancer of bogus prophets has
negatively impacted human security because many Africans are religious. People
have been exploited financially, sexually even psychologically, all in God's name,
which has slowed down sustainable development. The few con artists' antics
pretentiously parading themselves as "servants of God" have resulted in many
unsuspecting congregants being abused and exploited.

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False prophets have used the same faith drawing the people to God to exploit them
hence causing a catastrophic disaster of human insecurity that continues to threaten
sustainable Christianity serving as a reasonable force shaping lives.
Self-proclaimed prophets, instead of focusing on the true Gospel 'earnestly
contending for the faith which was delivered unto the saints,' proclaim and preach
gospels that have nothing to do with the issue of salvation. In the process, it is noted
that many sincere people are deceived and led astray, and with time they eventually
take the easy fairytale path far from reality that leads them to destruction. The
religious, especially Christians who constitute most of Africa's population, face a
risk of exploitation and abuse by a few con artists who care less about the region's
development. In that vein of analysis, it is also noted that some people, for instance,
have even gone to the extent of abandoning their medicines and medical advice due
to the false hope prophesied by con artists. Some even allow themselves to be
sexually violated in the name of exorcising demons and administering spiritual
help. As a result, human security from preventable threats has continuously been
compromised, which has led Africa to lag in achieving sustainable development
goals.
Gospreneuers (those who have turned religion into cash-spinning businesses), for
instance, are presenting their magic as prophecies to enhance or promote their work,
yet in fact, they are lining their pockets and subsequently living large at the expense
of the same poor they purport to serve and save. While the poor are becoming
poorer and poorer, even in the soul, the self-styled prophets live lavishly, which has
caused an economic security crisis that has crippled sustainable development in the
region. Due to the prosperity gospel preached by the false prophets and pastors, a
significant number of Christians are tricked into believing, hence digging deep into
their torn pockets to put something on the table for the bogus prophets to eat. This is
done to exchange false hopes, promises, and magic attributed to God yet far from
God. Due to that factor, false prophets and pastors have compromised human
security to a greater extent.
Many cases across the region of sexual abuse, rape, and harassment perpetrated by
bogus prophets have been reported. As women become the predominant followers
of these religious leaders, sexual exploitation of vulnerable women by male

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religious leaders, often called prophets, has become commonplace. Stories of
women being sexually exploited with the promise of 'spiritual cleansing' by their
prophets abound; similarly, stories of the sexually exploited women handing in their
daughters and recommending their friends to also have sexual encounters with their
pastors for the said reason are equally heard. In Nigeria, one woman is quoted to
have claimed that;
"He told me my waist and private parts had been ravaged by a demon." Only God
knows what the prophet did next to exorcise the alleged Demon. In South Africa,
rape and fraud scandals involving fake pastors have also been on the rise, with high-
profile cases in recent months involving disgraced pastors and prophets.27
Emanating from that factor, it can be reasonably pointed out that women in Africa
have been highly exposed to sexual exploitation by fake pastors and prophets.
Religion in Africa is strongly intertwined with other aspects of life, including
culture, politics, art, and philosophy, and due to that factor; the impact made by
false prophets through staged miracles and fake prophecies affects not only one part
of the people's lives but also the other aspects of life including philosophy, culture,
and reality. As scholars have repeatedly pointed out, African cosmology does not
separate the spiritual from the non-spiritual; therefore, economic, medical, and
cultural spheres of reality are open to multiple interpretations. 28 According to one
scholar, religion can influence socio-political and economic processes in Africa,
and if it is positive, it could ameliorate poverty and corruption by assisting with the
socio-political and economic transformation of the continent.29On the other hand,
due to false prophets' cancer, religion can negatively influence the same factors.
Since political and socio-economic activities are often flavoured with religious
expressions and rituals. 30Misguided doctrines and interpretations in social,
political, and economic fields based on the false gospel become a threat, thus
compromising human security and sustainable development.
Some other self-proclaimed prophets in deceiving people are also hazardous to
health, promoting health insecurity in Africa. An example of such hazardous
methods is used by a self-proclaimed prophet based in South Africa to make
congregants drink petrol and eat grass because of his claim that humans can eat and
drink anything by faith.31In Zimbabwe, an unmarried woman and her mother died

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after they allegedly drank a lethal concoction given to them by a self-proclaimed
prophet with the claim that it would cleanse their stomachs and induce
vomiting.32Many have gone through similar incidences that cost them even their
lives, which is an on-going practice. People's health has been compromised by false
prophets in the region claiming to have powers to cure diseases hence preventing
believers from seeking medical attention. Many have neglected taking medicines or
seeking medical attention due to faith in their church leader's works, resulting in
faith deaths and preventable diseases escalating to fatal complications.
In the same vein of analysis, it is also noted that during the present COVID-19 era,
false prophets have also invoked religious ideology to confront the virus, assuring
followers and devotees that faith offers adequate protection33 this has arguably
undermined the precautions set by medical experts. In a time when fact-based
action is critical to curbing the contagion, false prophets have raised concerns over
the danger of spreading false hope and misinformation to achieve their desires yet
endangering the people Self-proclaimed prophets, therefore, as shown by the
evidence above, have become a severe threat to health security in the region.
Selected Trending Cases Threatening Human Security in Africa In February 2019, a
South African-based prophet allegedly raised a man from the dead at a funeral
ceremony held in his church. Although he claimed the man was dead, the man in
the coffin, after scrutiny, was discovered to be alive and breathing. Thousands of
people were deceived into believing the prophet had special powers from God and
willingly offered their little earned savings hence living them more impoverished
and more vulnerable to the harsh circumstances of life. This has become a vicious
cycle in the African region, counteracting development economically, socially, and
even politically.
Ghanaian self-proclaimed prophet Nana Poke claimed to conduct deliverance in his
church through kissing female church members to exorcise demons. The
controversial pastor is seen on video holding and kissing one of his female members
passionately in the name of removing demons. According to the Prophet, the spirit
works in different ways, which include kissing female congregants. While other
church members looked on, Prophet Poku is seen in 28 seconds video footage
kissing the woman deeply while one of the church elders kept shouting: "Yes Lord,

