THE ORIGIN OF DENOMINATIONS
Lesson Twenty Three
APPENDAGE
ERRONEOUS TEACHINGS COMMON TO MANY RELIGIOUS BODIES
Listed below are some religious theories contrary to the Word of
God which are common to many religious bodies:
I. Many teach that Faith alone will save from sin. Often used as proof
for this is Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8; John 3:16 and various
passages where faith is the only requirement mentioned.
THE BIBLE
1. James 2:17-26.
(a) Faith without works is dead (vs. 17, 26).
(b) Faith shown by works (vs 10).
(c) Faith made perfect by works (vs 22).
(d) Man is not saved by "faith only" (vs 24).
2. Christ offers eternal salvation to those who obey (Hebrews
5:8,9)
3. There are passages that refer to remission of sin where faith is
not mentioned, such as, 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16. Does this rule
out faith? Neither do passages where faith stands without other
requirements rule out other commandments.
4. Faith gives one the "power (right) to become sons of God" (John
1:12), it does not make one the son of God. Unless one exercises
his/her "right" that one will not become a child of God. Faith
leads to obedience. (Cf. A fishing license gives one the right
(power) to fish. But, one must exercise that right and choose to
go fishing.)
II. Some teach that repentance comes before faith and use Mark 1:15 in
an attempt to prove it.
THE BIBLE
1. Mark 1:15. When was this statement made? Before or after the
death of Christ? The Jews had faith in God, so they needed to
repent and believe in the Christ when He came in His power, when
His gospel was preached.
2. What is now the first requirement? Hebrews 11:6.
3. What would motivate one to repent if faith were not present?
III. Many teach that baptism is not essential to salvation.
THE BIBLE
1. Baptism-- to flee the wrath of God, Matthew 3:7.
-- to fulfill all righteousness, Matthew 3:15.
2. Christ makes a clear statement, Mark 16:15-16.
3. Being born again includes both water and spirit. John 3:5.
4. Baptism is for (UNTO) the remission of sins, Acts 2:38.
5. Baptism puts one INTO Christ, Galatians 3:27.
6. Baptism saves, l Peter 3:21.
7. Baptism washes away sins, Acts 22:16.
8. Baptism is commanded, Acts 10:48.
9. Baptism is a "burial" INTO Christ, Romans 6:3,4.
10. Ethiopian nobleman recognized the need of being baptized, Acts
8:26-39.
11. What is buried in baptism? A child of God, or a child of satan?
An old man, or a new man?
12. NOTE: Also, many teach baptism can be done by sprinkling or
pouring water upon the candidate, but Acts 8:36-39 and Romans
6:3-9 show the error in this.
IV. Many teach that it is impossible for a child of God to fall from
God's Grace. Mr. Sam Morris made the following statement in the
First Baptist Church in Stamford, Texas: "We take the position that
a Christian's sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian lives,
what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward
other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his
soul. All the prayers a man may pray, all the Bible he may read,
all the churches he may belong to, all the services he may attend,
all the sermons he may practice, all the debts he may pay, all the
ordinances he may observe, all the laws he may keep, all the
benevolent acts he may perform, will not make his soul one whit
safer; and all the sins he may commit, from idolatry to murder,
will not make his soul in any more danger. The way a man lives has
nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul."
THE BIBLE
1. Wilful sin causes one to forfeit the sacrifice for sins, Hebrews
10:26-31.
2. Paul recognized the danger of being a castaway, 1 Corinthians
9:27.
3. One can escape the defilements of the world through knowledge,
but become entangled AGAIN and overcome -- the last state worse
that the first, 2 Peter 2:20, 21.
4. Those who would go back to the law are fallen from grace,
Galatians 5:4.
5. Israelites were delivered, but some fell, 1 Corinthians 1-13.
Paul makes the application to Christians, verse 10.
6. Simon heard, believed and was baptized, Acts 8:13. Jesus said
this would bring salvation, Mark 16:15-16. Later Simon's heart
was not right in God's sight, Acts 8:21.
