Episode 462: By What Power?

Since Old Testament times, there have been false prophets or false teachers who spread false messages while claiming to speak the Word of God. After Peter and John healed a lame man at the entrance to the temple, the religious leaders questioned them to ascertain the power behind this miracle.

Throughout the book of Acts and, indeed throughout the New Testament, there are people who claim to be followers of God, including those who may have tried to invoke the name of Jesus, but who turned out to be untrustworthy. We will identify ten such characters.

In today’s top ten list, we identify ten false disciples or teachers, from Ananias and Sapphira to Simon the Sorcerer to the orator, Tertullus and the false messiah, Theudas. Scriptures referenced include Acts 4:7; Acts 8:9-25; Acts 13:11; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:14; Acts 24:1-9; Acts 23:1-3; Acts 5:34-36; Mark 13:6; and 3 John.