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Fundamental Doctrines of the Early Original Church of God For accuracy, the Bible translations recommended are the Authorized King James Version or the New King James Version. The New Testament Church of God was founded when the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven and entered the 120 believers assembled in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost on, or somewhere around the year 33 AD (Acts 2:1-47). This was the promise of the sending of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-9 note verse 4,5,and 8). Jesus Christ had spend 3 ½ years preaching the gospel, and teaching, training and preparing His disciples - especially his 12 disciples. Acts 1:13 " And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James (also referred to as Thaddeus). Judas Iscariot the betrayer had hanged himself and was replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26). These men became part of the foundation of the true Church of God and were later called Apostles. Later on Christ through a miracle called Saul to salvation, his name was changed to Paul, and he became the Apostle to the Gentiles - and also part of the foundation of the true Church. Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone of the foundation, and therefore completes or finishes the foundation. Ephesians 2:18-22 " For through Him (Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. " The prophets are those God worked through and inspired to have the Old Testament written - and are people like Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, etc. The apostles are the 12 - and also Paul the apostle to the Gentiles. God worked through them through the Holy Spirit to help establish the foundation of the true Church of God, and establish the fundamental teachings and doctrines of the true Church. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone, which completes the foundation. The New Testament is a record of the works, teachings and doctrines of these men - who are part of the foundation of the true Church - and of course Jesus Christ is the key rock in the foundation. The Old Testament and New Testament are both part of the foundation. These men were all servants of God, through whom God worked. God lived in them through the power of the Holy Spirit, and they were instruments of God. This is where the true Church of God gets its doctrines, teachings, and fundamental beliefs from - from the Bible (both Old And New Testaments) which is a recording of the works, doctrines and teachings of those who are part of the foundation of the Church. Once a foundation is laid - then it need not be laid again - it is complete - Jesus Christ has finished and completed that foundation. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, and the New Testament was originally written in Greek. Not too many of us understand Greek, and Hebrew, so we must rely upon translations into our native tongue - like into English for example. It is vital you use an accurate, correctly translated edition of the Bible. The most accurate English translations I've come across are the Authorized King James Version, and the New King James Version. I personally use the King James Version - there are only a few translation errors in it - I use other translations occasionally to help me understand some scriptures in the King James that sound a bit confusing. For accuracy please stick to these English translations. What Were the Doctrines of the Early Church ? We have to look at the beliefs, teachings and doctrines of the early church - of those who were part of the foundation of the true New Testament Church. When we do this carefully we discover that many of the doctrines of much of so-called modern day Christianity conflict with and diverge from the teachings of the early Church - from the teachings of apostles like Peter, James, Matthew, John, Paul, Jude, and from the Messiah Himself - Jesus Christ. So what I will do now is give you a list of some of the doctrines that the early New Testament Church held to that much of professing Christianity here in 2009 does not teach or follow.
Provided for you is a list of some of these contradictions: 1. The early church taught clearly that Jesus Christ is our High Priest in heaven, and mediator between the believer and God the Father, and we confess our sins to God the Father in secret, and Christ is our mediator - He is our High Priest. Christ is our High Priest in heaven. He is the Mediator between mankind and God the Father. We don't need any more priests - other than Jesus. Anyone wanting to have a leadership role in the true church must be the servant.
2. The early church taught that being born again meant being born as a spirit being into the Kingdom of God at the resurrection - not being born again at the time of conversion.
3. The early church did not teach that we go to heaven when we die, if good, and go to hell to be tormented forever, if we are bad. The early church clearly taught that when we die we go to the grave and our bodies return to dust. But there is very real the hope of the resurrection - through Jesus Christ our Lord. The early church taught that the resurrection of the saints has not happened yet, and only Christ the first fruits is risen from the dead to die no more. The early church taught very plainly that the saints will be resurrected when Jesus Christ returns to earth - at His second coming. The resurrection will happen at the last trump, and has not happened yet. Heaven is not the reward of the saved The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is death - not eternal life in torment in hell fire if people lose out on salvation.
4. The early church taught that today is not the only day of salvation, and that God is only calling a few to salvation at this time - the small first fruits. The rest are simply blinded to the truth, not yet called and therefore not yet lost or saved. Their time to be called will come during the White Throne Judgment Period. Only A Few Now Being Called To Salvation - The Rest Are Blinded.
