Sowing Discord: The Heretical, Antichrist Nature of Church Dividers

In Scripture, the unity of Christ’s body is not an optional extra but the very will of God.  When someone deliberately sows discord—“dividing and splitting the church”—that person is acting contrary to Christ’s heart and teaching.  Such a divider can rightly be called a heretic and even an antichrist because of the devastating theological and relational damage these actions produce.

1. God’s Design Is One Body  

   From the earliest pages of the New Testament, unity is paramount.  Jesus prayed, “that they may all be one … that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21).  Paul echoes this, urging believers “to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3-4).  By trampling on this unity, a divider directly opposes the prayer of Christ and the apostolic vision for the church.

2. Division Marks False Teaching  

   John warns that “many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh” (2 John 7).  These false teachers are called “antichrists” because they deny the core truth of the Gospel (1 John 2:22).  Division almost always follows error: when foundational doctrines are twisted, relationships fracture.  A heretic in the New Testament context (from the Greek hairesis) is literally someone who makes a choice—often a factional choice—and thus breaks the unity of the body.

3. The Apostle’s Remedy: Separation  

   Paul instructs the Roman believers: “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (Romans 16:17).  He goes so far as to say that “in gatherings of the church, God’s people must not tolerate factions” (1 Corinthians 11:19 NLT).  Titus is even more pointed: “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him” (Titus 3:10).

4. Why Division Equals “Antichrist” Activity  

   To be “against Christ” is not only to preach a different Gospel but to undermine the very community He died to create.  Jesus declared, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).  A divider scatters what Christ came to gather, and in doing so, adopts the posture of the adversary rather than the Savior.

5. Loving the Body Means Defending Its Truth  

   True pastoral love sometimes demands hard boundaries.  John makes this clear: “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God” (2 John 9).  To protect the flock, we must refuse hospitality to those who would disrupt the Gospel’s integrity (2 John 10–11).  Far from unloving, this tough love preserves the spiritual health and witness of the church.

In sum, by fracturing the body of Christ, a divider operates in the spirit of heresy and antichrist—not merely by differing in minor details, but by sabotaging the unity and core truth of the Gospel.  Guarding against such division is therefore both a defense of orthodoxy and an act of love toward our Lord and His people.

Christian Identity and the Unity of the Church‌

Christian Identity and the Unity of the Church‌

1. Who is a Christian?‌

A Christian is someone who confesses Jesus Christ as the Son of God, believes in His death for humanity’s sins and His resurrection, and receives Him as Lord and Savior through repentance and faith (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10). This identity transcends denominational, cultural, or ethnic labels—it is defined by a personal relationship with Christ: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). A true Christian follows Christ’s teachings (John 14:15) and demonstrates love as the mark of discipleship (John 13:35).

2. The Gospel: The Foundation of Unity‌

While denominations like Presbyterians, Baptists, Anglicans, Brethren, and Methodists differ in worship styles, church governance, or secondary doctrines, the Gospel unites them in four essential truths:

The Core Narrative of Salvation‌ – All affirm Christ’s divinity and humanity, His atoning death, and bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

The Authority of Scripture‌ – Despite interpretive differences, all uphold the Bible as the final rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16).

Sacramental Unity‌ – Baptism and Communion (though practiced differently) point to the same grace of Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6).

The Great Commission‌ – All share the mandate to preach the Gospel and serve the world (Matthew 28:19-20).

3. Pathways to Practical Unity‌

Focus on Essentials‌ – Agree on foundational doctrines (e.g., salvation by grace) while allowing liberty in secondary matters (Romans 14:1-6).

Collaborative Mission‌ – Partner in prayer, evangelism, and social justice, reflecting the "one body, many parts" principle (1 Corinthians 12:12).

Honor Diverse Traditions‌ – Appreciate each tradition’s strengths (e.g., Anglican liturgy, Baptist believer’s baptism, Methodist social holiness).

Conclusion‌

Christ did not found denominations—He founded the Church (Colossians 1:18). When believers humbly center on the Gospel, they fulfill Christ’s prayer: "That they may all be one… so that the world may believe" (John 17:21). True unity isn’t uniformity, but a shared allegiance to Jesus above all.

