Answers to Bible Questions

Answer: By (1) their actions, (2) their doctrine, and (3) miraculous proofs. All three of these are ways the Bible gives for determining a true or false prophet.

(1) Their Actions:

Now, before we get into this, it must be said that nobody is perfect (except the prophet Jesus), and no religious group is perfect, neither in practice nor in doctrine. When we begin looking at evidence for true prophets and teachers, we must be fair. However, we also cannot be blind and shut our ears just because we so badly want something to be true. There’s a reason why most people who grow up in a certain religion, live their whole life in that religion—that’s what they’ve been taught and they’ve never questioned it. For instance, almost all who grow up in Buddhism, will spend their whole life in Buddhism. The same goes for Islam, Mormonism, Catholicism, and even Christianity. All of these groups are absolutely certain in their own minds that what they believe is the truth, yet they all radically disagree with the other religions, and we know things which are different are not the same. Most people just accept what they’re told as a child and never put in the honest effort to study it out and listen to what others have to say. Don’t do this. This is a wicked, ungodly practice and it is how people are deceived into cults and lies.

If you try to look at actions alone, you’ll be more easily deceived. Look at the politicians: they act so perfect in front of the camera, and they deceive large masses of people, yet every now and then something is leaked and we get a glimpse at their wickedness. This is not an America-only issue: for all of history, and in countries all around the world, people have been deceived by speech and fake character. Paul himself even says that Satan and his demons can look and act like angels of light. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, it says, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” In Galatians 4:16-18, Paul is rebuking the Galatians for believing a lie just because those purporting this lie were zealous. The zealousness of these false teachers persuaded them, and yet because Paul was telling them the truth, they made him an enemy of sorts. Paul says in Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” These Galatians would have done well to judge them according to their fruits—both the fruit of their actions and the fruit of their doctrine. Don’t be like these Galatians. Seek truth as well.

However, with all this said, actions and character are still viable means for evidence to support someone being a true or false prophet. It just shouldn’t be the sole means. So, let’s look at some examples, and since we (Hobble Creek Baptist Church) are in Utah and are seeking to save people out of Mormonism, let’s continue looking at Joseph Smith.

To start, look at this quote from Joseph Smith himself: “Come on! Ye prosecutors! Ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! For I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him, but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.” — (History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 408-409)

No man with this much pride and narcissism should ever be followed. Try to find any “Christian” in the world today who is so proud as to say that he has done more than Jesus. You probably won’t be able to, for that has to be one of the most blasphemous things to ever be said. For those reading this who follow him, how can you believe his teachings after he claims to be greater than Jesus? Don’t say, “Nobody’s perfect.” There are certain levels of wickedness where we can no longer use that argument. If someone accidentally slips up and cusses, well then yes, nobody is perfect—be gracious to that person. However, if someone is going to essentially quote Satan (for Satan wanted to be higher than God too), and claim to have done more than Paul, Peter, John, and Jesus, then that is one of, if not the, most obvious sign of a false prophet. If Smith’s words here aren’t a sign of a demon-controlled man, then what is? Please, stay away from this man. Never follow someone who claims to be greater than Jesus.

Another action of Smith’s is the fact that he had 30+ wives, many of which were barely teenagers and many of which who were are already married to other men. There’s much recorded in history during, and immediately after his life about this, and therefore it is settled as a fact. The only people who don’t believe this, are those who refuse to look at the evidence. One book, “In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith” by Todd M. Compton (who went to BYU), says this in its intro:

“Beginning in the 1830s, at least thirty-three women married Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. These were passionate relationships which also had some longevity, except in cases such as that of two young sisters, one of whom was discovered by Joseph’s first wife, Emma, in a locked bedroom with the prophet. Emma remained a steadfast opponent of polygamy throughout her life.

The majority of Smith’s wives were younger than he, and one third were between fourteen and twenty years of age. Another third were already married, and some of the husbands served as witnesses at their own wife’s polyandrous wedding. In addition, some of the wives hinted that they bore Smith children—most notably Sylvia Sessions’s daughter Josephine—although the children carried their stepfather’s surname.

