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APOSTASY

APOSTASY. Those ignorant of history are doomed to repeat its mistakes!. Apostasy Predicted. Acts 20:28-30; 2 Thess. 2:1-4; 1 Tim. 4:1-3 Secular history must be studied to see the fulfillment of this prediction. God’s Pattern.

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APOSTASY

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  1. APOSTASY Those ignorant of history are doomed to repeat its mistakes!

  2. Apostasy Predicted • Acts 20:28-30; 2 Thess. 2:1-4; 1 Tim. 4:1-3 • Secular history must be studied to see the fulfillment of this prediction

  3. God’s Pattern • Elders (bishops, shepherds, overseers, pastors) – appointed in every church (Tit. 1:5-9; Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1) • Oversight limited (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)

  4. Departure in Organization • Chief elder became bishop • Chief bishop became archbishop (or metropolitan) • Chief archbishops became patriarchs (Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Constantinople) • Chief patriarch became pope

  5. Chief Patriarch • A.D. 588 – Patriarch John the Faster (Constantinople) assumed the title of “universal bishop.” Gregory the Great (Rome) said he should be “inspired with shame for your ambition…and that you will not consent to ascribe to yourself a title as senseless, as vainglorious…” (Church History for Busy People) • He quoted Mt. 23:8,9 and said “May all Christians reject this blasphemous title.”

  6. Pope • 607 A.D. – Boniface III, of Rome, was given the title by Roman Emperor Phocus • The other Patriarchs never accepted the claim. The Greek, or Eastern Orthodox Churches have Patriarchs in each country but all look to Constantinople (Istanbul).

  7. East – West Division • 1054 – Pope Leo IX sent bull of excommunication to Constantinople for “all the heresies of the past.” The Patriarchs of the Eastern Church excommunicated the Western Church. • The first 7 Ecumenical Counsels (325-787) – 1460 bishops from East; 26 from West.

  8. The Orthodox Church • Never Accepted: • Sprinkling – accepted by the Roman Church in 1311 (Council of Ravenna) • Doctrine of purgatory and indulgences • The immaculate conception, or bodily assumption of Mary into heaven • Instrumental music (Roman: c. 670, but opposed in Council of Trent 1545-1563).

  9. Three Basis Errors • Apostolic Succession • Claim – Pope succeeds Peter; other bishops succeed other apostles • One successor (Acts 1:21-26); Bishops never succeeded apostles! • If you could trace two groups from Acts 20:28-30, how would you determine which was true?

  10. Second: Apostolic Tradition • Misuse 2 Thess. 2:15 • Tradition – may be from God, or from men (Mt. 15:1-3) • The further you get from the apostles, they more you hear of Catholic traditions! • Celibacy of priesthood (1123), immaculate conception (1854), Papal infallibility (1870), bodily assumption of Mary (1950)

  11. Third: Infallibility of Church • Means the Pope – when he speaks “ex cathedra” – from the chair, concerning matters of faith and morals • Bishops were not promised infallibility (Acts 20:28-30) • Did not prevent division in 1054; and Catholics are divided on many subjects.

  12. Departures Are Gradual • Sprinkling – “clinic baptism,” then gradually accepted. • Instrumental music – first organ, 670; Charles Spurgeon (London 1854-) did not use instrumental music; many think always used them • Church socials – kitchens/fellowship halls gradually accepted (inst. Music again)

  13. Conclusion • At what point did the usurping of authority by one elder become wrong? • Allow one hole in the fence - what happens? • “We don’t dare to put ourselves in a class or compare ourselves with some of those who speak highly of themselves, but when they measure themselves by their own yardstick and compare themselves with themselves, they don’t show good sense” (2 Cor. 10:12, Beck’s).

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