Apostasy

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Apostasy
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. . . I will build my church. Matthew 1618
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Let no man deceive you by any means for that
day shall not come, except there come a falling
away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the
son of perdition. 2 Thessalonians 23
Falling away is derived from the Greek term
apostasia, which means defection, departure,
revolt, to depart from.
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Modern definition of Apostasy 1 renunciation
of a religious faith, 2 abandonment of a previous
loyalty defection. Merriam-Webster
Dictionary
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Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in
the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both
the Father and the Son. 2 John 19
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I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him
that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel. Which is not another but there
be some that trouble you, and would pervert the
gospel of Christ. Galatians 16-7
8

And the multitudes that went before, and that
followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of
David Blessed is he that cometh in the name of
the Lord . . . Matthew 219
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This is my body which is given for you this do
in remembrance of me . . . This cup is the new
testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 2219-20 I tell you the truth, one
of you will betray me. Matthew 2621
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My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death .
. . And he went a little farther, and fell on his
face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me nevertheless
not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew
2638-39


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. . . Behold, he is at hand that doth betray
me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the
twelve, came, and with a great multitude with
swords and staves . . . . he came to Jesus, and
said, Hail, master and kissed him. Matthew
2646-49
12
And they led Jesus away to the high priest and
with him were assembled all the chief priests and
the elders and the scribes . . . And the chief
priests and all the council sought for witness
against Jesus to put him to death . . . Art thou
the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus
said, I am . . . And some began to spit on him,
and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and say
unto him, Prophesy and the servants did strike
him with the palms of their hands. Luke
1453, 55, 61-62,65
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And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then
Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he
done? And they cried out the more exceedingly,
Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content
the people, released Barabbas unto them, and
delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be
crucified. Mark 1513-15
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And so Pilate . . . had scourged him Mark
1515
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And the soldiers led him away into the hall,
called Praetorium . . . And they clothed him with
purple, and plaited a crown of thorns, and put it
about his head, and began to salute him, Hail,
King of the Jews!
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and
did spit upon him, and bowing their knees
worshiped him. And when they had mocked him, they
took off the purple from him, and put his own
clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Mark 1516-20
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And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he
bearing his cross went forth into a place called
the place of a skull, which is called in the
Hebrew Golgotha . . . John 1916-18
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And it was the third hour, and they crucified
him. Mark 1525 And when they were come to the
place which is called Calvary, there they
crucified him . . . Then said Jesus, Father,
forgive them for they know not what they do.
Luke 2333-34
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They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall
. . . And they crucified him, and parted his
garments . . . Then were there two thieves
crucified with him, one on the right hand, and
another on the left. And they that passed by
reviled him, wagging their heads . . . Likewise
also the chief priests mocking him, with the
scribes and elders, said, He saved others
himself he cannot save . . . Matthew
2734-42
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Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit.
Luke 2346
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Jesus is the Only Person Who Ever Conquered
Death . . . he is risen, as he said.
Matthew 286
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. . . I will not believe . . . Then saith he to
Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my
hands and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it
into my side and be not faithless, but
believing. And Thomas answered and said unto
him, My Lord and my God. John 2025,
27-28
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The Great Commission Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
teaching them to observe whatsoever I have
commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, unto
the end of the world. Matthew
2818-20
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Jesus Ascended to Heaven And he led them out as
far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands,
and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he
blessed them, he was parted from them, and
carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him,
and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and
were continually in the temple, praising and
blessing God. Luke 2450-53
Jesus Ascended to Heaven And he led them out as
far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands,
and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he
blessed them, he was parted from them, and
carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him,
and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and
were continually in the temple, praising and
blessing God. Luke 2450-53

