Why do some long-time Church members begin to vacillate and drift away? Have they forgotten basic Biblical truths?
One of the most remarkable developments that has accompanied the fragmentation of the Church of God has been to see individuals, once considered leaders in the work of God or pillars in local congregations, begin to vacillate or change beliefs they once firmly professed. Some have actually returned to beliefs and practices that they once felt God called them out of. Others are caught up in creating their own religion as they pick and choose from various ideas and doctrines. Still others have just drifted away—confused, disillusioned or indifferent to any form of religion. The perplexing question is how could this happen? Why does this happen? Have we forgotten or overlooked basic warnings and teachings clearly mentioned in the Scriptures? Are there lessons we can learn from these sobering developments?
Nothing New!
Solomon was inspired to write “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9–10). What we are witnessing today has happened before in the Church of God. The early New Testament church grew quite rapidly at first—as God worked powerfully through the Apostles via the Holy Spirit. We read of 3,000 people being baptized on Pentecost and multitudes being added later (Acts 2:41, 5:14, 6:1, 9:31, 13:48). Yet as the first century progressed, persecution developed, false teachers appeared and the church began to fragment (see 1 Corinthians 1:10–13). Twenty years after the founding of the New Testament church Paul laments that “all those in Asia [where Paul focused much of his ministry] have turned away from me” (2 Timothy 1:15). In a letter to the church in Galatia Paul remarks: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon… to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6–9). By the end of the first century, the apostle John tells the church: “you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). John’s admonition indicates that many in the church had drifted (or were pulled) off course! Paul reveals that some “concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” as a result (1 Timothy 1:19).
The situation in the first-century church has many parallels to our situation today. However, instead of blindly repeating the mistakes of history, we need to ask what we can learn from unfortunate choices made by those who have preceded us. We need to seriously consider the warnings that God has inspired in His Word. Paul states that the Scriptures “were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). That means us! John advised the drifting church to “remember… from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Revelation 2:5). Essentially, John is saying get back to the basics—get back on track! But just what are the basics we must get back to? What fundamental concepts do we find in Scripture that do not change—that we must remember?
All Scripture is Inspired
There are many ideas circulating today about the Bible that are simply misleading. Such ideas include: the Scriptures do not really mean what they say, they do not apply to us today, Jesus fulfilled the law so we do not need to keep it, the New Covenant eliminated the need to keep the Sabbath, the Holy Days or tithe. These ideas circulate in spite of the fact that Jesus Christ, the Apostles and the early New Testament church did not teach or practice any of these “new” ideas! Both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant are based on the same set of laws—the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1–17; Matthew 19:16–19). Jesus kept the Sabbath and the Holy Days as a child and as an adult (Luke 2:41–42, 4:16; John 7:10, 37). He instructed His disciples to “follow” His teachings and example. Years after Christ’s resurrection, the disciples were still keeping the Sabbath and the Holy Days—and teaching others to do the same (Acts 17:2, 18:4, 21; 1 Corinthians 5:7–8).
David wrote of his love for God’s law, that it was a lamp to his feet and made him wiser than his enemies (Psalm 119:97–105). Paul wrote that the law and commandments were “holy and just and good” and that not the hearers but “the doers of the law will be justified” (Romans 2:13, 7:12). Jesus plainly stated that He did not come to do away with the law but to fulfill—complete, magnify, show an even broader application (see Matthew 5:17; Isaiah 42:21). These Scriptures mean exactly what they say. Taking a verse out of context to counter clear teachings of the Bible is to misuse the word of God (i.e. using Romans 14:5–6 to try to show that we can decide to worship God on a day of our own choosing instead of the Sabbath as the Bible commands). This will lead to wrong conclusions, wrong beliefs and wrong doctrines. Peter clearly warns that some would “twist” Paul’s writings in just such a manner as they also do other Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16). This has happened before and is happening today.
The Bible plainly states, “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). David wrote, “the entirety of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). We cannot just pick and choose what part of Scripture we will obey and discard or discount the rest. This merely gives in to our carnal human nature that resents the instructions that God has recorded in His word (Romans 8:7). The challenge that every Christian faces is “holding fast the word of life” and to “stand fast and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or our epistle” (Philippians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). God is looking for people who “tremble” at His word—who respect and fear to tamper with the meaning of God’s inspired word (Isaiah 66:2). When we cease to tremble before God’s word, when we feel free to innovate and apply our own interpretation to the meaning of Scripture, we will begin to compromise and divide and drift away from the Truth.
Many Teachers Deceive Many
Jesus repeatedly stated that at the end of the age, “many [calling themselves ministers of Christ], will come in my name, saying ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:5, 11, 24). Paul warned the elders in Ephesus that “from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse [misleading, distorted] things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29–30). He warned the church in Colosse to “beware lest anyone cheat you [take you captive] through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). As human beings we want to achieve recognition by promoting our own ideas to gain a following. It has been incredible to see the number of individuals in recent years who have felt “moved” to start their own churches and ministries. What has also been incredible is the number of people willing to follow self-proclaimed leaders going in so many different directions.
