APOSTASYAPOSTASYThose ignorant of history are Those ignorant of history are

doomed to repeat its doomed to repeat its mistakes!mistakes!

Apostasy PredictedApostasy Predicted

Acts 20:28-30; 2 Thess. 2:1-4; Acts 20:28-30; 2 Thess. 2:1-4; 1 Tim. 4:1-3 1 Tim. 4:1-3

Secular history must be studied to Secular history must be studied to see the fulfillment of this predictionsee the fulfillment of this prediction

God’s PatternGod’s Pattern

Elders (bishops, shepherds, Elders (bishops, shepherds, overseers, pastors) – appointed in overseers, pastors) – appointed in

every church (Tit. 1:5-9; Acts every church (Tit. 1:5-9; Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1)14:23; Phil. 1:1)

Oversight limited (Acts 20:28; Oversight limited (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) 1 Pet. 5:1-4)

Departure in OrganizationDeparture in Organization

Chief elder became bishopChief elder became bishop Chief bishop became archbishop (or Chief bishop became archbishop (or

metropolitan)metropolitan) Chief archbishops became patriarchs Chief archbishops became patriarchs

(Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, (Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Constantinople)Jerusalem, Constantinople)

Chief patriarch became popeChief patriarch became pope

Chief PatriarchChief Patriarch

A.D. 588A.D. 588 – Patriarch John the Faster – Patriarch John the Faster (Constantinople) assumed the title of (Constantinople) assumed the title of “universal bishop.” Gregory the Great “universal bishop.” Gregory the Great

(Rome) said he should be “inspired with (Rome) said he should be “inspired with shame for your ambition…and that you shame for your ambition…and that you will not consent to ascribe to yourself a will not consent to ascribe to yourself a

title as senseless, as vainglorious…” title as senseless, as vainglorious…” (Church History for Busy People)(Church History for Busy People)

He quoted Mt. 23:8,9 and said “May all He quoted Mt. 23:8,9 and said “May all Christians reject this blasphemous title.”Christians reject this blasphemous title.”

PopePope

607 A.D.607 A.D. – Boniface III, of Rome, was – Boniface III, of Rome, was given the title by Roman Emperor given the title by Roman Emperor

Phocus Phocus The other Patriarchs never accepted The other Patriarchs never accepted

the claim. The Greek, or Eastern the claim. The Greek, or Eastern Orthodox Churches have Patriarchs Orthodox Churches have Patriarchs

in each country but all look to in each country but all look to Constantinople (Istanbul).Constantinople (Istanbul).

East – West DivisionEast – West Division

10541054 – Pope Leo IX sent bull of – Pope Leo IX sent bull of excommunication to Constantinople excommunication to Constantinople for “all the heresies of the past.” The for “all the heresies of the past.” The

Patriarchs of the Eastern Church Patriarchs of the Eastern Church excommunicated the Western excommunicated the Western

Church.Church. The first 7 Ecumenical Counsels The first 7 Ecumenical Counsels (325-787) – 1460 bishops from East; (325-787) – 1460 bishops from East;

26 from West.26 from West.

The Orthodox ChurchThe Orthodox Church

Never Accepted:Never Accepted: Sprinkling – accepted by the Roman Sprinkling – accepted by the Roman

Church in 1311 (Council of Ravenna)Church in 1311 (Council of Ravenna) Doctrine of purgatory and indulgencesDoctrine of purgatory and indulgences The immaculate conception, or bodily The immaculate conception, or bodily

assumption of Mary into heavenassumption of Mary into heaven Instrumental music (Roman: c. 670, but Instrumental music (Roman: c. 670, but

opposed in Council of Trent 1545-opposed in Council of Trent 1545-1563).1563).

Three Basis ErrorsThree Basis Errors

Apostolic SuccessionApostolic Succession Claim – Pope succeeds Peter; other Claim – Pope succeeds Peter; other

bishops succeed other apostlesbishops succeed other apostles One successor (Acts 1:21-26); One successor (Acts 1:21-26);

Bishops never succeeded apostles!Bishops never succeeded apostles! If you could trace two groups from If you could trace two groups from

Acts 20:28-30, how would you Acts 20:28-30, how would you determine which was true?determine which was true?

Second: Apostolic TraditionSecond: Apostolic Tradition

Misuse 2 Thess. 2:15Misuse 2 Thess. 2:15 Tradition – may be from God, Tradition – may be from God,

or from men (Mt. 15:1-3)or from men (Mt. 15:1-3) The further you get from the apostles, The further you get from the apostles, they more you hear of Catholic traditions!they more you hear of Catholic traditions!

Celibacy of priesthood (1123), Celibacy of priesthood (1123), immaculate conception (1854), Papal immaculate conception (1854), Papal

infallibility (1870), bodily assumption of infallibility (1870), bodily assumption of Mary (1950) Mary (1950)

Third: Infallibility of ChurchThird: Infallibility of Church

Means the Pope – when he speaks Means the Pope – when he speaks “ex cathedra” – from the chair, “ex cathedra” – from the chair, concerning matters of faith and concerning matters of faith and

moralsmorals Bishops were not promised infallibility Bishops were not promised infallibility

(Acts 20:28-30)(Acts 20:28-30) Did not prevent division in 1054; and Did not prevent division in 1054; and

Catholics are divided on many Catholics are divided on many subjects.subjects.

Departures Are GradualDepartures Are Gradual

Sprinkling – “clinic baptism,” then Sprinkling – “clinic baptism,” then gradually accepted.gradually accepted.

Instrumental music – first organ, 670; Instrumental music – first organ, 670; Charles Spurgeon (London 1854-) did Charles Spurgeon (London 1854-) did

not use instrumental music; many not use instrumental music; many think always used themthink always used them

Church socials – kitchens/fellowship Church socials – kitchens/fellowship halls gradually accepted (inst. Music halls gradually accepted (inst. Music

again)again)

ConclusionConclusion

At what point did the usurping of authority At what point did the usurping of authority by one elder become wrong?by one elder become wrong?

Allow one hole in the fence - what happens?Allow one hole in the fence - what happens? ““We don’t dare to put ourselves in a class We don’t dare to put ourselves in a class

or compare ourselves with some of those or compare ourselves with some of those who speak highly of themselves, but when who speak highly of themselves, but when

they measure themselves by their own they measure themselves by their own yardstick and compare themselves with yardstick and compare themselves with

themselves, they don’t show good sense” themselves, they don’t show good sense” (2 Cor. 10:12, Beck’s).(2 Cor. 10:12, Beck’s).