“ISM’s” vs. Biblical Authority

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“ISM’s” vs. Biblical Authority

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“ISM’s,” OR THE WORD OF GOD?Definition: “ism” is a suffix, or that which is fixed to the end of a word. It indicates a system of belief, a doctrine, a theory, a cult, a class of principles.Here is an incomplete list of some of the more often mentioned ones, and a brief definition of them:

ATHEISM = The belief that there is no God; godless-ness, or no-God-ism (from “a”= no, and “theos” = God)

SKEPTICISM = The doctrine that all knowledge is un-certain; doubt and uncertainty as to the truthfulness of Christianity; unbelief.

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ISM’s Continued 2

MODERNISM = it is a disbelief in the deity of Jesus, denies the inspiration of the Bible, resurrection, miracles, creation by God, Judgment Day, Heaven and Hell.

RATIONALISM = The theory that human reason is the superior source of knowledge; rejection of divine revelation and all that cannot be explained to the satisfaction of (some) human thinking.

CALVINISM = The doctrines originating with John Calvin, including total depravity, unconditional predestination, limited atonement, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints.

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ISM’s Continued 3UNIVERSALISM = The teaching that all men will be saved; universal salvation. All heaven, no hell.

DENOMINATIONALISM = The doctrine that Christ’s church consists of many, or all of the sects and parties professing Christianity; sectarianism. “Church universal,” or “mystic body of Christ.” (“Christ saves, not the church.” The church is the saved!)

ROMAN CATHOLICISM = The beliefs and practices of those who hold to the infallibility of the Pope of Rome and look to him as their spiritual “father.”

SPIRITUALISM = The theory that the living can communicate with the dead; a kind of witchcraft.

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ISM’s Continued 4

PHARISAISM = The practice of binding human traditions and leaving undone the commandments of God; having the self-righteous spirit of the Pharisees in general.

MORMONISM = The religious system based on the Book of Mormon and the supposed revelations by an angel named Moroni to Joseph Smith.

ECCLESIASTICISM = (Gr., ekklesia = church) An authoritative governing body or hierarchy in the church; a central governing body in religious affairs; also, making a distinction between clergy and laity.

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ISM’s Continued 5

SOCIALISM = The movement among churches that stresses the “whole man” concept rather than the need of salvation from sin; the preaching of the “social gospel,” emphasizing man’s betterment here and now, rather than in the hereafter. (Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.)

LIBERALISM = An attitude of loose and broad application of the Scriptures; no Bible pattern; “free” to practice without a “thus saith the Lord.”

PREMILLENIALISM = The theory of the rapture then Christ will return to earth, reign in person in Jerusalem over an earthly kingdom for one thousand years, before the Judgment Day.

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ISM’s Continued 6

JUDAISM = (Gal. 1:14, “the Jews’ religion”), conformity to Jewish rites, ceremonies, beliefs.

PROTESTANTISM = This term came to be used as the collective name for those individuals and churches who advocated a seperation from Rome.

NOT “ISM’s” BUT GOD’S INSPIRED WORD!“ISM’s” are human wisdom, God’s Word is divine wisdom.

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What is Institutionalism?The practice of the local church financially supporting human institutions to do the work of the local church. In addition to that, brethren form organizations to teach the gospel, train and locate preachers, provide education, and many other things. The institutions are doing the work of the local church for which they have no authority

Ephesians 3:10-13“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. “

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Humanism vs. God’s Divine WisdomJas. 3:15-17, “Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

Listen to Jesus! Mat. 15:8-14 “These people honor me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men...”

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Humanism vs. God’s Wisdom 2Matt 15:12-14Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" He replied, "Every plant (organization) that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

“ISM’s” are beyond the doctrine of Christ!2 John 9-11“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.”

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Humanism vs. God’s Wisdom 3“ISM’s” are promoted by false teachers.

2 Pet. 2:1 “…there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies,…”

“ISM’s,” when tested by the Word of God, are always proven to be false. Rev. 2:2 “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.”

The test: Do they speak according to the doctrine of the apostles? Of course not; they cannot appeal to apostolic doctrine so they don’t! “Is it from heaven or of men?”

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1 John 4:1-6“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God…

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching (or doctrine) …”

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The “ISM’s” of men are something different from the gospel delivered by the apostle Paul.

Gal. 1:6-10 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.”

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Humanism vs. God’s Wisdom 4

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“ISM’s” are philosophies and traditions of men. Let us beware! Col. 2:8-22 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ…”

“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.”

“ISM’s” can arise among the brethren!Acts. 20:30 “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.”


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Some “ISM’s” result from apostasy.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.”


