Immutable Kingdom Part 5

The Immutable Kingdom – Part 5

By Scott A. Klaft

The Falling Away (continued)

As the apostle Paul went everywhere establishing the churches of Christ (cf. Romans 16:16), he also wrote letters to instruct them in what they needed to know and what to avoid (cf. Ephesians 3:1-4). Although there were varying themes in each of his letters (also known as “epistles”), Paul never failed to leave a warning against those who would try to subvert the faith of the members of the church.

One unmistakable example was when he wrote the second letter to the church at Thessalonica (see 2Thessalonians 2:1-12). Someone had confused them about the return of Jesus, saying that it already had come to pass. Paul’s sentiment was, “not so”. He literally said Jesus would not return until there came a “…falling away…”, and that there would be someone who exalts himself above God and would lead this falling away by the “…working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders…” People would believe in him because “…they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” In the guise of true religion, therefore, they would have a “…strong delusion, that they should believe a lie…” Paul foretold the means by which the “falling away” from the true pattern would be accomplished.

As Paul became unable to attend to the needs of all the churches, he saw fit to send his trustworthy fellow-workers to help them. In Ephesus, Timothy received a letter of instruction as to how the church is to conduct its daily duties (cf. 1Timothy 3:15). Paul then tells the younger preacher of the future as it was revealed by the Holy Spirit (cf. 1Timothy 4:1-3), explicitly saying that some would teach things in the near future that would be lies, hypocrisy, doctrines of devils, and would constitute a departure from the faith. Some of these things are specifically mentioned, such as “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats…” Not only did Paul know the specifics of the departure, but also the church, its elders and preachers should have known. They were warned.

Relatively speaking, it was not long before the words of Jesus and Paul (et. al.) concerning the apostasy began to be fulfilled. In fact, while Paul was writing, he said, “…the mystery of iniquity doth already work…” (2Thessalonians 2:7). The “…man of sin… the son of perdition” was already on his way into his own power. Even while some of the apostles were still alive, certain men were so bold as to try to take over whole congregations. In the third epistle from the pen of John, we discover someone named “Diotrephes” who was “…prating against us with malicious words… neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (3John 9-11).

This trend would continue, increase, and dominate the church over a shockingly short period of time. By the year 150 A.D., there came to be an unscriptural distinction between the terms “presbyter” and “bishop”, exalting one man above all others within the eldership. A prominent man by the name of Ignatius of Antioch was an advocate of this departure. Inevitably, there was an expansion of the power wielded by the “bishop”, first over the individual congregation, and soon, over several congregations. As this departure developed, occasionally there would be one to claim the title of “universal bishop”, but these were generally ignored. Between 150 A.D. and 311 A.D., however, there was a strong movement toward the development of a hierarchy after the pattern of the Jewish Levitical-priesthood. The “bishop” was akin to the High priest, the “presbyters” were like the priests, and the “deacons” became analogous to the Levites of the Old Testament. In fairness, it should be said that their motives were not always necessarily sinister.

Ironically, these departures from the New Testament structure of the church were often inaugurated in order to prevent doctrinal heresies from entering in among the membership. One departure as a protective tactic against another, however, is in no way justified. It would only be the beginning of a terrible and incremental digression.

(To be continued next week)

Immutable Kingdom prt 4

The Immutable Kingdom part 4

By Scott A. Klaft

Message and Mission of the church (continued)

It is indisputable that the church has work to do while here upon the earth (cf. Philippians 2:12). In light of the many things done in modern religions, discovering just what the work of the church truly is may seem somewhat elusive. With a broad overview of the first century church, there are three things we find authorized for the church to do: (1) Benevolence – generously providing for the needs of the less fortunate, (2) Edification – causing spiritual growth of the church’s members, and (3) Evangelism – teaching and admonishing non-members with intent of converting them.

Briefly stated, the mission of the church is that of her Lord, as in Luke 19:10, “…to seek and to save that which was lost.” Preaching and teaching the truth of the scriptures is what leads a person to receive sufficient faith to act toward the salvation of the soul (cf. 2Timothy 3:15; Romans 10:17). It has never been the will of God that any should perish (cf. 2Peter 3:9), but He truly wants all to be saved (cf. 1Tim. 2:3, 4). Sadly, all have the guilt of sin (cf. Romans 3:23), which separates mankind and God (cf. Isaiah 59:1, 2). All mankind, therefore, need the redemption which is “in Christ” (cf. Romans 3:24). This is the reason Jesus told the apostles to “make disciples of every nation” (Matthew 28:19, ASV) and “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”. This creates a perpetual cycle of teaching for every generation (cf. 2Timothy 2:2). By this system, the gospel is spread throughout the world, and the gospel is God’s “power unto salvation” (Romans 1:16), the “power to become sons of God” (John 1:12). By obeying the commands of the gospel message, to us, Jesus is the “author of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).

The Falling Away

With a deeper understanding of the uniqueness of the church in the first century, we can move slightly forward in time to see how people deviated, digressed, and departed from that distinctive pattern. The message of the gospel was placed “in earthen vessels” (2Corinthians 4:7). First, it was given to the apostles by inspiration, and then it was given to the members of the church in the writings of the apostles and prophets (cf. Ephesians 3:1-4). Yet, due to limited knowledge and limited availability, among many other reasons, the members would be lead away from the truth. This should come as no surprise, however, because the falling away was foretold and prophesied from the beginning.

Toward the beginning of His ministry, Jesus expressed the fact that there would be “false prophets” who would appear as one of the faithful, but in reality they were seeking to devour the church as a wolf would the flock (cf. Matthew 7:15-20). How would one recognize these demagogues of death? “By their fruits [that is, by their words and deeds – SK] ye shall know them.” Jesus knew there would be a falling away.

As Paul returned to Jerusalem, he stopped off at Miletus and called the elders of the church at Ephesus to him. He told them to pay close attention to their responsibilities toward the church. He used the words, “For I know…” when he spoke of the wicked men who would come in among them and also of those in the eldership that would try to lead the church astray (cf. Acts 20:28-30). Paul knew there would be a falling away.

There were many other times Paul wrote to the churches of Christ, warning them of the false teachers, false prophets, and leaders of seditions. It is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament that believers of the truth should beware the evil element among them, who contemptuously contend against the true gospel (cf. Galatians 1:8, 9).

(To be continued next week.)