For all of Smith’s wives, the experience of being secretly married was socially isolating, emotionally draining, and sexually frustrating. Despite the believed spiritual and temporal benefits, which they acknowledged, they found their faith tested to the limit of its endurance. After Smith’s death in 1844, their lives became even more “lonely and desolate.” One even joined a convent. The majority were appropriated by Smith’s successors, based on the Old Testament law of the Levirate, and had children by them, though they considered these guardianships unsatisfying. Others stayed in the Midwest and remarried, while one moved to California. But all considered their lives unhappy, except for the joy they found in their children and grandchildren. “

Brigham Young said, “The only men who become Gods, even the sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy" — (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 11:269.) Brigham Young, just like many others, knew Smith was a polygamist, or else he never would have said this. Otherwise, Brigham Young would essentially be saying that Smith can never be a god. Young said this because he must have known Smith was indeed a polygamist.

Much more could be said about his character, but let me encourage anyone reading this who believes him to be a prophet, to do this: Take a step back, and don’t judge him as an already established prophet of God, but rather, judge him fairly, as someone that you aren’t certain yet if they are or aren’t a prophet of God. If you already conclude something as a fact, typically nothing that anyone can say will change your mind, not even other facts. Don’t do that. Take a step back, and use truth, evidence, and Biblical judgement to determine whether he is true or not. Don’t use emotion, and be against him already or be for him already, but rather, use fairness, and be willing to say, “I’ll accept whatever the evidence concludes.” If you do this, you will see that he cannot be a prophet of God.

Also, emotions and what your “heart” tells you, isn’t conclusive evidence of anything. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to use our heart to determine truth. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

We love you and only share all of this out of care for you and your soul.

(2) Their Doctrine:

Now then, let’s deal with the second means by which to righteously judge whether someone is of God or not, and that is doctrine. This means of judging whether or not someone is a true prophet is one that is highly looked down upon and avoided today. Nobody wants to put in the work to study the Bible and seek for truth themselves. Most everybody wants to be spoon fed for the rest of their lives. However, if we honestly consider the Bible and what it warns of and teaches, we can be confident of some fundamental truths that a prophet or teacher of God must believe.

Take for instance John 8:24, 1 John 2:22-23 and 1 John 4:3, where we learn that “who we believe Jesus is,” is vitally important. In order, here’s what those verses say:

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”

“And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

One of the reasons these verses (and there’s much more regarding this subject) are given is so that we can determine who is and isn’t a teacher of God. Who we believe Jesus is will greatly impact our lives after death. Those verses, as well as many more, clearly teach that. However, most religions today want to say it doesn’t matter—it isn’t a big deal. Don’t listen to them, listen to the Bible, for it says you must make sure that the Jesus you believe in, and the teacher you’re following, is of God. 1 John 4:1 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Have you heeded this warning? If not, please don’t take this caution and command lightly.

Another fundamental doctrine God warns us to make sure we believe correctly, is the gospel. God, in His Word, gives us what we need so that we can identify false gospel preachers, and so that we aren’t accursed with them. Consider the following verses:

Galatians 1:6-9: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

In this passage, Paul says that even if an “angel from heaven” preaches a different gospel than Paul’s gospel (which is Christ’s gospel), to let that angel be accursed. Have you believed a new gospel that an “angel from heaven” preached to someone? There are many religions that claim they started by some “angel” appearing to their prophet and giving that prophet a new gospel not found in the Bible. Obviously, any angel preaching “another gospel, which is not another” (Galatians 1:5-6), are not angels from heaven, but rather fallen angels disguised as God’s angels (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Who knows, maybe an angel did appear to Muhammad, and then proceeded to give him a new gospel, just like he said. However, if something did appear to him, it had to be a fallen angel, for he received a new gospel not found in the Bible. Who knows, maybe an angel did appear to Joseph Smith, just like he said. However, if that did happen, it is a fact that it could not have been an angel of God, for Joseph’s gospel is diametrically opposed to the gospel found in the preserved Word of God.

