Dealing with Apostasy
I. What is
apostasy?
Apostasy is a falling away from the true faith
and worship of God.
This assumes a norm, an original pure form of
service to God which must be maintained.
In Jeremiah’s day the people of Israel had fallen
away from the true worship of God. The Lord said to them about
their apostasy: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old
paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find
rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Also,
I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the
trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Therefore hear, you
nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O
earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people, even
the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not heeded My words,
nor My law, but rejected it (Jeremiah 6:16-19). Israel had
rejected the word of God, and refused to follow the original, good
way.
Apostasy is a departure from the old paths
prescribed by God. It involves a rejection of the word of God in
favor of something new and different.
Paul associates the coming apostasy with the man
of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3), who is also called ‘the
lawless one’ (verse 8). This is someone who sets himself against
(anti) and above all that is called God or that is
worshiped (verse 4). Apostasy is related to ‘lawlessness’ (verse
7).
In John’s discussion of apostasy he speaks of the
antichrist (1 John 2:18, 22). He defines the antichrist
as the many deceivers who have gone out into the world
(2 John 7). They are people who go beyond and do not remain in
the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). He also speaks of the
spirit of the antichrist (1 John 4:3).
Apostasy is a perversion of the original gospel.
Paul wrote to the Galatians: I marvel that you are turning away so
soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different
gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you
and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an
angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have
preached to you, let him be accursed (Galatians
1:6-8).
And Jude wrote: Beloved, while I was very
diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found
it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for
the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude
3).
Thus, apostasy is a departure from the original
faith. It is a perversion of the original gospel by people who do
not remain in the doctrine of Christ. Apostasy is leaving the old
paths prescribed by God. It is lawlessness, a rejection of the word
of God, which is rebellion against Christ and self-exaltation above
God.
II. Apostasy
foretold
Widespread apostasy was foretold by Christ and
His Apostles.
Jesus said: Many will say to Me in that day,
‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons
in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will
declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me you who practice
lawlessness’ (Matthew 7:22, 23). We should expect, then, that there
will be many apostates who think they are following Christ,
who appear to be doing ‘great things’ in the name of the
Lord, but who actually are practicing lawlessness because
they are not building their house on the Rock (verses 24-27) by
doing what Jesus says!
He also foretold: And then many will be
offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then
many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because
lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold (Matthew
24:10-12). For false christs and false prophets will arise and
show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even
the elect. See, I have told you beforehand (Matthew
24:24, 25).
Paul warned that false teachers would arise both
from without and from within: For I know this, that after my
departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the
flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking
perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves (Acts
20:29, 30).
Peter gave the same warning: But there were also
false prophets among the people, even as there will be false
teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on
themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their
destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be
blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive
words (2 Peter 2:1-3).
When Paul wrote his second letter to the
Thessalonians, which is considered to be among the earlier books of
the New Testament, a widespread apostasy had not yet occurred. Let
no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless
the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the
son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is
called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the
temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember
that when I was still with you I told you these things?
(2 Thessalonians 2:3-5). The expression falling away here is
a translation of the Greek word for ‘apostasy.’ Paul uses the fact
that a great apostasy had not yet occurred to refute the
false claims of some that Christ’s return was already there. The
Lord’s prediction of an apostasy would have to be fulfilled before
the Day could come.
But when John wrote his letters, which are
considered to be among the latest books of the New Testament, this
prediction had already been fulfilled. From then on, Christ could
come at any moment. John describes this as being ‘the last hour’.
It is still the final hour. Christ can come at any
moment.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of
it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Little
children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the
Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which
we know that it is the last hour (1 John
2:17, 18).
Since the close of the first century, the world
has been filled with false and perverted forms of the Christian
faith.
One must search to find the few who practice the
original Christian faith, and who worship God according to His word
rather than the traditions of men.
And even among the faithful few, in every
generation there are individuals and congregations that go into
apostasy.
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to
the things we have heard, lest we drift away (Hebrews
2:1).
Everyone who wants to walk in the old paths
prescribed by God - everyone who wants to believe and preach
the pure Gospel of Christ - must be able to avoid
apostasy.
III. What causes
apostasy?
Apostasy comes from the devil. God is not the
author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). The
current confusion in Christendom, resulting from many divergent
forms of apostasy, is the work of the devil. He does his work
through men, appealing to their carnal and selfish
desires.
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in
your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom
does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For
where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing
will be there (James 3:14-16). Envy and egotism are two major
causes of the confusion of apostasy.
In pride and arrogance, people rebel against God.
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His
voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of
trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, proved Me,
and saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that
generation, and said, They always go astray in their heart, and
they have not known My ways. So I swore in My wrath, They shall
not enter My rest.’ Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you
an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God
(Hebrews 3:7-12).
As Nehemiah said of Israel: Nevertheless they
were disobedient And rebelled against You, cast Your law behind
their backs and killed Your prophets, who testified against them to
turn them to Yourself; and they worked great provocations
(Nehemiah 9:26).
The Israelites were instructed to teach their
children the word of God That they may set their hope in God, And
not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; And may not
be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A
generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was
not faithful to God (Psalm 78:7, 8).
From the Old Testament we learn that apostasy
occurs when people reject God in their hearts and refuse to obey
His word.
Jesus told the religious leaders of His day: All
too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your
tradition (Mark 7:9).
Luke explains that the Pharisees and lawyers had
rejected the counsel of God for themselves by refusing to listen
to John the Baptist (Luke 7:30).
To His Apostles, Jesus said: He who hears you
hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me
rejects Him who sent Me (Luke 10:16). Apostasy comes when people
reject the word of Christ and His Apostles, which is now preserved
for us in the New Testament.
Jesus warned all men, He who rejects Me, and
does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the
word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John
12:48).
So why does apostasy exist? Apostasy comes from
the devil who does his work through the selfish desires of men. In
pride and envy they exalt themselves against God, they rebel
against His authority, they reject His word and go their own way.
But God will have the final word on the last day.
IV. Why does God allow
apostasy?
God allows false teachers to test us: If there
arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you
a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder of which he spoke to
you comes to pass, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods which you
have not known, and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the
words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your
God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with
all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). Do you
really love God? If you do not, some false teacher will lead you
astray. Do you love the truth? If you do not, God will send you a
delusion that you might believe a lie (2 Thessalonians
2:11).
Everyone who loves God, also seeks God, and heeds
the word of God rather than the word of man: And when they say to
you, ‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and
mutter,’ should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the
dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If
they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no
light in them (Isaiah 8:19, 20). In the New Testament Peter gives
the same charge: If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of
God (1 Peter 4:11).
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, apostasy
separates the dross from the silver: For first of all, when you
come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among
you and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among
you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you
(1 Corinthians 11:18, 19).
As was predicted by Jesus and His Apostles, the
world is now full of teachers who darken counsel by words without
knowledge.
