THE PRICE OF ERROR
What Does the Bible Say About a Different Gospel?
This article is written with a broken heart full of love for every soul—LDS, Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, cultural Christian, and every person who has been taught something other than what the Bible actually says about Jesus Christ. This is not an attack on any person or people. We are all sinners desperately in need of a Savior. I do. But because I love you, I must speak the truth clearly, even when it’s uncomfortable.
The Bible warns us repeatedly and urgently about the danger of believing or teaching a “different gospel” or a “different Jesus.” These are not our warnings—they are God’s warnings, given in His Word out of His love for you. The stakes could not be higher: your eternal soul.
Let us examine together what Scripture alone—the Word of God—says about departing from the truth of the Gospel.
THE GOSPEL IS NON-NEGOTIABLE
Paul’s Shocking Warning to the Galatians
Galatians 1:6-9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”
Let that sink in. Paul—the apostle who wrote much of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—says twice in three verses that anyone who preaches a different gospel should be accursed (Greek: anathema, meaning condemned, damned, cut off from God).
Notice what Paul includes in this warning:
“Even if we” even if Paul himself came back and changed his message
“Or an angel from heaven” even if a heavenly messenger appeared with a new revelation
This is precisely what happened in the founding of the LDS Church—Joseph Smith claimed an angel (Moroni) gave him a new revelation that contradicted the Bible. According to Paul’s inspired warning, this is exactly the scenario God warned us about.
There Is Only ONE Gospel
Galatians 1:7 “Not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”
The gospel is not a buffet where we pick what we like. There is ONE gospel, ONE truth, ONE way of salvation. Any alteration, addition, or subtraction from it is not a “different version”—it is a counterfeit that leads to destruction.
The Gospel Must Remain Pure
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus, whom we did not proclaim, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”
Paul warns that it is possible to believe in:
Another Jesus a Jesus who is not the true Jesus of the Bible
A different spirit not the Holy Spirit of God
A different gospel not the gospel of grace through faith alone
This is not theoretical. Paul is warning about real danger: people can sincerely believe they’re following Jesus while actually following a false Jesus created by false teaching.
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THE IDENTITY OF JESUS IS THE FOUNDATION
Believing the Wrong Jesus Cannot Save You
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “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.”
False teachers often appear righteous, moral, and sincere. They may speak about Jesus, use Christian terminology, and claim divine authority. But if they teach a Jesus who is different from the Jesus of Scripture, they are leading people to destruction.
Salvation Depends on Believing Jesus Is “I AM”
John 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.”
This is Jesus Himself speaking. He declares that belief in His identity as “I AM” (YHWH, the eternal God) is necessary for salvation. You cannot be saved while believing Jesus is merely an exalted man, a created being, or one god among many.
There Is No Other Name
Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The Jesus of the Bible is the only Savior. A “Jesus” who is not YHWH God incarnate, who is not fully God and fully Man, cannot save anyone—because that Jesus is not the true Jesus who died for sins and rose again.
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THE CONSEQUENCES OF FALSE TEACHING
False Teachers Face God’s Judgment
2 Peter 2:1-3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
God takes false teaching seriously because it destroys souls. Those who teach error about Jesus—denying His true identity as God—face severe judgment.
False Teachers Lead Others to Destruction
Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
A false teacher may be sincere, but sincerity does not prevent disaster. Both the teacher and those who follow will fall into the pit—eternal separation from God.
Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits…Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
False prophets appear harmless (“sheep’s clothing”) but are spiritually deadly (“ravenous wolves”). They may have beautiful buildings, moral teachings, and impressive growth—but if they deny the true Jesus, they lead people away from salvation.
Those Who Follow False Teaching Are in Danger
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
This is one of the most sobering passages in Scripture. People who called Jesus “Lord,” who prophesied, performed miracles, and did mighty works “in His name” will be turned away. Why? Because they never truly knew Him—they believed in a false Jesus.
Religious activity, even “in Jesus’ name,” does not save. Only the true Jesus saves.
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ADDING TO OR CHANGING SCRIPTURE IS FORBIDDEN
Do Not Add to God’s Word
Deuteronomy 4:2 “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
Revelation 22:18-19 “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
God’s Word is complete, sufficient, and final. Any claim of new revelation that contradicts or “corrects” Scripture is rebellion against God. The Book of Mormon, the Watchtower publications, and any other writings that claim to supersede or correct the Bible stand under God’s condemnation.
Scripture Is Sufficient
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
We need nothing beyond Scripture. The Bible completely equips us for every good work. We don’t need golden plates, we don’t need a restored church, we don’t need additional prophets. We have God’s complete, inspired, inerrant Word.
Hebrews 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
God’s final word to humanity is His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no revelation after Christ that supersedes or corrects what He taught.
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THE TEST: DOES YOUR JESUS MATCH THE BIBLE?
Let’s be crystal clear about what the Bible teaches regarding Jesus Christ, and let’s honestly compare this to what various religious systems teach.
