Church Fathers on False Prophets, Part 1 — What Holly Thinks

Last summer, FP featured a series on what the early church fathers had to say about the Antichrist. This four-part series looks at what they had to say about testing false prophets.

We’ll look at two writings from the “apostolic fathers” — those who ministered in the days just after the Apostles lived (until about the mid-second century). We’ll also look at two writings by influential church leaders of the late second and fourth centuries.

The writings of these church fathers aren’t Scripture, so they’re not infallible. But they do provide valuable insight into the views of the early Christians. By reading them, we learn that Christians back then dealt with many of the same issues we deal with today, like how to be sexually pure, how to endure tribulation and how to detect doctrinal error.

Their writings addressed people whose cultural practices differed from our own. For example, The Didache (quoted below) refers to traveling apostles and prophets, who were common in the early church. They were supported by their host congregations — a situation that could easily be abused by false prophets.

Even though some of their practices differed from ours, the principles they had for testing false prophets are just as relevant for us today.

The Didache

The Didache (written between 80 A.D. and 110 A.D.) was a church manual of teaching and practical instruction for the early Christian communities. Topics it addressed include baptism, communion and church leadership. It also contained advice for how to tell a true prophet from a false prophet.

Chapter 11 of The Didache gives four tests for a false prophet: (1) If his teachings are inconsistent with the teachings that came from the previous prophets and apostles; (2) if he is motivated by money and selfish gain; (3) if he doesn’t have Christ’s character; and (4) if he is a hypocrite.

Here’s what it says.
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Whosoever, therefore, shall come and teach you all these things aforesaid, him do ye receive; but if the teacher himself turn and teach another doctrine with a view to subvert you, hearken not to him; but if he come to add to your righteousness, and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.

But concerning the apostles and prophets, thus do ye according to the doctrine of the Gospel. Let every apostle who cometh unto you be received as the Lord. He will remain one day, and if it be necessary, a second; but if he remain three days, he is a false prophet. [Note: In those days, traveling teachers and prophets received shelter and provision from their hosts. The author of the Didache is warning against “prophets” who overstay their welcome.]

And let the apostle when departing take nothing but bread until he arrive at his resting-place; but if he ask for money, he is a false prophet.

And ye shall not tempt or dispute with any prophet who speaketh in the spirit; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.

But not every one who speaketh in the spirit is a prophet, but he is so who hath the disposition of the Lord; by their dispositions they therefore shall be known, the false prophet and the prophet.

And every prophet who ordereth in the spirit that a table shall be laid, shall not eat of it himself, but if he do otherwise, he is a false prophet; and every prophet who teacheth the truth, if he do not what he teacheth is a false prophet; and every prophet who is approved and true, and ministering in the visible mystery of the Church, but who teacheth not others to do the things that he doth himself, shall not be judged of you, for with God lieth his judgment, for in this manner also did the ancient prophets.

But whoever shall say in the spirit, Give me money, or things of that kind, listen not to him; but if he tell you concerning others that are in need that ye should give unto them, let no one judge him. (The Didache, Chapter 11)

— Holly Pivec
11/4/08