God is testing us to see if we love Him and the
truth enough to follow His word.
V. How to identify false
teachers
Jesus and His Apostles not only predicted
apostasy, they also told us how to identify false prophets
and teachers! There are distinguishing marks by which they
can be recognized. They exalt themselves and lord it over others.
They are deceptive. They bring a different
doctrine.
False teachers exalt themselves and lord it
over others
One of the most noticeable marks of false
teachers is that, like Diotrophes (3 John 9), they
usually love to have the preeminence. They like to wear distinctive
clothing and high-sounding religious titles. Jesus said this about
the religious leaders of His day: All their works they do to be
seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the
borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the
best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to
be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called
‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all
brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your
Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One
is your Teacher, the Christ (Matthew 23:5-10).
True followers of Christ do not lord it over
others: But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that
the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are
great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among
you’ (Matthew 20:25, 26a). In writing to elders, Peter said:
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as
overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain
but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but
being examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2, 3).
Not satisfied with lording it over a local
congregation, false teachers often set up hierarchical systems of
authority, like the Gentiles, which exercise control in entire
regions, countries or even in the whole world. Synods, councils and
headquarters are set up, contrary to the teaching of Christ. All
who participate in such systems of authority are false teachers who
have rebelled against the authority of God.
Through their lordship they bring people into
religious bondage.
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His
disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’s
seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and
do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do
not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on
men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of
their fingers’ (Matthew 23:1-4).
Paul wrote: But this occurred because of false
brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our
liberty which we have in Jesus Christ, that they might bring us
into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an
hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you
(Galatians 2:4, 5).
This religious bondage often involves regulations
which are no part of the pure gospel of Christ.
Therefore let no one judge you in food or in
drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are
a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Let no
one defraud you of your reward, taking delight in false humility
and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not
seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to
the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by
joints and ligaments, grows with the increase which is from God.
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the
world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject
yourselves to regulations - ‘Do not touch, do not taste, do not
handle,’ which all concern things which perish with the using -
accordingly to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things
indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false
humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the
indulgence of the flesh (Colossians 2:16-23).
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter
times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving
spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having
their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry,
and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be
received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth
(1 Timothy 4:1-3).
False Teachers are
deceptive
Jesus warned: Beware of false prophets, who come
to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves
(Matthew 7:15).
These hungry wolves can be recognized. Jesus goes
on to explain: You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather
grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good
tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree
cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every
tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the
fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matthew
7:16-20).
It need not surprise us when false teachers
disguise themselves. They are just following the example of their
leader, the devil. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For
Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore
it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves
into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to
their works (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
False teachers often try to deceive by basing
their false doctrine on philosophy. Many a wolf has come with a
‘sheepskin’. As Paul warned the Colossians: Now this I say lest
anyone should deceive you with persuasive words (Colossians 2:4).
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men, according to the basic
principles of the world, and not according to Christ (Colossians
2:8).
False teachers often misuse difficult passages,
which they can more easily twist for their own deceptive purposes.
Peter says that Paul’s writings contain some things hard to
understand, which those who are untaught and unstable twist to
their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures
(2 Peter 3:16).
Jesus also warns that false teachers will try to
substantiate their deception by signs and wonders: Not everyone
who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to
Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name,
cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me
you who practice lawlessness’ (Matthew 7:21-23). For false
christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and
wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matthew
24:24).
False teachers are able to deceive people who do
not love the truth. And then the lawless one will be revealed,
whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy
with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is
according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying
wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish,
because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might
be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion,
that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned
who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness
(2 Thessalonians 2:8-12).
For many deceivers have gone out into the world
who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a
deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose
those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ
does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both
the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring
this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;
for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds (2 John
7-11).
False teachers bring a different
doctrine
Paul warned the saints at Rome: Now I urge you,
brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to
the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are
such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and
by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the
simple (Romans 16:17, 18).
To bring false doctrine they must of course
deceive people in one way or another. Paul was concerned about the
Christians at Corinth: But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent
deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from
the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches
another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a
different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel
which you have not accepted, you may well put up with it
(2 Corinthians 11:3, 4).
False teachers pervert the gospel of Christ and
preach a gospel that is different from the original gospel. As Paul
wrote to the Galatians: I marvel that you are turning away so soon
from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different
gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you
and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an
angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have
preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so
now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than
what you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians
1:6-9).
An important task of an evangelist is to combat
false doctrine. Paul wrote to Timothy: As I urged you when I went
into Macedonia - remain in Ephesus that you may charge some
that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and
endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly
edification which is in faith (1 Timothy
1:3, 4).
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent
to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to
the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing
nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words,
from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless
wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who
suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw
yourself (1 Timothy 6:3-5).
For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they
have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and
they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside
to fables (2 Timothy 4:3, 4).
The young evangelist, Titus, was given similar
instructions: For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers
and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths
must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things
which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them,
a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil
beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke
them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed
to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth
(Titus 1:10-14).
The warning written to the Hebrews is valid for
us all: Do not be carried about with various and strange
doctrines (Hebrews 13:9).
Thus, not only have we been warned that
apostasy would take place, we have also been told how to
identify false teachers and false prophets. They exalt
themselves and lord it over others. They are deceptive. They bring
a different doctrine. If we love the truth and know the Scriptures,
we will be able to recognize and avoid them.
VI. We must be
faithful
Each one of us is answerable to God: It is
appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment
(Hebrews 9:27). So then each of us shall give account of himself
to God (Romans 14:12). For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the
body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
(2 Corinthians 5:10).
We are liable for the bad things we do. But we
are also obligated to do good! This includes an obligation to
worship and serve God according to His will, as revealed in the
Scriptures, whether anyone else does or not.
Noah and his family lived in a bad environment:
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the
earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only
evil continually (Genesis 6:5). Yet, Noah chose to be different.
Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with
God (Genesis 6:9). Thus we read: But Noah found grace in the eyes
of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8).
Although the world is filled with false
religions, we must be true. Although the congregation to which we
belong drifts or plunges into apostasy, we must worship and serve
God according to the original pattern: But God be thanked that
though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that
form of doctrine to which you were delivered (Romans 6:17). The
word form in this verse can also be translated as pattern. When
we become Christians we are committed to a pattern of doctrine. We
are personally responsible for following this
pattern.
Every Christian belongs to the priesthood. But
you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His
own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who
called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter
2:9).
A priest has the privilege and the obligation of
worshiping God according to His word. When the gospel is preached
and people respond in areas where there is not yet a church of
Christ, they must form one. They must learn to assemble for worship
according to the New Testament pattern. When Christians are
traveling and find themselves in an area where there is not a
church of Christ, they assemble as a church on the first day of the
week (Sunday) to partake of the Lord’s supper and to remember His
death and resurrection. Jesus has promised: Where two or three are
gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them
(Matthew 18:20). Each Christian must learn how to do this, so he
can fulfill his priestly responsibilities in whatever situation he
finds himself.