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Day of Pentecost And suddenly there came a
sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they were
sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven
tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them. And they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues . .
. the multitude came together and were
confounded, because that every man heard them
speak in his own language.
Acts 22-4
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The Needs of All Were Met And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers. And fear came upon every soul and many
wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And
all that believed were together, and had all
things common, and sold their possessions and
goods, and parted them to all men, as every man
had need. Acts 242-45
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The Power of Gods Spirit Was So Strong That They
Were Willing to Sacrifice Everything Neither was
there any among them that lacked for as many as
were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and
brought the prices of the things that were sold,
and laid them down at the apostles feet and
distribution was made unto every man according as
he had need. Acts 434-35
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Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall
not have a vision and it shall be dark unto you,
that ye shall not divine and the sun shall go
down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark
over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and
the diviners confounded yea, they shall all
cover their lips for there is no answer of God.
Micah 36-7
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Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I
will send a famine in the land, not a famine of
bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the
words of the Lord
WILL WORK FOR SPIRITUAL FOOD
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from
the north even to the east, they shall run to and
fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not
find it. Amos 811-12
29
For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears. And they shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables. 2 Timothy 43-4
30
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be
troubled by letter, except ye receive it from us
neither by spirit, nor by word, as that the day
of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by
any means for there shall come a falling away
first . . . 2 Thessalonians 22-3
31
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 2029-31
32
WHAT BECAME OF THE CHURCH THAT CHRIST BUILT?
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John Wesley (1703-1791), co-founder of the
Methodist movement It does not appear, that
these extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were
common in the church for more than two or three
centuries. We seldom hear of them after that
fatal period, when the emperor Constantine called
himself a Christian . . . From this time they
almost totally ceased very few instances of the
kind were found. The cause of this was not, (as
has been vulgarly supposed,) because there was
no more occasion for them, because all the world
was become Christians. (continued)
34
Wesley (continued) This is a miserable mistake
not a twentieth part of it the world was then
nominally Christians. The real cause was, the
love of many, almost of all Christians, so
called, was waxed cold. The Christians had no
more of the Spirit of Christ, than the other
heathens. The Son of Man, when he came to
examine his church, could hardly find faith upon
the earth. This was the real cause, why
extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no
longer to be found in the Christian church
because the Christians were turned heathens
again, and had only a dead form left. John M.
Wesley, Sermons on Several Occasions, Vol. 2 (New
York J. Emory and B. Waugh, 1830), 266.
35
Johann von Mosheim (1694-1755), German Lutheran
church historian and chancellor of Gottingen
University During this seventh century true
religion lay buried under a senseless mass of
superstitions, and was unable to raise her head.
The earlier Christians had worshiped only God and
His Son but those called Christians in this
century worshiped the wood of a cross, the images
of holy men, and bones of dubious origin. Johann
Lorenz Mosheim, Mosheims Institutes of
Ecclesiastical History, Ancient and Modern, Fifth
Edition (London Willam Tegg, 1867), 250.
36
Martin Luther (1483-1546), launched the
Protestant Reformation and Lutheran Church In
1517, Martin Luther, a Catholic priest, nailed 95
criticisms of the church to the door of the
Castle church in Wittenburg, Germany. At that
time, the Catholic church was the only existing
Christian church in Europe. If you wanted to get
to heaven, it would have to be through papal
authority. Initially, Luther wanted to reform the
Catholic church, but after the Diet Council of
Worms, Germany in 1521, he saw that he would have
to separate from Catholicism.
37
Roger Williams (1603-1683), advocate for
religious freedom and founder of the first
Baptist church in America What would it take to
leap the whole way, into perfect and pure
congruence with the ancient pattern? It would
take, Williams reluctantly concluded, more than
mere mortals by themselves could ever achieve . .
.
But how, sixteen hundred years later, could such
a church be formed? The doctrine of apostolic
succession might seem to be the answer that the
authority and commission of Christ had been
transmitted, generation by generation, from his
own time to the present. But that would mean that
a wholly false church . . . could in its
impurity faithfully preserve and rightly pass on
a wholly pure power. And that made no sense at
all. (continued)
38
Roger Williams (continued) After
Constantine, a true ministry no longer existed,
and none but God could now bring it back.
Williams did not come to this position easily,
nor did he find it easy to persuade others that
recreating the true church of Christ was a vain
pursuit apart from direct divine intervention.
Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience Roger
Williams in America (Grand Rapids Eerdmans,
1991), 91-92.
39
Roger Williams He seems rather to have
conceived that the church of Christ had so fallen
into apostasy, as to have lost both its right
form and the due administration of the
ordinances, which could only be restored by some
new apostolic, or specially commissioned
messenger from above . . . He conceived that the
.
apostasy of anti-Christ hath so far corrupted
all, that there can be no recovery out of that
apostasy, till Christ shall send forth new
apostles to plant churches anew. Edward B.
Underhill, Struggles and Triumphs of Religious
Liberty (New York Edward Colby, 1851), 238-239.
40
Roger Williams On his return from England he
Roger Williams refrained from fellowship with
the Church the Baptist church in
Providence that he founded, and lived in an
isolated religious condition, preaching the
gospel to the Indians, as he found opportunity,
but refusing to participate in the ordinances.
He had embraced a singular notion, which is
thus stated by one of his biographers He denied
that any ministry now exists, which is authorized
to preach the gospel to the impenitent, or to
administer the ordinances.
John Mockett Cramp, Baptist History Foundation
of the Christian Church to the Close of the
Eighteenth Century (London Elliot Stock, 1868),
461.
41
Almighty God of love, Set up the
attracting sign, And summon whom thou dost
approve, For messengers divine. From favored
Abraham's seed The new apostles choose, In
isles and continents to spread The
soul-reviving news. Charles Wesley
42
Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) was a major force
in the American Restoration movement. He tried
to avoid denominational labels. With his father
and Barton Stone, he started what eventually came
to called the Disciples of Christ or Churches of
Christ We argue that all Christian sects are
more or less apostatized from the institutions of
the Savior that by all of the obligations of the
Christian religion, they that fear and love the
Lord are bound to return to the ancient order of
things, in spirit and truth. Alexander Campbell,
The Christian Baptist, Volume 5 (Bethany, VA A.
Campbell, 1827), 402.
43
In 1830, Alexander Campbell severed ties with
the Baptist Church and ceased publication of
the Christian Baptist monthly. He began a new
monthly publication called the Millennial
Harbinger, in which he said We have to pattern
after the first church as well as we can. But we
can never equal it. With all our efforts, the
great disparity will ever remain. And could The
Apostles and primitive Christians be here, they