Please remember, that this isn’t said because we hate Muslims or anyone who believes differently than us, but rather the opposite. We share this truth because we love you with Christ’s love. Christ’s love preaches the truth even if hated for it. God has called all true followers to blow the trumpet and warn of danger ahead, and if anyone is believing in a new gospel not found in the Bible, they’re going to be condemned for it, and therefore there is danger ahead. Jesus says in John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Again, He says in John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” How can we, believing that those who don’t believe on the true Christ and in the true gospel are condemned, not warn people? That’d be wicked of us to do. It is a fact, as Christ says, that those who don’t believe will be condemned, and it is a fact that there are many false Christs, teachers, prophets, Christians, angels, gods and churches in the world that are preaching drastically different gospels than the Bible’s gospel. Therefore, because we have God’s love, we warn you and will never withhold what we believe.

The best way to fully understand and believe the Bible’s gospel, is to read it for yourself and ask many questions. Please, click here where you’ll find a thorough gospel message filled with many verses, passages, and references so that you can study for yourself. Also, if you have any questions, please click here to ask us anything.

There are other specifics that could be mentioned here concerning important doctrines that we must know so that we can spot false teachers, but I think it has been proven that “what someone believes and teaches” is a vital means for determining false and true teachers of God. If you read through the New Testament, you’ll find that what others claim as truth, is a fundamental issue.

(3) Miraculous Proofs:

Next, what in the world is meant by “miraculous proofs.” Here’s what “miraculous proofs” means:

If someone is claiming to be a prophet of God and is claiming miracles as proof, then those miraculous powers he/she is claiming to have, need to be proven.

For instance, in Deuteronomy 18:20-22 the Word of God says this: “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

Here, when someone is claiming to be a prophet, and people ask “How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?” God says that if their prophecies don’t come true, then they aren’t prophets. This seems reasonable and clear enough, so then how come nobody ever does this? There have been many, and currently are many still, who claim to be prophets of God, yet they are never tested. Remember, 1 John 4:1 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” If a self-proclaimed prophet ever is tested, it is only with fortune cookie prophecies, which are general, unspecific prophecies that can be fulfilled a thousand ways. For instance, when you open a fortune cookie, it may say something like, “You will receive a gift this week.” Well, the odds of you getting something, whether it be a complement from someone, a physical item, or whatever, are extremely high. This is not how a prophet is to be tested. If someone is going to claim to be a prophet, they must give a prophecy that, (a) will be fulfilled soon, rather than 50 years down the road when their dead, and (b) must be something so specific that it’d be foolish to not believe them. However, even in this event, the more prophecies, the better.

Now, it must be said and emphasized that Satan will deceive people with fake wonders. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 says, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” This is why doctrine is so important. The devil isn’t going to rightfully teach people how to spend eternity with God. This is one thing he’ll never do. In fact, in that passage above, how does it say they will be deceived by these “lying wonders?” They’ll be deceived because they refused to love the truth. If they had loved the truth, and therefore accepted and known it, they would not have been deceived. However, they didn’t so they were easily tricked. So, don’t place too much emphasis on wonders and signs, for the devil can trick you. Make God’s truths number one.

Now then, let’s look at some examples of a self-proclaimed prophet, and see whether it is possible for him to be a prophet of God, and that man is Joseph Smith.

In 1832, Smith prophesied that an LDS temple would be built in Independence, Missouri within his generation. Almost 200 years later and no Temple has ever been built, but especially not during Smith’s generation. Here’s that passage: D&C 84:3-5 says, “Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.” This didn’t happen in that generation, or any generation afterwards, and therefore he has to be a false prophet.

Another prophecy of Joseph Smith’s was about the coming of the Lord in 56 years. However, it never came true. Joseph Smith predicted in 1835 that, “The coming of the Lord, which was nigh — even fifty-six years should wind up the scene” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, 182). We all know that didn’t happen. Jehovah’s Witnesses had a similar prophecy in the early 1900s, and when the date came, Jesus never showed up, so they changed the meaning of the prophecy. The devil is tricky, but don’t let him fool you with clever tactics.

Another prophecy of Smith’s was that all Nations would be involved in the American Civil War: “Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls; And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place. For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations,” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:1-3). Not only did all nations not get involved, not even most got involved in any sort of way in the American Civil War, and neither did it result in war being poured out upon all nations. If you read this prophecy again, you’ll see many things in it that never came to pass.

Lastly, here’s another false prophecy of his. Smith prophesied about seeing the current twelve LDS apostles in the celestial Kingdom. However, seven of them apostatized, and therefore this would never happen. 