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Yes Lord." Many people have been exploited in Africa, as evident by this case
study in the name of God yet far from God.
In 2014, a South African self-proclaimed prophet Lesage Daniel of Ribbon Centre
Ministries, encouraged his followers to eat grass to "be closer to God."38The
inhuman act shocked people worldwide following the viral video footage of dozens
of people dropping to the ground to eat grass after Lasego claimed it would draw
them closer to God. In another incident, the self-styled prophet urged his followers
to drink petrol after alleging that he had changed it to pineapple juice. Some even
went to the extent of claiming that the petrol tasted like pineapple juice due to their
faith and trust in the alleged man of God. Self-proclaimed prophets have therefore
Emanating from that factor; it can be pointed out that the controversial methods,
which also include Lasego Daniel walking on his followers, have drawn criticism
and have shown how churches have also used people's desperate situation to abuse
them hence compromising human security.
Another 'prophet stepped on people to perform deliverance and commanded the
congregation to eat hair, cloth, and other items he claimed to have changed into
food. 40The self-proclaimed prophet took deliverance to a whole new level and has
been in the limelight following his unusual claims and performances. The prophet is
noted for praying over pieces of cloth, wrapping paper, or someone's hair and then
tells his congregation that it is food. People then come forward, eat, and proclaim
the hair or cloth tastes like Macaroni and Cheese, as shown in the quoted article.
Photos have also circulated on social media platforms showing the man publicly
abusing his congregants by dropping snakes into the mouths of people during a
deliverance session. As video footage and photos circulated, it was noted that he
ridiculously claimed that under his order, God had turned the snakes into chocolate,
and people accepted it and ate just because he is a supposed man of God.
Self-proclaimed prophets have become a severe threat to human security in Africa.
The public has also been reduced to become puppets in the hands of a few con
artists hiding with the name of God.
2.1.26 God’s warning to false prophets

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So harmful were false prophets to the nation of Israel that God warned through

Moses, “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have

not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet

shall die” (Deuteronomy 18:20).

And as we have already noted, Peter explained that false prophets had come in the

past and that false teachers would continue to come with harmful messages filled

with lies. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will

be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even

denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2

Peter 2:1).

A test from God. It is important to consider one additional point regarding people

who claim to be a prophet. God said that even if a prophet’s predictions were to

come true, people were not to follow this person if he or she advocated the worship

of another God.

“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a

sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to

you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us

serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of

dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the

LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 13:1-3).

This same test could occur in our day. The apostle John warned, “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. By this you know the Spirit of God” (1

John 4:1-2).

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God is merciful and kind to reveal the future in advance through His true prophets.

Use the information above to make sure you are not deceived by false ones.

True and False Prophets and Prophecies

THE BIBLE has much to say about prophets and prophecies. Prophets and

prophecies have had a huge influence in the lives of God’s people over the

centuries. Therefore it is very important that we learn to discern the difference

between true and false prophets and prophecies, because the “fruit” of prophetic

utterances ~ when believed ~ have a very big impact upon our lives. This book is a

self-explanatory one taken directly from the Scriptures (the basis of which is taken

from the King James Bible) and came about as a result of an evening studying

Nehemiah 6 at one of our “Equipping Station” nights at “The GFM” Ministry. May

you be helped to see the difference between true and false prophets and prophecies,

and be wide-awake to discerning and knowing those differences.

2.1.27 False Prophets and teachers in a new testament

The Prophetic Sees through False Religious Veneers

Matthew 7:21-23: Jesus declared there would be those who prophesied in His name,

yet He never knew them! Mark 7:1-13: The prophetic sees through the false

religious veneers in people. The Prophet Isaiah (29:13) saw in the Spirit how

hypocrisy manifests itself. Jesus picked up on Isaiah’s prophecy and taught from it

that:

 Hypocrites honour God with their lips, but not their hearts (v.6).

 Their worship is vain (“foolish and fruitless” – Bullinger’s) (v.7).

 They teach the commandments of men more than God (v.7-8).

 They hold to the traditions of men (v.8-9).

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 They reject the commandment of God in favour of their own traditions (“the

handing down from generation to generation of the same customs, beliefs, etc.,

especially by word of mouth” – Collins) (v.8-12).

 They do not honour their parents (v.10-12).

 They make the Word of God useless through their traditions (v.13).

2 Chronicles 20:37: Eliezer prophesied to Jehoshaphat why he was not successful

in his shipbuilding business venture. He went into partnership with the wrong man

who caused Jehoshaphat to compromise his spiritual convictions.

THE PURPOSE OF TRUE PROPHETS AND PROPHECIES. 1Timothy 1:18-19: The

Apostle Paul exhorted his spiritual son, Timothy, to be mindful of the prophecies

that had been spoken over his life. Through those prophecies he would be able to:

1. War a good warfare (v.18). That is being able to fight the enemy with the

knowledge of

God’s plan and purpose for his life as had been revealed through those prophetic

words.

2. Hold on to faith (v.19). My personal belief is that it is referring to “the faith”

(Jude 3),

the major canon of Biblical teaching that enables us to know the purposes of

God.