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1 Thess 4:13-14 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

1 Thess 5:1-3 “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”


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What do we do?Hold the pattern of sound words.

2 Tim. 1:13 “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

Hold to apostolic doctrine.1 Thess. 2:13-14 “And we also thank God

continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,…”

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1 Cor. 11:2 “I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.”

2 Tim. 4:2-7 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

What do we do? 2

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Never deny the faith of which Jesus is the Author!Heb 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”There is only one faith. We must “contend earnestly for that faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3

When human wisdom conflicts with divine, God is true and every man is a liar! Rom. 3:4 “Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

What do we do? 3

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Institutionalism

How To Establish Authority:– Direct Command – “Take Eat” – 1 Cor. Direct Command – “Take Eat” – 1 Cor.

11:24-2611:24-26– Approved Apostolic Example – “on the Approved Apostolic Example – “on the

first day of the week” – Acts. 20:7first day of the week” – Acts. 20:7– Necessary Inference – “on the first Necessary Inference – “on the first

day of the week to break bread.” – day of the week to break bread.” – Acts 20:7Acts 20:7

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ExamplesCommand Generic Specific

Noah Wood Gopher

Naaman Water River Jordan

Church Music Sing

PreachEdify

RelieveOrganization

Local Church(Acts 11:22; 1 Thess. 1:8; 5:11; Eph. 4:11-12, 16; 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 6)

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Institutionalism Quote “For the church to turn aside from its divine work

to furnish amusement and recreation is to pervert its true mission. It is to degrade its mission. Amusement and recreation should stem from the home or individuals rather than the church. The church, like Nehemiah, has a great work to do: and it should not come down to the plains of Ono to amuse and entertain.”

(B.C. Goodpasture, Gospel Advocate, May 20, 1948)

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Institutionalism IssuesWhat Is The Issue?? – In Evangelism:

– May churches of Christ build and maintain May churches of Christ build and maintain Missionary Societies or sponsoring churches to Missionary Societies or sponsoring churches to do the work God gave the local church to do?do the work God gave the local church to do?

Church

Select AreaSelect PreachersProvide PlaceSupportFacilities

Church $Missionary Society President, Board,

Treasury

Select AreaSelect PreachersProvide PlaceSupportFacilities

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Institutionalism Issues 2What Is The Issue?? – In Edification:

– May churches of Christ build and maintain May churches of Christ build and maintain church colleges, to do the work God gave the church colleges, to do the work God gave the local church to do?local church to do?

Church

Select SermonsSelect TeachersProvide PlaceSupportFacilities

Church $College

President, Board, Treasury

Select SermonsSelect TeachersProvide PlaceSupportFacilities

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Institutionalism Issues 3What Is The Issue?? – In Benevolence:

– May churches of Christ build and maintain May churches of Christ build and maintain Benevolent Societies (Orphan Home, Widow Benevolent Societies (Orphan Home, Widow Home, Hospital, etc) to do the work God gave Home, Hospital, etc) to do the work God gave the local church to do?the local church to do?

Church

Sees need - Acts 6Appoints MenProvide PlaceSupport

Church $Benevolent Society President, Board,

Treasury

Sees need – Acts 6Appoints MenProvide PlaceSupport

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Otto’s Experience

Brother Otto was supported for many years as an evangelist under the auspices of the Batzell-Barrett-Baxter Bible Institute of Houston, Tx.

As he labored throughout Mexico and Central America he became aware that many of the practices and doctrines he had been taught were contrary to the scriptures.

As Otto began to preach the truth, the Bible Institute threatened and eventually cut off all of his support. Otto was forced to work and support himself as he continued part-time evangelistic work.

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Otto’s Example

Document approved by the Government of Honduras: “A church in Houston, Texas appoints social work among the Honduras population. The churches of Christ establish a local representative who has control of the local churches and therefore no local church or preacher has the right to make decisions without the consent of its local representative. Also the representative does not have the right to make decisions about the church or its members (in Honduras) without the authorization of the church in Houston.”

What happened to church autonomy?

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Example Philippine Islands

Personal encounters:

Philippine Island Bible Society (PIBS) PIBS Representative Bart Dayo

– PanayPanay– Chris and PremieChris and Premie– Loss of PropertyLoss of Property– Payoff to PIBS Payoff to PIBS – Water BuffaloWater Buffalo

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Conclusion “ISM’s” are contrary to the Word of God.

Human Wisdom brings division and false teachings.

What is it that we do? Follow the bible pattern.

Examples from personal experience.

The church is all sufficient to do the work God has assigned it to do.

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“ISM’s” vs. Biblical Authority