One of the siren songs promulgated today is that the Bible interprets itself and that it can mean different things to different people. Everybody is right and nobody is wrong—regardless of the ideas they hold about the meaning of Scripture. This is simply confusion—which is not God’s way (1 Corinthians 14:33). In the early church, when there was a difference over doctrine, a conference of leading figures was called (Acts 15:6–21). The issues were discussed and decisions were made that were then applied throughout the church (Acts 15:22–29). This promoted unity. Decisions about doctrine or about prophecy are not matters for personal interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). This is a basic Biblical concept and a fundamental lesson of history. When we ignore or overlook this important principle, we experience divisions and disunity. Disunity breeds disillusionment.
The World is Deceived
The Bible plainly states that Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9). To our modern ears— schooled in politically correct, non-judgmental ways of thinking—this sounds like a terribly biased and bigoted assertion. That everyone except those God has called could be wrong sounds incredibly narrow-minded—yet that is what the Scriptures clearly reveal. Jesus told His disciples that “it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them [the multitudes] it has not been given” (Matthew 13:11–17). He prayed for those God had given Him—he did not pray for the world—at that time (John 17:9). Paul, speaking of his countrymen—who kept the Sabbath, the Holy Days, worshipped God and kept His law in the letter—wrote, “they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). He describes the Jews of his day as “ignorant of God’s righteousness” whose hearts were “hardened” [blinded], that “God has given them a spirit of stupor” and “eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear” (Romans 10:3, 11:7–8). Paul even refers to his countrymen as “enemies” of the gospel “…committed to disobedience” until God offers salvation to the Gentiles (Romans 28–32).
We do not read of Jesus or any of the Apostles debating this fundamental point. It is accepted as a given—the world is deceived, only a few are called now. That is what the Scriptures plainly state. However, with division and fragmentation in the church, what once seemed so clear has now become fuzzy. Just who is called? Who understands? Who is God using to do the work? For some, the issue has become, maybe the world of mainstream Christianity is right and the Church of God has been wrong—maybe we are deceived! After all, how do we know we are right? This was hardly the position of Jesus Christ or the Apostles! Jesus spoke with an authority that astonished his listeners (Matthew 7:28–29). Paul boldly asserted “we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery… which none of the rulers [leaders, thinkers] of this age knew… we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:6, 7–8, 16). Paul knew the world was deceived. He knew he understood the Truth. He plainly states this in his writings—which are part of God’s inspired word. When we lose sight of this basic concept, we will begin to vacillate and entertain all sorts of misleading ideas.
Satan is Real
The Bible clearly warns us about Satan. He is the god of this world who deceives and blinds people to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). He influences our thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 2:2) promoting notions of vanity, lust, anger and division (Galatians 5:19–21). Peter warns that while our “adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour,” we must remain alert and resist his efforts (1 Peter 5:8–9). However, in spite of a multitude of warnings in the scriptures, the notion is prevalent today that we can manage on our own, we can trust our own thoughts, we do not need a church to guide or teach us, and that we are resistant to being deceived or influenced by Satan. This simply ignores what the Bible plainly reveals. Jesus told Peter at one point that his ideas were being influenced by Satan (Matthew 16:23) and on another occasion that the goal of this powerful spirit being was to derail Peter (Luke 22:31). If Peter, both a disciple and an apostle, was subject to Satan’s influence, surely we are not immune. To survive spiritually we must be able to both recognize and resist his subtle and insidious assaults (see 2 Corinthians 2:11; James 4:7). This requires spiritual discernment—one of the gifts of God’s Spirit—which is given to those who obey (not reason around) the laws of God (2 Timothy 1:6–7; Acts 5:32). These are fundamental Biblical concepts we cannot afford to forget.
Not Lost Forever!
With the divisions in the church has come the idea that if you are not a member of a particular group you are lost and will burn in the Lake of Fire. This is similar to the popular Protestant notion that if you do not give your heart to the Lord today, He may come tonight and you will be lost forever! This is simply not true. It is not a scriptural idea. The Bible reveals that only those called into the church are being judged now (1 Peter 4:17). However, judgment involves a period of time—the time when we are alive to make decisions. We do not know when Christ will return. His Return will be preceded by a series of recognizable events (Matthew 24). As these events begin to happen, some will repent—so there is time to make, and remake, decisions. Before Christ returns there will also be a three and one-half year period of Tribulation. John reveals that a great multitude will repent during that period of time (Revelation 7:9, 13–14). For those not called now, their time of judgment will be after the Millennium during the Second Resurrection when they can make decisions (Revelation 20:11–12).
The point is, God has a plan for working with mankind. Salvation will be offered to all—but at different times. For the church today, that time period is now— while we are alive. It does not end at sundown tonight. But it does not go on forever, either! God is not in a hurry, but He does have a timetable. We do not need to become anxious and begin twisting Scripture to accommodate confused friends and family members, but we do need to remain alert. When we lose sight of this basic concept, we can become anxious and unwittingly begin to embrace ideas that are not solidly based on the Scriptures.