7. A Christian is to develop and grow in the virtues listed in 2
Peter 1:5-7, or he/she will stumble, 2 Peter 1:10.
8. Some of the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 were in danger of
having their candlestick removed.
V. Some teach that God has predestined and foreordained some to
salvation and others to condemnation; the number is determined and
fixed by God.
THE BIBLE
1. Salvation is for all who will believe and obey, Matthew 28:18-
20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Revelation
22:17; Acts 10:34, 35; 2 Peter 3:9, etc.
2. Individual responsibility for each person is a central theme
throughout the Words of Christ and His apostles.
VI. Some teach that man, (they claim) born in sin (totally depraved),
must have the direct operation of God's grace, through the Holy
Spirit.
THE BIBLE
1. The Holy Spirit appeared to the preacher rather than the
convert, Acts 8:26.
2. Saul was instructed to go into the city in order to find out
what God wanted him to do, Acts 22:6-16. Why didn't the Lord
just tell him what was expected of him?
3. God's arrangement is for faith to come through preaching, Romans
10:9-17.
4. In each case of conversion (in the book of Acts) there was
always preaching first.
VII. Some teach that God is too good to condemn any to eternal
condemnation, thus universal salvation.
THE BIBLE
1. Christ states there are two paths that men choose to follow,
Matthew 7:13-14.
2. What shall happen to the plants not planted by the Lord?
Matthew 15:8-14.
3. What shall be the end of those who refuse to obey the gospel? 2
Thessalonians 1:7-9.
4. Christ died for all men, Romans 5:8.
5. The grace of God appeared, bringing salvation to all men, Titus
2:11.
Yet, not all shall be saved, Revelation 20:15.
Why? Because they did not respond to Heaven's call, 2
Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 4:17-18.
The house shall fall unless built on the rock, Matthew
7:24-27.
THUS MAN MUST DO WHAT GOD REQUIRES TO ENTER HEAVEN.
VIII. Most religious bodies teach, in one form or another, the doctrine
of Premillenialism. Though the doctrine of premillenialism varies
as taught by different bodies, we list a few of the basic things
taught:
A. Premillenialism teaches that God has guaranteed to restore the
Israelites to Palestine, and that not until then will the
Kingdom of Old Testament prophecy be set up.
THE BIBLE
1. Joshua 21:43; 1 Kings 8:55-56, Jehovah fulfilled His promises
to Israel. They received all the land promised to them.
2. Not a Jew outwardly any more, Romans 2:28-29.
3. No Jew or Gentile in Christ, all one, Galatians 3:25-29.
4. There is nothing left for fleshly Israel, except salvation in
Christ Jesus.
B. Most Premillenialist teach that Jesus intended to set up His
Kingdom, but the Jews would not allow Him to do so; therefore he
set up the church instead, returning to the Father; to return
later and set up the Fleshly Kingdom of Israel.
THE BIBLE
1. The Jews desired to crown Jesus, John 6:15. Premillenialism
denies this.
2. The church was in the eternal purpose of God, not an
afterthought, but in accordance to His plan, Ephesians 3:10-
11.
3. Christ did establish His Kingdom, Colossians 1:13.
C. Premillenialism teaches that the righteous dead will be raised
when Christ returns and that the unrighteous dead will be raised
later, thus two resurrections.
THE BIBLE
1. All (both righteous and wicked) shall be raised, come forth,
John 5:28-29.
2. Christ states good and bad shall be judged at the same time,
Matthew 25:31.
3. Premillenialism says that all nations in Matthew 25:31 refers
only to the Gentiles, not to the Jews, but Jesus uses the
same phrase in Matthew 28:19, "preach to all nations," thus
Jesus sent apostles only to Gentiles, and not to Jews, if
such reasoning(?) be right.
4. Every eye shall see Him, Revelation 1:7.
D. Premillenialism teaches after His Second coming, Christ will
reign (with His saints) over all the earth 1000 years. Often
Revelation 20 is used to teach this.
