An impostor, in biblical terms, refers to an individual who deceives others by pretending to be someone they are not, often with the intent to lead others astray from the truth. The Bible warns against such individuals, emphasizing the importance of discernment and adherence to the truth of God's Word.

Old Testament References

While the term "impostor" is not explicitly used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in various narratives and teachings. For example, false prophets are frequently condemned for leading the people of Israel away from the worship of Yahweh. In Deuteronomy 18:20-22, God provides a test for identifying false prophets, stating that if a prophet's predictions do not come to pass, they are not sent by God.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides more direct warnings against impostors, particularly in the context of false teachers and false Christs. Jesus Himself warns of such individuals in the Olivet Discourse: "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible" (Matthew 24:24).

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of impostors in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, he writes, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions" . Here, Paul highlights the deceptive nature of impostors and their alignment with the adversary, Satan.

In his pastoral letters, Paul further warns Timothy about the presence of impostors in the last days: "But evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13). This passage underscores the progressive nature of deception and the need for vigilance among believers.

Characteristics of Impostors

Biblically, impostors are characterized by their deceitful nature and their ability to lead others away from the truth. They often present themselves as genuine believers or leaders, using persuasive words and actions to gain followers. Their ultimate goal is to distort the gospel and undermine the faith of believers.

Response to Impostors

The Bible instructs believers to be discerning and to test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). This involves a thorough understanding of Scripture and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance. Believers are encouraged to hold fast to sound doctrine and to avoid those who promote false teachings (Romans 16:17).

In summary, the Bible provides clear warnings about impostors and emphasizes the importance of discernment and adherence to the truth. Believers are called to be vigilant, testing all teachings against the Word of God and remaining steadfast in their faith.(n.) One who imposes upon others; a person who assumes a character or title not his own, for the purpose of deception; a pretender.213. alazon -- vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster
... vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
alazon Phonetic Spelling: (al-ad-zone') Short Definition: a boaster ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/213.htm - 7k

4108. planos -- wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver ...
... deceiver, seducer. Of uncertain affinity; roving (as a tramp), ie (by implication)
an impostor or misleader; --deceiver, seducing. (planoi) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4108.htm - 7k

5578. pseudoprophetes -- a false prophet
... false prophet. From pseudes and prophetes; a spurious prophet, ie Pretended foreteller
or religious impostor -- false prophet. see GREEK pseudes. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5578.htm - 8k

The Impostor Theudas and his Followers.
... Book II. Chapter XI."The Impostor Theudas and his Followers. 1. Luke, in
the Acts, introduces Gamaliel as saying, at the consultation ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi the impostor theudas and.htm

System of Marcus; a Mere Impostor; his Wicked Devices Upon the ...
... Book VI. Chapter XXXIV."System of Marcus; A Mere Impostor; His Wicked
Devices Upon the Eucharistic Cup. A certain other teacher ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxiv system of marcus a.htm

Miracle Performed by Paul Bishop of the Novatians at the Baptism ...
... Book VII. Chapter XVII."Miracle performed by Paul Bishop of the Novatians
at the Baptism of a Jewish Impostor. About this time ...
/.../chapter xvii miracle performed by paul.htm

A Divine Saviour.
... was driven to the conclusion"and I challenge any candid man to deny the inference,
or meet the argument"that Jesus Christ is either an impostor or deceiver ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter v a divine saviour.htm

The Invisible Patriarch
... Athanasius was denounced as a "runaway, an evildoer, a cheat and an impostor, deserving
of death." Letters came from the Emperor ordering all the churches in ...
/.../forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 8 the invisible patriarch.htm

Originality of Our Saviour's Character.
... Had he been an impostor, it was his business to have flattered the prevailing hopes,
because these hopes were to be the instruments of his attraction and ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter v originality of our.htm

Celsus and Lucian.
... He does not deny the miracles of Jesus, but, like the Jews, he derives them
from evil spirits, and makes Jesus a magician and impostor. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/celsus and lucian.htm

The Young Saul and the Aged Paul [Footnote: to the Young. ]
... He left Jerusalem a bitter persecutor, exceeding mad against the followers of the
Nazarene, thinking that Jesus was a blasphemer and an impostor, and His ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the young saul and the.htm

Christ the Son of God.
... How can he account for American history and American institutions who denies the
existence of Washington, or claims that he was a disreputable impostor? ...
/.../iv christ the son of god.htm

The Inroads of Mahometanism
... them a certain weakness resulting in the decay of many of the Churches of the East,
and finally in their overthrow by the false faith of the impostor Mahomet. ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter viii the inroads of.htm

Impostor (1 Occurrence)
... a pretender. Multi-Version Concordance Impostor (1 Occurrence). Matthew
27:63 "Sir," they said, "we recollect that during his lifetime ...
/i/impostor.htm - 6k

Lifetime (28 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:63 "Sir," they said, "we recollect that during his lifetime that impostor
pretended that after two days he was to rise to life again. (WEY). ...
/l/lifetime.htm - 14k

Gouge (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Imposition; cheat; fraud; also, an impostor; a cheat; a trickish
person. Multi-Version Concordance Gouge (4 Occurrences). ...
/g/gouge.htm - 8k

Glory (590 Occurrences)
... They are equivalent to, "Confess that you are an impostor," "Give God the glory
by speaking the truth;" for they denied that a miracle had been wrought. ...
/g/glory.htm - 71k

Imposture (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act or conduct of an impostor; deception practiced
under a false or assumed character; fraud or imposition; cheating. ...
/i/imposture.htm - 7k

Impostors (2 Occurrences)

/i/impostors.htm - 7k

Imposters (1 Occurrence)

/i/imposters.htm - 6k

Recollect (3 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:63 "Sir," they said, "we recollect that during his lifetime that impostor
pretended that after two days he was to rise to life again. (WEY). ...
/r/recollect.htm - 7k

Deceiver (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who deceives; one who leads into error; a cheat;
an impostor. Multi-Version Concordance Deceiver (9 Occurrences). ...
/d/deceiver.htm - 9k

During (182 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:63 "Sir," they said, "we recollect that during his lifetime that impostor
pretended that after two days he was to rise to life again. (WEY). ...
/d/during.htm - 35k

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