5. The early church observed and kept the Passover once a year - they did not observe Easter. One of the few errors in the Authorized King James Version - is where they use the word Easter instead of Passover. The New King James Version has corrected that translation mistake. God's true church kept the weekly Sabbath (on the seventh day) and they remembered the annual Holy Days - particularly the Passover. The Holy Days
6. The early church kept the weekly Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset - just like Jesus Christ did. Sunday (the first day of the week) was not regarded as having replaced the Sabbath (which falls on the last or 7th day of the week). Sabbath
7. The Ten Commandments were taught and observed by the early Church - they did not teach that the Law was done away by Jesus Christ. Christ Himself refuted the idea that He came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. Law Naturally the various sacrificial laws that were done away by Christ when He sacrificed Himself on the cross. Some of the Old Testament law was fulfilled by Christ, and we are now under the New Testament, and Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant. Christ did not do away with God's laws. The law was not nailed to the cross with Christ (Matthew 5:17-19) (Romans 7:4-12).
Commandments
8. The concept of the Trinity was not a doctrine of the early church. However, the trinity doctrine is one of the most widely accepted teachings of much of professing Christianity today, yet there is no concrete biblical basis to this doctrine. Trinity false doctrine The Holy Spirit is the life and nature of God. The Holy Spirit is not a third person in a trinity (1 Samuel 10:1-13 note verses 6 and 9) (1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13 note verse 13) (2 Peter 1:4) (Galatians 5:16-26). The early church taught very clearly that there were only two members of the Godhead - God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit was not regarded as one of three Gods. It is just the life and nature of God - and this is confirmed in the scriptures. There are two members of the Godhead- God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-12) (John 1:1-14, note verse 14) (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) (John 14:28).
9. The great commission of the early church, and for the church today in 2009 is in Christ's words to " Go ye out into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. " And what is that gospel ? Well certainly preaching about Jesus is central, but it also includes preaching about the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God. In much of so-called modern day Christianity we observe little preaching about the coming Kingdom of God. Instead we see them focusing primarily on the person of Jesus. Teaching about Jesus is great, but we are also supposed to teach, and really truly believe that Jesus will do as He has said He will do - return to the earth and set up the Kingdom of God here on earth. Christ came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God Matthew 4:17 " From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. " Mark 1:14-15 " Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. "
10. Healing was very much a part of the preaching of the gospel in the early Church, while there is little emphasis of this today. There is very, very, little faith in divine healing these days. Why ?
11. The early church and Jesus Himself taught that Christ's Kingdom is not of this world, but spiritual in nature. Yet today we have professing Christian churches deeply involved with he governments of the earth. The true Church is a spiritual organism made up of those who have the Holy Spirit living in them (Romans 8:5-11 note verse 9) (1 Peter 2:5) (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) ( 2 Corinthians 6:16). Jesus Christ while on trial before Pontius Pilate specifically said that " my Kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered unto the Jews: but now is my Kingdom not from hence. " Jesus Christ also said to Pontius Pilate that He (Christ) was born to be a King. I will quote the scriptures from the Bible that record this exchange between Pilate and Jesus, which proves right from the mouth of Jesus that His Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom, and not something of this world. John 18:33-37 " Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. " The Bible teaches very plainly that Jesus was born to be a King. But too many do not understanding the timing. Jesus accomplished very much in His first coming, but the biggest accomplishment was to live a sinless life and die for our sins on the cross - and then be resurrected to life by God the Father. He won the victory over sin and death and Satan on the cross. He was also fundamentally instrumental in starting up the true Church of God through the disciples he personally trained during the 3 ½ years of His ministry. Read about God's plan and schedule by going to - God's Annual Holy Days, which all point to Jesus Christ, and which show us God's schedule and plan here on earth. If more people were keeping God's true Holy Days then there wouldn't be so much confusion about what God is doing here on earth, and so many wouldn't be trying to force their religion on others through political means. Jesus returned to heaven with the promise to return literally and personally someday and set up the Kingdom of God here on earth. The Holy Spirit was sent down on the Day of Pentecost from heaven and entered the 120 believers assembled. This was about 50 days after the death and resurrection of Christ. The new testament church was founded on the Day of Pentecost. Allow me to quote some passages from Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - " Chapter 13 - The conduct of the Roman government towards the Christians from the reign of Nero to that of Constantine. " First let me fill you in with the context of the quote. In the 10th year of the reign of Nero - the capital of the Empire - Rome - was afflicted by a fire. Much of Rome went up in flames. Some accused Nero of starting the fire. It was also reported that during the fire the Roman Emperor Nero amused himself by singing to his lyre. Hence the expression " fiddling while Rome burns. " To deflect blame from himself Nero accused the Christians with starting the fire. Christians were rounded up and many were tortured and put to death. Remarkable during about the same time that Christians were being martyred by Nero in Rome - the Temple in Jerusalem was being destroyed by Roman forces - after the rebellion by the Jews in Palestine. This was around 70 AD. After the