3. Have a good conscience (v.19). The state of our conscience determines how

much we will step out and obey God. No one will publicly demonstrate the

power and purposes of God who is struggling with an impure conscience.

1Timothy 4:14-16 (NKJV): “Do not neglect (“don’t be careless with” – Young’s)
the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the

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hands of the eldership. Meditate (“to care for, take care for anything, so as to be
able to perform it” – Bullinger’s) on these things; give yourself entirely (“wholly,
completely”) to them, that your progress (“profiting, advancement”) may be evident
to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine (“teaching”). Continue in them, for
in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
Here we are given some very specific benefits of true prophecies given over our

lives. We receive impartation by the Holy Spirit of gifts that we are able to step into

and function in with a greater anointing and ability than before. It is very important

that we are able to discern the accuracy of the prophecies and whether or not they

are from the Lord before we can “give ourselves entirely to them.” The benefits are

gained when the due testing processes have been through, and that we are

convinced the prophetic utterance is Holy Spirit inspired. The fulfilling of prophetic

words brings evidence to others that we are walking in the blessings and fulfilment

of the purposes of God. This enables us to minister to others in a far greater way.

2 Peter 1:19-21 (NKJV): “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which

you do well to heed (“to hold toward” – Young’s; “attention to a thing, be intent

upon it” – Bullinger’s) as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and

the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of

Scripture is of any private (“one’s own” – Young’s) interpretation, for prophecy (“a

speaking forth, prophetic declarations, exhortations, warnings, uttered by the

prophets while under divine influence, and referring, either to the past, present, or

future” – Bollinger’s) never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as

they were moved (“carried”) by the Holy Spirit.”

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2 Chronicles 15:1-8: When two prophets, Azariah and Oded, prophesied to Asa, he

took courage and put away the idols of the land. From there they entered into a

covenant to seek the Lord (v.12).

Daniel 9:24-25: True prophecy brings to us knowledge and understanding of what it

is God is wanting, or going to do.

1Timothy 4:14-16: True prophecy is for our profiting (“a cutting down of

impediments that are in one’s way; hence, progress, a going forward, advancement”

– Bullinger’s) that all can see (v.15).

2 Peter 1:19-21: True prophecy is a “more sure word” that we need to take heed to.

It comes through holy people moved by the Holy Spirit. It brings God knowledge to

us.

Revelation 19:10: True prophecy brings the testimony/presence of Jesus into our

midst.

Numbers 11:25-26: True prophecy is a sign the Spirit of God is resting on a person.

1 Samuel 10:5-11: Prophecy can be imparted and/or “caught” when in company

with other prophets. (1 Samuel 19:20-24). It can change us into a better type of

person.

1 Chronicles 25:1-7: There is an important area of prophetic music, where the

anointing of the Holy Spirit is released as musicians and singers release the

prophetic through their instruments and voices.

Ezra 5:1-2: Haggai and Zechariah’s prophesying brought encouragement, help and

strength to build the house of God.

Ezra 6:14: The elders “prospered (“to accomplish successfully, to reach the goal” –

Wilson’s) through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah”, which enabled them

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to finish what they had started. Ezekiel 11:13: Prophecy can carry the power of

death. Ezekiel 36:21-38: In this passage we see the heart of God to restore His

fallen people. The prophetic word would cause a new heart and a new spirit to come

forth into them ~ that out of the spiritual, sinful chaos, God would raise a people ~

“a holy flock” (v.38) ~ and all would know He is the Lord!

Ezekiel 37:7-10: This account of the valley of dry bones shows us something of the

power of the prophetic realm. Prophecy can bring about miracles ~ life out of death.

Prophecy brings restoration and the fulfilling of the promises of God, regardless of

the negative circumstances that may prevail.

Joel 2: Here we read of the Prophet Joel prophesying a great visitation of God: “I

will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will

prophesy . . .” In the New Testament Church God wanted to continue to speak

prophetically through His people the wonderful Word of God. Peter spoke of the

fulfilling of this on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was outpoured upon

those 120 gathered in the upper room (Acts 1 and 2).

God has always wanted His people to be prophetic ~ to be inspired to speak by the

anointing of the Holy Spirit that is within us. “And the Lord came down in the

Cloud and talked with Moses, and the Lord took of the Spirit that was upon Moses

and put it upon the seventy elders; and when the Spirit rested upon them, they

prophesied for some time. But two of the seventy ~ Eldad and Medad ~ were still in

the camp, and when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied there. Some young

men ran and told Moses what was happening, and Joshua (the son of Nun), one of

Moses’ personally chosen assistants, protested, ‘Sir, make them stop!’ But Moses

replied, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? I only wish that all of the Lord’s people were

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prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them all!’” (Numbers 11:25-

29, TLB).

Luke 1:67-80: In this section of Scripture we have an amazing account of the

prophecy of an old man of God who had just been released from the bondage of

strong unbelief. When Zacharias was obedient to the Word of the Lord (regarding

the naming of his son John), the Holy Spirit came and filled him with a new release

of life. He prophesied a wonderful prophecy (Acts 19:6):

1. True prophesying:

 Speaks to men and women to build them up (“edifying”), exhortation

(“stirring up”) and to comfort (“solace, cheering up”). Edifies the church.

 Ezekiel 12:21-28: Prophecy is not always for a long time ahead ~ it can

happen very quickly also.

I think there is sufficient Scriptural evidence mentioned in this book to make us see

that prophecy has to be judged. It should also be recorded so that if there is need for

it to be checked out, submitted to other spiritual people, then that can happen. We

cannot rely on memory alone, as it is so easy to interpret things according to what

we are wanting to hear.