THE BIBLE
1. Premillenialism makes Revelation 20 a literal 1000 years.
2. Some things Revelation 20 does not mention:
(a) The Second coming of Christ.
(b) A literal reign on earth by Christ.
(c) A bodily resurrection.
(d) Does not locate Christ on earth at all (in a literal
sense).
(e) Jerusalem of Palestine.
3. Shall meet Him in the air, 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
4. "My kingdom is not of this world," John 18:36.
E. Premillenialism teaches that Christ is NOT NOW on David's throne
of Old Testament Prophecy, but that He will occupy that throne
when He returns, ruling on that throne in Jerusalem (or possibly
other places) over His earthly Kingdom.
THE BIBLE
1. When Christ returns it will not be to rule, but to judge.
2. Isaiah 9:6,7 prophesies the reign of the Messiah on David's
throne. Luke 1:31-33 applies the passage to Christ.
3. Acts 2:25-36. Peter quotes David as prophesying the
resurrection of Christ in view of God's promise to raise
Christ to sit upon His throne. Peter states He is NOW
exalted, at the right hand of God.
IX. Most religious bodies teach and practice that the use of mechanical
instruments of music in worship to Jehovah is approved and accepted
by Him. Since there is no reference to this in the New Testament,
we will approach this study a little differently.
1. The authority of God must be respected at all times; on every
subject:
(1) In civil and criminal disputes the courts have authority.
(2) Necessary to have authority in home, schools, state, etc.
(3) Even more necessary in religion.
(4) 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 7:21, 28-29.
(5) Divine authority is obtained in one of three ways:
(a) Direct command or precept.
(b) Approved apostolic example.
(c) Necessary inference.
2. Note the passages that deal with New Testament music: Matthew
26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15;
Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; Hebrews 13:15;
James 5:13.
3. Did the early church of the first century use mechanical
instruments of music in their worship?
(1) Either they did or they did not.
(2) If they did, where is the example, or even the inference?
(3) If they did not use them, then it must have been
intentional.
(4) Christ sent the Holy Spirit to guide them into ALL TRUTH;
yet, no mention of mechanical instruments of music in their
worship.
(5) This within itself should be enough to settle the question.
4. Not using mechanical instruments causes no controversy.
(1) Everyone agrees it is all right to sing.
(2) No doubt we are right when we sing, for we are following a
direct command--SING, as well as an approved apostolic
example--THEY SUNG.
(3) The controversy comes when the mechanical instrument is
added.
(4) Religious differences are (with but few exceptions) over
what the Bible says nothing about, and not over what the
Bible says.
The religious world is not divided over singing, the
division is over whether we can play or not, something the
Bible says nothing about.
5. Some of the reasons given for the use of mechanical instruments
in worship are:
(1) IT WAS A PART OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WORSHIP: DAVID USED IT:
(a) If we go back for part of the Old Testament worship,
let us go back and bring it all; incense, animal
sacrifices, tabernacle, etc. (Some get what they want
and leave the rest back there, but this is not logical.
If part can be used, then why not all of it?)
(b) The law was taken out of the way. Eph. 2:15; Col.
2:14,15; Gal. 3:24,25; Heb. 8:6-13, etc.
(c) Amos 6:1-5 -- Woe placed on David's use of them. He
introduced them.
(d) Why then did God allow it? Cf. Matt. 19:3-8. Jesus said
it was because of the hardness of their hearts that
Moses permitted them to put away their wives. The Jews
desired a king. God did not wish it, but permitted it,
even regulated them. Note Acts 17:30. There were some
things which did not please Jehovah, yet He permitted
them.
(2) WE HAVE MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS IN OUR HOMES:
(a) There are many things we have in our homes that we have
no right to bring into the worship of God.
(b) Ice cream and cake, fried chicken at home, but who would
suggest we put these on the Lord's Table?
(c) May be more appealing to the fleshly part of man, but we
do not worship God to satisfy man's fleshly desires.