would doubtless weep at beholding it. Alexander
Campbell, Millennial Harbinger A Monthly
Publication Devoted to Primitive Christianity,
Vol. 5 (Bethany, VA A. Campbell, 1830-1870),40.
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45
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him
that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel. Which is not another but there
be some that trouble you, and would pervert the
gospel of Christ. Galatians 16-7
46
Alexander Campbell The day of light, so
illustrious in its beginning, became cloudy . . .
By the Reformation of the seventeenth century
that dark cloud was broken in fragments and
though the heavens of gospel light are still
obscured by many clouds
the sects of various names the promise is that
at even-time it shall be light. The primitive
gospel in its effulgence and power, is yet to
shine out in its original splendor to regenerate
the world. A.S. Hayden, Early History of the
Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio
(Cincinnati Chase Hall, 1875) 37.
47
Alexander Campbell Besides, do not the
experience of all the religious the observation
of the intelligent the practical result of all
creeds, reformations and improvements and the
expectations, and longings of society, warrant
the conclusion that either some new revelation,
or some new development of the revelation of God,
must be made, before the hopes and expectations of
all true Christians can be realized, or
Christianity save and reform the nations of this
world? We want the old gospel back, and sustained
by the ancient order of things and this alone by
the blessing of the Divine Spirit, is all that we
do want, or can expect, to reform and save the
world. Alexander Campbell, The Christian System
In Reference to the Union of Christians and a
Restoration of Primitive Christianity (Pittsburg
Forrester Campbell,1839), 244-245.
48
John Wesley What could God have done which He
hath not done, to convince you that the day is
coming, that the time is at hand, when He will
fulfill His glorious promises when He will arise
and maintain His own cause, and to set up His
Kingdom over all the earth? John M. Wesley,
Sermons on Several Occasions, Vol. 2 (New York
B. Waugh T. Mason, 1830), 98.
49
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the
leopard shall lie down with the kid and the
calf and the young lion and the fatling together
and a little child shall lead them . . . they
shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain . . . And it shall come to pass in that
day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the
second time to recover the remnant of his people,
which shall be left . . . And he shall set up an
ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the
outcasts of Israel, and gather together the
dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the
earth. Isaiah 116, 9, 11-12
50
Arise, shine for thy light is come, and the
glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For,
behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and
gross darkness the people but the Lord shall
arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon
thee. Isaiah 601-2
51
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them I will liken him unto a wise
man, which built his house upon a rock. And the
rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house and it fell
not for it was founded upon a rock. Matthew
726-27
52
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock if any
man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come
in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
me. Revelation 320
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APPENDIX
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Roger Williams
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One member baptized Roger Williams, who in turn
baptized all the others. About twenty persons
joined in the creation of this, the first church
of Baptist identification not only in Rhode
Island but in all of North America as well . . .
For Williams, who wrote of the restless
unsatisfiedness of my soul, found no enduring
peace, not even in the church molded by his own
hands.
What authority did he have to be baptized or to
baptize others? What line of apostolic continuity
could be traced to that score of Bible believers
who agreed to worship together? What biblical
commission or divine command set this church
apart or perhaps even above all others? Edwin
S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience Roger Williams
in America (Grand Rapids Eerdmans, 1991), 90.
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In writing to John Winthrop as early as 1636,
Williams bemoaned the spiritual nakedness of New
Englands churches but added the hope that within
a few years the Lord would reveal the first and
most ancient path more plainly to you and me.
More than a dozen years later, in a letter to
Winthrops son, Williams indicated that he found
no churches organized after the first pattern .
. .
His growing unease about the nature of all
man-made (as opposed to Christ-created) churches
led to his departure from the Providence church
after only a few months of fellowship in that
congregations midst. Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty
of Conscience Roger Williams in America (Grand
Rapids Eerdmans, 1991), 91.
58
In four ways, he wrote, the modern ministry fell
short of its New Testament pattern in gifts, in
calling, in work, and in wages. With respect to
the first, Williams argued that the greatest gift
of all was missing namely, an apostolic
commission, a discipleship like that enjoyed by
those whom Jesus appointed. A simple proof of
this lack was that
present leaders could not even agree on such
matters as the proper baptism or the ceremony of
laying on of hands for ordination or even church
membership. Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of
Conscience Roger Williams in America (Grand
Rapids Eerdmans, 1991), 92.
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But it was the fourth point that attracted
Williams chief attention the matter of wages,
and more particularly of wages paid by means of a
forced tithe collected by the civil power. The
ministry was a calling, not a trade, Williams
argued . . . He who haggles over his wages, who
bargains for his keep, who makes the cure of
Souls, and the charge of mens eternal welfare, a
trade, a maintenance, and living was never
sent of God to be a laborer in his vineyard. Like
servants hired by the year, todays clergy leave
one parish for another the minute they hear
offers of more Ease and better wages. Indeed,
they even leave one religion for another . . . in
order to keep their comfort and their
salary. Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience
Roger Williams in America (Grand Rapids
Eerdmans, 1991), 93.
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We also learn from Williams in 1649 that the
Baptists not only persisted in rejecting infant
baptism but came to require that adult believers
be fully immersed. Not content with sprinkling,
as was the case with infants, Baptists now wanted
all members dipped, symbolically buried with
Christ in baptism and raised with him into a new
life. I believe, Williams wrote, that this
baptism comes nearer the
practice of our great Founder, Christ Jesus, than
other religions do, and yet . . . For Williams,
always that and yet. His qualification
pertained, of course, to his conviction that
until Christ came again and created new apostles,
all church ordinances lacked full
validity. Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of
Conscience Roger Williams in America (Grand
Rapids Eerdmans, 1991), 116.
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Examples of Doctrinal Error
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The Rock of the Revelation of Jesus
Christ Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God . . . Blessed art thou, Simon
Bar-jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed
it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven .
. . Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it. Matthew
1616-18
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• What was the rock that Christ built his
• church upon?
• The Restored Gospel tells us that the rock was
  the revelation of Jesus Christ.
• Examples of doctrinal error
• Some churches believe that the rock was simply
  Christ himself. However, Peter was blessed
  because God revealed Jesus identity directly to
  Peter.
• Some teach that Peter was the rock pointing to
  a succession of authority through the centuries.
  There isnt sufficient evidence to establish that
  Peter was ever a Bishop in Rome or that he chose
  Clement as his successor. It is the revelation of
  Jesus Christ that undergirds his church.

