Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of
the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you
that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto
the saints. —Jude 3
In 1992 I wrote a book about my experiences in the
metaphysical “new age” movement. The book was entitled
The Light That Was Dark. I wrote the book
because I wanted to warn people about the incredibly deceptive teachings of the
“new age.” From my own experience I knew just how powerfully seductive the
spirit world is and how appealing its false teachings can be.
At the end of my book I warned that Christian believers were becoming involved
in some of these same teachings and deceptions. Spiritual deception is not just
something that happens to unbelievers. The apostle Paul went to great lengths to
warn the Corinthians not to be deceived by a “Jesus” that wasn’t Jesus Christ
the Son of God, a spirit that wasn’t the Holy Spirit and a gospel that was not
the true biblical Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). Throughout the New Testament,
believers are continually warned not to be deceived by spiritual teachings and
experiences that are not from God. Jesus Christ specifically warned his
disciples that spiritual deception would be a sign of the end (Matthew 24:3–4).
Today it is very sad to see so many believers falling under the influence of the
same spirit that influenced me when I was in the “new age.” This spirit says
that it is a time for “breakthroughs” and for the fulfillment of our “destiny”;
that there is something “new” and exciting in the wind. This teaching claims
that we are in the midst of a great “transition” that will result in a “paradigm
shift,” and that through “new revelation” and “personal experience” God is in
the process of taking the church to a “new dimension” and to a whole “new
level.” Many Christian leaders these days are so sure that what they are hearing
and experiencing is from God, they are rarely testing the spirits, or even
considering the possibility that they are being deceived.
The first century Bereans tested their leaders and tested their teachings as
they “searched the scriptures daily” to see “whether those things were
so” (Acts 17:11). Apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers were always
subject to God’s holy Word. “New revelation” never nullified nor superseded
scripture. The Bereans were not impressed by supernatural power and spiritual
experiences that had not been tested by the Word of God. They did not depend on
signs and wonders and miracles. They depended on the authority and reliability
and trustworthiness of Scripture:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
Paul taught that if he or anyone else preached any other
gospel — “new revelation” or otherwise — that person should be completely
disregarded (Galatians 1:8). The Bible warns over and over again that we should
not allow ourselves to be influenced or intimidated by teachings that originate
not from God but from the spirit world and from the hearts of men. “Now the
Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the
faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy
4:1). “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men” (Mark 7:7).
What had been called “new age” is now being presented as “new gospel.” These
“new gospel” teachings are not new and have actually been around for centuries
in one form or another. Whether it was ancient gnosticism, the occultic
teachings of Helena Blavatsky (1831–1891) and Alice A. Bailey (1880–1949), or
the present day “new gospel” channelings, the bottom line has always been the
same — everyone is a part of God.
Reinventing Jesus Christ
According to the “new gospel,” Christ is not a person. It is
an office. The “new gospel” teaches that while Jesus of Nazareth occupied the
office during His active ministry, He no longer holds that same position. Today
the office of “Christ” is occupied by someone else. And this “someone else” is
presently in the process of establishing contact with humanity. This “Christ”
intimates that he is already in the world awaiting mankind’s call.
Concerned that humanity is in peril and facing possibly extinction, this
“Christ” explains that his “new gospel” will unify the world’s major religions
and bring peace to the world. He has communicated these “new gospel” teachings
to his designated teachers, who in turn are now conveying these same teachings
to the rest of the world.
This “reinvented” Christ of the “new gospel” teaches that all of humanity is the
body of Christ. He, as the “Christ,” is the head. This “Christ” states
humanity’s dilemma is that we have forgotten who we are. We are not “sinners”
separate from God. We are all part of the one body of Christ and the one body of
God. Salvation does not come by grace from accepting Jesus Christ as the Son of
God. Rather it is achieved — when we accept ourselves as Christ and when we
accept ourselves as God.
The “new gospel” teaches that when humanity collectively accepts and experiences
itself as being a part of Christ and a part of God, we not only save ourselves,
we save our world. The “Christ” of the “new gospel” warns that the hour is late.
Peace must come. He will help. He has a plan. But everyone must play their
part.
With “new revelation,” often accompanied by direct personal spiritual
experience, people are being taught that because they are a part of God they are
actually “atone” with God and all creation. This “new gospel” teaches when
people have what is described as their “God potential” or “Christ within”
supernaturally “activated,” they actually experience themselves as a part of the
“one body” of God which is all mankind. As these same people unite and join
together in remembering and experiencing their “oneness” with God and with each
other, they feel they are doing the “work” that is necessary to prepare the way
for Christ’s return.
The need for discernment
Unfortunately, undiscerning Christian leaders have not
adequately exposed these “new gospel” teachings and, as a result, the spirit
behind the “new gospel” has entered the Church.
The Bible warns us not to be ignorant of our adversary’s schemes and devices so
that we will not fall prey to his deceptive traps (“Lest Satan should get an
advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians
2:11). Scripture also tells us that while “it is a shame” we even have to talk
about these things, it is important that we expose them and bring them to the
light (Ephesians 5:11–13).
Because of my own involvement with “new age/new gospel” teachings, and in light
of the many Scriptures warning us not to be deceived and urging us to expose
deception, I will attempt to update believers on the accelerated spiritual
deception that has been taking place. Hopefully, by providing a general survey
of this “new gospel” deception, believers will be more discerning when — in the
form of prophetic “new revelations” — these same teachings try to move into
their lives and into their churches.
Other books by this author:
A Wonderful Deception
Deceived on
Purpose
False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care?
The Light That Was Dark
Other audio by this author:
Warren Smith speaks at
Resurrection Life of Jesus Church
Similar items:
A Wonderful
Deception
A Time of
Departing
Deceived on
Purpose
Faith Undone
False Christ Coming: Does Anybody
Care?
For
Many Shall Come In My Name
Out of India
Reinventing
Jesus Christ: The New Gospel
The Dark Side of the
Purpose Driven Church
The Light That Was
Dark
Warren Smith speaks
at RLJC
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