I Timothy 2: 1-3, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly in the
latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypo-
crisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron. Forbid-
ding to marry, and to abstain from meats, which God hath
created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe
and know the truth."
human interaction, but the work of Satan, his "angels," or
This Scripture makes it plain; a believer is not fooled by any
ecclesiastical leaders." It is brought on by ones failure to rely
on God's Word. Those who would mislead are Satan's Emis-
saries, and must be resisted and called out.
or physical "church" over the years. As our Lord said in Mark
7: 6-8; "Well hath Esaias (Isaiah) prophesied of you hypocrites,
As it is written, 'This people honoureth me with their lips, but
their heart is far from me. Howbeit, in vain do they worship me
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying
aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men..."
Just one comment: The rise of "denominations" just might be
a good example of this statement from the lips of our Savior. Is
there any doubt this phenomenon is the result of someone depar-
ting from the faith? (apostasy) Either the group who pulled away
from an existing congregation or the persons who remain within,
are in error. Admittedly, the differences do not always rise to the
level of apostasy, but what about those so critical they are used as
reason for persons to withdraw fellowship from brothers? If we
are truly "brothers" in faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, could we
not reconcile differences rather than split? Can there be a break
or fracture within the "Body of Christ?" Some have indicated to
me that divisions within the Church of Jesus Christ might be one
means of growing the Church. While there is a point to this con-
tention it will not, in my view, "hold water." In the book of acts,
there was a phenomenon used of God to scatter the Church, thus
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, over the known world through perse-
cution of "Christians" in Jerusalem. There is also this; when it
became known in other parts of the world that Christ had indeed
come, visitors to Jerusalem sought out the Apostles and carried
the gospel back to their home countries.
The condition, apparent in the early days of church history,
and now, does not have easy answers and this humble servant
can only offer opinion. I decline to do so, but merely offer
points to ponder, and use as a springboard to be persons quick
to reconcile; forgiving differences or offenses. Although we
must forgive one who offends us personally, there can never be
a time when the followers of Jesus Christ forsake a Scriptural
principle in order to go along with doctrine that is plainly in
variance with the teaching of Jesus Christ as found in the God's
Word.
God bless, as you and I do our part to become peacemakers
within our local congregations and to the world at large. May
God bless your efforts in the Kingdom of our Lord as "...led
by the Spirit..." See Luke 4: 1, Romans 8: 14, and "...led of
the Spirit..." in Galatians 5: 18
donporter,sr 6.17.17 edited: 8.12.17
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