Imposture, in a biblical context, refers to the act of deceiving others by pretending to be someone or something that one is not. This concept is addressed throughout Scripture, where it is often associated with false prophets, deceitful workers, and those who lead others astray from the truth of God.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides several examples of imposture, particularly in the context of false prophets and deceptive practices. In Deuteronomy 18:20-22, God warns the Israelites about false prophets who presume to speak in His name without His command: "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die." This passage underscores the seriousness of claiming divine authority without genuine commission from God.

Jeremiah also confronts imposture among the prophets of his time. In Jeremiah 23:16, the Lord says, "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD." Here, the false prophets are depicted as impostors who mislead the people with their own fabrications rather than the truth of God.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to address the issue of imposture, particularly in the context of false teachers and antichrists. Jesus Himself warns against impostors in Matthew 7:15, saying, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This metaphor highlights the deceptive nature of impostors who appear harmless but are dangerous.

The Apostle Paul frequently warns the early church about imposture. 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." Paul emphasizes the cunning nature of impostors who disguise themselves as righteous to deceive believers.

In 1 John 4:1, the Apostle John advises believers to test the spirits to discern the truth: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This instruction highlights the need for discernment in identifying imposture.

Theological Implications

Imposture is a significant concern in biblical theology because it represents a direct challenge to the truth of God's revelation. The presence of impostors can lead believers away from sound doctrine and into error. The Bible consistently calls for vigilance, discernment, and adherence to the truth as revealed in Scripture to guard against the dangers of imposture.

Practical Application

For believers today, the biblical warnings against imposture serve as a reminder to remain grounded in the Word of God and to exercise discernment in spiritual matters. Engaging with Scripture, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and being part of a faithful community of believers are essential practices to safeguard against deception. The call to "test the spirits" remains relevant, urging Christians to evaluate teachings and claims against the truth of the Bible.(n.) The act or conduct of an impostor; deception practiced under a false or assumed character; fraud or imposition; cheating.

The Hypothesis of Imposture.
... THE PERSON OF CHRIST. II."The Hypothesis of Imposture. REIMARUS. ... It resorts
either to IMPOSTURE, or ENTHUSIASM, or POETICAL FICTION. ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/ii the hypothesis of imposture.htm

Magic and Sorcery Only Apparent in their Effects God Alone Can ...
... What after this shall we say about magic? Say, to be sure, what almost
everybody says of it"that it is an imposture. But it is ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter lvii magic and sorcery only.htm

The Legendary Hypothesis. --Renan.
... of the historical character of the gospel-record, he is equally hostile to all miracles,
which, in his oracular opinion, "always imply imposture or fraud;" and ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/the legendary hypothesis renan.htm

Introductory Notice to the Decretals.
... Clement and his successors during the ante-Nicene ages, are, in fact, the manufactured
product of the ninth century,"the most stupendous imposture of the ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/introductory notice to the decretals.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... Perish, then, the man who was the author of this imposture among men, be he Dardanus,
who taught the mysteries of the mother of the gods, or Eetion, who ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

Smerdis the Magian.
... In order to prevent these court ladies from being the means, in any way, of discovering
the imposture which he was practicing, the magian continued to keep ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter iii smerdis the magian.htm

Preface.
... of the sons of men; yet he pities him as the victim of delusion, and apologizes
for him as the accessory to, or the accomplice in, acts of imposture and fraud. ...
/.../schaff/the romance of m renan and the christ of the gospels/preface.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture;
or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

But Many who are Hearers of the Divine Scriptures...
... But many who are hearers of the divine Scriptures, [1967] and have them in their
hand, and keep them in mind with understanding, will escape his imposture. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxxii but many who.htm

Letter Xlii. To Ravennius, Bishop of Arles.
... To Ravennius, Bishop of Arles. Leo the Pope to his well-beloved brother Ravennius.
He asks him to deal with the imposture of a certain Petronianus. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xlii to ravennius bishop.htm

Imposture (1 Occurrence)
... imposition; cheating. Multi-Version Concordance Imposture (1 Occurrence). Matthew
27:64 So give orders for the sepulchre to be securely ...
/i/imposture.htm - 7k

Enchantment (4 Occurrences)
... They were a constant incentive to idolatry, clouded the mind with superstition,
tended and were closely allied to imposture (Matthew 24:24). ...
/e/enchantment.htm - 16k

Creeds
... Creed 2. The Nicene Creed (1) Origin, Date, Character (2) "Filioque" Clause 3. The
Athanasian Creed (1) Authorship (2) Question of Imposture (3) Value and ...
/c/creeds.htm - 28k

Impotent (5 Occurrences)

/i/impotent.htm - 9k

Creed
... Creed 2. The Nicene Creed (1) Origin, Date, Character (2) "Filioque" Clause 3. The
Athanasian Creed (1) Authorship (2) Question of Imposture (3) Value and ...
/c/creed.htm - 43k

Jugglery
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Sleight of hand; trickery; deception. 2. (n.)
Trickery; imposture; as, political jugglery. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/j/jugglery.htm - 6k

Guarded (27 Occurrences)
... day, for fear his disciples should come by night and steal the body, and then tell
the people that he has come back to life; and so the last imposture will be ...
/g/guarded.htm - 14k

Impostors (2 Occurrences)

/i/impostors.htm - 7k

Imposition (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) An excessive, arbitrary, or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception
put on laid on others; cheating; fraud; delusion; imposture. ...
/i/imposition.htm - 11k

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Treachery; deceit; perfidy; unfaithfulness. 4. (n.) A counterfeit; a false
appearance; an imposture. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FALSEHOOD. ...
/f/falsehood.htm - 36k

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