A member of the ‘royal priesthood’ may not
participate in apostate worship.
Sometimes Christians who find themselves isolated
from other Christians are tempted to compromise and to worship with
some group that is not following the teaching of Christ. But if
they do, they are profaning their priestly consecration. When we
become Christians we are sanctified, made holy, and set apart for
exclusive service in the temple of God, which is the church of
Christ. To the church at Corinth, Paul wrote: Do you not know that
you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the
temple of God is holy, which temple you are (1 Corinthians
3:16).
The Holy Spirit gives us this warning by the pen
of Paul: Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For
what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what
communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with
Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what
agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple
of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk
among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’
Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a
Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the
Lord Almighty’ (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
Referring to Babylon the great, a prophetic
representation of apostate Christianity, God says: Come out of
her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of
her plagues (Revelation 18:4).
The same applies when the congregation to which
one belongs, leaves the narrow way and goes into
apostasy.
During the week before these lines were written,
I received messages from two Christians who were being forced to
leave congregations they had attended for many
years.
A brother in California had been a member of a
church of Christ for thirty-one years. He is a Christian who is
well-versed in the Scriptures and who actively teaches the gospel
to others. He has made many mission trips to countries where
conditions are far from pleasant, to teach the word. But three new
elders changed the worship and teaching of the congregation. Their
activities are no longer in agreement with the original pattern.
Since they would not listen when he encouraged them to follow the
Scriptures, this brother had to leave so he could worship and serve
God faithfully.
A sister in New Mexico had been an active member
of a church of Christ for twenty-two years. Gradually during the
last few years, however, changes had taken place away from the
pattern of doctrine to which we have been committed. Although
faithful brothers and sisters patiently tried to persuade the
others to follow the Scriptures, about thirty members of the
congregation finally decided they could no longer conscientiously
worship there.
These people could go to other congregations
nearby that are still following the word of God. But apostasy can
also occur where there is no other congregation nearby.
Then - just like new Christians in areas without a
congregation - they who leave an apostate group must form a
new congregation composed of people who want to obey the Spirit’s
command: Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard
from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus
(2 Timothy 1:13).
As members of a royal priesthood, we have
individual responsibility. We must follow the example of Daniel and
his friends.
After Daniel was taken into Babylonian captivity,
we read: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile
himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the
wine which he drank (Daniel 1:8). God blessed Daniel because of
his faithfulness.
Later, the king of Babylon made an image of gold.
It was 27 meters high. All his officials were commanded to bow down
and worship his idol. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego remained
standing. When reprimanded by the king, they replied: Let it be
known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we
worship the gold image which you have set up (Daniel 3:18). And
one whose form was like the Son of God, rescued them from the fury
of the king (Daniel 3:25).
The words of the song by P.P.Bliss are
appropriate:
Dare to be a Daniel!
Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!
Many mighty men are lost,
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host,
By joining Daniel’s band!
Hold the gospel banner high!
On to victory grand!
Satan and his host defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band!
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!
Jesus said: Be faithful until death, and I will
give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
VII. The leaven of the Pharisees and
Sadducees
Jesus warned His disciples: Take heed and beware
of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees (Matthew 16:6).
They thought He meant literal leaven, so Jesus asked: How is it
you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning
bread? - but, you should beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:11). Then they understood
that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of
the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew
16:12).
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the two main
denominations among the Jews in the first century. They represent
two prevalent forms of apostasy: adding to and subtracting from the
word of God.
The Pharisees were proud of their strictness. As
Paul said of his life before he became a Christian: They knew me
from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to
the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee (Acts
26:5).
Although this strictness was commendable to a
certain extent, they neglected spiritual values while fanatically
enforcing all kinds of superficial rules and regulations that were
not based on the word of God.
They were so strict, they even criticized,
condemned and finally helped to murder the sinless Son of
God!
Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from
Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, ‘Why do Your disciples transgress
the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when
they eat bread.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you also
transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For
God commanded, saying, Honor your father and your mother; and,
He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death. But you
say, Whoever says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever profit you
might have received from me has been dedicated to the
temple’ - is released from honoring his father or mother.
Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your
tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with
their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they
worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’
(Matthew 15:1-9).
Jesus had scathing words for the Pharisees: But
woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the
kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves,
nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses,
and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive
greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and
when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as
yourselves. Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by
the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the
temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is
greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And,
‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by
the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and
blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies
the gift? Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by
all things on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by
Him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the
throne of God and by Him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and
cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law:
justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without
leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and
swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For
you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are
full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first
cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them
may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful
outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all
uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men,
but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew
23:13-28).
On another occasion Jesus warned: Beware of the
leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy (Luke
12:1).
In our day too, some people pride themselves in
their strictness and orthodoxy, while enforcing their own
narrow-minded rules and regulations that are not based on the word
of God. They carefully observe superficial aspects of religion
while neglecting the weightier matters of the law: justice and
mercy and faith.
Jesus warns against such
teaching.
The Sadducees thought of themselves as modern and
practical. They only accepted the first five books of the Old
Testament, and adherence to the word of God was not among their
main concerns.
They did not believe in a
resurrection.
The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no
resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, saying: ‘Teacher, Moses
said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall
marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there
were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married,
and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the
second also, and the third, even to the seventh. And last of all
the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of
the seven will she be? For they all had her.’ Jesus answered and
said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the
power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are
given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. But
concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was
spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but
of the living’ (Matthew 22:23-32).
Jesus said they did not know the Scriptures or
the power of God.
Because of their fanatical opposition to belief
in a resurrection, the Sadducees persecuted the Apostles: Now as
they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple,
and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they
taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the
dead (Acts 4:1, 2).
The Sadducees were materialists and secularists.
Luke explains: For the Sadducees say that there is no
resurrection - and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees
confess both (Acts 23:8).
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says: Take heed,
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod
(Mark 8:15). The Sadducees were the politicians (Acts 5:17). They
favored compromise and co-operation with Rome. To them political
expediency was more important than following the law. They
co-operated with the evil family of the Herods to rule the
country.
This type of apostasy is also prevalent in our
time. Jesus warns against a secular, materialistic approach to
religion, where expediency and political correctness are considered
more important that spiritual values, an approach that is ignorant
of the Scriptures and of the power of God.
Why does Jesus call the teaching of the Pharisees
and Sadducees leaven? Because: A little leaven leavens the whole
lump (Galatians 5:9). These doctrines are insidious and
contagious. They spread like leaven.
Those holding such beliefs are unacceptable to
God and will be lost unless they repent. John the Baptizer had
harsh words for the hypocritical Sadducees and Pharisees who came
for baptism: But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who has
warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits
worthy of repentance’ (Matthew 3:7, 8).
