Ecclesiasticism. What is it? “Of or pertaining to the church; relating to the organization or government of the church; not secular; as, ecclesiastical

EcclesiasticismEcclesiasticism

What is it?What is it?

“Of or pertaining to the church; relating to the organization or government of the church; not secular; as, ecclesiastical affairs or history; ecclesiastical courts.”

NT:1577 ekleesiaNT:1577 ekleesia

1. an assembly of the people convened at 1. an assembly of the people convened at the public place of council for the the public place of council for the purpose of deliberating:purpose of deliberating:Acts 19:39Acts 19:39

“If there is anything further you want “If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly.” legal assembly.” NIVNIV

2. the assembly of the Israelites 2. the assembly of the Israelites

Heb 2:12 NKJVHeb 2:12 NKJV

"I will declare Your name to My brethren; "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."praise to You."


3. the whole body of Christians scattered 3. the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth; throughout the earth;

Matt 16:18 NIV Matt 16:18 NIV 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my on this rock I will build my churchchurch, and , and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.the gates of Hades will not overcome it.


44thth Volume Description Volume Description

• Zenith of ecclesiasticism [Vol. 4 ,p. Page Zenith of ecclesiasticism [Vol. 4 ,p. Page 168]168]““The church knows that the eyes of all the The church knows that the eyes of all the world are turned upon her; that somehow it world are turned upon her; that somehow it has been discovered that, while she has has been discovered that, while she has claimed her commission to be to convert claimed her commission to be to convert the world, the time has arrived when, if that the world, the time has arrived when, if that be her mission, that work should be almost, be her mission, that work should be almost, if not fully, accomplished, and that really if not fully, accomplished, and that really she differs little from the world, except in she differs little from the world, except in profession.”profession.”

44thth Volume Volume (continued)(continued)

• Having assumed this to be her present Having assumed this to be her present mission, she has lost sight of the real mission, she has lost sight of the real purpose of this Gospel age; viz., to purpose of this Gospel age; viz., to "preach "preach this gospel of the Kingdom in all the this gospel of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness to all nations,"world for a witness to all nations," and and to aid in to aid in the calling and preparing of a the calling and preparing of a "little flock""little flock" to constitute (with the Lord) to constitute (with the Lord) that Millennial Kingdom which shall then that Millennial Kingdom which shall then bless all the families of the earth. (bless all the families of the earth. (Matt. Matt. 24:14; Acts 15:14-1724:14; Acts 15:14-17))

Purpose?Purpose?

• To learn how we can maintain “the To learn how we can maintain “the unity of the spirit in the bonds of unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace”peace”– By understanding why the false church By understanding why the false church

divides and cannot unifydivides and cannot unify– By understanding God’s instruction By understanding God’s instruction

regarding the “unity of the spirit”regarding the “unity of the spirit”

The Problems?The Problems?

• Doctrines inconsistent with the BibleDoctrines inconsistent with the Bible– The people need the creeds to sustain The people need the creeds to sustain

their faiththeir faith– The pastors are ashamed of the creeds The pastors are ashamed of the creeds

and want to say as little about them as and want to say as little about them as they canthey can

The Problem (cont.)The Problem (cont.)

• The internal conflicts are leading to The internal conflicts are leading to further disunion and eventual further disunion and eventual downfalldownfall– Unity efforts are praised as growth in Unity efforts are praised as growth in

love and fellowshiplove and fellowship– But the motivation is really fear and the But the motivation is really fear and the

efforts are leading to a coming stormefforts are leading to a coming storm

The Proposed Solutions?The Proposed Solutions?

• Some desire to ignore differences and Some desire to ignore differences and unite and cooperate in evangelismunite and cooperate in evangelism

• But how in light of conflicting creeds?But how in light of conflicting creeds?– One proposal is to unite those most alike One proposal is to unite those most alike

in creeds firstin creeds first– Another proposal seeks to ignore Another proposal seeks to ignore

doctrinal differences and promote unity doctrinal differences and promote unity and fellowship amongst all morally and fellowship amongst all morally disposed people (favored mostly by the disposed people (favored mostly by the young)young)

Where will it all lead?Where will it all lead?