Benny Hinn Is My Uncle, but Prosperity Preaching Isn’t for Me

Almost 15 years ago, on a shoreline outside of Athens, Greece, I stood confident in my relationship with the Lord and my ministry trajectory. I was traveling the world on a private Gulfstream jet doing “gospel” ministry and enjoying every luxury money could buy. After a comfortable flight and my favorite meal (lasagna) made by our personal chef, we prepared for a ministry trip by resting at The Grand Resort: Lagonissi. Boasting my very own ocean-view villa, complete with private pool and over 2,000 square feet of living space, I perched on the rocks above the water’s edge and rejoiced in the life I was living. After all, I was serving Jesus Christ and living the abundant life he promised.

Little did I know that this coastline was part of the Aegean Sea—the same body of water the apostle Paul sailed while spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. There was just one problem: We weren’t preaching the same gospel as Paul.

Lavish Lifestyle

Growing up in the Hinn family empire was like belonging to some hybrid of the royal family and the mafia. Our lifestyle was lavish, our loyalty was enforced, and our version of the gospel was big business. Though Jesus Christ was still a part of our gospel, he was more of a magic genie than the King of Kings. Rubbing him the right way—by giving money and having enough faith—would unlock your spiritual inheritance. God’s goal was not his glory but our gain. His grace was not to set us free from sin but to make us rich. The abundant life he offered wasn’t eternal, it was now. We lived the prosperity gospel.

My father pastored a small church in Vancouver, British Columbia. During my teenage years, he would travel nearly twice a month with my uncle, Benny Hinn. Prosperity theology paid amazingly well. We lived in a 10,000-square-foot mansion guarded by a private gate, drove two Mercedes Benz vehicles, vacationed in exotic destinations, and shopped at the most expensive stores. On top of that, we bought a $2 million ocean-view home in Dana Point, California, where another Benz joined the fleet. We were abundantly blessed.

Throughout those years we faced countless criticisms from both inside and outside the church. Dateline NBC, The Fifth Estate (a Canadian news program), and other shows did investigative work. Well-known ministry leaders took to the airwaves warning people about our teachings, and local pastors told their congregations to steer clear of pulpits filled by a “Hinn.” At the time, I believed we were being persecuted like Jesus and Paul, and that our critics were just jealous of our blessings.

Within the family, we didn’t tolerate criticism. One day I asked my father if we could go heal my friend from school who had lost her hair due to cancer. He replied that we should pray for her at home rather than going to heal her. I thought to myself, Shouldn’t we be doing what the apostles did if we have the same gift? At that point, I didn’t question our ability to heal, but doubts began to stir about our motives. We only did healings in the crusades, where music created the atmosphere, money changed hands, and people approached us with the “right” amount of faith.

Other doubts would surface. What about unsuccessful healing attempts? I learned that it was the sick person’s fault for doubting God. Why would we speak in tongues without interpretation? “Don’t quench the Spirit,” I was told. “He can do what he wants.” Why did many of our prophecies contradict the Bible? “Don’t put God in a box.” Despite the questions, I trusted my family because we were so successful. Tens of thousands of people followed us, millions packed stadiums annually to hear my uncle. We healed the sick, performed miracles, rubbed elbows with celebrities, and got incredibly wealthy. God must be on our side!

Before going to college, I took a year off and joined Benny’s ministry as a “catcher” (someone who catches the people who are “slain in the spirit”) and personal assistant. This was a rite of passage in my family, as nearly every nephew worked for him at some point. It was a show of loyalty and gratitude. That year was a whirlwind tour of luxury: $25,000-a-night royal suites in Dubai, seaside resorts in Greece, tours of the Swiss Alps, villas on Lake Como in Italy, basking on the golden coast of Australia, shopping sprees at Harrods in London, and numerous trips to Israel, Hawaii, and everywhere in between. The pay was great, we flew on our own private Gulfstream, and I got to buy custom suits. All I had to do was catch people and look spiritual!

