1 John 4:1-3 Dear friends, 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 is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. The world is full of religions. However, only christianity is what God honors. Within christianity are many questionable denomiations/spin-offs. How do we know if they are acceptable to God? The answer is are they biblical. First off, the need to be bible believing. Yet, it’s a big book with some room for disagreement. Today’s verse contains one of the essentials. How we view Jesus and His nature. Many groups claim Jesus, but is it Him? While looking for friends on facebook, I’ve learned that many people have the same name. However, only one of them is my friend. Matthew 24:23,24 says, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” How can we tell if group has the right Jesus? The bible teaches us plenty about Him. It says that He is a man, fully human. John 1:14 says “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us…” Today’s verse says it as well. He wasn’t a spirit on earth, but an actual human. People touched Him; He ate food; He was born; He was human. This is one aspect them must be believed. Another trait of His is divinity. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The reason Jesus was crucified was His claim to be God. John 10:33 is an example, ‘The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”‘ Jesus’ divinity is an important trait that must be part of a church’s beliefs. Another characteristic that is to be believed is God’s triune nature. The trinity says that there is one God, manifested in three person, the Tather, Son and Holy Spirit. It’s not that there is one God who does a costume change. They are seperate. Matthew 3:16,17 demonstrates this, After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” All three are in this scene. Another aspect of the trinity is there is only one God. James 2:19 says, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” There is one God, manifested in three persons. In terms of who Jesus is, these are essentials: His humanity, divinity and the trinity. In our day of believing whatever we want, these are absolute. Lord, thank You that You the same yesterday, today and forever. Help us to be accurate in our beliefs and to be comforted by them.