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What does it mean to say the gates of hell
shall not prevail against Christs
church? Restoration View Ultimately, Christs
church will be victorious. Every knee will bow
and every tongue confess. However, the spiritual
battle will swing back and forth between good and
evil until that final victory. Catholic View
Catholicism suggests that there has been a
pattern of continuous, uninterrupted papal
succession from Peter assuming leadership of the
church in Rome until today. However, there is no
evidence, certainly not in scripture, that Peter
ever led the church in Rome or ever chose Clement
as his successor. In fact, the last mention of
Peter is in Acts 15 regarding the Council in
Jerusalem, but nothing about activities in Rome.
Even his epistles, 1 Peter and 2 Peter, do not
mention Rome.
66
What does it mean to say the gates of hell
shall not prevail against Christs
church? Protestant View The Reformation
maintains that the Catholic church successfully
carried the gospel ball for centuries and then
made a hand-off to Protestantism. But Roger
Williams said that, if the Catholic church was
truly in apostasy by the 1500s, this idea made
no sense at all. Secondly, Protestants rail
against the system of papacy and priesthoods
found in the Catholic church. Are they really
saying that ministerial priesthoods of the
Catholic church were acceptable for 1500 years,
but when the Reformation occurred, God changed
his mind about church governance and instituted a
new priesthood of all believers? This also
makes no sense.
67
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he
revealeth the secret unto is servants the
prophets. Amos 37
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far
distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who
reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to
all eternity, shall come down from heaven, among
the children of men, and shall dwell in a
tabernacle of clay. Mosiah 197