(d) Not opposed to instrumental music, but object to its
being inserted into the worship of Jehovah.
(e) We should oppose any and everything that would polute
the worship and work of the church that Jesus purchased
with His blood.
(3) SOME CLAIM THERE ARE INSTRUMENTS IN HEAVEN. Rev. 14:2 is
often used to make this claim.
(a) Let us grant for a minute that there are instruments in
heaven, this still would give us no right to put them
into the worship of the people of God today.
(b) John saw many things in the book of Revelation, which
people would not want to bring into the church.
(c) Golden bowls, horses, bows, etc. Are these literal?
(d) Note: A spiritual being playing upon a material harp?
(e) They sung!! John tells us what he heard -- SINGING. The
sound had the rhythm of "many waters," the majesty of
"great thunder," and the sweetness of "harps," yet, it
was as a VOICE, singing.
(4) IT IS AN AID.
(a) An aid to what? Does it help to teach? Admonish?
(b) Rather than being an aid, the instrument is an addition.
It is another kind of music, one not authorized by the
Lord.
(c) Illustration: A lame man uses a walking cane to aid in
his walking. Someone offers him a ride in an automobile.
Riding is not an aid to walking, it is an addition.
(d) What about butter and jelly on the Lord's Supper as an
aid? No! Becomes an addition because another element has
been added.
(e) Song books, song leaders, are not other elements, for
only singing is done, but instrumental music is another
element, an element not commanded; it is an addition.
(f) Song books are incidental in doing what is commanded;
instrumental music is doing something not commanded.
(5) THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY NOT TO USE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC:
(a) Can we do everything that the Bible does not condemn?
(b) God's Book tells man how to worship and not how not to
worship. Imagine what it would be like if it said,
"Don't do this, don't do that, etc."
(c) God's commands include that which is included and
nothing more.
(d) There is a difference between Generic and Specific
commands:
Cf. God commanded Noah to build ark out of gopher wood.
Generic command --- Build ark of wood.
Specific command -- Build ark of gopher wood.
Generic command --- Make music.
Specific command -- Sing.
(e) Heb. 7:14 -- The silence of God's Word. When God says
nothing on any given subject, He has a reason. Man has
no right to presume where God has not spoken.
(6) SOME CLAIM THE WORD "PSALLO" INCLUDES INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC:
(a) Both the King James Version (47 Greek scholars) and the
American Standard Version (101 Greek scholars) translate
the word "psallo" as "sing," "make praises," "make
melody." The word "psallo" means, "to pull, rub, strike,
vibrate." Illustration: The carpenter's "chalk line" is
"psalloed." The archer "psalloes" the bow string.
(b) "Psallo" is a verb, it describes that which is being
done, but it does not give the object upon which the
"psallo" is being done. The word "psallo" leads to the
question, "Psallo" what? Paul says, "psallo with your
heart" (Eph. 3:19), thus, the instrument in New
Testament "psalloing" is the heart, which every man has,
therefore, is not limited in praising God.
(c) If the instrument is in the word "psallo" then all must
do it, and it cannot be done by proxy. All are commanded
to "psallo."
(d) If "psallo" includes the instrument of music, then it is
mandatory, commanded of the inspired writers. To omit it
would be in violation of the command to "psallo."
Therefore, if a congregation did not have the ability
(money) to buy an instrument they could not worship
Jehovah acceptably.
(e) NO!!! The word "psallo" does not include mechanical
instruments of music.
6. Others have spoken on this question:
(1) Adam Clark. ".....and I farther believe that the use of such
instruments of music, in the Christian Church, is without
the sanction and against the will of God; that they are
subversive of the spirit of true devotion and they are
sinful....I am an old man, and an old minister; and I here
declare that I never knew them productive of any good in the
worship of God; and have reason to believe that they were
productive of much evil. Music, as a science, I esteem and
admire; but instruments of music in the house of God I
abominate and abhor." (Clarks's Commentary, Vol. IV, p.684).