Romans had put down the rebellion by their Jewish province they levied a general capitation tax on the Jewish people - which was regarded as being quite burdensome by the Jews. Some of the early Christians in Palestine got caught up in this persecution of the Jews by the Romans, since these early Christians still adhered to the Law of Moses - still followed much of God's laws as explained in the Torah. So it was very hard for the Roman officers to discern between those who were merely Jewish , and those who were Christian Jews. It seemed like the Romans tried to tell the difference by checking whether the males were circumcised of not - since the Jews always circumcise the little boys, while Jewish Christians - maybe did not bother with this business of circumcision. These people were brought before a Roman tribunal. So now let me give you the quote straight from the historian Edward Gibbon himself: " Among the Christians who were brought to the tribunal of the Emperor, or, as it seems more probable, before that of the procurator of Judea, two persons are said to have appeared, distinguished by their extraction, which was truly more noble then the greatest monarchs. These were the grandsons of St Jude the apostle, who himself was the brother of Jesus Christ. Their natural pretensions to the throne of David might perhaps attract the respect of the people, and excite the jealousy of the governor; but the meanness of their garb, and the simplicity of their answers soon convinced him that they were neither desirous or capable of disturbing the peace of the Roman Empire. They frankly confessed their royal origin, and their near relation to the Messiah, but they disclaimed any temporal views, and professed that his kingdom, which they devoutly expected , was purely of a spiritual and angelic nature. When they were examined concerning their fortune and occupation, they showed their hands hardened with daily labour, and declared that they derived their whole subsistence from the cultivation of a farm near the village of Cocaba, of the extent of twenty-four English acres, and of the value of nine thousand drachms, or three hundred pounds sterling. The grandsons of St Jude were dismissed with compassion and contempt. " Jesus Christ the Messiah was the great uncle of these two men - who were the grandsons of Jude - who was one of the original 12 apostles, and who was the brother of Jesus Christ. These two relatives of Jesus were Christians, and professed clearly to the Roman authorities that Christ's Kingdom was (just as Jesus Christ Himself had said) - not of this world, but spiritual in nature. So there you have it folks - straight from the history books. The true Church of God has no business getting involved with the governments of this world, and has no business trying to force its spiritual agenda on the world through political of military means. The Kingdom of God cannot be set up mankind. Jesus has to return personally to do this. The true church must remain faithful to Jesus - they are being trained in their lifetimes to rule with Christ in His Kingdom - after the resurrection at Christ's coming. They must remain faithful to Jesus, and must avoid committing fornication with the Kings of the earth, like Mystery Babylon does by having diplomatic relations with governments all around the world. If the true church as an ecclesiastical organization gets involved in government it is on extremely dangerous spiritual ground. We are talking about the church as a group - as an ecclesiastic organization - where such involvement is part of its official doctrine, or part of the official role of its clergy. This does not mean individual members of the true church cannot perhaps work for or have important jobs within government. Daniel one of God's true servants had a very high position within ancient Babylon for example. Joseph was promoted to a very high position in Egypt. There are a few individuals who have had high positions in the governments of the day, and then God had called them to salvation while they were still in that position. So it is not a sin for real Christians as individuals to hold high offices in government, as long as they are following God's ways, and as long as they are not supporting sinful or corrupt policies. God works in strange and marvelous ways His wonders to perform. There is no point in trying to limit or control God. Please go to my article Is It A Sin To Play Politics. God's true servants must be very, very careful about any involvement within the governments of this world. We must not be like Mystery Babylon and her harlot daughters, who commit fornication with the governments of this world, and who are prostitutes, and who are therefore unfaithful to God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ. So extreme caution must be exercised by any genuine Christian, if they feel compelled in some way to become personally involved in government, like running for political office for example, or with accepting any promotion by government to a position within government.
12. The early church taught that the Law was holy, just and good, and sin was the transgression of God's Law - while today much of professing Christianity claims that the Law was nailed to the cross with Christ. There are a lot of so-called Christian churches that teach that all you need do to be saved is believe in Jesus. The true original new testament Church of God that was founded on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent down from heaven, did not teach that all we have to do to be saved is believe in Jesus.
James 2:17-26 " Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. " The early church doctrine was essentially that we must have a living faith to be saved, and that just believing in Jesus was not enough. That taught that we cannot earn our salvation through keeping the Law, since none of us keep the law perfectly and all except Christ have sinned, and sin is the transgression of the Law, and the wages of sin is death. They taught that we need to believe and trust in Christ, and that we are saved through grace, and cannot earn our salvation through our own feeble efforts. However, they did teach very plainly that we need to do certain things to qualify for the free gift of salvation, like repent, believe, be baptized, overcome and remain faithful to Christ to the end, produce fruits for God, etc. Please go to my article - Living Faith. The doctrine so many professing Christian churches teach today - that all you need do to be saved is believe in Jesus, is a false doctrine, and not biblically based. The early church did not teach that. The Apostle Paul did not teach this.
