Modern day gatherings range from strict adherence to the doctrines introduced by their founders to spontaneous and undisciplined services, both sometimes change their doctrines according to their “pastor’s” or “minister’s” interpretation.
The only consistent teachings is the worship of Jesus Christ and that the Bible is the true authoritive Word of God. However, even the scriptures have become subject to carnal man’s personal interpretation, thus the Word has been conformed to the culture of our times, rather than being maintained in the context in which it was first taught by the apostles of Jesus Christ, His anointed authority on earth.
Since the beginning, many groups have broken away from the original Church to found their own gatherings and teach their own interpretations, but what does the Word of God say of these?
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” 1 John 2:18
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” Luke 11:23
Today, there is an enormous variety to pick from, and the great number provides for almost all carnal ‘tastes’. Those individuals that seek a more sedate or reverent form of worship may attend the church of England, while someone who enjoys a more lively ‘song and dance’ atmosphere may be attracted to the undisciplined services of the Pentecostals.
However many seem to have forgotten the most important factor concerning a Church service, we are not gathered to serve our own understanding or desires, but to worship God in the way He instructed us through His apostles.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
For this reason, the scriptures tell us to continue in the faith, as it was first handed down,
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10
“Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.” 1 Corinthians 11:2
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15
What then is the fruit of rebelling against the pure original faith other than confusion, division, carnal and demonic teachings and a whole range of sinful practices?
Most Christians will agree that the Holy Spirit inspired the apostles of Jesus Christ in their teaching, otherwise the scriptures become meaningless, yet many reject those teachings they do not accept, as if to say they know better than the teachers the Lord Himself appointed over us.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!” Matthew 10:24
We may also ask what does the Holy Spirit tell us through the scriptures of those that follow these false teachers that raise themselves above the apostles of the Lord, proclaiming they know more of what God wants than God Himself,
“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;” Isaiah 30:1
The following are a few examples that identify some of those gatherings proclaiming to be the Church, yet whatever is guiding them inspires confliction with the teachings the Holy Spirit inspired within the Apostles and the Church that Jesus Christ founded upon them.
1. They have not been built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles.
2. They do not preach the same Word of faith as did the apostles.
3. They do not continue in the traditions of the original Church, thus being totally out of unity of “one mind” and “one accord”.
4. They hold beliefs or practices that were considered heresy by the original Church.
5. They are the fruits of division, and not part of the original Body of Christ.
There are no doubt many more, but these basic points highlight some of the differences between those that hold the saving faith as it was first given in the beginning and some of the alternatives present today.
Remember there is only “One Body”, “One Holy Spirit”, “One Lord”, “One faith” and “One baptism”.
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” Ephesians 4:4
The question is, what are these others, and by what spirit are they inspired?