My personal testimony is that I am today living in the fulfilment of a number of

prophecies spoken over my life in times past. It has been so encouraging to see and

know that, when one knows the source of the prophecy is the Holy Spirit, we can

trust our lives to the truth that He reveals at that time. God wants only the very best

for us and He still speaks today through the gift of prophecy to help us to fulfil a

destiny that would have been not possible to fulfil any other way. Praise the Lord

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for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and His true prophets! I trust this will prove helpful

to all who read.

“Do not quench (“do not put out the Spirit’s fire”) the Spirit. Do not despise (“treat

as contemptible” – Bullinger’s) prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you

completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the

coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-23, NKJV).

2. A True Prophet versus a False Prophet

The two lists below contrast the characteristics of a true prophet and a false

Prophet. Examine the lists.

A True Prophet A False Prophet

1. usually is reluctant to speak for 1. eagerly takes on the job of speaking for
God God
2. listens to the authentic voice of 2. listens to his or her own opinions
God within him or her and then and wishes, communicating those as God’s
communicates God’s message thoughts
3. tells people the truth, even if it 3. says what people want to hear
hurts
4. is a realist 4. is an optimist
5. conveys a message that is 5. conveys a message that is consistent with
consistent with the faith of Israel, the most people’s inclinations
Sinai Covenant
6. is unpopular, holds no official 6. is popular, often holds an officia
position, and suffers for telling the position,
truth and leads a comfortable lifestyle
7. offers people hope and a means 7. offers people no way to make sense of
of surviving suffering and suffering and loss
devastation
8. lives the message preached 8. talks a lot without taking action
9. has a message that stands the test 9. has a message that does not hold up
of time over time—is not confirmed by historica
developments

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3. Prophet Paul Sanyagore.
 Founder of the victory world international ministries.
 During one of his services, he could be seen lacking to God through his
mobile phone. The video of that service got viral on the internet in 2017.
 It caused so many reactions from people across the globe.
Prophet Paul claims to have God’s direct phone number, which he uses to
communicate with him directly.
 During his services, he often calls Jehovah through his mobile phone, to get
solutions to the problems of people.
So many members have even pleaded for the numbers, but he said he will
only give it out when the time is right.
4. Prophet Lesage Daniel – This prophet is another controversial African Prophet
who is considered to be false, due to his actions.
 The South-Africa Prophet Lese go Daniel is the founder of the Rabbonl
Centre Ministers.
 He advises his followers to eat only grass to get nearer to God.
 During one of his services this prophet urged hundreds of people to drop to
the ground and eat grasses.
 He also later advised his followers to drink petrol.
5. Prophet Andrew Ejimadu – is a Nigerian Prophet who is based in Zambia.
This man claimed that he had natural gift of vomiting money. He even
demonstrated this to his members.
According to his statement, he said he is often loaded with millions right
inside his stomach.

While a lot of people tagged him as a black magician, so many others

called for the authorities to investigate him, for money laundering.

6. Prophet MPHO Milestone – is said to be another false prophet – that

sleeps with women to cast out evil spirits in them.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but

inwardly are ravenous wolves. Mathew 7:15

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7. What Does the Bible Warn about False Prophets?

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are

ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15)

Messages bombard us on a daily basis: Buy this. Do that. And when it comes to

messages about matters of faith, we can often get confused about what is and is

not true.

In the days of the Old Testament, God often spoke through prophets, special people

He chose to use as instruments for delivering His messages. People like Isaiah,

Daniel, and Jeremiah were plucked from their normal lives and tasked with the

great responsibility of being a spokesperson of God. Many of these prophets were

highly respected and treated with deep reverence, while others were ridiculed,

despised, and even martyred.

But what is the difference between a prophet and a false prophet, and how can we

tell the difference?

What Is the Meaning of the Word "Prophet"?

The word “prophet” comes from the Hebrew word nabi or nabiy, to bubble forth,

like a fountain, or to utter, speak, or “pour forth” an announcement. Other words —

hozeh and ro’eh, meaning “seer”— are also used for prophets. The term is meant to

imply the person is receiving an announcement directly from God, and that word or

vision then “bubbles forth” for others to receive, too.

2.1.28. The Purpose of Prophets in the Bible

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A prophet is meant to receive a message from God — whether a verbal directive or

other words or as a vision or dream — and then communicate that message to the

people. God often sent prophets to warn or guide people. Often, they served as

God’s representative, ambassador, or spokesperson. Israel’s kings would seek the

counsel of prophets before making major decisions, such as waging war, to be sure

their actions were in line with the Lord’s wishes.

Other times, a prophet would receive a vision from God for the king, then seek out

the king to convey that message. For example, in 2 Samuel 7, God revealed to the

prophet Nathan in a dream that David would not build the Lord’s Temple but,

rather, David’s offspring would do so. Nathan then reported this to David, who

heeded God’s command. Many of God’s prophets penned Old Testament books,

such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Habakkuk.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter called a true prophetic message something

“completely reliable.” As he said, “You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a

light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your

hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

A prophecy’s origin is not in the human will, Peter elaborated, but rather,

“Prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy

Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

The Difference between a Prophet and a False Prophet

While a prophet is one who receives and then offers the Word of God, a false

prophet is one who receives a word by other means, such as divination, fortune-

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telling, or sorcery, whether a word from their own minds or from other, false gods.

These corrupt, dishonest messages are not of God and therefore cannot be trusted.

Sometimes, people posed as true prophets to mislead, such as in Nehemiah 6:10-15,

when a false prophet attempted to convince Nehemiah to hide in the temple, but

Nehemiah realized it was a trap. Other times, false prophets offered signs and

wonders as a way to entice people to follow other gods instead of the Lord

(Deuteronomy 13:1-3).

