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Is Antichrist

Central Christian Church in Lancaster, California, is deceitfully against Christ (i.e. antichrist). They are not blatantly against Him, for if they were, few would be deceived. But, it is subtle, as God warned long ago in 2 Peter 2:1.

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, ...

Please note the following two examples of secret "destructive heresies" that are against Christ (antichrist).

I. Psychological Deceit

Central Christian Church has "SUPPORT/RECOVERY GROUPS" for "Such as Substance Abuse, . . . Sexual Abuse, . . . and Divorce Recovery, etc." (from their brochure entitled, "Ministry Opportunities"). The "SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY GROUP" "meets every Monday at 7:00 pm in Room 109." (according to the December 13, 1998 church bulletin). This "recovery group " idea is a denial of Jesus' words in John 8:36. Speaking in the context of the bondage of sin, Jesus said,

Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

If the Son had set them free, they would have no use for any "SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY GROUP", because they would not be recovering; they would be "free indeed"!

Central Christian Church is against Christ's words in John 8:36 and does not believe the Son of God when He said, "you shall be free indeed". They also do not believe Jesus Christ (our Savior from sin) is enough to set people free from such sin. The very fact that they have such a "recovery group" proves this to be true. Plus, the people who feel such a need for such a "recovery group" exemplify that the Son has NOT set them free. So, instead of finding the answer in Christ (and Christ alone, 2 John 7/Colossians 2:8-10) they resort to a Christianized psychological approach to dealing with sin (and the bondage of it).

Another example of this psychological deceit can be found by their espousal of the AVCAPC (Antelope Valley Child Abuse Prevention Council). On December 13, 1998, we visited Central Christian Church and found the AVCAPC November 1998 newsletter in the lobby for anyone to take. Of course, this would make sense (their connection with the AVCAPC) , because Wayne Rickerson, who is on staff at Central Christian as the "Family Services Minister", is one of the General Board Members of the AVCAPC.

The AVCAPC is not a godly organization. This can be seen from the November 1998 newsletter that Central Christian had available to all who wanted a copy. In one article ("Reporting Child Abuse Isn't Easy"), the author wrote, "I see now, it really does take a village to raise a child." That, of course, is the ungodly (not found in holy writ) philosophy of Hillary Clinton. This same article also espoused the lie that abusive parents love their children ("I know these people love their child, as do most parents who are abusive to their children."). Please note 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. They would not be abusing their children if they loved them!

Another article entitled, "The Walking Wounded" spoke of the psychological lies of "unmet needs", "unconscious needs", and "unconscious unmet needs". The article said,

Woundedness from childhood leads to unmet needs for affirmation, attention, and power. Without help to bring those unconscious needs to consciousness, a person may fall into a vortex of addictive and damaging behavior - patterns of grazing for someone to fill those needs, selecting the "candidate," and then setting up the opportunities to connect with the candidate. Once the candidate is hooked, the acting out (obsessive sexualized behavior) begins, accompanied by blaming (to avoid accountability), manipulating (anyone who might block the acting out) and secret-keeping.

Here is a classic rejection of Romans 1:18-32. This Scripture says sexual sin (and other sins) is the direct result of a rejection of God. Psychology says, it's the direct result of "woundedness" and "unmet needs". So, what is the answer they give for "sexual addiction" (i.e. sexual sin)?

For information on SEXUAL ADDICTION or COMPULSIVITY,

check out

websites www.sexaa.org/ or www.SCA-recovery.org/self-discovery.html

call Masters and Johnson 1-800-533-5266, the leading treatment centers

at your public library, check out books by Patrick Carnes, the most published sex addition (sic) therapists

in your phone directory, find twelve step groups (usually called Sex Addicts Anonymous of Sexual Compulsive Anonymous (1-800-977-HEAL) and individual therapists

So, instead of Jesus Christ as the answer, it's "sex therapists" that you need. This is ANTICHRIST (1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 7/Colossians 2:8-10), and it is also another gospel (Galatians 1:8-9). The "good news" (answer) here for sin is "sex therapists". The "good news" (answer) in the Bible is Jesus Christ!

Now, lest anyone excuse Central Christian for this and say Central Christian doesn't believe this garbage (even though they are giving it away for free), you could note that Wayne Rickerson has this same kind of psychological deceit in his family ministries.

In The Caller (May 1998 edition) on page 2 under "Wayne Rickerson FAMILY MINISTRY" Mr. Rickerson posted the following.

