Sabado, Mayo 12, 2012

THE EARLY CHURCH AFTER THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLES

THE EARLY CHURCH AFTER THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLES



The Prophecies of Christ
And The Apostles
     Even during the public ministry of Jesus, He already foretold what would come upon the church.  The same holds true for the Apostles during the administration of the church.  Here are their respective testimonies.

"And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. " 

"Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. " (Mt. 24:4,11)

Apostle Peter echoed what Jesus foretold when He attested that,

"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." (II Pt. 2:1-2, Ibid)

Apostle Paul in an almost identical testimony stated beforehand,

"Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves." (Acts 20:30, Ibid)

If the disciples shall be deceived by the false prophets or drawn away by those who speak perverse things and, consequently, follow the heretical teachings, they would no longer be embracing pure Christianity.  Historically what befell the Church was what Apostle Paul described as a departure from the faith:

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,"   (I Tim. 4:1, Ibid.)

As to which faith will be abandoned, the Phillips translation makes more specific by rendering the same verse:

"God's spirit specifically tells us that in later days there will be men who abandoned the true faith."

Apostle Paul also referred the departure from the true faith as the "falling away" or in one word, "apostasy."

"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,"  (II Thess. 2:3, NKJV)

"Do not let anyone fool you in any way. That day of the Lord will not come until the turning away from God happens and the Man of Evil, who is on his way to hell, appears."(II Thess. 2:3, New Century Version)

So the very founder of the Church, Jesus Christ,and the men who were entrusted to propagate it after His ascension, namely the Apostles, all made known beforehand, that the Church would fall victim to apostasy.  That the Church would be apostatized does not mean that the Church as an organization would disappear or cease to exist from the face of the earth.  Rather, it means that although the Church would continue as an organization, it would depart from the true Christian faith laid down by Christ, as a result of the influx of false doctrines introduced by the false teachers who will rise from within the Church.

The Start Of The Apostasy
     The movement which led to the falling away of the first century Church was already brewing even while the Apostles were still alive. But because of the presence of the "restraining power," it was secretly at work and shall not be manifested until what holds it in check is removed.

"Don't let anyone deceive you by any means whatsoever that day will not come before arises a definite rejection of God and the appearance of lawless man.  He is the product of all that leads to death."

"Evil is already insidiously at work, but it's activities are restricted until what i have called the 'restraining power' is removed." (II Thess. 2:3, 7, Phillips)

What did Apostle Paul refer to by what he called "the restraining power" and what did he mean by until it be "removed"?  Paul himself explained as recorded in Acts 29:29-30:

"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." (NKJV)

Paul made mention of His "departure" after which "men shall arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.'  As to which departure he alluded to, the apostle made it clear in his second epistle to Timothy.

"From henceforth I am ready to die, and the time of my departure is at hand." II Tim. 4:6, Lamsa)

By "departure," Apostle Paul was referring to his death.

Apostle Peter also brought to his attention of the Church that there shall false teachers among the disciples who would secretly bring in destructive heresies (II Pt. 2:1, Ibid) and this he said, "knowing that shortly I must put off my tent" (II Pt. 1:14, Ibid.) referring to his "decease" or death (II Pt. 1:15, Ibid.).

The restraining power therefore which was preventing the falling away was the Apostles.  But after they were "removed" or after they had died, the "work of iniquity" or the apostate movement shall already be revealed.  Thus, when the Church was no longer under the administration of the Apostles of Christ but in the hands of the false teachers who took over, the Church began to slowly but surely drift farther and farther away from the true Christian faith.

However, not all the disciples were deceived.  There were many disciples who denounced the error of the fake teachers and remained faithful to the true teachings of Christ.  But what would the false prophet do to those who defied their control by remaining steadfast to the true faith?  Apostle Paul stated that "savage wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock," (Acts 20:29) the meaning of which Jesus made plain when he said that "they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you" (Mt. 24:9).  And so, the true disciples were martyred and taken out of the way.  As a result, the church that continued not only was under the control of the people who were led away the genuine christian faith.

Destructive Heresies
     The false teachers that would rise from within the Church shall introduce "destructive heresies" according to the Apostle Peter, which apostle Paul also referred to as the "perverse things" that shall be taught.  Which are these false teachings that would identify the false prophet as will as the apostate Church?

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

 "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.      (I Tim. 4:1, 3. NKJV)

The destructive heresies are the doctrines of the devil, two of which were specifically mentioned by apostle Paul:  forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats.  According to  the second verse of the same chapter, "they shall be taught by men who who are lying hypocrites" (The New Translation, Norlie).  They will profess to be of Christ when in fact what they teach are the doctrines of the enemy of Christ and God.