A Life-Changing Verse

After graduating college and returning home, I met my wife, Christyne. I had no idea that God would use her in bringing about my salvation. In fact, my family and I were nervous because she didn’t speak in tongues. We set out to fix that problem by having her attend one of Benny’s crusades, but nothing happened. Next, she attended a service at my home church in Vancouver, but that didn’t work either. Finally, she received some coaching at a youth conference, but she couldn’t manage more than a few mumbled syllables. I truly thought I could never marry her unless something changed.

Then one day she pointed to a verse I had never seen: 1 Corinthians 12:30 (“Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?”). I was shaken to the core. There it was plain as day—not everybody has to speak in tongues. Soon, the domino effect began. Other longstanding beliefs were failing the biblical test. No longer did I believe that God’s purpose was to make me happy, healthy, and wealthy. Instead, I saw that he wanted me to live for him regardless of what I could get from him.

While struggling to strike out into ministry, I received a call from a pastor-friend who was planting a church in California, offering me a part-time youth pastor position. It seemed like a perfect place to learn and grow, so Christyne and I packed up and took a step of faith as newlyweds.

Soon after joining the staff, God put the final crack in my false belief system, and the truth came bursting forth like a wave of grace. One of my first preaching assignments was John 5:1–17—the healing at Bethesda. As I studied for the sermon, my pastor-friend gave me a trusted commentary. Then the Holy Spirit took over. The passage showed that Jesus healed one man out of a multitude, the man didn’t know who Jesus was, and the man was healed instantly!

This left three treasured beliefs in tatters. Isn’t it always God’s will to heal? No, Jesus only healed one man out of a multitude. Doesn’t God only heal people if they have enough faith? No, this crippled man didn’t even know who Jesus was (let alone have faith in him). Doesn’t healing require an anointed healer, special music, and an offering collection? No, Jesus healed instantly with a mere command. I wept bitterly over my participation in greedy ministry manipulation and my life of false teaching and beliefs, and I thanked God for his mercy and grace through Jesus Christ. My eyes were completely opened.

I am thankful that my wife was willing to question my insistence on speaking in tongues and that my pastor loved me enough to disciple me out of prosperity gospel confusion. I’ve seen how God uses evangelism and discipleship to transform lost souls into found saints. A Christian’s greatest ability is availability. When God’s people are willing to take a step of faith and speak the truth in love, lives are transformed and God is glorified. You never know who he might save through your faithfulness.

Costi Hinn is executive pastor at Mission Bible Church in Orange County, California.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2017/09/benny-hinn-costi-uncle-prosperity-preaching-testimony/

English Bible Translations Family Tree

 

Digital tool here: timeline

https://crossbible.com/timeline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GXowCfGMCs

Response to a Divisive Jeffrey Khoo

 1. The Danger of False Teachings and Division

Scripture is clear that spreading false doctrine is spiritually destructive. Paul warns in Galatians 1:6-9:

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all... But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"

Jeffrey Khoo’s insistence on doctrines like "Perfect TR" or "KJV-Onlyism" (when elevated above biblical unity) risks creating unnecessary divisions. While textual debates have their place, Romans 16:17 instructs:

"I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them."

2. The Sin of Schism in the Church

Christ’s prayer in John 17:20-23 emphasizes unity among believers as a testimony to the world. Deliberately splitting churches over secondary issues contradicts this. 1 Corinthians 1:10 admonishes:

"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."

If Jeffrey Khoo’s teachings cause strife rather than edification (Ephesians 4:3), he should heed Titus 3:10-11:

"Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them, for such people are warped and sinful."

3. A Call to Repentance and Restoration

Jeffrey Khoo’s actions should be confronted with grace and truth (Matthew 18:15-17). 2 Timothy 2:24-25 reminds us:

"The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth."

True shepherds build up the flock (Acts 20:28), not fracture it for personal agendas. Let us pray for humility and correction, trusting in God’s Word as the ultimate authority.

J. Gresham Machen and KJV

“A version like the King James Version is not a substitute for the Greek New Testament. It is only a translation, and all translations are defective.”

