BIBLE INSIGHT

And they read from the book, from the law of God,
clearly; and they gave the sense,
so that the people understood the reading. (Neh. 8:8 RSV)

Volume 4, Number 48, December 2, 2001

Departing From The Faith - Part 1 by Paul Woodward (Reprinted from The Religious Reminder)

The apostle Paul warned even faithful Christians in his letter to Timothy, that some Christians would depart from the faith. 1 Tim. 4:1 - "In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

The faith spoken of here is the gospel of Christ. Phil. 1:27 - "... that ye stand fast in one spiriit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

It is a necessary conclusion that an individual cannot depart from the faith unless he has first accepted and obeyed it (the faith or gospel).

Christ Jesus wanted unity in His church. In the prayer of Jesus for his disciples, He said in John 17:21-23 - "That they all may be one ... in us (Jesus and the Father) that the world may believe that thou hast sent me ... that they may be made perfect in one."

The apostle Paul pleads for unity of God's people. 1 Cor. 1:10 - "I beseech you brethren ... that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same Judgment."

The apostle Paul spoke personally to the elders of the church of Christ at Ephesus: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock ... For I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears" (Acts 20:28-31).

However, while the apostle Paul and some of the other apostles were still living, division was already occurring in the church of Christ at Corinth. 1 Cor. 1:12-13 - "I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas; and I of Christ, Is Christ divided?"

Some Christians in Galatia had also departed from the faith (the gospel of Christ). Gal. 5:4 "Whosoever of you are justified by the law (the law of Moses) ye are fallen from grace."

In the church at Pergamos, some Christians were holding to false doctrines, Jesus said. Rev. 2:14-15 - "..thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam ... so hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate."

In other lessons we plan to show more departures from the faith that occurred in the churches of Christ, which began shortly after all the New Testament scripture was completely written and which has continued until the present time. We will also point out how these departures led to the starting of denominational churches, both Catholic and Protestants. However, there were some (a very few) Christians who kept the faith and remained the true churches of Christ.

The Scriptures quoted in this lesson should cause each one of us as Christians to "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15). This will help us to keep from departing from "the faith," and aid us in obtaining eternal life in Heaven, where we can live forever with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all the heavenly hosts, along with all the saints who have gone on before, and those who will follow afterwards. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Cor. 10:12).

Departing From The Faith - Part 2 by Paul Woodward (Reprinted from The Religious Reminder)

Changes Which Took Place in the Church of Christ

Remember the Apostle Peter made the statement in I Peter 4:11, "If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God." This definitely forbids any one to add to, subtract, or substitute any other doctrine to or for the true doctrine of religion.

After the entire New Testament had been completely written by verbally inspired apostles and prophets, certain men began to make changes in the true word of God. This resulted in a perverted Church of Christ; however, it was still called "Church of Christ.' Following are some of these changes and the approximate dates they took place:

120 AD - Holy water was added to the church worship. This water had been blessed by some in the leadership for Christians to wash or dip their hands in. It began to be added to their worship services only about 20 or 25 years after the New Testament scriptures had been totally completed.
150 AD - Infant Baptism began to be practiced. This was a substitution to have babies baptized instead of those people old enough to believe in Christ (Mark 16:16).
157 AD - Penance was an addition to the true doctrine of Christ. This was any self-inflicted punishment to show repentance for a sin or wrongdoing. While Martin Luther was still a Catholic, he chose to go up the steps to a church building on his knees as a punishment for some of his sins.
200 AD - Elders (Bishops, Pastors, Shepherds, Overseers) began to call themselves priests, thus starting the distinction between clergy and laity. (The Bible makes no such distinction.) So this was an addition to the scriptures. Actually all Christians are priests, (1 Peter 2:5) "to offer up spiritual sacrifices."
325 AD - First human creed was written for the now perverted church of Christ to follow. It was known as the Nicene Creed because it was written by men from several local churches in the city of Nicea, Bithynia (Asia). This was an addition to the true doctrine of Christ.
350 AD - Sprinkling was substituted for baptism.
394 AD - The Latin mass was introduced into the worship services. This kept the audience from understanding what was said during worship and kept them ignorant of the Scriptures. (1 Timothy 2:7)
588 AD - Extreme unction came into existence (addition). People who were dying were anointed and prayed for by a priest. This was the beginning of deathbed repentance.
593 AD - The Doctrine of Purgatory was added to the true doctrine of Christ. According to this false theory a priest would pray for the dead in order to redeem them from punishment in purgatory. If this were not done the individual would be cast into hell in the Day of Judgment. The Scripture teaches when a wicked person dies, he does go to a place of punishment in Hades (Luke 16:23), there to await the final judgment, then to be cast into Hell eternal. (There is no amount of praying that will remove him from the punishment in Hades.) Even though a priest prays for the wicked person to be redeemed from Hades, it will not happen because this is a false theory and is an addition to God's word.

Notice - all of the mentioned departures from the faith (almost without fail) took place and originated within the eldership as the apostle Paul predicted. (Acts 20:17-30)

The Church Of Christ - a poem by W. Curtis Porter

Upon the cross our Savior suffered to atone for sins;
He suffered that He might redeem the souls of wayward men;
Endured the shame and agony - His life's blood sacrificed -
He bought the church He said He'd build; His church - the Church of
Christ.

His church will last through circling ages, fought by other creeds,
Its founder, Christ our Lord Divine, supplies so well our needs,
The passing years cannot prevail - nor yet the gates of hell -
'Twill long survive the crash of worlds for Christ has build it well.

The bride of Christ this church is called, it has an honored place,
'Twill wear no other name but His for such would bring disgrace;
No bride that's to her husband true will wear some other's name,
And thus make void her bridal vows and fill her life with shame.

The Lord's the Savior of His church - He has but one on earth,
All other institutions here by men were given birth;
They may assist the souls of men a cleaner life to live -
Through one alone the Lord has promised endless joy to give.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida 34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/cocbs/cocbshp.htm

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg, Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com

ONE FINAL THOUGHT
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." (Reprinted from The Beacon)

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