Chapter 11
Concerning Apostles and False Prophets: Discernment
1 So whoever comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him.
2 But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another teaching in order to destroy, do not listen to him; but if it is to add to righteousness and knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.
3 Now concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the doctrine of the gospel as follows.
4 Every apostle who comes to you should be received as the Lord.
5 But he shall not stay more than one day; if there is need, however, then the next day also. But if he stays three days, he is a false prophet.
6 When the apostle departs, let him take nothing except bread until he finds lodging. But if he asks for money, he is a false prophet.
7 And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall not test or judge; for every sin will be forgiven, but this sin will not be forgiven.
8 But not everyone who speaks in the spirit is a prophet, but only if he has the ways of the Lord. So by their ways the false prophet and the prophet will be known.
9 And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit shall not eat of it; otherwise, he is a false prophet.
10 But every prophet who teaches the truth, if he does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet.
11 But every prophet who has been tested and is true, who acts for a worldly mystery of the Church but does not teach others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged by you; for he has his judgement with God. For the ancient prophets did the same.[1]
12 But whoever says in the Spirit, “Give me money,” or anything else, you shall not listen to him; but if he tells you to give on behalf of others who are in need, let no one judge him.