68

• Does God still want to reveal his will to man as
  he has in times past?
• The Restored Gospel affirms continuing modern
  revelation.
• Examples of doctrinal error
• Some churches believe that, based on passages
  such as Revelation 2012, the canon of scripture
  is closed, and that the Bible is all the
  revelation believers will ever need. Nothing
  about this passage precludes further revelatory
  insight (See Deuteronomy 42).
• Some churches teach that the gifts, including the
  gift of prophecy, all ceased centuries ago. But
  if the gifts cease, then any ministry we can hope
  to offer is empty and meaningless.

69
Paul Was Highly Educated, But He Was Taught the
Gospel by Revelation But I certify you,
brethren, that the gospel which was preached of
me is not after man. For I neither received it of
man, neither was I taught it, but by the
revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 111-12
70

• What about ministerial offices in Christs
  church?
• Christs restored church affirms a lay ministry
  with many different offices and functions to
  serve the many needs of the body of Christ.
• Examples of doctrinal error
• Some churches assert that a priesthood of all
  believers replaced ministerial functions at the
  cross. However, the New Testament makes it clear
  that there were functions exclusive to the
  ministers of Christs church.
• Some churches claim a continuous succession of
  ministerial authority from the New Testament
  church down to the present day. Succession is
  important, however, ministerial authority is
  validated by the fruit that is borne, the Spirit
  that accompanies such ministry, and how aligned
  those ministers are with the teachings of Jesus.