The Source of the Doctrines of the True Church of God Ephesians 2:18-22 " For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. " The foundation of he true new testament Church of God is the Bible - the inspired writings of the prophets (like Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc) and the apostles (like Peter, John, James, Paul and Matthew) and with Jesus Christ being the Chief cornerstone - the one who completes the foundation. That is where we get our church doctrines from. The foundation of God's true new testament church has been laid down already, and no one has any authority to add to that foundation. We must build upon that foundation. If we or our church group decides they want to add their own church doctrines and traditions to the foundation - then they are building a different foundation and are really not part of God's building.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 " And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. " Timothy only had the Old Testament scriptures, since the New Testament scriptures were not yet put together. The source of the true churches doctrine are the scriptures - both Old and New Testament. This is the sole source of Church doctrine. We do not need anymore Apostles.
2 Peter 1:19-21 " We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. " The real author of the Bible (which is a collection of Books) is God - working through and inspiring His servants through the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:42 " And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. "
Romans 15:4 " For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. "
1 Corinthians 12:28-30 " 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. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? "
2 John verses 6-11 " And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 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. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. "
1 Timothy 1:8-10 Living Bible " We know these laws are good when they are used as God intended. But they were not made for people who do what is right. They are for people who are disobedient and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who murder their father or mother or other people. These laws are for people who are sexually immoral, for homosexuals and slave traders, for liars and oath breakers, and for those who do anything else that contradicts the right teaching. " 1 Timothy 1:8-10 " But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; "
Hebrews 5: 12-14 " For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. " Hebrew 6:1-2 " Therefore 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 resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
False Teachers and False Prophets - the early source of Heresy 2 Peter 2:1-3 " But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. " The real heretics were the ones who forsook the scriptures as their sole source of doctrine, and who therefore deviated from sound biblical teachings.
Jude 3-4 " Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. "
What happened in God's true new testament church in the early days was that there was a falling away from the the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. And what happened is that certain false teachers (heretics) turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness. They taught the lie (among others too) that there are no works associated with salvation - and that all one need do to be saved was believe in Jesus - and this is what much of so-called professing Christianity teaches today, and this is wrong, and it is heresy.
Jude 12-13 " These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. "
Jude 16-19 " These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. "
2 Timothy 4:3-4 " 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. "
Titus 1:9-14 " Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. "
Galatians 2:1-4 " Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: "
1 John 2:19 " They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. "
Matthew 7:15 " Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. "
Heresy and Heretics 1 Corinthians 11:17-19 " Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. "
2 Peter 2:1-3 " But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. "
Galatians 5:19-21 " Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. " Heresy - Dictionary definition –noun, plural -sies. 1. opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, esp. of a church or religious system. 2. the maintaining of such an opinion or doctrine. 3. Roman Catholic Church. the willful and persistent rejection of any article of faith by a baptized member of the church. 4. any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.
Synonyms - dissent, iconoclasm, dissension
Heresy n.
pl. her·e·sies
Heretic noun1. a professed believer who maintains religious opinions contrary to those accepted by his or her church or rejects doctrines prescribed by that church. 2. Roman Catholic Church. a baptized Roman Catholic who willfully and persistently rejects any article of faith. 3. anyone who does not conform to an established attitude, doctrine, or principle.
Synonyms; apostate, backslider, recreant, protestant. 3.
dissenter, skeptic, freethinker. Heretic noun n.
A person who holds controversial opinions, especially one who publicly
dissents from the officially accepted dogma of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Roman Catholic Church labeled and still does label those who did not and do not adhere to Roman Catholic doctrine and teachings as heretics. Yet your Bible - the inspired scriptures actually labels Mystery Babylon and her Harlot Daughters as being the real heretics, since they left and came out of God's true church, and began to get involved in fornication with the governments of the earth. And Mystery Babylon is none other than the Roman Catholic Church, and her Harlot daughters are none other than the Protestant Churches that came out of the Roman Catholic Church at the Reformation in Protest. 1 John 2:19 " They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. " So the real heretics are the ones who have deviated from the scriptures, and who are not faithfully following doctrines that are biblically based, and who do not look to the inspired scriptures as their sole source of doctrine.
Mailing Address: Ray Wegner P.O. Box 475 Stn. Main Calgary, Alberta T2P-2J1 Telephone (403) 274-5253 E-mail
Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms and Fundamental Freedoms (from the Canadian Constitution) " The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association. " Readers are encouraged to point out biblical errors in all of my material and writings on spiritual matters. If you can find scriptural errors in my teachings that cannot be backed up by hard, concrete biblical teachings and doctrine - then I will gladly accept the constructive criticism and make the changes needed. So please go ahead and point out my mistakes, but your criticism must not be based on mere opinion, but must be able to be proved from the Bible. This web built, designed, and owned by Ray Wegner.
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