Take heed and beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees and the Sadducees (Matthew 16:6). We must avoid
apostasy. We may neither add to nor subtract from the word of God.
Our faith must be genuine rather than superficial. We must know the
Scriptures and the power of God.
We can learn from God’s word to Israel:
Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has
commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the
left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has
commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you
(Deuteronomy 5:32, 33).
VIII. Can the blind lead the
blind?
And He spoke a parable to them: ‘Can the blind
lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?’ (Luke
6:39).
Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees blind
guides (Matthew 23:16, 24). He gave this evaluation of their
worship and teaching: Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about
you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and
honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in
vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of
men.’ (Matthew 15:7-9).
Then His disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do You
know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this
saying?’ (Matthew 15:12).
We can learn much about apostasy from Jesus’
response: Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted
will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the
blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a
ditch (Matthew 15:13, 14).
Every plant of human origin will be
uprooted.
Jesus built His church as He promised (Matthew
16:18). Under the new covenant, the church of Christ is the
only religious institution God has planted. Every
other religious institution has been planted by men and is in
rebellion to God. The world is full of non-Christian and
pseudo-Christian religious establishments. They will all be
uprooted.
Most so-called Christian institutions do not even
claim divine origin. Their members are proud to tell you exactly
who established their denomination or society, when and where. The
church of Christ was established by the Holy Spirit on the day of
Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All churches
established by someone else, someplace else, at some other time,
are apostate churches. They will be uprooted by
God.
Some claim to be the church of Christ when
they are not. How can you know? Because their name, teaching,
worship, leadership and lifestyle are different from that of
the church we read about in the New Testament!
Do not join - or remain a member of -
a religious institution that will be uprooted by God. Jesus has
given a clear warning: Every plant which My heavenly Father has
not planted will be uprooted (Matthew 15:13).
Let them alone.
Other passages give a similar
command.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause
divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned,
and avoid them (Romans 16:17).
Reject a divisive man after the first and second
admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being
self-condemned (Titus 3:10, 11).
But know this, that in the last days perilous
times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of
money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without
self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong,
haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a
form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn
away! (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the
doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine
of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you
and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your
house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil
deeds (2 John 9-11).
How should we treat apostate teachers? Let them
alone! Avoid them! Reject them! Turn away from such people! Do not
receive them into your house or greet them!
They are blind leaders of the
blind.
Only a blind man selects a blind man as his
guide.
People are spiritually blind because they choose
to be. They have chosen not to see. Jesus explained: Therefore I
speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and
hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the
prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: Hearing you will hear
and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive;
for the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with
their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand
with their heart and turn, so that I should heal them. But blessed
are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear (Matthew
13:13-16).
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled
to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has
blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the
glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them
(2 Corinthians 4:3, 4).
Leaders and followers are responsible
since no one can lead unless someone follows. People choose leaders
they like: For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they
will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to
fables (2 Timothy 4:3, 4).
People who love the truth, follow Jesus. As the
Good Shepherd, Jesus, explained: And when he brings out his own
sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know
his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will
flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers (John
10:4, 5).
And if the blind leads the blind, both will
fall into a ditch.
It is a hopeless situation. These blind leaders
and blind followers reject the light and then arrogantly suppose
they can see. And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this
world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see
may be made blind.’ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him
heard these words, and said to Him, ‘Are we blind also?’ Jesus said
to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you
say, We see. Therefore your sin remains’ (John
9:39-41).
I have written many bulky letters trying to show
some apostate brother the truth. In most cases it was like pouring
water on a duck’s back. They went astray because they rejected the
truth. Thus, even the most complete, clear and careful explanation
is also stoutly rejected. Nothing is accomplished by giving a blind
man a lantern. These blind guides and blind followers must first
repent, they must turn back from the wrong road of darkness they
have taken. Only then will they see the light.
Jesus’ warning can help us understand and avoid
apostasy: Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted
will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the
blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a
ditch (Matthew 15:13, 14).
IX. Apostasy causes
division
Jesus prayed that His followers might be one as
He and the Father are one (John 17:11). Referring to His sheep,
Jesus said: They will hear My voice; and there will be one flock
and one shepherd (John 19:16). Paul admonished the Corinthian
Christians: Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment
(1 Corinthians 1:10).
Unity exists among Christians to the extent that
they follow Christ.
Also, division is inevitable between those who
are faithful and those who fall away from the true faith and
worship of God: Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
(Amos 3:3).
It makes us sad when loved ones wander away from
the one Shepherd and the one flock, and thereby separate themselves
from the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians
4:3). But that does not destroy unity among those who stay close to
the Shepherd.
Apostasy caused division while Apostles were
still living. One might suppose that everyone would submit to the
authority of the Apostles of Christ! Not so. As Paul risked his
life going from place to place preaching the gospel of salvation,
false teachers went around behind him, stirring up trouble in the
churches. Just as some now reject the Apostles’ teaching, there
were also people then who refused to listen.
Even the Apostle John, whose heart overflowed
with the love of Christ, was rejected by some: I wrote to the
church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among
them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to
mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious
words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the
brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the
church (3 John 9, 10). Apostasy causes division in different
ways. In this case an apostate leader was expelling faithful
brethren from the congregation.
Some false teachers claim to favor unity. They
want the faithful to accept them in spite of their apostasy. As in
Jeremiah’s day, they cry Peace! Peace! when there is no peace.
God explained why He would punish the people: ‘Because from the
least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to
covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone
deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people
slightly, Saying, Peace, peace! When there is no peace. Were they
ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at
all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall
fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be
cast down,’ says the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways
and see, And ask for the old paths, were the good way is, And walk
in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We
will not walk in it’ (Jeremiah 6:13-16).
When the majority are unfaithful, they often
accuse the faithful of being trouble-makers: Then it happened,
when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, ‘Is that you, O
troubler of Israel?’ And he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel,
but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the
commandments of the Lord, and you have followed the Baals’ (1
Kings 18:17, 18).
When people go into apostasy they often splinter
off and form their own group: Little children, it is the last
hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now
many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last
hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they
had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went
out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us
(1 John 2:18, 19).
Sometimes apostates sneak in and try to dominate
the church. After false teachers had attempted to bind circumcision
on Christians, Paul wrote: But this occurred because of false
brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our
liberty which we have in Jesus Christ, that they might bring us
into bondage) (Galatians 2:4).
Apostasy can cause division along ethnic lines.
Paul wrote further: But when Peter had come to Antioch, I
withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before
certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but
when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those
who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played
the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with
their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward
about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, ‘If
you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the
Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?’ (Galatians
2:11-14).
Paul said that division must come and that
it serves a purpose: For first of all, when you come together as a
church, I hear that there are divisions among you and in part I
believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those
who are approved may be recognized among you (1 Corinthians
11:18, 19).