30 Days to Overcoming Overeating

If you have a problem with overeating and are victim of the lose/gain, lose/gain syndrome, you will want to take this workshop. Ninety three percent of all people who go on diets and lose weight gain it all back plus some extra pounds within three years.

30 Days To Overcoming Overeating is not the latest 'quick fix' program. In this five week workshop, you will learn four biblical principles that will help make changes that will last a life time. There is an Overcoming Overeating manual that includes thirty days of quiet times based on the four Biblical principles for permanent change.

This also is antichrist (against Christ)! The apostle Paul didn't give "four Biblical principles" for those who had an overeating problem. He gave tears!

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame - who set their mind on earthly things. (Philippians 3:17-19)

Mr. Rickerson's annoucement should say, "If you have a problem with overeating, repent! You're an enemy of the cross of Christ!" Such a Biblical rebuke would be political suicide. Thus, the truth does not prevail.

Central Christian is further seen as antichrist (against Christ, who is the Word of God, John 1:1; Revelation 19:13) via their,

II. Essentials Lie

In the "Welcome!" hand out that they give to first time visitors, Central Christian prints their doctrinal statement, and at the very end they write,

(Note: While the Bible teaches and we believe other doctrines, these are fundamental or foundational doctrines. Our commitment is, "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things love.")

Dave Prather, pastor of Central Christian Church, goes into some detail on just what they believe in regards to this statement on the tape, Salvation: How Secure Is It? (7-26-98).

As a pastor and as the elders of this Church we believe that on the fundamentals (the foundational issues, the issues that are unique to Christianity) we should all agree. But on some of the other issues (the peripheral issues) we certainly should study Scripture and we should be prepared to explain to another person our point of view on these issues, but we certainly should not divide on those issues. There is room in the body of Christ and in this church and in fact in the leadership team of a church for differing opinions on some of what we would consider the peripheral issues. Ah, our view on spiritual gifts, in this room there would be differing points of view. Ah, the thing that we're talking about today, eternal security, the security of the believer, some would hold point A and some would hold point B, and, ah, and we think that's a healthy thing. On our doctrinal statement we provide what we consider to be the essentials of the faith. And beyond those essentials we may all have points of view, but we're not gonna fight with one another over them.

In other words, Mr. Prather is saying "we're not gonna fight" the good fight (2 Timothy 4:7; Jude 3). Mr. Prather goes on.

Those essential doctrines, that's what makes a person a Christian really, is an understanding of those basic issues. We ought all agree on those. On the bottom of our doctrinal statement, we have a statement that says, 'In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.' And that has been the attitude of this church at least for 15 years, that we want to agree on the essentials. On the non-essentials we should provide liberty. People can have a differing point of view. But, make sure that in everything we demonstrate love toward, ah, one another. And I trust that, ah, that will be your attitude. I've always believed that I oughta be able to get along with those people that I'm gonna spend eternity with. If I'm gonna spend eternity with them in heaven, then I oughta be able to get along with them down here on earth. At least I oughta work real hard at that, and ah, even though we may have differing points of view.

Shortly after this Mr. Prather gives a poem.

"If you go to heaven you will likely view many folks whose presence there will be a shock to you. But just keep quiet. Don't even stare. Doubtless there'll be many folks surprised to see you there." And that is very true.

That is a lie! This is not only a lie, but it exemplifies that Mr. Prather "turns the grace of our God into lewdness" (Jude 4). Here, the lewdness is in regards to the truth.

What do the Scriptures say about the "essentials" or "fundamentals"? NOTHING, because it is a manmade doctrine! Contrary to any "essentials", in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Paul writes,

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Similarly, Paul wrote to Timothy,

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia - remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:3)

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, . . . (1 Timothy 6:3-4)

The apostle John likewise wrote,

He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him." (1 John 2:4-5)

We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)

Jesus likewise said,

He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. (John 8:47)

The Word of God (all of it) is the standard, not some made-made list of "essentials". In fact Jesus Himself said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (note further, Matthew 5:3-7:27; Hebrews 4:12-13; James 1:21; Jude 3)

On this one doctrine ALONE (the essentials lie) Central Christian Church is shutting "up the kingdom of God against men" (Matthew 23:13), because it teaches them to "not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

There is more (like Dave Prather's false teaching on Matthew 18:34-35), but suffice it to say, Central Christian is on the broad way (Matthew 7:13-14) that leads to hell. If you would like further information on Central Christian's false doctrine, please write or call and we will send it to you free of charge:

a true church, P.O. Box 130, Moodys, OK 74444

1-800-HOW-TRUE, www.atruechurch.info