(2) John Wesley, a lover of music and an elegant poet, when
asked his opinion of instruments of music being introduced
into the chapels of the Methodists said, "I have no
objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided
they are neither heard nor seen."
(3) These could be multiplied by many more statements made by
Denominational preachers opposing mechanical instruments in
worship to Jehovah.
7. Scriptures which condemn the use of mechanical instruments of
music in New Testament worship unto Jehovah:
(1) 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
(a) Every scripture is given that the man of God may be
furnished unto every good work.
(b) No scripture which authorizes instrumental music in our
worship.
(c) There, instrumental music in the worship is not a good
work.
(2) 1 Corinthians 4:6.
(a) It is a violation of the Lord's will to go beyond that
which is written.
(b) Instrumental music in New Testament worship has not been
found in the writings of these inspired men.
(c) There, the use of instruments goes beyond the Lord's
will.
(3) 2 John 9.
(a) Those who go beyond the teaching of Christ hath not God.
(b) Instrumental music is not found in the teaching of
Christ.
(c) There, instrumental music is done without God's
approval.
(4) John 16:13.
(a) The spirit of truth was to guide the apostles into all
truth.
(b) The apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit did
not mention instruments of music in New Testament
worship.
(c) Therefore, one who uses instrumental music has gone
beyond the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
X. Most religious bodies support and contribute to organizations and
arrangements separate from the local church through which they
teach and preach their beliefs. One example of this is the American
Christian Missionary Society of the Christian Churches. This
organization began in October, 1849, when a convention was held in
Cincinnati, Ohio, by some who desired a "general church
organization for the furtherance of the work of the church
collectively."
THE BIBLE
1. There are two uses of the word "church" in the New Testament:
(a) Universal, including all those in God's family, the saved.
Matt. 16:18-ff; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 1:22, 23.
(b) Local congregations, including the people of God in any
given community or location. 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 13:1, etc.
2. The church universal has no organization. There is no
arrangement in the New Testament whereby the universal church
can function as a unit.
3. The only collectivity known to the New Testament is the local
congregation. Gal. 1:2; 1:22; Rom. 16:16; 1 Thess. 1:1, etc.
(a) There was to be a plurality of elders in each local church.
Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5. (Note: The world has
reversed this in many places today; having many churches
under one oversight."
(b) No New Testament authority for elders being over more than
one congregation. 1 Peter 5:2.
(c) No authority for elders to be over anything other than the
church. Acts 20:28. Elders, serving as elders, have no right
to "oversee" farming, banking, dairying, real estate,
secular education, or anything else outside the work of the
local church.
(d) No New Testament authority for one congregation to oversee
the work of another congregation.
4. How did New Testament churches cooperate in preaching the
gospel?
(a) Philippi supported Paul in the gospel. Phil. 1:3-5; 4:10-18.
(b) Philippi sent to Paul by their messenger Epaphroditus. Phil.
2:25; 4:18.
(c) Paul accepted wages from other churches. 2 Cor. 11:8.
(d) There is no command, example or inference that one church
ever sent funds to another church in order to preach the
gospel. In evangelism, churches sent funds directly to the
preacher.
THIS NOT THIS
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³ Philippi ³ ³ Thessalonica³ ³ Philippi ³ÄÄÄÄij Thessalonica³
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³ ³ ³ Berea ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄij Berea ³
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³ Paul in Corinth ³ ³ Paul in Corinth ³
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5. Reflects on the Wisdom of God:
The church is a divine institution established by the command
of heaven. God purposed it (Eph. 3:8-11). Christ established it
(Matt. 16:16-18) as promised by Him. Christ purchased it with
His own blood (Acts 20:28). Its organization is divinely given
(Acts 14:23). It is then able to sufficiently and completely
fulfil every function that God has given it to do. For one to
maintain that the church can build and maintain a society for
doing the work of the church is to deny that the church is all
sufficient to accomplish God's purpose for the church. This
manifests a lack of faith in God's arrangements and wisdom.
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