Here is Paul’s response to apostasy: If we
endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will
deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny
Himself. Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord
not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does
not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But
shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase to more
ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus
and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the
truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they
overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of
God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’
and ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from
iniquity’ (2 Timothy 2:11-19).
There is one flock and one Shepherd. Unity exists
among those who follow Christ. The inevitable separation of the
faithful from those who fall away is caused by those who depart
from the true faith and worship of God, not by those who remain
faithful. Division is caused by apostasy.
X. Judge with righteous
judgment
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge
with righteous judgment (John 7:24).
From a reliable witness I heard that a brother in
British Columbia was advocating unscriptural practices in local
church leadership. In a letter asking him for details about his
teaching I wrote: In such matters I prefer to reserve judgment
until I have first-hand information. He sent no information about
his teaching, but returned my letter with a note in the margin:
Get out of the judging business!
Judge not, that you be not judged (Matthew 7:1)
is indeed one of the least heeded - and most misused passages
in the New Testament.
We so easily condemn others for what we do
ourselves. The brother who told me to get out of the judging
business was rather judgmental himself. He also scribbled in the
margin: Whoever has been gossiping about this is
sinning.
Judge not, that you be not
judged.
Does this mean we are never to judge?
Certainly not, for Jesus also said: Judge with righteous judgment
(John 7:24).
The context makes the meaning clear: Judge not,
that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will
be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured
back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s
eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you
say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck out of your eye’; and
look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank
from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the
speck out of your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:1-5).
We must avoid unrighteous
judgment.
We may not judge according to appearance (John
7:24).
If we condemn someone for something we do
ourselves, we bring condemnation upon ourselves. Therefore you are
inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you
judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the
same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to
truth against those who practice such things. And do you think
this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing
the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? (Romans
2:1-3). Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is
merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and
you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For
with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to
you (Luke 6:36-38).
We may not judge in matters of opinion. Receive
one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful
things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak
eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not
eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God
has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his
own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand,
for God is able to make him stand (Romans 14:1-4). But why do you
judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother?
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it
is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall
give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one
another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling
block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way (Romans
14:10-13).
We may not judge with insufficient knowledge.
Paul wrote: But with me it is a very small thing that I should be
judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge
myself. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified
by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing
before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light
the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the
hearts; and then each one’s praise will come from God
(1 Corinthians 4:3-5).
We may not take God’s place in judgment: Do not
speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a
brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges
the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law
but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to
destroy. Who are you to judge another? (James
4:11, 12).
We may not condemn the guiltless by neglecting
mercy: But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and
not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless
(Matthew 12:7).
We must keep these warnings carefully in
mind.
At the same time Judge not, that you be not
judged is often the wailing cry of false teachers and hardened
sinners who misapply the verse to ward off censure for their evil
deeds. Do not be intimidated by such people, for Jesus has
commanded us to judge with righteous judgment (John
7:24).
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns
the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD
(Proverbs 17:15). And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians
5:11).
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge
with righteous judgment (John 7:24). This is reminiscent of
Leviticus 19:15. You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall
not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. But
in righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.
There is a place for righteous judgment. When
Christians persist in sin, they are to be judged by their fellow
Christians, as Paul explained to the Corinthians: I wrote to you
in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet
I certainly did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world,
or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you
would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you
not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a
fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a
drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a
person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are
outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are
outside God judges. Therefore ‘put away from yourselves that wicked
person’ (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
When Christians come in conflict, some wise man
should be found to judge between his brethren: Dare any of you,
having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous,
and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will
judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you
unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we
shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this
life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to
this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the
church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is
not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge
between his brethren? (1 Corinthians 6:1-5).
We may not reserve judgment when faced with clear
manifestations of evil. Jesus reprimanded the church at Thyatira:
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow
that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and
beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things
sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2:20). What if false teaching on
divorce and remarriage leads God’s people to commit sexual
immorality? Will God hold us guiltless if we allow such to be
taught, and if we fellowship people Jesus says are committing
adultery? (Matthew 5:31,32; 19:9; Mark 10:11,12; Luke
16:18).
Many commands of God require the exercise of
righteous judgment.
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks
disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received
from us (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
And if anyone does not obey our word in this
epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he
may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him
as a brother (2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15).
Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches
otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to
godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with
disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife,
reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt
minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a
means of gain. From such withdraw yourself (2 Timothy
6:2b-5).
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause
divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned,
and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus
Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering
speech deceive the hearts of the simple (Romans
16:17, 18).
All these commands require the careful exercise
of righteousness judgment. Do not be deceived by smooth words and
flattering speech. Beware of wolves who come to you with a sheep’s
skin. Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with
righteous judgment (John 7:24).
XI. Snatching them from the
fire
And on some have mercy, who are in doubt; and
some save, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy
with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude
22, 23 ASV).
When apostasy occurs, we must help those who are
in doubt.
We have already learned how to treat those who
are causing apostasy: Note those who cause divisions and
offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid
them (Romans 16:17); Reject a divisive man after the first and
second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and
sinning, being self-condemned (Titus 3:10, 11); From such people
turn away! (2 Timothy 3:5); If anyone comes to you and does not
bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet
him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds (2 John
11).
At the same time, we must realize that false
teachers cause much confusion among people who are sincerely
striving to serve God. This is why Jude tells us, On some have
mercy, who are in doubt (Jude 22 ASV). People who have just
begun their study of the Scriptures, and Christians who are not yet
grounded in the faith, are often confused by conflicting
doctrines.
Because of this, they may ask questions and even
make statements which sound strange or even dangerous to someone
who is well-versed in the Scriptures. We must be careful how we
respond to someone who sincerely wants to do what is
right.
Speaking of matters not related to salvation,
Paul says, Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to
disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all
things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who
eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat
judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge
another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he
will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand (Romans
14:1-4).
Notice that there is responsibility on both
sides. Someone weak in the faith is not to be ridiculed because he
is a vegetarian. But neither may he force his opinion on others or
condemn someone who eats meat.
We then who are strong ought to bear with the
scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves (Romans
15:1).
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are
unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with
all (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Thus we must patiently teach those who want to
learn. But we may not engage in useless arguments: But avoid
foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all,
able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in
opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they
may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and
escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to
do his will (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside,
redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned
with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one
(Colossians 4:5, 6).
Sometimes immediate action must be taken to
rescue someone from a false teacher or a dangerous situation. This
is why Jude goes on to say: And some save, snatching them out
of the fire (Jude 22 ASV).
This alludes to a passage in the Old Testament:
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel
of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord
who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked
from the fire?’ Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and
was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those
who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from
him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from
you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’ And I said, ‘Let them
put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his
head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord
stood by (Zechariah 3:1-4).