71
Ministerial Authority And they were astonished
at his doctrine for he taught them as one that
had authority, and not as the scribes. Mark
122
72
Helps and Governments In the New Testament
church, 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that God
provided helps and governments, such as
ministers and spiritual gifts, to bless his
people And God hath set some in the church,
first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of
healings, helps, governments, diversities of
tongues. 1 Corinthians 1228
73
And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he
that is called of God as was Aaron. Hebrews 54
74

• What about ministerial offices in Christs
  church?
• Christs restored church calls ministers to serve
  in keeping with Hebrews 54 and ordains ministers
  in keeping with passages like Acts 66 and Acts
  132-3.
• Examples of doctrinal error
• In some churches, an individual merely feels a
  call and enrolls in seminary training. However,
  Exodus 281 says that Aaron was called by Moses,
  one in spiritual authority.
• Some churches believe that ordaining is
  indistinguishable from calling and that both
  terms are strictly limited to the meaning to
  appoint, and nothing more. However, John 1516
  makes clear that calling and ordaining are two
  separate functions. The laying on of hands is how
  power was conveyed to Timothy, to the disciples,
  and to the seven men designated for ministerial
  service in Acts 6.

75

• Apostles and Prophets
• Some churches believe that
• apostles ceased to exist after the first century,
  and
• prophets were no longer needed to reveal the mind
  and
• will of God to his people in the form of
  scriptural guidance.
• However, Ephesians 411-13 makes it clear that
  apostles, prophets and other ministers should
  continue to function in Christs church.

76

• Are apostles and prophets still needed?
• Christs restored church can achieve its greatest
  spiritual potential when the offices of apostle
  and prophet are fully functioning in his church.
  
• Examples of doctrinal error
• Some churches believe that the office of apostle
  or even prophet ended in the first century or in
  an apostolic period. However, Ephesians 411-13
  tells us that these two offices will continue
  until we reach the measure of the stature of the
  fullness of Christ. So they are still needed.
• Some churches claim that the roles of apostle and
  prophet have continued until our day, just in a
  different form and with different titles. We do
  not see these functions being fulfilled by other
  churches in the same manner that the New
  Testament church experienced.

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• Ephesians 411-13
• Ministerial Offices
• And he gave some, apostles and some prophets
• and some, evangelists and some pastors and
  teachers
• What is their Purpose?
• For the perfecting of the saints, for the work
  of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
  Christ
• How long will they remain in the Christs Church?
  
• Till we
• in the unity of the faith,
• all come to the knowledge of the Son of God,
• unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
  stature of the fullness of Christ.

78

• Holy Ordinances
• Holy ordinances, that follow the pattern given in
  the New Testament church, provide a blessing to
  Gods people and a means for us to align our
  lives with the will of God. Gods ministers are
  given the responsibility to bring holy ordinances
  to the body of Christ, such as
• Water Baptism
• Baptism of the Holy Spirit
• Communion
• Administration to the Sick
• Marriage
• Blessing Children
• Ordaining Ministers
• Patriarchal Blessing

79

• Are apostles and prophets still needed?
• Christs restored gospel specifies how holy
  ordinances should be administered.
• Examples of doctrinal error
• For baptism, some churches pour or sprinkle. But
  this does not represent the death and
  resurrection of Jesus as baptism should (Romans
  64-5).
• Some churches teach that there is no need for
  laying on hands to receive the gift of the Holy
  Spirit. However, Acts 812-17 tells us there were
  believers who did not receive this gift until
  there was a laying on of hands.
• Regarding communion, some churches teach that the
  bread or wafer are literally transformed into the
  body of Jesus. However, the power of this
  ordinance resides in a changed life, not what
  happens to the emblems that are served.

80
Holy Ordinances
I am the bread of life . . . Then said Jesus unto
them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Except ye
eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his
blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my
flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life .
. . He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my
blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
John 648, 53, 54, 56
81

• The Doctrine of Christ
• Therefore not leaving the principles of the
  doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection
  not laying again the foundation of
• repentance from dead works,
• and of faith toward God.
• of the doctrine of baptisms,
• and of laying on of hands,
• and of the resurrection of the dead,
• and of eternal judgment.
• Hebrews 61-2 (IV)

82

• What is repentance?
• Christs restored gospel teaches that true
  repentance will bear fruit in the life of the
  believer.
• Examples of doctrinal error
• Some churches believe that the concept of
  repentance is strictly limited to being a change
  of mind about who Christ is, and nothing more.
  However, repentance is more than simply a change
  of mind. Acts 326 tells us that repentance
  involves turning away from sin.
• Some churches teach that we are saved by faith
  alone and that repentance is indistinguishable
  from faith. However, repentance is a separate
  concept that is also necessary for salvation, and
  according to Luke 38 repentance must bear fruit
  in the life of the believer.

83
Repentance
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out . . . 26 . . .
turning away every one of you from his
iniquities. Acts 319 26
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of
repentance. Luke 38
84
Repentance
Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men
for the arms of mercy are extended toward them,
and he saith, Repent, and I will receive you.
Alma 357
85

• What is faith?
• Christs restored gospel teaches that we are
  saved by faith, but a true faith must bear fruit
  in the life of the believer.
• Examples of doctrinal error
• Some churches teach that faith is merely an
  intellectual understanding that Jesus is Lord and
  that he died for my sins. But Galatians 56 talks
  about faith which worketh by love is what has
  the power to truly change lives.
• Some churches teach that we can simply believe
  and never have to act on our faith. However,
  Matthew 1425-33 makes it clear that faith is a
  principle of action as well. Peter had to act on
  his faith and step out of the boat to go to Jesus.