Key to Prophecy
The Bible clearly indicates that God’s Church will “have a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV). This was probably one of the factors that got the attention of many who began attending over the years. A major key to understanding Bible prophecy is the identity of the United States, Britain and other nations. The Church of God has been somewhat unique in understanding and using that key. That concept is soundly based on numerous Scriptures (Genesis 12:1–3, 22:17–18, 35:11, 48:19) and rests on considerable historical evidence. However, in recent years, some have asserted the identity of Israel cannot be known, that it is an idea without foundation in either Scripture or history, that it is not the gospel and its usefulness is uncertain. When the concept is discarded, Bible prophecy becomes metaphorical and watching for real events to develop is irrelevant. This is, however, just the opposite of what Jesus told His disciples (see Matthew 24). Jesus said His Second Coming will take many by surprise, simply because they were unaware of the significance of developing world events (Matthew 24:36–39). As the end of this age approaches the keys to understanding prophecy will become more important—not less. We cannot afford to take such vital information lightly—or discard it!
Love Involves Warning!
One of the big issues that is raised today is that we need more love in the Church. After all, Jesus did say we are to love our brothers and sisters (John 15:12–13). However, what is often overlooked is that “whom the Lord loves, He chastens [disciplines, corrects]” (Hebrews 12:6). This is seldom pleasant, but it is for our ultimate good. The Bible instructs parents to use the same kind of love with children (Proverbs 22:15, 29:15). Again, in spite of clear Biblical instructions to the contrary, the popular notion today is that you show love by not correcting, not disciplining and allowing people to just do and believe and teach as they please. Unfortunately, this is a prescription for personal failure and social chaos. A similar philosophy prevailed during the time of the judges in ancient Israel (Judges 21:25). That was a chaotic time of permissiveness, anarchy and civil war. God’s way is to warn of the consequences of certain actions—so people can learn and repent before it is too late (Isaiah 58:1; Acts 2:36–40; Revelation 18:4). God does this because He loves us. This, too, is a basic Biblical concept that we seem to be losing sight of today in our society and in the church.
The Commission
Jesus Christ instructed His disciples to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15). This has long been regarded as the Great Commission of the church. Jesus also told His disciples to “watch” world events that would indicate His return was near (Matthew 24:36–44; Mark 13:32–37). Passages in Ezekiel indicate that God’s servants are to function as “watchmen” to explain the prophetic significance of events that develop on the world scene (Ezekiel 3:1–17, 33:1–11). God has always provided advance warning before administering correction (Amos 3:7). Noah, as a “preacher [kerux, a herald, public crier] of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:15) would have conveyed God’s warnings (Genesis 6:13, 17) to his generation of the impending flood up until the day the rains began (Genesis 7:6, 16). Jeremiah provided a warning to Judah until the day Jerusalem fell (Jeremiah 38, 39). Jesus also told His disciples to “feed the flock” (John 21:15–17). The Scriptures indicate that all three aspects of Christ’s commission to the church are to be ongoing—to the very end of the age (see Matthew 10:23; Revelation 3:10). Jesus explicitly states that when He returns He expects to find the church “so doing,” that is, doing what it has been instructed to do (Matthew 24:45–46).
To fulfill the commission given by Christ, the church must determinedly maintain its focus and avoid being pulled off course. We must learn to work together as a team and not give in to individualistic ideas and independent-minded actions. Doctrines and teachings need to be unified, not fragmented. The church must be motivated by outgoing concern —to deliver a message of hope and warning for mankind—not just an inward concern about one’s own personal salvation. For decades this has been how the church operated. Only in recent years has the focus of many begun to shift. With the fragmentation of the church, notions have been put forward that the Work is over, that the church just needs to focus on getting its own members ready for Christ’s return, and that individuals can decide for themselves what to believe and how best to worship God. These self-centered ideas have actually contributed to the division and chaos that plague the scattered churches today. These “new” ideas are not only in direct contrast to clear instructions of Jesus Christ, but these ideas will not prepare us to function effectively in the world-ruling government Christ will establish on this earth. Anyone who begins to make adjustments to Christ’s commission (choosing to do one part but not other parts), or who loses sight of that commission will soon veer off course! This is simply a fact of history.
The theme of the ‘90s has been that the church needs to change and get rid of old, outdated ideas, teachings and practices. Yet, God plainly states in the Scriptures: “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). We are also told that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). This means God’s laws, and His plan and purpose do not change. The gospel that Christ brought to this earth of His atoning sacrifice and the coming kingdom of God have not changed. His Commission to the church has not changed—nor have the instructions we find throughout the New Testament changed. The consequences for disobedience and disregard for God’s way of life are still in effect. God has not moved in recent years—but many in the church have! If we are to endure to the end, finish the work we have been given to do, and receive our promised reward, we must not let go of the basics. We must remember the fundamental Biblical truths that comprise Religion 101. This is the lesson we can learn from the sobering developments that have affected the Church of God.