Via false teachers and temptations of all kinds,
Satan continually tries to lead God’s people astray. The high
priest standing in filthy garments represents God’s people. And
Satan is right there to accuse. But by the grace of God they who
sin can be snatched from the fire and clothed in white
linen.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,
you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
considering yourself lest you also be tempted (Galatians
6:1).
Sometimes immediate action must be taken
against false teachers to protect God’s people. An elder is
to be one who is holding fast the faithful word as he has been
taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and
convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate,
both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the
circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole
households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of
dishonest gain (Titus 1:9-11).
As we try to snatch someone from the fire, we
must be careful not to be burned ourselves. We must love the
sinner, but we must hate the pollution of sin. This is why Jude
says: And on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment
spotted by the flesh (Jude 23 ASV).
This is also why God warns those who compromise
with apostate Christendom: Come out of her, my people, lest you
share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues (Revelation
18:4).
You cannot pull someone out of quicksand by
jumping in with him. Unless you are standing on solid ground, he
will pull you down.
After worshiping scripturally in their home for a
while, an isolated Christian couple started attending an
evangelical church instead. They rationalized that this would give
them an opportunity to teach the truth. But, of course, in so doing
they compromized the truth and went into apostasy
themselves.
As we patiently teach the uninformed, and rescue
people from the fire, we must beware of the flames ourselves. And
on some have mercy, who are in doubt; and some save, snatching them
out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the
garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 22, 23 ASV).
XII. The right hand of
fellowship
When James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be
pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave
me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to
the Gentiles and they to the circumcised (Galatians
2:9).
Paul and Barnabas were given the right hand of
fellowship. Paul preached to the Gentiles and Peter preached to the
Jews, but the gospel was the same.
What is the basis of Christian
fellowship?
The bond of fellowship among Christians is
difficult for non-believers to comprehend. We have fellowship in
our common salvation and in the breaking of the bread. We have
fellowship with the Father and the Son through the doctrine of the
Apostles.
In the description of what happened on the day
the church was established, we read: And with many other words he
testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse
generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized;
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And
they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts
2:40-42).
This new fellowship, the church of Christ, was a
fellowship of the saved: And the Lord added to the church daily
those who were being saved (Acts 2:47).
Many years later, when the church was being
infiltrated by false teachers, Jude wrote: Beloved, while I was
very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I
found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend
earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the
saints (Jude 3). Our fellowship is based on our common salvation
in the faith, once and for all delivered to the saints. We must
contend earnestly for that faith to maintain fellowship with Christ
and with one another.
We have fellowship with the sacrifice of Christ
as we continue steadfastly in the breaking of the
bread.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not
the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is
it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, being many, are
one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread (1
Corinthians 10:16, 17). The word ‘communion’ here is the same word
that is translated ‘fellowship’ elsewhere. The loaf is a fellowship
with the body of Christ. The cup is a fellowship with His
blood.
Paul goes on to explain: Observe Israel after
the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the
altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is
offered to idols is anything? But I say that the things which the
Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I
do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink
the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of
the Lord’s table and of the table of demons (1 Corinthians
10:18-21).
Fellowship with the body and blood of Christ
precludes fellowship with evil.
Do not be unequally yoked together with
unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what
accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an
unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will
dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they
shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be
separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will
receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons
and daughters, says the Lord Almighty’ (2 Corinthians
6:14-18).
This refers to God’s call to Israel in the Old
Testament to come out of Babylon and restore the true worship in
Jerusalem, which was a prefiguration of God’s call in our time for
believers to come out of false religions and serve the true God, as
we read in the Revelation: And I heard another voice from heaven
saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins,
and lest you receive of her plagues’ (Revelation 18:4). The Greek
word translated ‘share’ means ‘have fellowship with’. We many not
have fellowship with false religions.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians
5:11).
We have fellowship with God and Christ by
continuing steadfastly in the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship.
John wrote: That which was from the beginning, which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,
and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life - the life
was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to
you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested
to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that
you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is
with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1-3).
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
God is faithful, by whom you were called into
the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I plead with
you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all
speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but
that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the
same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:9, 10).
What are the limits to Christian
fellowship?
Obviously, in the light of these passages, our
fellowship is limited to those who are saved by the blood of
Christ, to the extent that we are able to determine such. We cannot
have fellowship with those who are clearly unsaved according to the
Scriptures.
In Christendom, many preach a perverted gospel
that cannot save: I marvel that you are turning away so soon from
Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want
to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached
to you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-8). Note those who
cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you
learned, and avoid them (Romans 16:17); Reject a divisive man
after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person
is warped and sinning, being self-condemned (Titus 3:10, 11); From
such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:5).
Some think we should fellowship all Christians.
But even in our relationship with Christians, there are limits to
what we can condone and there are limits of
conscience.
If we fellowship immoral Christians, we condone
their lifestyle and bring dishonor to Christ: I wrote to you in my
epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I
certainly did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world,
or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you
would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you
not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a
fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a
drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person.
For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do
you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God
judges. Therefore ‘put away from yourselves that wicked person’ (1
Corinthians 5:9-13).
If we fellowship Christians who are false
teachers, we condone their error: If anyone comes to you and does
not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor
greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds
(2 John 11). The Greek word translated ‘share’ means ‘have
fellowship with’.
We cannot extend the right hand of fellowship to
Christians who are false teachers, who are living immoral lives, or
whose behavior is in serious conflict with Christian
principles.
There are also limits of conscience. But
he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from
faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin (Romans
14:23).
We must train our conscience by careful study of
the word of God so we will not think something is wrong when it is
not wrong, or think something is good when it is not good. Our
conscience can be misinformed. Paul persecuted Christians with a
clear conscience before he learned better (Acts 23:1;
1 Timothy 1:12, 13)!
But after we have carefully studied the word of
God we, like Paul, must always strive to have a conscience without
offense toward God and men (Acts 24:16). See also 1 Timothy
1:5,18,19; 3:8,9.
This means that we cannot have fellowship with
other Christians in activities that violate our conscience.
We cannot be a member of a congregation if it involves
participating in forms of worship or activities that we believe are
wrong.
One young man told me he was upset because he
could not conscientiously worship with a certain congregation
(because of unscriptural things they were doing). Yet, he felt that
refusing to worship with them was the same as condemning them all
to hell, which he did not think he had a right to do! I explained
to him that just because he could not conscientiously worship with
them did not mean that he was condemning them all to hell. God will
judge them on the last day for their departure from the New
Testament pattern which excludes others from their fellowship. In
any case, he may not violate his own conscience by participating in
something he knows is wrong.
This limitation of conscience has to do with
participation and approval. I have fellowship with many brethren
who hold views quite different than mine on certain points. In
these instances fellowship is still possible because the
differences are of such a nature that I am not forced to practice
or approve something that violates my conscience. But when an
association involves personal participation in, or endorsement of,
something I believe to be wrong, fellowship is no longer possible.