— J. Gresham Machen, “The Importance of the Greek New Testament,” The Bible Today, October 1937

“If the Bible is to be read, it must be read in a language that people can understand.”

— Machen, “Christianity and Culture”

J. Gresham Machen, a prominent Presbyterian theologian, held a strong view on the importance of the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God. He did not, however, promote a "King James Version (KJV) only" position.

Machen believed that the Bible is a supernatural revelation from God to man, an account of an event that is found nowhere else. He argued that the original authors of the biblical books were supernaturally guided by the Holy Spirit, which preserved them from error. This means that the original writings, or "autographs," were "the very Word of God, completely true in what it says regarding matters of fact and completely authoritative in its commands."

When it came to translation, Machen made a clear distinction between the inspired original texts and any subsequent translation. He was well aware that the Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek. In his talk, "Is the Bible the Word of God?", Machen directly addressed the idea of an inspired translation. He stated, "we believers in the plenary inspiration of the Bible do not hold that the Authorized Version or any other form of the English Bible is inspired." He went on to clarify, "The Authorized Version is a translation from the Hebrew and the Greek. It is a marvelously good translation, but it is not a perfect translation. There are errors in it. The translators were not supernaturally preserved from making mistakes. It is not inspired."

Machen's emphasis was on the importance of the original languages. He believed that to truly know what the Bible says, one must be able to read it in its original languages. He is quoted as saying, "If you are to tell what the Bible does say, you must be able to read the Bible for yourself. And you cannot read the Bible for yourself unless you know the languages in which it was written… In his mysterious wisdom [God] gave his [Word] to us in Hebrew and Greek. Hence, if we want to know the scriptures, to the study of Greek and Hebrew we must go."

Summary of Machen’s View on Bible Translation:

He did not support KJV-onlyism.

He saw the KJV as a valuable but imperfect translation.

He called for fidelity to the original Hebrew and Greek.

He encouraged translation into modern, understandable language.

He opposed liberal distortions, not newer translations per se.

In conclusion, Machen’s legacy in Bible translation reflects his high view of Scripture, commitment to accuracy, and pastoral concern for accessibility—not a rigid loyalty to the King James Version.

Fragments of Truth - (IMPORTANT)

 

Is the KJV Bible PERFECT?

 

What we Realize Now‌

What we Realize Now‌

We see us searching for the "purest Bible," debating ancient manuscripts like Alexandrian or Byzantine texts. But the Westminster Confession never promised a perfect Bible—and it never told us to worship the KJV alone. God’s truth is found in Christ, not in our arguments. We’ve forgotten Jesus’ own words: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). The Spirit guides us into truth—not our scholarly battles.

What Breaks Our Heart‌s

The Church is splitting over small disagreements—like whether speaking in tongues is a "real language" or a heavenly prayer (1 Corinthians 14:2). Paul taught that spiritual gifts should unite us, yet we’ve turned them into tests of faith. We fight over minor issues while the world drowns in pain. Leaders quarrel, believers walk away, and the Gospel—the only hope for sinners—gets lost in the noise.

What We’ve Discovered‌

True unity isn’t about agreeing on every detail. We’ve seen it shine in quiet moments:

A Catholic nun praying with a Baptist pastor over a sick child.

African villagers singing the same hope I heard in a Korean seminary.

Even on the cross, Jesus saved two thieves who’d never debated theology. They simply turned to Him (Luke 23:43). That’s the power of the Gospel.

What We’ll Do Next‌

No more shouting. No more "us vs. them."

We’ll focus on Christ’s invitation‌—not our arguments.

When asked "What church?" We’ll say: "Just a follower of Jesus."‌ (Acts 11:26)

W’ll take God’s Word to the streets‌?

— Tomorrow, we are reading Mark 6 with refugees outside a mosque?

— We won’t debate Bible versions. We’ll ask: "What is Jesus saying to us here?"

The world doesn’t need perfect scholars. It needs imperfect Christians who love like He did.

Let us build bridges—not walls. The harvest is waiting.