What Does It Mean to Be a False Prophet?

God speaks harshly against false prophets, occult practices, and other means of

sorcery. God describes a false prophet as one who “presumes to speak in My name

anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other

gods” (Deuteronomy 18:20).

In Jeremiah 14:14, God says these evildoers prophesy lies, offering “false visions,

divinations, idolatries, and the delusions of their own minds.”

Apostle Paul also gives a warning against such false teachers in 2 Corinthians

11:12-15,

"And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who

would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we

do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as

apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of

light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of

righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds."

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In Deuteronomy 18:9-20, God warns His people not to engage in divination, cast

spells, or consult mediums, nor listen to anyone who speaks in the name of other

gods. These false prophets should be put to death, He says.

God expresses His displeasure even more fiercely in Jeremiah — both about the

false prophets and those who listen to them.

“Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in

My name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch

this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine. And the people

they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of

the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons and

their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve” (Jeremiah

14:15-16).

God notes in Jeremiah 23:30-32 that He is “against” false prophets, and

in Zechariah 13:3 says they must be stabbed to death by their own parents.

Are There Any in the New Testament?

False prophets were not only a problem in the Old Testament; they also plagued the

apostles in the New Testament. For example, the Book of Acts describes an

occasion when Barnabas and Paul encountered a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet

when the apostles were offering the word of God to the proconsul of Paphos. When

the sorcerer tried to oppose their teaching, a Holy Spirit-filled Paul verbally lashed

out at the man, causing him to go blind. Amazed, the proconsul believed.

The Apostle Peter warned about “false teachers,” much like false prophets, who

will “secretly introduce destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1).

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These evildoers will be “paid back with harm for the harm they have done” (2 Peter

2:13).

Jesus, speaking to His disciples about the end times, warned that false prophets

would indeed appear in an attempt to deceive even God’s chosen ones that the Son

of God had returned (Matthew 24:24).

Don’t listen or heed their guidance, we are told. Rather, stay vigilant and be ready,

Jesus said, for “about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven,

nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, the Apostle

Paul warns that a time will come when people will turn from the truth and instead

entertain teachers who say what they want to hear, offering myths rather than God’s

Word. But Jesus tells us we have one path to God: Through Him. As He said

in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father

except through me.” And, in His Sermon on the Mount, He said His path is rooted

entirely in the Lord, insisting, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or

the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).

God offers instruction on how His people can

determine true from false prophets. In Deuteronomy 18:22, He explains, “If what a

prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a

message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do

not be alarmed.”

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us to beware false prophets, who appear

gentle but are not.

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“They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By

their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or

figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears

bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus,

by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:15-20).

The bottom line is that false prophets bring a message that is not from God. Their

message contradicts what God instructs, often appealing to our earthly cravings or

passions. And ultimately, they produce “bad fruit.”

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 CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHOLOGY
3.1 Ketena Hulet Mulu Wongel Church is a place of worship in Ethiopia.

Ketena Hulet Mulu Wongel Church is situated nearby to the railway station Tor

Hailoch and the government office Embassy of Ghana in Ethiopia.

Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church establish in 1965 by 6 university students here in

Addis Ababa. By now in Addis Ababa and its surroundings above 200 local

churches reside and above 3000 local churches in Ethiopia. In the year 1974, Full

gospel church applied and secured licence for religious assembly. The church used

this opportunity and rented a house next to the old Belay Zeleke School (near

Nazareth Girls School).

Figure 1.1: Location Map of the Study Area

Five foundational doctrines of full Gospel church K-2 Local Church.

1. Design 4. Population
2. Cite 5. Teach
3. Approach 6. Metem

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 7. Analyses

3.2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction
The research design, target population, sample size and sampling procedure, data

collection method /procedure, research tools and data analysis methods, reliability

and validity, and ethical considerations were all covered in this chapter. This

research focuses on False Prophets and Teacher Effect on the Lives of Believers in

Addis Ababa.

Table 1:- Operational Framework

Research Concepts Variables Method of Method of

Objectives Data Data Analysis
Collection
Identifying the Characteristic Characters Questionnaire Descriptive
characteristics of s of False of false , Interview, and Content
false prophets prophets and prophets Document Analysis
and Teachers teachers and Review and
who appeared at Teachers FGD
various periods  Immoral
Behavio
ur.
 Money
lover
(earthly
life
style)
Love
fame

84
Identify the Level of Current Questionnaire Descriptive
current level of influence Impact , Interview, Analysis
influence of false false Document
prophets and prophets Review and
teachers and FGD
teachers
Determining Suitable  Read Questionnaire Descriptive
what action the solution Bible ,Interview, Analysis
solution choice option  Prayer Document
should`take  Discussi Review and
on FGD

3.3 Research Design

A research design is a framework that directs data collecting and analysis, as well as
a thorough plan for how a research study is carried out in accordance with the data
needed to investigate the research questions in an affordable manner. It is a
presentation of the investigation's plan, organization, and strategy, which tries to
obtain or answer various inquiries.
diverse research challenges necessitate diverse research designs and procedures,
which result in the acquisition of various forms of data and the necessary way of
interpretation (Creswell 1994; Leedy & Ormrod 2001). The research design
includes the research approach, research type, research strategy, and study time
dimension.

3.4 Research Type

The research type employed in this research is descriptive research method as aim
of this research is on False Prophets and Teacher Effect on the Lives of Believers in
Addis Ababa. Thus, descriptive research type best fits for this research. It also
enables the researcher to obtain detail description about the issue in the study area.