As Paul wrote: Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he
approves (Romans 14:22).
The limits of Christian fellowship are clearly
defined in Scripture.
A well-known preacher who presented some lectures
in Germany said that, although many people think of the church as a
circle, he prefers to think of it as an amoeba with hazy edges and
with Christ as the nucleus.
This man is trying to erase the Scriptural limits
to fellowship.
According to the Word of God the church is not
just a circle, it is a walled city! The great high wall of Zion
(Revelation 21:12) is salvation: In that day this song will be
sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a strong city; God will appoint
salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the
righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in (Isaiah
26:1,2; see also Isaiah 60:18-21). Our fellowship in Christ is
based on our common salvation (Jude 3) which we have by the grace
of God because we keep the truth.
Christians can conduct themselves in such a way
that fellowship is disrupted: But we command you, brethren, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother
who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he
received from us (1 Thessalonians 3:6). We may not condone
immorality, false doctrine or unscriptural practices, and we may
not participate in something that violates our
conscience.
What a joy it is to extend the right hand of
fellowship to those who are like-minded in Christ: Therefore if
there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my
joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one
accord, of one mind (Philippians 2:1, 2). The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with you all. Amen (2 Corinthians
13:14).
XIII. Religious
freedom
Through the ages, terrible atrocities have been
committed in the name of religion.
During the first few centuries after Christ,
Christians were severely persecuted by pagans and Jews. But Jesus
taught His followers to love their enemies and to do good to those
who hate them (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27, 35).
From the seventh to the eleventh century, by
force of arms, Muslims spread their religion around the
Mediterranean from Asia Minor, along the northern coast of Africa,
and into Spain. Church buildings were destroyed, church leaders
were murdered, and Christianity was exterminated where Muslims came
to power.
The Koran commands: And if they turn back
from the faith, take them and kill them wherever you find
them (Chapter 4). With regard to anyone who shall oppose Ala and
his apostle (Mohammed) the charge is given: Therefore strike off
their heads, and strike off all the ends of their
fingers (Chapter 8). When a treaty with non-Muslims
expires, the following is commanded: And when the months
wherein you are not allowed to attack them shall be
past, kill the idolaters wheresoever you shall find them, and take
them prisoners, and besiege them, and lay wait for them in
every convenient place (Chapter 9).
Fortunately, many Muslims in our time do not
apply these teachings, and try to explain them away or soften them
in various ways. But it cannot be denied that through the
centuries, and even at the present time, these passages in the
Koran have resulted in much religious persecution, war and
terrorism.
From the eleventh through the thirteenth
centuries, Crusades were organized in Europe in an attempt to
conquer Jerusalem by force of arms. This was done by apostates who
were not following the teachings of Christ. Thousands of Muslims
were murdered and their villages were destroyed.
At the time of the Reformation, the Roman
Catholic Church used the Inquisition to murder those who opposed
its authority. It was a capital crime to read the Bible without the
permission of the Church. In 1536 William Tyndale was burned to
death at Vilvoorde, Belgium by Catholic authorities. His crime?
Publishing the Bible in English and exposing false doctrines of the
Roman Church.
When Protestants came to power in certain
countries, they persecuted Catholics and other Protestants who did
not agree with them. On October 27, 1553, Michael Servetus was
burned to death at Geneva, Switzerland at the instigation of John
Calvin. His crime? Teaching doctrines Calvin considered
heretical.
In our own century, millions of Jews have been
exterminated in gas chambers and millions of Muslims have been
evicted from their homes in Palestine and forced to spend their
lives in camps of poverty in the desert. During our own decade,
religious and ethnic conflicts in Europe, Africa, the Middle East
and Indonesia have cost the lives of millions of innocent people.
Countless believers of all faiths have been persecuted and murdered
under communism in Europe, Asia, Africa and South
America.
All such persecution is contrary to the doctrine
of Christ. Jesus teaches religious tolerance and
freedom.
Although apostasy is to be forcefully refuted and
apostate teachers are to be expelled from the church, Christians
are not to persecute others or use coercion to prevent others from
practicing their religion.
Once when Jesus and His disciples were traveling
to Jerusalem, they were refused lodging in a Samaritan village.
And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord,
do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume
them, just as Elijah did?’ But He turned and rebuked them, and
said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the
Son of man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’
And they went to another village (Luke 9:54-56). One may not use
Old Testament examples to justify violence. The teaching of Jesus
is on a higher plain, is of a different spirit.
Not only does Jesus teach against persecuting
others, we are not even to forbid them: Then John answered and
said, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and
we forbade him because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said
to him, ‘Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is for
us’ (Luke 9:49,50 //Mark 9:38-40).
Some have misapplied this passage to teach that
we should fellowship false teachers. But Jesus did not condone what
this person was doing. He simply taught religious freedom. We are
not to ‘forbid’ others.
Paul explains: Some indeed preach Christ even
from envy and strife, and some also from good will: The former
preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to
add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing
that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only
that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is
preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice
(Philippians 1:15-18).
Some who are now Christians in Belgium, first
started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Others who are
now Christians, first studied the Bible with Mormons. As they
continued studying the Scriptures, however, they rejected the
errors of these groups, and learned the truth of the
gospel.
Although false teachers are not to be permitted
to teach in the church, it is not our task as Christians to prevent
them from proclaiming their beliefs in general. It is our
task, however, to refute their false doctrine. Religious
freedom does not mean that we must remain silent in the face of
religious error.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war
according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down
arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Christians combat false doctrine by preaching the
truth. We refute false arguments and capture the thoughts of men by
preaching the Word of God. Rather than being overcome by evil, we
overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Although one can sympathize with oppressed
peoples who mistakenly think force of arms can set them free, it
does not work. Jesus said: Put away your sword, for all who draw
the sword will perish by the sword (Matthew 26:52). You cannot
overcome evil with evil. An attempt to do so only multiplies
evil.
Jesus taught us how to overcome evil with good by
going to the cross and rising victorious from the grave to become
King of kings and Lord of lords. He tells us to take up our cross
and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
The most powerful weapons on earth are not guns
and bombs, but words. If you want to have influence for good, learn
to speak and write well. And the most powerful words of all are the
words of God.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of
soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews
4:12).
Christians are proponents and defenders of
religious freedom. Our weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the Word
of God (Ephesians 6:17). Apostasy is to be refuted, but
followers of Christ do not persecute others or prevent them from
practicing their religion.
XIV. Basic Principles of
Christianity
As predicted by Jesus and His apostles, the world
is now filled with apostate churches and people who claim to be
Christians when they are not. Among all the false forms, how can
the true form be recognized?
For a complete definition of Christianity, one
must read the entire New Testament, which in turn can only be
properly understood if one also knows the Old Testament. There are,
however, certain basic principles which can help us distinguish
genuine Christianity from perversions. The possible mutations of
falsehood are unlimited. But all forms of error are refuted by the
simple truth.