The Offsprings Of  The Apostate Church
     Apostle John  wrote down the following in revelation:

     "And on her forehead a name [was] written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." (Rev. 17:5, NKJV)

     The woman mentioned is identifiable by certain distinguishing marks .  For one, she is called by the name Babylon.  For another, this woman which is also the "greatest whore" (Rev. 17:1) sits upon many waters.  The waters symbolize "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues" (Rev. 17:15).  Clearly , this woman is not literal but symbolical.

What then is being represented by great harlot?  When Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, he likened the true Church of Christ to a chaste virgin or a pure woman (II Cor. 11:2).  This was still at the time when the Church was under the administration of the Apostles.  By contrast, the woman mentioned in Revelation 17:5 is a harlot or corrupt woman.  This woman therefore is the Church, but the church which has already been corrupted by false prophets.  In short, the great harlot is the apostate Church.

However, the above truth is not the only thing projected by the verse.  The passage also reveals that the woman is a " mother " and as such has offsprings.  But what kind of offsprings does she have?  The Scripture points out that she is the "mother of harlots."  As the mother stands for a corrupted church, so likewise the offsprings she will give birth to are also corrupt or false churches.
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Note:  For the fulfillment of those biblical pronouncements and testimonies of religion history, you can go to the nearest Iglesia Ni Cristo house of worship and approach a minister of the Gospel for assistance.
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Miyerkules, Mayo 9, 2012

Human Nature And The Purpose Of God

Human 
Nature 
And
 The 
Purpose 
Of 
God
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The Two Man In Every Human Being

The
 Two 
Man
 In 
Every 
Human 
Being
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What Is Man? . . . . . That God Is Mindful Of Him

What Is Man? . . . . . 
That
 God
 Is
 Mindful
 Of Him
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Eternal Life In The Heavenly Home Of God's Chosen People

Eternal 
Life 
In The
 Heavenly 
Home 
Of 
God's 
Chosen 
 People
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God's Plan For The Creation Of Man

God's 
Plan 
For 
The
 Creation
 Of
 Man
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God's Purpose In Creating Man

God's 
Purpose
 In 
Creating 
Man
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The Sole Basis Of Serving And Worshiping God

The
 Sole Basis
 Of Serving 
And 
Worshiping 
God
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Man Should Search For The Knowledge Of The Truth If He Wants To Be Saved

Man
 Should Search
 For The Knowledge
 Of The Truth 
If He Wants 
To Be Saved
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Comparing Beliefs in Jesus Christ.

Comparing Beliefs in Jesus Christ. 
Is the true Jesus Christ a Man, a God-Man or God?
Is the true Jesus Christ the Son of God or God the Son?

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[Click Here]
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Comparing Beliefs in God - Conceptions of God

Comparing Beliefs in God 
- Conceptions of God
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[Click Here]
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Eternal Life Means To Know The Only True God And To Know The True Jesus Christ

Eternal Life Means To Know The Only True God 
And To Know The True Jesus Christ
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[Click Here]
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Martes, Mayo 8, 2012

The Resurrection Of The Dead and The Eternal Punishment In The Lake Of Fire

The
 Resurrection
 Of The Dead 
 and The Eternal
 Punishment 
In 
The 
Lake 
Of Fire 
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The End Of The World, The Great Flood, and Sodom and Gomorrah

The 
End Of The World,
  The Great Flood,
  and
 Sodom and Gomorrah
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___________________

Identifying The True Religion Or The True Church

Identifying
 The 
True 
 Religion
 Or 
The 
True
 Church
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The Proliferation Of The Christian Religion

The
 Proliferation 
Of 
The
 Christian 
 Religion
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Man Must Find "The Way To Return To God" Or "The True Religion"

Man 
Must 
Find 
"The Way To Return To God" 
 Or 
"The True Religion"
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_____________________________
 

The Meaning And Beginning Of Religion

The 
Meaning
 And
 Beginning 
Of 
Religion
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_______________________

The Forgiveness Of Sin By God

The 
Forgiveness 
Of 
Sin 
By 
God
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(Click Here)

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What Should A Man Do To Be Saved And Attain Eternal Life

What 
Should 
Man
 Do
 To
 Be 
Saved
 And
 Attain 
 Eternal
 Life
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(Click Here
_____________________


Eternal Life In The Heavenly Home Of God's Chosen People

Eternal
 Life 
In
 The
 Heavenly
 Home
 Of 
God's
 Chosen
 People
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What Man Needs To Know About Salvation

What
 Man 
Needs 
To 
Know
 About 
 Salvation
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(Click Here)
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Martes, Mayo 1, 2012

"Why is it very important for men to have the right knowledge about the Holy Spirit?"