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3.5 Research Approach

The primary purpose for employing a mixed approach is to maximize the depth and

breadth of data acquired. Because each method has its own limits, combining them

mitigates or wipes out some of the drawbacks of a single method. Of course, the

benefits and shortcomings of each strategy complement each other, making it a

sufficient design to use in this study. Because social phenomena are so complex,

various methodologies are required to fully comprehend them. This method is

employed due to the study's complex nature, which involves Focus Group

Discussion (FGD), interviews, and questionnaires.

3.5.1 Research Strategy (Method)

For this research, the researcher adopted survey research strategy. This survey

research technique helps to acquire information about identifying the characteristics

of false prophets who appeared at various periods and also the current level of

influence of false prophets in Addis Ababa. In addition, it provides information,

which is efficient to collect information from large population.

3.5.2 Time Dimension of the Research

From the point of view of time dimension, for this study a cross-sectional research
design was employed as the researcher gathered data at a particular point in time
and conducted the study at once.
3.5.3 Data Collection Method /Tools
Data collection methods were interview, questionnaires, focus group discussion and
document review.
3.6 Sampling And Population Size
According to Kothari (2004), a sample design is a definite plan to get a sample
from the target population. The researcher adopted a procedure in selecting a
sample. For this research, in order to select appropriate and representative sample

123
from the target population and to make the findings more accurate, the researcher
structured the sample design that comprises of the population, sampling frame,
sampling units, sampling techniques and sample size.

This research sought to gain information from people involved in selected Ketena
Hulet Full Gospel Church members and leaders. The target population was 150
church leaders and members.

Table Target Population and Sample Size

Method
Name of Target Sample of
Church Population Size Selection

Full Gospel 150 150 Census

Ketena Hulet
Church
Total 150 150

Source: Researcher’s Own Development, 2023

Table : Sample Respondents for Interviewee from Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church
members and leaders
Name of Church No. of Method of
interviewee selection
selected
Full Gospel Ketena 100 Purposive
Hulet Church

Total 100

Source: Researcher’s Own Development, 2023

3.7 Sampling Techniques

For this study, non-probability sampling technique was employed. The total number

of people in the target population was significantly small. Therefore, census of the

whole population enabled the researcher to collect a wide variety of views and

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hence promote reliability and validity of the data collected. On the other hand, to

gather data through interview from head of Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church

members and leaders and purposive sampling method was used. The reason why the

researcher selects purposive sampling technique was those selected church leaders

and members and concerned bodies that had more venerable related with the

dispute of false prophesy and would have a better knowledge on the issue.

The sampling units of the study were Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church members

and leaders who are more aware of the issue related to false teachers and prophet

and its consequences.

3.8 Source of Data

For the purpose of this study primary and secondary data in line with the objectives
were collected with the help of questionnaire, semi-structured interview, and focus
group discussion. The primary data was collected from Ketena Hulet Full Gospel
Church members and leaders through Interview, Questionnaires and focus group
discussion to The Primary data or first-hand data was collect from Ketena Hulet
Full Gospel Church members and leaders and data was gathering through the use of
unstructured interview. Data obtained from churches also was collect with the use
of open and closed ended questionnaires. Secondary data was collected from
selected churches, Additionally, books, articles, journals, annual reports of
churches, research reports, proclamations, regulations, and internet will be used for
this study.

3.9 Key Informant Interview

In order to obtain in depth information, an interview had been prepared in ordered

to get detailed information False Prophets and Teachers Effect on the Lives of

Believers in Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church, Addis Ababa. Therefore, Interview

has been conducted to get the required information they had been interviewed.

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3.9.1 Questionnaire

For the purpose of this study, the researcher used questionnaires to collect

quantitative and qualitative data information False Prophets and Teachers Effect on

the Lives of Believers in Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church, Addis Ababa. in order

to support the data that had been gathered through interview, and document review.

The open and close - ended questions are produced. The questionnaire had been

done by the researcher in English and Amharic languages.

3.9.2 Document Review

Review of magazines, journals, published and unpublished about false teachers and

prophets and its consequences documents from different stake holders. This helped

to understand how the false teachers and prophets by identifying the characteristics

of false prophets who appeared at different times, Determine the current level of

false prophet influence and appropriate solution options should be implemented to

address the problem of false prophecy.

3.9.3 Methods of Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data analysis is the process of packaging the collected information; have this

information structured in an orderly manner that makes it much easier and effective

to communicate (Kothari, 2004). The data collected shall further be analysed using

descriptive analysis and the findings will be in form of tables, bar graphs and pie-

charts. The research objectives that will be addressed include, identifying the

characteristics of false prophets who appeared at different times, Determine the

current level of false prophet influence and appropriate solution options should be

implemented to address the problem of false prophecy.

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3.9.4 Ethical Consideration

To carry out the research, the necessary approval and permission letter had been

written and obtained from the Gelila International Seminary college (in

collaboration with USA based universities, department of Leadership and

Management which was approved by the advisor, to collect data. Permission was

ask from information False Prophets and Teachers Effect on the Lives of Believers

in Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church, Addis Ababa. Through the whole process of

questionnaire distribution time, all sample of target population had been treated in

ethical manner with mutual understanding of each other. Further, brief orientation

about the title, purposes, and objectives of the study had been made to concerned

bodies.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Response Rate

An attempt was made to submit a written inquiry to 150 persons of all ages and

genders in order to show the influence of false prophets and doctrines on the

gospel-believing community, particularly in Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church.

4.2. Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents

As shown in Chart 4.1, 82 men and 68 women responded appropriately out of 150

sampled respondents; this suggests that a 100% response rate was obtained.

Figer 4.1 Sex Category

The average age of the 150 respondents was 44 for those between the ages of 18

and 30 and 36 for those between the ages of 31 and 40. 32 respondents were above

65 years old, and 38 respondents ranged in age from 41 to 65.