[Joseph Smith:] “….I saw the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth, who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle, much fatigued, with their clothes tattered and their feet swollen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus standing in their midst, and they did not behold him. The Saviour looked upon them and wept.

I also beheld Elder M’Lellin in the south, standing upon a hill, surrounded by a vast multitude, preaching to them, and a lame man standing before him supported by his crutches; he threw them down at his word and leaped as a hart, by the mighty power of God.

Also, I saw Elder Brigham Young standing in a strange land, in the far south and west, in a desert place, upon a rock in the midst of a bout a dozen men of color, who appeared hostile. He was preaching to them in their own tongue, and the angel of God standing above his head with a drawn sword in his hand, protecting him, but he did not see it.

And I finally saw the Twelve in the celestial kingdom of God. I also beheld the redemption of Zion and many things which the tongue of man cannot describe in full” – (D&C 137)

However, at least seven of the twelve were soon excommunicated and apostatized from the church: John F. Boynton & Luke S. Johnson (1837), Lyman Johnson (1838), William E. M’Lellin (c.1838), Thomas B. Marsh & Orson Hyde (1838), and William Smith (1845).

D&C 84:40-41 says, “Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved. But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth there-from, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.” This means those apostatized “apostles” will not be in the celestial kingdom. Their sins can never be forgiven.

Brigham Young said in Journal of Discourses 12:94, “If there is a despicable character on the face of the earth, it is an apostate from this Church. He is a traitor who has deceived his best friends, betrayed his trust, and forfeited every principle of honor that God placed within him. They may think they are respected, but they are not. They are disgraced in their own eyes. There is not much honesty within them; they have forfeited their heaven, sold their birthright, and betrayed their friends. What will the devil do with such characters? Will he have them in his kingdom? Yes, he will be obliged to, because he is an apostate himself. He apostatized from the Celestial Kingdom, and was thrust down to hell. Yet, when apostates get to his kingdom, he will say—’I do not like you, for you are just as mean as I am. I was a traitor and a liar, and I am yet. I despise myself and every character that betrays his trust.’ That is all I wish to say on that point. Let apostates go.”

John F. Boynton, one of the first apostles whom Joseph Smith said that he’d see in the celestial kingdom, later joined Warren Parish’s LDS sect “Church of Christ.”  

William E. McLellin, was another one of those apostles who was excommunicated. Many things could be said about McLellin’s dislike for Joseph due to Joseph’s lies and mishandling of finances, but here’s a quote from the Latter Day Saint periodical, known as the Millennial Star, in 1864:

“While Joseph was in prison at Richmond, Mo., Mr. McLellin, who was a large and active man, went to the sheriff and asked for the privilege of flogging the Prophet; permission was granted, on condition that Joseph would fight. The sheriff made McLellin's earnest request known to Joseph, who consented to fight, if his irons were taken off. McLellin then refused to fight, unless he could have a club, to which Joseph was perfectly willing; but the sheriff would not allow them to fight on such unequal terms.

Previous to that incident, Smith authored a letter to the church from Liberty Jail on December 16, 1838, in which he made allusions to actions by McLellin that he vilified as sins.[13] In that letter, Smith likens McLellin to the biblical magician Balaam whose ass refused to help Balaam curse the Israelites, in the era of Moses. The letter may have been what provoked McLellin to attempt to fist-fight Smith.” — (McCune, George M. (1991). Personalities in the Doctrine and Covenants and Joseph Smith–History. Hawkes Publishing. pp. 76–77.)

Remember, Joseph Smith prophesied that he’d see McLellin and all the other apostles in the celestial kingdom. This has to be another false prophecy, and therefore he has to be a false prophet.

There are literally scores of prophecies that Smith made that never came true. There are many places you can find these false prophecies, but here’s one site that lists several: Joseph Smith False Prophet - Bible Prophecy and Truth.

Those who mention these false prophecies aren’t lying or putting words in Smith’s mouth, they are literally quoting his own words. If you believe him to be a prophet, since the Bible literally says to see if a prophet’s prophecies some true, you owe it to yourself to go to that website just listed and look at every one of those prophetic claims, and see for yourself. This is one of the most tangible means for determining a false prophet, and therefore it is not a guess, it is not a opinion, it is a fact, that Joseph cannot be a prophet of God.