86
Faith
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth
anything, nor uncircumcision but faith which
worketh by love. Galatians 56
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went
unto them, walking on the sea . . . And Peter
answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid
me come unto thee on the water. And he said,
Come. And when Peter was come down out of the
ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Matthew 1425, 28-29
87

• What are baptisms, and do they save?
• Christs restored gospel teaches that we are
  saved when we bring a faithful and repentant
  heart to the holy ordinance of baptism and
  receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Examples of doctrinal error
• Some churches teach that baptism is a work that
  has nothing to do with salvation. However, a
  person who has a true faith, when presented with
  the opportunity to be baptized, will do so. In
  Acts 2216, Ananias instructed Saul to be
  baptized and wash away his sins.
• Some churches teach that laying on hands has
  nothing to do with receiving the gift of the Holy
  Spirit, but in Acts 237-38, Acts 812-17 and
  Acts 191-6 we are told of believers who did not
  receive the gift of the Holy Spirit until there
  was a laying on of hands.

88
Baptism
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in
their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest
of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we
do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 237-38 And now why tarriest thou?
Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 2216
89
INFANT BAPTISM If the person being baptized is
unable to make a conscious decision to serve
Jesus Christ, baptism has no value it is an
empty and meaningless act. Rationale to baptize
infants It removes both the guilt and the
punishment due to Original Sin, delaying baptism
until a child can understand the sacrament may
put the child's salvation in danger, should he
die unbaptized. . . . I know that it is solemn
mockery before God, that ye should baptize little
children . . . Behold, baptism is unto repentance
to the fulfilling the commandments unto the
remission of sins. But little children are alive
in Christ . . . For awful is the wickedness to
suppose that God saveth one child because of
baptism, and the other must perish because he
hath no baptism . . . And he that saith that
little children need baptism, denieth the
mercies of Christ . . . Moroni
810-21
90
THE NEED TO RESTORE CHRISTS CHURCH There was an
urgent need to restore, and not simply reform,
Christs church in light of doctrinal error that
had developed over the centuries. Any attempt
to restore his church would include doctrines,
gifts of the Spirit, holy ordinances and
ministerial offices that adhere more closely to
the pattern found in the New Testament.
91
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92
Doctrinal Error in Catholicism
93
PAPAL INFALLIBILITY This is a dogma of the
Catholic church that says when the pope speaks
ex cathedra (i.e., when he speaks about
doctrine or morals in the discharge of his duties
as pastor over all Christians), the supernatural
assistance of the Holy Spirit will prevent him
from making any mistakes. The book Catholic Dogma
says, The Pope is judged by nobody. The
supreme teacher is unilaterally responsible to
have jurisdiction over all matters of church
life. So the pope is supposed to be infallible
when he speaks ex cathedra. The idea of papal
infallibility had existed for centuries. It
became the majority view of Catholics during the
Counter-Reformation (1545-1648) in reaction to
dissension caused by Reformers. However, it did
not become official doctrine until the First
Vatican Council of 1869.
94
THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL And I
say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my church and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew
1618 The phrase and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it is often used by
Catholics to suggest that Christs church will
remain intact without interruption throughout
history. They point to, what they believe to be,
a continuous succession of the church down
through the centuries until our day.
95
THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL It is
true that the gates of hell shall not prevail
against Christs church. But it is misleading to
infer that there will never be an apostasy and
therefore no need for a restoration of Christs
gospel. Christ leaves peoples free will intact,
and the battle between good and evil
continues. Just like the score in a football
game, the lead can potentially swing back and
forth, but we know who will ultimately win the
struggle. The Lord Jesus and his church will be
victorious. He will conquer his enemies. All of
creation will submit to his will. Eventually,
every knee will bow and every tongue will confess
that he is Lord. In this sense, the gates of hell
shall not prevail against his church.
96
PAPAL SUCCESSION This is the idea that there was
an unbroken chain of papal succession from Peter
in Rome until today. However, there is no record
in scripture of Peter ever assuming leadership of
the church in Rome. Peters activities are
described in Acts 15, and then that is it --
nothing about passing his leadership to Clement.
In fact there were time periods when there was no
Bishop of Rome at all the years 304 to 308,
638-640, 1085-1086, 1241-1243, 1269-1271,
1292-1294, 1314-1316 and 1415-1417. For hundreds
of years, five episcopal sees of the Roman
empire, each one with their own bishop, battled
over who would be victorious. That issue was not
settled until Rome became dominant under Gregory
the Great (Bishop in Rome from 590 to 604 AD). At
that point, to justify Romes pre-eminent
position, a myth was constructed about Peter
leading the church in Rome and continuous
succession down through the centuries.
97
SEVEN SACRAMENTS Baptism Catholics say, Infant
baptism removes both the guilt and the punishment
due to Original Sin. However, this is not true
unbaptized infants will not go to
hell. Confirmation Around the age of twelve, a
bishop or priest can anoint a member to
consecrate and empower them for service to God.
However, Acts 8 indicates that the gift of the
Holy Spirit should be conferred soon after water
baptism. Eucharist The communion or Mass
involves ingesting the Real Presence of Jesus
(i.e., literal body and blood of Christ).
However, this is not true, the bread and wine
should be merely symbolic of Christs body and
blood. Penance (Confession) Members allegedly
atone for their sins by performing an act or
paying a price. Sacraments also include
Matrimony, Anointing the Sick and Holy
Orders (i.e. ministerial ordination).
98
PRIESTS ROLE IN TRANSUBSTANTIATION The book
Catholic Dogma states, When the priest announces
the tremendous words of consecration at the Mass,
he reaches up into the heavens, he brings Christ
down from His throne and places Him upon our
altar to be offered up again as the victim for
the sins of man. It is a power greater than that
of saints and angels, greater than that of
seraphim and cherubim." At the Mass or
Eucharist, bread and wine are placed on the
altar, and through a supernatural power greater
than the angels, the priest raises his arms,
allegedly to enact a miracle every time that Mass
occurs (i.e., change the water and wine into the
literal body and blood of Christ). This is called
transubstantiation. One conclusion from the
Council of Trent in 1546 was that even the bread
and wine are therefore worthy of worship. Also,
Mass can supposedly be conducted to atone for
the sins of the dead as well. With upraised
arms, the priest is able to transform bread and
wine into the literal body and blood of Christ.
However, the power of this ordinance resides in a
changed life, not what happens to the bread that
is served. What about Jesus saying, This is my
body, and this is my blood?
99
CELIBACY OF CLERGY Celibacy had been practiced
for centuries, but in 1079, Pope Gregory VII made
it an official doctrine and began to rigorously
enforce celibacy as an obligation of Roman
clergy. The problem with this unscriptural
requirement is described in 1 Corinthians 79
It is better to marry than to burn. In other
words, it is better to marry than to have lust
burn in the heart of the believer. The rationale
for the celibacy requirement is supposedly
Matthew 1912, which talks about voluntarily
being a eunuch for the kingdoms sake. The
celibacy requirement has contributed to the large
number of sexual scandals that have rained down
in torrents upon the Catholic church in recent
decades. 1 Timothy 41-3 says, Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith . . . speaking lies
in hypocrisy . . . forbidding to marry . . .
100
PURGATORY In 1439, the Council of Florence made