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Figer 4.2 Age Category

a review of the data in figure 4.3, 67 of the 150 people who responded are married,

78 are single, and 5 are divorced.

Figer 4.3 Marital Status

a review of the data in figure 4.3, 67 of the 150 people who responded are married,

78 are single, and 5 are divorced..

Figer 4.4 Level of Education

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As shown in chart 4.5, 12 of the 150 respondents have less than two years of

experience, 18 have three to five years of experience, 25 have six to eight years of

experience, and 41 have more than nine years of experience. While they have up to

ten years of expertise, 54 of them have more than eleven years.

Figer 4.5 Work Experience

Figer 4.6 Respondents Work Area

As shown in chart 4.7, out of 150 respondents who were asked if they believed that

false prophets and teachers were the main challenge in Ethiopia, 123 responded that

they were, and the remaining 27 respondents said that it was not the main challenge

in our country Ethiopia. When asked for recommendations on how to make this

stronger, they said that Ethiopia's biggest problems are poverty and ignorance.

1. What are the characteristics of false teachers and prophets who

appeared at different times?

 One method employed by false prophets and teachers to mislead people is to

claim that God spoke to them.

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  False prophets and teachers begin with their own opinions and hearts,

imposing their own inner desires on others.

 False prophets and instructors base their claims to be true not on the

faithfulness of the Bible but rather on immoral behaviour;

 In most cases, false prophets and teachers make people pleased with good

hope rather than God;

 False prophets and teachers mainly aim to gain favor from the believer or

from other sections of society;

2. To what extent, do you think the current influences of false prophet

and teachers?

When asked how influential false prophets and teachers are currently, a total of

150 respondents gave their thoughts. Of those, 87 said they have a very great

extent of influence, 44 said they have a great extent of influence, and around 9

said they have a moderate level of influence. And roughly 3 respondents

claimed small extent level of influence, while the remaining 6 said it was very

small extent.

3. Indicate your level of agreement how false prophet deceive the

believers as well as believers by ticking in the appropriate box where:

For the detailed questions about the extent to which they agree on the fraud

strategies used by false prophets and teachers to deceive believers and other

members of society, 59 strongly agreed, 44 agreed, 31 indifferent, 11 disagreed,

and the remaining 5 strongly disagreed.

Following that, among the questions that are deceptive strategies used by false

prophets and teachers to deceive believers and the rest of society, 150 of those
123
 who responded to the idea that they like to say that God spoke to me by

listening to their own desires and thoughts, 64 chose to strongly agree, 49 chose

to agree, 15 chose indifferent, and 14 did not agree. The remaining 8 responders

were strongly disagreeing.

Among those who responded to the following questions about the fraud strategies

used by false prophets and teachers to deceive the believer and the rest of society,

71 voted strongly agree, 48 voted agree, and 14 chose indifferent , 11 of them

disagree and the remaining 6 Respondents strongly disagreed.

The message in the following questions, which are the fraudulent techniques

employed by false prophets and teachers to fool the believer and the rest of society,

is earthly and entirely focused on money. Among those who responded to the idea

were, 81 voted strongly agree, 50 voted agree, and 7 voted indifferent While 6

chose disagree, and the remaining 6 Respondents strongly disagreed.

In the following questions, which are deceptive techniques employed by false

prophets and teachers to fool believers and the rest of society, individuals who

enjoy fame, have a high economic ability, and live a highly pleasant earthly life; 72

of the respondents chose to strongly agree, 42 chose to strongly agree, 18 chose

indifferent, 10 chose to disagree, and the remaining 8 chose to strongly disagree.

The following questions were posed to those who reacted to the notion of sharing

unfulfilled prophesies from their own hearts, and they included information on the

tricks employed by false teachers and prophets to trick believers and the rest of

society, 74 people strongly agree, 54 people agree, 11 chose indifferent, 6 people

disagree, and the remaining 5 people strongly disagree.

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Among those who responded to the topic of providing too much hope that cannot be

addressed in practice, which are the fraud techniques employed by false prophets

and teachers to fool the believer and the rest of society, 66 respondents strongly

agree, 63 respondents strongly agree, 9 respondents do not know, 8 respondents

disagree and the remaining 4 respondents strongly disagree.

 What appropriate solution options should be implemented to address

the problem related false prophecy and teachings? by ticking in the

appropriate box where:

Among the wide range of options offered on what kind of solution option

should be selected to tackle the problem of false prophets and teachers; among

those who establish a degree of agreement by selecting the alternative approach

of encouraging believers to read the word of God and pray, 114 of them selected

the option of strongly agree, 32 selected the option of agree, 4 selected the

option of indifferent, and none selected the responses of disagree and strongly

disagree.

Among the detailed options presented on what type of solution option should be

taken to overcome the problem of false prophets and teachers, 128 of those who

chose the option of having an open discussion on the issue using main and

social media options and setting their level of agreement chose the option of

"strongly agree," 22 of them chose the option of "strongly agree," and no one

chose the responses of "don't know, disagree" and "strongly disagree."

Among the detailed options presented for what kind of solution option should

be taken to solve the problem of false prophets and teachers, the Ethiopian

Evangelical Churches Council and the Church of Ethiopia have established a

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 level of agreement by holding false prophets and teachers accountable, returning

to the word of God, and educating the rest of society, A total of 114 of them

selected "strongly agree," 36 selected " agree," and none selected "Indifferent,"

"disagree," or "strongly disagree."