Rev 7:1, 3 Rev 7:1, 3 (NIV)(NIV)

After this I saw four angels standing at the After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.sea or on any tree.

"Do not harm the land or the sea or the "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees trees until we put a seal on the until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."foreheads of the servants of our God."

Ecclesiasticism will failEcclesiasticism will fail

• The mother church (Catholicism) will The mother church (Catholicism) will be brought down with her daughters be brought down with her daughters even though and possibly because of even though and possibly because of their attempts at unification.their attempts at unification.

• This will happen when the four winds This will happen when the four winds of Rev. 7 are released and a of Rev. 7 are released and a whirlwind of anarchy will resultwhirlwind of anarchy will result

Why do efforts toward unity Why do efforts toward unity fail?fail?

• The spirit of carnalityThe spirit of carnality1 Cor 3:3, 4 1 Cor 3:3, 4 (KJV)(KJV)

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?men?For while one saith, I am of Paul; and For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?carnal?

1 Cor 1:11-131 Cor 1:11-13

11 My brothers, some from Chloe's 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." still another, "I follow Christ."

13 Is Christ divided? 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?name of Paul?

The Opposite of Carnality?The Opposite of Carnality?

• The Spirit of ChristThe Spirit of Christ

Phil 2:15 Phil 2:15 KJVKJV

““That ye may be blameless and That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, perverse nation, among whom ye among whom ye shine as lights in the world;shine as lights in the world;””

The Spirit of ChristThe Spirit of Christ

Matt 11:29-30 Matt 11:29-30 KJVKJV

““Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”light.”


Matt 20:26-28 Matt 20:26-28 NIVNIV

““Not so with you. Instead, whoever Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you wants to become great among you must be your must be your servantservant, and whoever , and whoever wants to be first must be your wants to be first must be your slaveslave -- just as the Son of Man did not come just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." give his life as a ransom for many."


• John 13:14-15 John 13:14-15 KJV KJV

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.wash one another's feet.For I have given you an example, For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to that ye should do as I have done to you.”you.”


Rom 14:15, 19 Rom 14:15, 19 KJVKJV

““But if thy brother be grieved with thy But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.”meat, for whom Christ died.”

““Let us therefore follow after the Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify things wherewith one may edify another.”another.”

““Ecclesiasticism” and Ecclesiasticism” and the Spirit of Christ - the Spirit of Christ -

Is it possible for the false church to have Is it possible for the false church to have the Spirit of Christ? - NO !the Spirit of Christ? - NO !

• Rom 8:14 Rom 8:14 KJV KJV

“because those who are led by the “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”Spirit of God are sons of God.”

• 1 John 3:1 1 John 3:1 KJVKJV

“Behold, what manner of love the “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”because it knew him not.”

Are we also carnal?Are we also carnal?

• Do we have a carnal spirit in our Do we have a carnal spirit in our ecclesiasticism?ecclesiasticism?

• Do we follow the teachings and Do we follow the teachings and philosophies of a man or of men?philosophies of a man or of men?

• What are the teachings of the scriptures What are the teachings of the scriptures [the word of God] about what unites us?[the word of God] about what unites us?

• What are the teachings of the scriptures What are the teachings of the scriptures [the word of God] about what divides [the word of God] about what divides us?us?

What unites? (scripturally)What unites? (scripturally)

• The New Testament gives a clarion call:The New Testament gives a clarion call:– ““love one another” [1 Jn 5:1]love one another” [1 Jn 5:1]– ““accept one another” [Rom 15:7]accept one another” [Rom 15:7]– ““carry one another’s burdens” [Gal 6:2]carry one another’s burdens” [Gal 6:2]– ““put up with one another” [Col 3:13]put up with one another” [Col 3:13]– ““endure one another in love” [Eph 4:2]endure one another in love” [Eph 4:2]

• God’s commandment regarding God’s commandment regarding brotherly association is “brotherly association is “LOVE ONE LOVE ONE ANOTHERANOTHER.”.”

What divides? [scripturally]What divides? [scripturally]

• Brethren who are evil [practice sin]Brethren who are evil [practice sin]

1 Cor 5:11 1 Cor 5:11 KJVKJV

““But now I have written unto you not to keep But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”eat.”


