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How Did Roman Catholicism Drift into Apostasy? -
December 2nd, 2012, 06:26 AM
[How Did Roman Catholicism Drift into Apostasy? By Mike Gendron Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries]: "We are often asked about the history of the Roman Catholic Church, when it started and how it became what it is today. Unfortunately, there are very few resources available that give an accurate history from an evangelical perspective. Recently I have been doing research on this subject in preparation for a message I will be presenting this month.
It appears there were two major catalysts in the 3rd and 4th century that allowed seeds of apostasy to be planted in churches. The first occurred when churches abandoned the plurality of elders in favor of a ruling bishop. Ignatius taught that churches without a bishop had no authority to do baptisms or the Lord's Supper. This major change would pave the way for doctrinal error to enter the church with less resistance. It is much easier for the "Father of Lies" to deceive one ruling bishop when there is no accountability or correction from an elder board. Satan's strategy to destroy the church has always been to place falsehoods in the minds of ecclesiastical leaders. In God's providence and under His divine protection, some churches remained under a plurality of elders and refused to appoint a ruling bishop. They believed the proof of the Spirit's leading was not found in an office but in the lives of believers. The church can fulfill her divinely ordained mission only to the extent she functions according to the Master Builder's blueprint for His church.
The second catalyst occurred when churches no longer submitted to the supreme authority of God's Word. They rejected divine authority and began following traditions, opinions and philosophies of men. All the "church fathers" were embracing some false doctrine, some more than others. Even the so-called Apostolic Fathers of the second century were teaching the false gospel that baptism and martyrdom provided forgiveness of sin. The fall of the Roman Empire led to the rise of the Roman Church, as power was transferred from one institution to the other. At the time, some bishops sought to increase their authority and prestige by accusing others of false doctrine and seeking state support of their positions. They began exchanging the truth of God's word for superstitions, pagan traditions and destructive heresies. In 590 Pope Gregory filled the power vacuum as the Empire imploded. Gregory I organized a papal government to rule a decaying society. He enforced celibacy for the clergy, expanded the concept of purgatory and converted the Eucharist from a sacrament into a redemptive sacrifice with merit, both for the living and the dead. He approved the invocation of saints and martyrs and the use of relics and amulets to reduce temporal punishment for sin. Other unbiblical traditions developed, such as baptismal regeneration, infant baptism and a system of 7 sacraments for salvation. The church ignored Paul's warning that "evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Tim. 3:13)."
Constatine took some of the church there when his mother told a bunch of lies. He did what many do today, and most of TOL. He put the gospel of circumcision with the gospel of uncircumcision in a blender and hit puree.
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Constatine took some of the church there when his mother told a bunch of lies. He did what many do today, and most of TOL. He put the gospel of circumcision with the gospel of uncircumcision in a blender and hit puree.
Slogan/motto:
Truth did not come into the world naked, but it came in types and images. The world will not receive truth in any other way.
Reputation:
December 2nd, 2012, 10:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick M
Constatine took some of the church there when his mother told a bunch of lies. He did what many do today, and most of TOL. He put the gospel of circumcision with the gospel of uncircumcision in a blender and hit puree.
Constantine already had the "pureed gospel" which was brought into existence already by the 2nd century. All of orthodoxy uses this "gospel" to some degree.
The RC church didn't drift into apostasy. It is people who drift into apostasy. And then it happens when people substitute rules and habits for faith.
I'm no Roman Catholic. I used to be one but am no longer. However, Much of anti-catholic sentiment seems to me to derive not from serious faith issues but rather from xenophobia. After all, Roman Catholics do differ considerably in their customs and practices from most in the western world. But you only have to look at your own practices to see that you are no different. The problem is that you can't see your own practices because you have this basic assumption underlying all your thinking that you are a normal person.
And then if you want to look at it from a historical point of view and talk about the Borgias and so on, then you also have to admit that you can't tar all people with the same brush, so the point of the argument does rather break down.
Total Misanthropy. Uncertain salvation. Luck of the draw. Irresistible damnation. Persecution of the saints.
Constantine already had the "pureed gospel" which was brought into existence already by the 2nd century. All of orthodoxy uses this "gospel" to some degree.
Constantine put them all in a room
and
wouldn't let them come out until they all agreed
Slogan/motto:
Truth did not come into the world naked, but it came in types and images. The world will not receive truth in any other way.
Reputation:
December 2nd, 2012, 06:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrysostom
Constantine put them all in a room
and
wouldn't let them come out until they all agreed
he didn't care what they agreed about
Chrysostom,
What I meant was that Judaism had long been incorporated into Christianity by the time of Constantine. Constantine is so often made into the boogie man (for all kinds of issues) when in fact he didn't make any of the decisions his detractors claim.
What I meant was that Judaism had long been incorporated into Christianity by the time of Constantine. Constantine is so often made into the boogie man (for all kinds of issues) when in fact he didn't make any of the decisions his detractors claim.
... Well Jesus was a Jew fulfilling Jewish prophecies... so yes, Judaism had long since been incorporated into Christianity because Christianity is a form of Judaism
If you have material wealth, but do not give to those in need, then the love of God is not in you. Whatever you have done for the least of these you have done for HIM. To give to the poor is to lend to the LORD.
Slogan/motto:
Truth did not come into the world naked, but it came in types and images. The world will not receive truth in any other way.
Reputation:
December 2nd, 2012, 06:52 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by csuguy
... Well Jesus was a Jew fulfilling Jewish prophecies... so yes, Judaism had long since been incorporated into Christianity because Christianity is a form of Judaism
He was born a Jew, I agree - but to what ends? He did not fulfill any prophesies though, Christ is prefigured in the Old Testament in types, not prophesies. There is a very valid reason Jews did not accept him as the messiah - He wasn't. Only in the 2nd century did Christians make him into what he wasn't.
He was born a Jew, I agree - but to what ends? He did not fulfill any prophesies though, Christ is prefigured in the Old Testament in types, not prophesies. There is a very valid reason Jews did not accept him as the messiah - He wasn't. Only in the 2nd century did Christians make him into what he wasn't.
Deut 18:18 "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him."
Sounds like a prophecy to me!
Slogan/motto:
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Reputation:
December 2nd, 2012, 07:42 PM
The steps to apostacy are outlined in the letters to the churches in Rev ch 2 and 3.
Constantine already had the "pureed gospel" which was brought into existence already by the 2nd century. All of orthodoxy uses this "gospel" to some degree.
I don't think so. They base their authority on her findings in Israel and Rome. Problem is, they are wrong. Peter is buried in Israel, not Rome. He is the apsotle of circumcision, and Paul's letter shows some were proseltyzed to Israel. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, as they call it, is not his garden tomb. All of it is made up. Which is why the heathen attack it. Satan is subtil. He builds up strawmen so he can tear them down.
You are certainly right about the wolves moving in to pervert the gospel as soon as Paul was gone. He warned of it. But the OP did ask about the catholics.
What's new? 
~ J Vernon McGee Ro 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9, 10:13.
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