As we look back, today we can clearly see that the reformation process of attempting to reform something that was never built on the solid foundation from the onset was an exercise in futility.
This cycle that perpetuates the formation of denominations is not designed to bring the Church, the Body of Christ to come together in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of fullness of Christ; however it establishes winds of doctrine that ensure children are tossed to and fro. This process is contrary to the direction given to edify the body of Christ as outlined in Ephesians chapter four.
Jesus said, "No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, the old is better. (Luke 5:39) Listen carefully; understanding these words "drunk old wine straightway" is to the above passage of scripture of the utmost important. Moreover, with this understanding the problem regarding the division in the Church and the cycle that perpetuates the formation of denominations can be clearly understood and defined. The old wine is the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church - a church that is built on a faulty foundation after the beast had prevailed against the saints of God.
At the time when the beast prevailed against the saints of God, some of the saints called Emperor Constantine, the great, drinking the old wine straightway. Nevertheless, the gospel of the New Testament is new wine; this new wine was hidden from many. According to II Corinthians 4:3-4, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them." We must note here that in 606 AD the pope was declared "god on earth." It is imperative that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shine, shine, shine in the name of JESUS.
Since, Christ established His Church, many saints of God have been deceived and some accepted doctrines of men and have accepted these doctrines without questions. (They drank the old wine straightway). Nevertheless, there were some saints that did not drink the old wine straightway. (They questioned the doctrines and reject some of it). Let us give God the glory for the ones that rejected some of the doctrine. For example, the Reformation began with Martin Luther's challenge in 1517. Martin Luther founded the Lutheran Church. John Calvin is another that did not drink the wine straightway; he founded the Presbyterian Church. There was an Anabaptists movement in A.D. 1521. In addition, another saint, John Smyth rejected the doctrine of sprinkling to replace immersion and he founded the Baptist Church. The list of saints goes on and on of individuals who rejected some of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Reformation began with Martin Luther's challenge in 1517; Catholic Counter Reformation 1545 Council of Trent. Consequently, there was war that ended in 1648. Yes, many saints of God were willing to die for the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
However, the earlier reformers did not understand depth of this deception; nevertheless they were hot for Christ and were willing to die. The Catholic Church is built on a faulty foundation. At Galatians 1:6-9, we must note what Paul told the saints at that time and listen carefully as the Spirit of the Living God speaks to us today: (6) "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
Although John Calvin, Martin Luther, and John Smyth and others rejected certain added doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, they maintained some doctrines that did not have scriptural foundation. Therefore, the doctrines of Calvin, Luther, Smyth, and some others were working toward the foundation that was written in the Word of God. Nevertheless, it is clear they did not reach the level of perfection of the rock that JESUS laid, the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus that built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Consequently, some drank the doctrines of these men straightway and some did not. Some of these individuals that rejected certain aspects of the doctrines of Luther, Calvin, and Smyth, created their own denominations. Up until now, this has been a never-ending process that perpetuates the formation of denominations; consequently, today we have over 33,000 denominations.
Besides, saints of God rejecting certain aspects of doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, some of these saints wanted to include certain aspects of the Word of God that was not included in the Roman Catholic Church's doctrines. Consequently, many years later there were Holiness movements and apostolic movements. Consequently, today we have some movements that are based on the Word of God and did not come out of the reformation process. However, today we are still experiencing problems in these movements that did not come out of the reformation process. Although these movements were not part of the reformation process, we still have a very difficult task.
Here are three of the reason the task is difficult: (1) some of the individuals that are in these movements today came out of denominations that were part of the reformation process and are holding onto traditions based on those experiences (2) some individuals think too highly of themselves and (3) some use bibles whereby the text has been changed - some of these changes are made to support traditions and practices - however some of these changes are made because some of the educated individuals removed, added, or changed text without lining up scriptures as required - precepts upon precepts, precepts upon precepts, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little. Consequently, today there are millions of bibles that do not reflect the true word of God. The New International Version is just one example of a work that has altered the word of God.
Yes, Satan has been very effective in deceiving the educated. Some of the educated prefer the New International Versions (NIVs) of the Bible instead of the King James Version. Some of the writers of the NIVs have attempted to interpret verses textually independently of other verses. Consequently, they have made some serious mistakes by removing conjunctions, changing text, and deleting words. Consequently, the true intents of the scriptures are then buried in the King James' version of the Bible. Thus, new students of Bible Colleges and Universities, etc. drink the wine of NIV straightway. Some of these changes are serious - If new converts drink the wine of the NIV's straightway, it is possible that they will never understand who JESUS is and the importance of his name.
Therefore, the task before us is a very difficult one because we must work as one to make the bride ready for the marriage of the Lamb of God. We must share in love and discover the errors that have been made then work to effect the much needed edification process as defined in Ephesians Chapter Four. For this to occur, many of the Christian leaders must receive a fresh anointing of the Holy Ghost and become new vessels. According to Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul writes, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation where with ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Matthew 16:18 says, "Upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Mark 7:7 says, you can worship the lord in vain teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Ephesians 4:11-14, says Jesus gave some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie wait to deceive. The Rock is knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Listen these saints of God accepted another doctrine.
When the saints of God receive this knowledge, they will no more be children, tossed to and fro by every wind of Doctrine. Satan used ancient Rome to make war against the saints of God.
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