The word of God is the
standard.
Jesus said: He who rejects Me, and does not
receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have
spoken will judge him in the last day (John
12:48).
When Josiah became King of Judah, the people were
worshiping idols. But in the temple the book of the law was found
which enabled Josiah to restore the true worship of God
(2 Kings 22, 23).
We can restore genuine Christianity by obeying
the word of God. To the law and to the testimony! If they do not
speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in
them (Isaiah 8:20).
For the word of God is living and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of
soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The word of
God can cut away all forms of apostasy.
‘And he who has My word, let him speak My word
faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?’ says the Lord. ‘Is not
My word like a fire?’ says the Lord, ‘And like a hammer that breaks
the rock in pieces?’ (Jeremiah 23:28b, 29). The hammer of God’s
word can pulverize blocks of false doctrine. The fire of God’s word
can burn away the dross and leave the silver of
truth.
What is the essence of being a
Christian?
To be a Christian one must accept the Holy
Scriptures as inspired and as a complete standard for faith and
practice. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any
private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man,
but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit
(2 Peter 1:20, 21).
He who comes to God must believe that He is, and
that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews
11:6b). A Christian believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
the living God (Matthew 16:16), that He died on the cross to redeem
man (Romans 5:8,9; Titus 2:14), and that He rose from the dead the
third day (Acts 10:39-41). A Christian understands that he is a
sinner who can only be saved by the grace of God through the
sacrifice of Christ (Romans 3:23, 24).
He has repented of his sins and confessed his
faith in Christ (Acts 3:19; Romans 10:8-10). He has obeyed God’s
command given through Peter: Repent, and let every one of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
(Acts 2:38). He has been baptized in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). He has been
baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:26, 27), into the
body of Christ, His church (1 Corinthians 12:13), that his
sins might be washed away (Acts 22:16). He has been born of water
and the Spirit (John 3:3-8). He has been saved through the washing
of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; 1
Peter 3:21). In Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians
5:17), having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides
forever (1 Peter 1:23). As a Christian, he assembles
regularly with the church (Hebrews 10:25). He continues
steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the
breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). With the help of
the church, he grows to maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). He
presents his body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God
(Romans 12:1). Whatever he does in word or deed, he does all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
Him (Colossians 3:17).
What is the essence of being a church of
Christ?
The church of Christ is not a denomination, but
is simply the church which Jesus built (Matthew 16:18), of which He
is the only foundation, For no other foundation can anyone lay
than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians
3:11). There is one flock and one shepherd (John
10:16).
When Jesus ascended to His Father, forty days
after His resurrection, the Kingdom of God was established (Acts
2:29-36; 5:30,31; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians
1:13,14; Revelation 1:5). On the Day of Pentecost after His
ascension, the church came into being (Acts 1:4;
2:41-47).
Churches of Christ limit their faith and practice
to things authorized in the New Testament (1 Peter 4:11;
2 John 9-11; Jude 3; Galatians 1:8,9; Revelation 22:18, 19).
Each full-grown congregation is led by elders who meet the Biblical
qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Local
congregations have fellowship with one another, but they do not
participate in any kind of centralized organization (Luke 22:25,26;
Matthew 23:8-12; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Churches of Christ assemble
each first day of the week (Sunday) to remember the sacrifice of
Christ by partaking of the Lord’s supper (Acts 2:42; 20:7;
1 Corinthians 16:1, 2). They sing songs of praise to God
without instrumental accompaniment (Acts 16:25; 1 Corinthians
14:15; Ephesians 5:18,19; Colossians 3:16), they pray (Acts 14:23),
read Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13) and listen to the preaching of
the Word of God (Acts 20:7). The church is supported by the
freewill offerings of Christians on the first day of the week
(1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).
Women are active members of the congregation, but
they do not speak in the assembly or teach and exercise authority
over men (1 Timothy 2:11,12; 1 Corinthians
14:34-36).
Christ’s teachings on upright, moral living are
preached and practiced (Matthew 5:20). Divorced people cannot
remarry without committing adultery, except for the faithful spouse
who divorced the other because of fornication (Matthew 5:31, 32;
19:9; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18).
The mission of the church is to Go into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15), to go
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all things that the Lord has commanded (Matthew
28:19, 20).
By following the New Testament, we can be
Christians and churches of Christ.
XV. Some Things Never
Change
Apostasy is change from the original, true form
of Christianity.
Some things do not change, and some things may
not be changed.
God is immutable: For I am the LORD, I do not
change (Malachi 3:6).
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from
above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is
no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17). You are the same,
and Your years will have no end (Psalm 102:27).
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and
forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange
doctrines (Hebrews 13:8, 9a).
Strange doctrines are departures from the
unalterable word of God. Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35).
Jesus said: Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by
no means pass away (Matthew 24:35). And at the close of Revelation
He warns: For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add
to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone
takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall
take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and
from the things which are written in this book (Revelation
22:18, 19).
We must grow up in Christ so we can become
stable. He has provided what we need: And He Himself gave some to
be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and
teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the
unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a
perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men,
in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive,
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him
who is the head - Christ (Ephesians 4:11-15).
We must stand firm on the Rock of ages and not
allow ourselves to be tossed about by changing winds of doctrine.
Do not associate with those given to change (Proverbs
24:21).
False teachers - led by the master change agent,
the enemy of God - are crafty proponents of change. Jude speaks of
ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness
(Jude 4). Paul warns against those who trouble you and want to
pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7). Peter warns against
those who are untaught and unstable who twist the Scriptures to
their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). Paul speaks of those who
exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served
the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). People who
cannot endure sound doctrine will turn their ears away from the
truth, and be turned aside to fables (2 Timothy 4:4). We are not
to give heed to fables and commandments of men who turn from the
truth (Titus 1:14).
Change, instability and perversion of the gospel
are fruits of apostasy to be avoided by those who build on the
Rock, the solid Foundation laid for us in Zion.
On this Rock Jesus is building His church
(Matthew 16:18). The church of Christ does not change. Its identity
is defined by the word of God. It is a unity with Christ, who is
the Head of the body (Ephesians 1:22, 23). There is one body and
one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is
above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians
4:4-6).
These things never change.
Apostates, who are not led by the one
Spirit, who do not obey the one Lord, whose faith is
not the one faith, whose baptism is not the one baptism,
are not serving the one God and Father of all, are not a
part of the one body, and do not have the one
hope.
Although you are confronted by apostasy on every
side, do not be discouraged. Amid all the turmoil, some things
never change.
The faithful, who are led by the one
Spirit, who do obey the one Lord, whose faith is the
one faith, whose baptism is the one baptism, are
serving the one God and Father of all, are a part of the
one body, and do have the one hope of eternal
life.
The way to deal with apostasy is to Be faithful
until death and the Lord will give you the crown of life
(Revelation 2:10).
Roy Davison
Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)