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. Conclusion

Evidence from the research paper suggests that the characteristics of false teachers

and prophets who appeared at different times mislead people on their opinion, and

claims to be true not on the faithfulness of the bible but rather than on immoral

behaviour. In most cases, false prophets and teachers make people pleased with

good hope rather than God.

On the other hand the current influences of false prophets and teachers, more than

90% of the respondents provide their thought about the very great extent of

influence.

And For the detailed questions about the extent to which they strongly agree on the

fraud strategies used by false prophets and teachers to deceive believers and other

members of society.

Evidences from the research. false prophets and teachers to fool believers and the

rest of society, individuals who enjoy fame, have a high economic ability, and live a

highly pleasant earthly life;

Among those who responded to the topic of providing too much hope that cannot be

addressed in practice, which are the fraud techniques employed by false prophets

and teachers to fool the believer and the rest of society,

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Finally what appropriate solution options should be implemented to address the

problem related false prophecy and teachings, Among the wide range of options

offered on what kind of solution option should be selected to tackle the problem of

false prophets and teachers; among those who establish a degree of agreement by

selecting the alternative approach of encouraging believers to read the word of God

and pray

And among the detailed options presented on what type of solution option should be

taken to overcome the problem of false prophets and teachers, most of the

respondents chose the option of having an open discussion on the issue using

mainstream and social media

Finally, among the detailed options presented for what kind of solution option

should be taken to solve the problem of false prophets and teachers, the Ethiopian

Evangelical Churches Council and the Church of Ethiopia have established a level

of agreement by holding false prophets and teachers accountable, returning to the

word of God, and educating the rest of society.

5.2. Recommendation

When was the last time you considered False Prophets and Teachers in the church?
Have you had to deal with misleading teaching recently? Is there any erroneous
teaching in your church? Is it conceivable that you were affected by incorrect
teachings? These are essential concerns for all believers and pastors to consider.
False Prophets and Teachers wield significant power in the shadows of deception
and camouflage. If False Prophets and Teachers /false teaching are never openly
challenged, cautioned against, or warned, we risk gradually but steadily being
influenced (or conquered) by false teaching.
Jesus warned the congregation against false teachers. Paul forewarned the
congregation about false teachers. Peter forewarned the congregation about False

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Prophets and Teachers. James forewarned the congregation about false teachers.
Jude warned the congregation of false teachers. John forewarned the church about
false teachers.
In order to mitigate the effect of False Prophets and Teachers on the Lives of
Believers in Ketena Hulet Full Gospel Church, Addis Ababa. The researcher
forwards the following recommendations.
Over centuries since Christ death and resurrection, countless imposters have
presented to be the Messiah or claimed to know details about the future they could
not impossibly know. While false prophets are nothing new, they will become
increasingly prevalent and destructive in the End Times. Jesus warned us about
these individuals in His Olivet Discourse: “then many false prophets will rise up
and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11)
Jude wrote a short epistle that, among other things, vigorously urges Christian to
stay alert, contend for the truth, and know that God will judge false prophets and
teachers. This letter provides several clues related to a false teacher’s lifestyle:
“These people…live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural
beings,” “scoff at things they do not understand…do whatever their instincts tell
them “deceive people for money.” “care only for themselves ” and bear no fruit”
(Jude) 8,10,11,12. NLT). “These people are grumblers and complainers, living only
to satisfy their desires. They boast loudly about themselves, and they praise
themselves to get what they want…creating division” (Jude 16, 19, NLT). False
teachers often claim that God will not condemn anyone, but Jude says the Lord will
judge ungodliness (Jude 15). Godliness and integrity are essential traits for anyone
who teachers the word of God.

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prophets-rock-south-african-faith.

False Teachers and prophets in Ethiopia

Owojaiye, Moses. The Problem of False Prophets in Africa: Strengthening the

Church in The Face of A Troublesome Trend. [Online] November 2019.

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Guvamombe, Isdore. Miracles and Prophecy, Zimbabwe's curse. The Herald.

February 7, 2014, p. Opinion and Analysis.

"He Told Me that My Waist and Private Parts Have Been Ravaged by Demons:"

Sexual Exploitation of Female Church Members by "Prophets" in Nigeria. Agazue,

Chima. 2016, Dignity: A Journal of Dignity and Sexual Exploitation Vol.1 issue 1,

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Wood, James. Self-styled prophet, 60, who raped female and male members of his

church at least times in 'spiritual baths' he said had been ordained by God is jailed

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8083821/Self-styled-prophet-rapedmembers-church-88-times-jailed-34-years.html.

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(accessed August 04, 2020).

የአመራር ሥርዓተ ትምህርት (ክፍል 22 ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . መለስ ወጉ /ዶ/ር)

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መጽሐፍ ቅዱስ ይበልጣል . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ብርሃኑ ጥርሣማ

2005

ፍፃሜ ዘመን (ዲሞክራሲና ሐሰተኛው ክርስቶስ) 2003 ዓ/ም እትም እሌኒ ማተሚያ ቤት . . . . . . . . . . . .

...................... ጌታቸው ዘገየ ካሣ

 ማቴቴስ ቁ 12. ቁ. 13. ቁ.19 እና ቀ 20 ርሆቦት አታሚዎች . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ሊቪንግ

ዊትነስ ኢቫንጀልስቲክ
ሚኒስትሪ
 መጽሐፍ ቅዱስ እና የአፈታት ስህተቶች 2000 ዓ/ም
አርትስቲክስ ማ/ቤት . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . ዘላለም
መንግስቱ
 ፍካሬ 666 1993 ዓ/ም ንግድ ማ/ቤት ... .................... ተኩ ከበደ
 25ኛ ዓመት ምሥረታ በዓል መጽሔት የሙሉ ወንጌል ቤ/ክ

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