• Brethren who divideBrethren who divide

Rom 16:17 Rom 16:17 KJVKJV

““Now I beseech you, brethren, mark Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid which ye have learned; and avoid them.”them.”


• Brethren who deny that Jesus came in the flesh (i.e., Brethren who deny that Jesus came in the flesh (i.e., the ransom)the ransom)

2 John 7-11 KJV2 John 7-11 KJV““For many deceivers are entered into the world, who For many deceivers are entered into the world, who

confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full rbbeward. 9 Whosoever but that we receive a full rbbeward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”partaker of his evil deeds.”

Put away those who practice Put away those who practice sinsin1 Cor 5:13 1 Cor 5:13 KJVKJV

““But them that are without God But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked among yourselves that wicked person.”person.”

Put away those who Put away those who practice sinpractice sinMatt 18:15-17 Matt 18:15-17 KJVKJV

““Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. may be established. And if he shall neglect And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a unto thee as an heathen man and a publicanpublican.”.”

Brethren who divideBrethren who divide

Rom 16:17 Rom 16:17 KJVKJV

““Now I beseech you, brethren, mark Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid which ye have learned; and avoid them.”them.”

Brethren who divideBrethren who divide

2 Tim 3:1-7 2 Tim 3:1-7 KJVKJV

““This know also, that in the last days perilous times This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers women laden with sins, led away with divers lustslusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the , 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”knowledge of the truth.”

Those who deny Jesus came in Those who deny Jesus came in the fleshthe flesh

• 2 John 7 and 10 2 John 7 and 10 KJVKJV

““For many deceivers are entered into For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”deceiver and an antichrist.”

““If there come any unto you, and bring If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God your house, neither bid him God speed:”speed:”

Those who deny Jesus came in Those who deny Jesus came in the fleshthe flesh

Besides the overwhelming doctrinal Besides the overwhelming doctrinal implications this affects our own implications this affects our own focusfocus

1 Cor 2:2 1 Cor 2:2 KJVKJV

““For I determined not to know any For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”and him crucified.”

Worship other than of God and Worship other than of God and Jesus is “idol worship.”Jesus is “idol worship.”

• Pharisees idolized the scriptures, but did Pharisees idolized the scriptures, but did not believe them because they did not not believe them because they did not accept Jesus of whom they testifiedaccept Jesus of whom they testified

• Pharisees idolized their own ritualsPharisees idolized their own rituals

• Pharisees idolized men (Moses)Pharisees idolized men (Moses)

• Their idolatry blinded them to seeing Their idolatry blinded them to seeing the “word of God made flesh” – Jesus.the “word of God made flesh” – Jesus.

Whom or What do we worship?Whom or What do we worship?

• Idols?Idols?– MenMen– WordsWords– Books (including the Bible [bibliolatry])Books (including the Bible [bibliolatry])– PhilosophiesPhilosophies

• GodGod– Belief in Jesus [the way, the truth, the Belief in Jesus [the way, the truth, the

life]life]– The “word of God” – he and no otherThe “word of God” – he and no other

What does following Jesus What does following Jesus (obeying God) (obeying God) NOTNOT look like? look like?

• Put up with sinPut up with sin

• Idolizing the “knowledge”Idolizing the “knowledge”

• Love the brethren – in word and NOT Love the brethren – in word and NOT deeddeed

• Proudly, dogmatically preaching our Proudly, dogmatically preaching our viewsviews

• Spirit of unity that ignores unity of the Spirit of unity that ignores unity of the spiritspirit

What does following Jesus look What does following Jesus look like?like?

• Put a way sinPut a way sin

• Practice his word – don’t idolize itPractice his word – don’t idolize it

• Love the brethren – in word and deedLove the brethren – in word and deed

• Put on the mind of ChristPut on the mind of Christ

• Endeavor to keep the unity of the Endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peacespirit in the bond of peace

In Conclusion:In Conclusion:

Ps 19:14 Ps 19:14 KJVKJV

““Let the words of my mouth, and the Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”redeemer.”

The EndThe End

Documents

Ecclesiasticism. What is it? “Of or pertaining to the church; relating to the organization or government of the church; not secular; as, ecclesiastical