The Hypocrites

My highly esteemed friend, Weldish Solomon,

I hope you will find this message in good health.

Let's see if these charismatic Christian movements (such as Pentecostals) are real Christians according to the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Needless to say, without a doubt, the main teaching of Jesus Christ is love and unity and, according to St. Paul, any individual or group that works against unity must be avoided:

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause division and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them" (Rom. 16: 17 & 18).

However, unfortunately, there are over 41,000 sects and denominations of Christianity. This means, one sect or denomination cannot visit the other sect or denomination. Some denominations are also divided along tribal, racial, and/or politician lines --for example between Eritrean churches and Ethiopian church. Then, within Ethiopia, between Amhara and Oromia churches. If you ask them: - 'How could you preach love and practice division?' they have no answer. The Bible describes them as "the hypocrites". A follower a religion that preaches "love" but practices division is a hypocrite.  It is like the blind following the blind. Jesus' judgment on the 'fools and blind'(Matt. 23:17) and 'the blind leaders of the blind'(Matt. 15:14; Luke 6:39) is timeless:

'Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.' (Matt. 15:7–9; Isa. 29:13)

The punishment reserved for the hypocrites who cause damage to the faith after accepting it is very clear and very harsh. 'For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them' (II Peter 2:21).

The New Testament is full of warnings against 'false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ'(II Cor. 11:13.), against 'servants' who 'disguise themselves as servants of righteousness' (II Cor. 11:15.), against teachers 'who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ' (Gal. 1:7.), against 'false brethren who had sneaked in'(Gal. 2:4.), against 'false teachers'(II Pet. 2:1.) who have 'crept in unnoticed'(Jude 4.) and have 'led away'(II Pet. 3:17.) the Christian community.

The punishment reserved for the hypocrites who cause damage to the faith after accepting it is harsh. These hypocrites are described as 'unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed' (II Pet.. 2:12), and as 'springs without water, and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved' (II Pet. 2:17), as ' autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness is reserved forever': 'These are the ones who cause divisions' (Jude 12-13, 19). In reference to those who lead others astray and cause damage to the religion of God, after having accepted it, the New Testament quotes the proverbs: ' The dog returns to its own vomit' and, ' A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire' (II Peter 2:22). Furthermore, Jesus warns to the one that is a hypocrite, that God ". . . shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."(Mathew 24:51)

Simply following the masses that do not practice what they preach because 'it is human nature' will not save you, my brother.  God has given you your own eyes so that you may see with your own eyes and not with the eyes of others.  God gave you your own ears and your own mind.  Therefore, each one of us will be judged by what each one of us believe and do; and not by what others believe and do. 

Moreover, Jesus has amazingly and accurately predicted that the road to destruction will be broad and those who will perish through that road will be many. But, the gate to life will be narrow and only few only few will find that way that leads to life:

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Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:13-14). "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:23-24). "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen" (Matt. 20:16). I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8). "And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man" (Luke 17:26)

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Salutations!