"Why is it very important for men to have the right
knowledge about the Holy Spirit?
"

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 Why is it likewise important for man to confess the right understanding concerning the Holy Spirit? Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself points this out, thus:

"The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17, NKJV)
 Those who do not know the Holy Spirit will not receive Him. The Holy Spirit dwells only in those who know  Him. Hence, just as it is important to have the right knowledge and understanding concerning the Father  and the Son, so is having the right understanding concerning the Holy  Spirit. And the right understanding concerning them is founded on the teachings of the Bible.
Concerning the Holy Spirit:


The teaching of the Bible regarding the Holy Spirit is crystal clear. If people would only strictly adhere to this teaching, they would not fall into the mistake of taking the Holy Spirit as God. This is how the Lord Jesus Christ introduced the Holy Spirit:
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,  whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26, King James Version)
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter whom the Father sends in the name of Christ.   He teaches the chosen ones everything and reminds them of what Christ had said. And aside from the Father, the Son also sends the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the servants of God. Christ points this:
 
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." (John 15:26, Ibid.)
Another role of the Holy Spirit is to guide the chosen ones into all the truth. He does not speak of Himself but does so only according to the commandment of the one who sent Him.: 
  "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own [authority,] but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13, Ibid.
"The Holy Spirit, whom the Son and the Father send, could not have been God. The Bible testifies that there are "seven Spirits of God sent  out into all the earth" (Rev. 5:6, NKJV)
"And I looked, and behold, in the midst of throne and the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth." (Rev. 5:6, NKJV)
Were the Holy Spirit God also, it would appear that there are not only three Gods but nine Gods because there are seven spirits being sent by God. The fact that the Holy Spirit is being sent proves that He is not, and could not be God, because the one who sends is greater than the one sent.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him." (John 13:16, NKJV)
 
Even adherents of the Trinitarian doctrine concur to this. James Cardinal Gibbons, a Catholic authority, rhetorically asks: "Is not the power that sends an ambassador greater than he who is sent?" (The Faith of Our Fathers, p.96). In view of this, the Son is greater than the Holy Spirit and the Father is greater than both the Son and the Holy Spirit because both of them are being sent by the Father. Clearly, then, the so-called three persons of the Trinity are not equal as claimed by its proponents.
Not found in the Bible:


Believers of the Trinitarian doctrine themselves tacitly admit that the Bible does not call the Holy Spirit God. Catholic authority, the Rev. Msgr. Joseph Pohle, wrote that "the Bible nowhere expressly calls the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity 'God'" (The Divine Trinity; A Dogmatic Treatise, p.109).  Indeed, not only is such doctrine not found in the Bible, it is also against the revealed teaching of God written therein concerning the Holy Spirit. As to how this doctrine came about, Catholic author, the Rev. Clement H, Crock, provides this information:
"In 381, at the Council of Constatinople, it was defined that is is an article of faith that the Holy Ghost is God."  (Discourses on the Apostles' Creed, p.206) 
As the Christ-is-God doctrine is an invention of a Catholic church's council in the 4th century, so is the teaching that the Holy Spirit is God, this time by the council of Constantinople in 381 AD, more than half a century after the former was formulated as an official  doctrine of the Catholic Church in 325 AD.
Hence,  these  teachings,  upon  which  the   Trinitarian  doctrine stands, are man-made and they run counter to the teachings of the Bible. Those who have accepted such doctrine possess a wrong understanding regarding the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Had they conformed with what is written in the Bible, they would not have been misled into believing such an erroneous teaching. 
The right understanding regarding the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is indeed very important because it goes with the attainment salvation and eternal life.
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References:
Crock,   Clement   H.    Discourses  on the Apostles Creed. Nihil Obstat: Arthur J. Scanlan,      STD. Imprimatur: Pat Cardinal Hayes. New York: John Wagner, Inc., 1938.
 
Gibbons, James Cardinal. The Faith of Our Fathers. Rockford, Illinois: Tan Books and   Publishers, Inc., l980.

Pohle, Joseph. The Divine Trinity: A Dogmatic Treatise. n.p.: B. Huder Books Co.., 1911
 
Source: The above excerpts are from the article: Biblical Truths Concerning the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit by Ruben D. Aromin. God's Message, February 2007, p.17-18
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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. 
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