Now, some may say, “The Lord changed His mind and that’s why those prophecies never came true.” However, if this was the case, then God’s own command is pointless in Deuteronomy 18, because a false prophet would always be able to use that as an excuse and escape goat. So, no, that is an unbiblical excuse. The only times a prophecy is allowed to not happen, is (a) if God had some sort of clause for the prophecy, such as “I will destroy this city unless they change their ways,” or (b) if God announces before the prophecy has the ability to be fulfilled, that He’s going to do something else instead.

False prophets always have some excuse for their prophecies, whether that be (a) they gave generalized prophecies and therefore it can be interpreted many ways, (b) they change the actual meaning of the prophecy after its supposed fulfillment, or (c) they say that God changed His mind. Don’t let false prophets deceive you. The Bible gives us all we need to know in order to spot one.

So, miraculous proofs can be done through prophecies, for only God knows the future, but it can also be through other miracles. For instance, if someone claims they have the ability to supernaturally heal others, then that must be proven—we aren’t to blindly believe them. Now, before we get into this area specifically, it must be noted that even if someone was able to supernaturally heal, that doesn’t mean they receive revelation from God, and therefore must be trusted 100% in their words. In the New Testament (NT), there were many sign gifts, such as healing, and being able to be bit by serpents, etc., but that doesn’t mean those who had those gifts received special revelation from God. For instance, many of the Corinthians in the NT had many sign gifts, yet they had much false doctrine and false practices as well. Though someone today performing an actual miracle should never go unnoticed, for it must mean something, that doesn’t necessarily mean everything that person says it true doctrine. Also, it must be noted that Satan can most likely do miracles (though never to the degree of God), and he certainly can use very deceptive and tricky means.

Now, with this all said, there are still many people today who claim authority in truth just because they can perform miracles, though in most cases, they probably aren’t doing any miracles. For instance, there have been many investigations done where certain churches claiming these supernatural powers have been proven to be liars and deceivers, where they pay poor people to pretend to have some issue and then to pretend to be healed, or where they use deceptive tactics to trick people, or where they only heal unseen issues, such as a chronic headache. Never has there ever been a video-recorded instance where someone with a proven visible infirmity, such as a broken leg, was healed on the spot. Never have we ever seen someone walk into a hospital to use their supernatural powers to heal everyone in there.

There are many examples of how people can be deceived by fake miracles. Can God perform miracles? Absolutely. However, be careful, for mankind is wicked, and the devil is even more wicked. People will lie for money, fame, and power, and even more will blindly believe them and be deceived and claim that they’ve witnessed miracles, when in reality they were tricked. If Eve can be tricked out of the Garden, be assured you can too. She would have done well to just trust God’s Word, and test Satan’s words to it, and we would do well to do the same.

Remember, Matthew 24:24 says, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

They will deceive many, and those deceived will never know it. Have you been deceived? If not, prove it. Don’t just point to your heart as evidence.

In conclusion, if someone claims to receive revelation from God and they mention supernatural powers as evidence, you must only believe them that they have those powers if they can prove it to you. We should never have blind faith. God never required blind faith in the Bible. God always proved Himself to people, and it is because He proved Himself that He demands they trust Him with other things they cannot see or know. The same goes with His Word: He has proven His Word, and therefore He demands we trust Him with what He says in it. For proof that we can trust His Word, here are some book recommendations:

— “Evidence for Christianity” by Josh McDowell.

— “The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus” by Lee Strobel.

— “Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World” by Josh McDowell, & Sean McDowell.

— “Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels” by J. Warner Wallace.

There are so many other resources dealing with scientific statements in the Bible that prove it is from God, or archeological discoveries proving the Bible is accurate, or history agreeing with the Bible, or prophecies in the Bible proving it has to be of God, etc. Whatever area you want to dive into, you’ll see that the Bible has to be of God, and that is because God has proven it. Any other book out there claiming to be of God is going to be filled with errors in all of the previously mentioned areas, but the Bible has none.

Do you follow a prophet? Do their actions and the wicked things they do give evidence that they are not of God? Does their doctrine fit with the Bible? And did they prove that their claims of supernatural powers are true—did their prophecies come true?