the concept of Purgatory official dogma of the
Catholic church. Prayers had been offered for the
dead for centuries, and the concept of Purgatory
helped to promote an active relationship between
those on earth and those who had passed on.
Revelation 2117 supposedly offers a rationale
by saying that no unclean thing can enter heaven.
So Catholics believe that we go to Purgatory to
be purged or cleansed of sin. However, there
actually is no scriptural justification for the
concept of Purgatory. In the 1500s, Johann
Tetzel sold indulgences to shorten peoples stay
in Purgatory. This was a way to raise money to
build St. Peters Basilica. This helped to launch
the Reformation and Martin Luthers stinging
criticisms of the Catholic church.
101
MARY IMMACULATE CONCEPTION This is the idea
that, at her birth, Mary was not subject to
original sin. In 1854, Pope Pius IX made this
official dogma by issuing Bull Ineffabilis Deus
which said Mary was preserved by Immaculate
Conception when conceived in her mother's body
and was miraculously free from pollution of sin
inherited from Adam. She was in soul and body
holy, sinless, stainless, undefiled, pure
innocence . . . the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in
the first instance of her conception by a
singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty
God in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the
Savior of the human race, was preserved free from
all stain of Original Sin. This is a doctrine
revealed by God and therefore to be believed
firmly and constantly by all the
faithful.
102
MARY PERPETUAL VIRGINITY This is the idea that,
through a miracle, Jesus was born without passing
through the birth canal, thus not injuring the
body of Mary. It also includes the idea that Mary
remained a virgin throughout her life perpetual
virginity. In 649 AD, Pope Martin made this an
official belief. He stated, "Mary gave birth in
miraculous fashion without any opening of her
womb and injury to her body and without pain.
However, Matthew 118 says,. . . when as his
mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they
came together . . . (This passage tells us that
Mary and Joseph eventually came together.)
Matthew 1355 tells us that Jesus had brothers
named James, and Joses, and Simon, and
Judas.
103
THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY This is the idea that, at
the end of her life on earth, Mary ascended into
heaven with her body intact just like Jesus did.
It is also believed that when that happened,
everyone who was in Purgatory was released from
there. Even though this belief existed as early
as the fifth century, it was not official
doctrine until November 1, 1950 when Pope Pius
XII stated,The bodily assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary into heaven is a dogma of the divine
and Catholic faith. The idea of the assumption
of Mary showed up in the 400s AD but was labeled
as heresy at that time. Prayers to Mary were
officially instituted around 600 AD. Rosary beads
to aid in prayers to God and Mary were
implemented in 1090 AD. But it was not until 1950
that the assumption of Mary became official
belief.
104
MARY AS MOTHER OF GOD AND QUEEN OF
HEAVEN In the fifth century, the Bishop of
Alexandria referred to Mary as the Mother of
God. In 431 AD, Marys title as Queen of
Heaven became official dogma when Pious XII
said, The Blessed Virgin Mary is to be called
queen not only on account of her divine
motherhood, but also because by the will of God
she had a great part in the work of our salvation
. . . she took a unique part in our salvation by
desiring it, praying for it and so obtaining it.
Some of our Catholic friends say this is
veneration rather than worship. This seems to
us like a distinction without a
difference.
105
MARY AS MOTHER OF GOD AND QUEEN OF
HEAVEN In 1745, St. Alphonsus Delaguarie, a
cardinal who became a saint, wrote The Glories of
Mary, which continues to be reprinted by the
Catholic church today, and which identifies
tributes to Mary used in the Catholic church.
Here is one example "O immaculate and holy,
pure Virgin Mary, mother of God, queen of the
world, thou art the joy of the saints, thou art
the peacemaker between sinners and God, thou art
the advocate of the abandoned, the secure haven
of those who are on the sea of this world, thou
art the consolation of this world, the ransom of
slaves, the comforter of the afflicted, the
salvation of the universe."
106
MARY AS MOTHER OF GOD AND QUEEN OF
HEAVEN It is disturbing to think about Marys
immaculate conception, sinlessness, perpetual
virginity, ascension into heaven, so-called
appearances (which is part of the churchs
official belief), and that she suposedly
mediates all divine graces to members because she
is co-redeemer with the Lord Jesus Christ. Mary
plays a much more prominent role in
congregational names and statues than either the
Father or Son. In the rosary, there are 50
prayers to Mary (10 prayers said five times) and
only five Our Fathers. "Mary has changed the
Trinity into a holy quartet. Mary is viewed as
the spouse of the Holy Spirit, the mother of the
Son and the daughter of the Father. And even an
outsider looking in can see that she is treated
as a fourth member of the Godhead. Newswee
k Magazine, August 1997
107
MARY AS CO-MEDIATOR Catholic theologian Ludwig
Ott catalogued much of official doctrine. He
said, Mary's sublime dignity as Queen of Heaven
makes her supremely powerful in her maternal
intercession for her children on earth. She
intercedes to God and Christ to get the grace for
whatever we need and it never comes except by her
intercession." Delaguarie said, We may be
afraid to go to God because it is His infinite
majesty we have offended, Mary has nothing in her
to terrify us. The idea here is that, as our
advocate, Mary is tender, merciful, and
compassionate, whereas the Son and Father are
thought to be less approachable. So Mary, as the
sinless Mother of God, has great influence on
Jesus to convince him to have mercy on us. We
have to go through her.
108
MARY AS CO-REDEEMER This is not official dogma,
but it is such a widely-held belief that, in the
1990s, 4.4 million Catholics from many nations
signed a petition to John Paul II imploring him
to make it an official belief of the Catholic
church that, Mary is co-redemptrix with Jesus
Christ. The widely familiar St. Peter Catechism
says, God willed that our redemption and all its
consequences should depend on the free consent of
the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Bernard said, "All
men past, present and to come, should look upon
Mary as the means and negotiator of
salvation. St. Ambrose "Open to us, O Mary, the
gates of paradise since thou hast its keys."
Richard of St. Lawrence said, "Mary is the
mistress of heaven, for there she commands as she
wills and admits into heaven whom she wills."
Catholic Theology O Lady, since thou art the
dispenser of all graces and since the grace of
salvation can only come through thy hands, our
salvation depends on thee.
109
THE TREASURY OF MERIT This begins with the
concept of Purgatory and includes the idea that
most people will not immediately go to heaven. So
to purge their sins, they must first go to
Purgatory, perhaps for hundreds or thousands of
years. Time in Purgatory can be shortened by
experiencing the pain that we rightly deserve, by
prayers for the dead that are offered here on
earth, or perhaps by having someone elses excess
merit applied to us. Dead saints have excess
righteousness or more merit than necessary. The
excess merit of saints is deposited in the
treasury of merit, and that is supposedly
available to us. In fact, you can even obtain
merit before you die you can purchase an
indulgence whereby excess merit will be credited
to your account, and your stay in Purgatory will
be shortened. You can also pay a priest to hold
Mass for a departed loved one, who will receive
merit to shorten their stay in Purgatory.
110

• Things the Catholic Church Has Done Very Well
• Preserved the scriptures for all Christians.
• Perpetuated a belief that the Bible is inspired
  by God.
• Maintained certain essential doctrines of the
  Christian faith.
• Preserved morality and excellence through
  schools.
• Catholic charities provide outstanding support
  for the poor.
• Strong family orientation.
• Service to communities and the country.
• Fearless advocate regarding social issues such
  as abortion.

111
THE NEED TO RESTORE CHRISTS CHURCH There was an
urgent need to restore, and not simply reform,
Christs church in light of doctrinal error that
had developed over the centuries. Any attempt
to restore his church would include doctrines,
gifts of the Spirit, holy ordinances and
ministerial offices that adhere more closely to
the pattern found in the New Testament.
112
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