THE BIBLICAL JESUS
According to Scripture, Jesus Christ is:
YHWH God incarnate the eternal God who became flesh
John 1:1: “The Word was God”
John 8:58: “Before Abraham was, I AM”
John 10:30: “I and the Father are one”
Colossians 2:9: “In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily”
The Creator of all things nothing exists that He did not create
John 1:3: “All things were made through him”
Colossians 1:16: “By him all things were created”
Eternal without beginning or end
John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word”
Revelation 1:8: “The Alpha and the Omega”
Micah 5:2: “Whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days”
The only way to salvation there is no other
John 14:6: “No one comes to the Father except through me”
Acts 4:12: “There is salvation in no one else”
Worthy of worship equal to the Father
Philippians 2:10-11: “Every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”
Hebrews 1:6: “Let all God’s angels worship him”
The sole Mediator no other mediators needed
1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”
THE LDS (MORMON) JESUS
According to LDS teaching, Jesus is:
A created being the spirit brother of Lucifer, one of many spirit children of heavenly parents
One among many gods polytheism (many gods exist)
An exalted man who progressed to godhood, as all worthy Mormon men hope to do
Not sufficient for salvation works, ordinances, and temple ceremonies are required
Not unique any worthy Mormon male can become a god
This is NOT the Jesus of the Bible. These two cannot both be true. They are contradictory and mutually exclusive.
THE JEHOVAH’S WITNESS JESUS
According to Watchtower teaching, Jesus is:
A created being the first creation of Jehovah, the Archangel Michael
Not God a lesser being, not worthy of worship
Not eternal had a beginning
Not the Creator helped Jehovah create, but is not the ultimate Creator
This is NOT the Jesus of the Bible. Colossians 1:16 says “ALL things were created through him”—that includes angels. Jesus cannot be both the Creator of all things and a created thing. It’s logically impossible and biblically false.
THE CATHOLIC ADDITION
The Roman Catholic Church affirms the deity of Christ (which is correct), but adds:
Mary as co-redemptrix involved in redemption alongside Christ
The Mass as a re-sacrifice Jesus’ sacrifice is repeated
Purgatory additional purification needed after death
Papal authority the Pope as Christ’s vicar with the power to create doctrine
These additions contradict Scripture:
Hebrews 7:27: “He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”
Hebrews 10:10: “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”
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THE URGENCY: ETERNITY HANGS IN THE BALANCE
Hell Is Real
Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Revelation 20:15 “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Hell is not metaphorical. It is eternal conscious separation from God, eternal punishment, eternal torment. Jesus spoke about hell more than anyone else in the Bible—because He loves us and wants to warn us.
There Is No Second Chance After Death
Hebrews 9:27 “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”
There is no:
Purgatory where you can work off your sins
Second probation after death
Reincarnation for another try
Spirit prison where you can still accept the gospel
Death seals your eternal destiny. Today is the day of salvation.
The Time to Decide Is NOW
2 Corinthians 6:2 “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
James 4:14 “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
You are not guaranteed tomorrow. Your next breath is a gift from God. Do not delay.
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WHAT MUST YOU DO?
Examine Everything by Scripture
Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Don’t take my word for it. Don’t take your pastor’s word. Don’t take Joseph Smith’s word. Don’t take the Watchtower’s word. Don’t take the Pope’s word.
Search the Scriptures yourself. Compare what you’ve been taught to what the Bible actually says.
Recognize Your Need for the TRUE Savior
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
You are a sinner. I am a sinner. We all are. We deserve death and hell. We cannot save ourselves through good works, religious ordinances, baptisms, temple ceremonies, or anything else. We need a Savior.
Believe in the TRUE Jesus
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 10:9-10 “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Not works. Not ordinances. Not church membership.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Repent and Turn to Christ
Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out”
Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Repentance means turning away from sin and false teaching and turning to Christ. It means abandoning the false Jesus you may have believed in and embracing the true Jesus of Scripture—YHWH God incarnate, your Creator, your only Savior.
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A PERSONAL APPEAL
If you are reading this and you have been raised LDS, Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, or in any religious system that teaches a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible, please hear me:
I am not your enemy. I do not hate you. I do not think I am better than you. I am a wretched sinner saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. I have no righteousness of my own. I am completely dependent on the mercy of God.
But I love you too much to remain silent.
If you were standing on a bridge that was about to collapse, and I knew it was unstable, would you want me to remain quiet so as not to offend you? Or would you want me to shout a warning, even if it made you uncomfortable?
The Bible—God’s inspired, inerrant Word—warns repeatedly and urgently about the danger of believing a false gospel and a false Jesus. These warnings are not mean-spirited; they are loving. God does not want anyone to perish.
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
God loves you. Jesus died for you. But salvation is only in the TRUE Jesus—YHWH God who became flesh, died for your sins, rose from the dead, and now offers you eternal life as a free gift.
Will you search the Scriptures for yourself?
Will you compare what you’ve been taught to what God actually says?
Will you cry out to the true Jesus for salvation?
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TO THOSE WHO TEACH
If you are a pastor, teacher, missionary, or leader in any religious organization that teaches a different Jesus than the Jesus of Scripture, I plead with you: Stop.
James 3:1 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
You will stand before God and give an account for what you have taught. If you have led people away from the true Jesus—even unintentionally, even sincerely—you have done them eternal harm.
Ezekiel 3:18-19 “If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”
God will hold you accountable for the souls you influence. Please, examine the Scriptures. Teach only what God’s Word actually says.
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THE CHOICE IS YOURS
The Bible presents you with a clear choice:
The TRUE Jesus (YHWH God incarnate), fully God and fully Man, the Creator of all things, the only Savior, who offers salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Him alone.
OR
A FALSE Jesus, a created being, an exalted man, one god among many, insufficient for salvation, requiring your works and ordinances.
Both cannot be true. They are mutually exclusive. You must choose.
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live”
Joshua 24:15 “Choose this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
The true LORD—YHWH—is Jesus Christ. He is calling you. Will you answer?
John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
Come to Him today. The true Jesus will never cast you out.
THE Grace Awakening Study Guide
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Craig Rogers
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Professional Experience: CEO | KINGDOM Empowered (2020 - Present) In his role as co-CEO, Craig’s daily mission is to surrender his...
