Apostasy
1
2
. . . I will build my church.
Matthew 16:18
3
Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall
not come, except there come a falling away first, and that
man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
2 Thessalonians 2:3
“Falling away” is derived from the Greek term
“apostasia,” which means “defection, departure,
revolt, to depart from.”
4
Modern definition of “Apostasy”:
1 renunciation of a religious faith,
2 abandonment of a previous loyalty: defection.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
5
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:9
6
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called
you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is
not another; but there be some that trouble you, and
would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7
7
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried,
saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh
in the name of the Lord . . .
Matthew 21:9
8
This is my body
which is given for
you: this do in
remembrance of me
. . . This cup is the
new testament in my
blood, which is shed
for you.
Luke 22:19-20
I tell you the truth,
one of you will betray
me.
Matthew 26:21
9
My soul is
exceeding
sorrowful, even
unto death . . .
And he went a
little farther, and
fell on his face,
and prayed,
saying, O my
Father, if it be
possible, let this
cup pass from
me: nevertheless
not as I will, but
as thou wilt.
Matthew 26:38-39
10
. . . Behold, he is at
hand that doth
betray me. And
while he yet spake,
lo, Judas, one of
the twelve, came,
and with a great
multitude with
swords and staves .
. . . he came to
Jesus, and said,
Hail, master: and
kissed him.
Matthew 26:46-49
11
And they led Jesus away to
the high priest: and with him
were assembled all the chief
priests and the elders and
the scribes . . . And the chief
priests and all the council
sought for witness against
Jesus to put him to death . . .
Art thou the Christ, the
Son of the Blessed? And
Jesus said, I am . . . And
some began to spit on him,
and to cover his face, and to
buffet him, and say unto him,
Prophesy: and the servants
did strike him with the palms
of their hands.
Luke 14:53, 55, 61-62,6512
And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them,
Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more
exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the
people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when
he had scourged him, to be crucified.
Mark 15:13-15
13
And so Pilate . . .
had scourged him
Mark 15:15
14
And the soldiers
led him away into
the hall, called
Praetorium . . .
And they clothed
him with purple,
and plaited a
crown of thorns,
and put it about
his head, and
began to salute
him, Hail, King of
the Jews!
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon
him, and bowing their knees worshiped him. And when they had
mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own
clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Mark 15:16-20
15
And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his
cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which
is called in the Hebrew Golgotha . . .
John 19:16-18
16
And it was the third
hour, and they
crucified him.
Mark 15:25
And when they were
come to the place
which is called
Calvary, there they
crucified him . . . Then
said Jesus, Father,
forgive them; for they
know not what they
do. Luke 23:33-34
17
They gave him vinegar to
drink mingled with gall . . .
And they crucified him,
and parted his garments
. . . Then were there two
thieves crucified with him,
one on the right hand, and
another on the left. And
they that passed by
reviled him, wagging their
heads . . . Likewise also
the chief priests mocking
him, with the scribes and
elders, said, He saved
others; himself he cannot
save . . .
Matthew 27:34-42
18
Father, into thy hands I
commend my Spirit.
Luke 23:46
19
Jesus is the Only Person Who Ever Conquered Death
. . . he is risen, as he said.
Matthew 28:6
20
. . . I will not believe . . .
Then saith he to Thomas,
Reach hither thy finger,
and behold my hands:
and reach hither thy
hand, and thrust it into
my side: and be not
faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered
and said unto him, My
Lord and my God.
John 20:25, 27-28 21
The Great
Commission
Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations,
baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost, teaching
them to observe
whatsoever I have
commanded you, and
lo, I am with you always,
unto the end of the
world.
Matthew 28:18-20
22
Jesus Ascended to
Jesus
Heaven
Ascended to
And he ledHeaven
them out as
farAnd
as to
heBethany,
led themand
out as
hefar
lifted
as to
upBethany,
his hands,
and he
and
lifted
blessed
up histhem.
hands,
And
and
it blessed
came to them.
pass, And
whileit
hecame
blessed
to pass,
them,while
he he
was
blessed
partedthem,
from he
them,
was
and
parted
carried
from
upthem,
into and
heaven.
carriedAnd
up into
theyheaven.
worshiped
And they him,
worshiped
and him,
returned
and returned
to Jerusalem
to
with
Jerusalem
great joy,with
andgreat
werejoy,
continually
and were in
continually
the
in
temple,
the temple,
praising
praising
and and
blessing
blessingGod.
God.
Luke
Luke
24:50-53
24:50-53
23
Day of Pentecost
And suddenly there came a
sound from heaven as of a
rushing mighty wind, and it
filled all the house where they
were sitting. And there
appeared unto them cloven
tongues like as of fire, and it
sat upon each of them. And they
were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues . . . the multitude
came together and were
confounded, because that
every man heard them speak
in his own language.
Acts 2:2-4
24
The Needs of All Were Met
And they continued steadfastly
in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of
bread, and in prayers. And fear
came upon every soul: and
many wonders and signs were
done by the apostles. And all
that believed were together,
and had all things common,
and sold their possessions and
goods, and parted them to all
men, as every man had need.
Acts 2:42-45
25
The Power of God’s Spirit
Was So Strong That They
Were Willing to Sacrifice
Everything
Neither was there any among
them that lacked: for as many
as were possessors of lands
or houses sold them, and
brought the prices of the
things that were sold, and laid
them down at the apostles’
feet: and distribution was
made unto every man
according as he had need.
Acts 4:34-35
26
Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have
a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not
divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and
the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be
ashamed, and the diviners confounded; yea, they shall
all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
Micah 3:6-7
27
Behold, the days
come, saith the Lord
God, that I will send
a famine in the
land, not a famine of
bread, nor a thirst
for water, but of
hearing the words
of the Lord;
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to
the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord,
and shall not find it.
Amos 8:11-12
28
For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their
ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
29
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled by letter,
except ye receive it from us; neither by spirit, nor by word, as
that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means; for there shall come a
falling away first . . .
2 Thessalonians 2:2-3
30
For I know this, that after my
departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing
the flock. Also of your own
selves shall men arise,
speaking perverse things, to
draw away disciples after
them.
Therefore watch, and
remember, that by the space
of three years I ceased not to
warn everyone night and day
with tears.
Acts 20:29-31 31
WHAT BECAME OF THE
CHURCH THAT CHRIST BUILT?
32
John Wesley (1703-1791), co-founder of the
Methodist movement:
It does not appear, that these extraordinary
gifts of the Holy Ghost were common in the
church for more than two or three centuries.
We seldom hear of them after that fatal period, when the
emperor Constantine called himself a Christian . . . From this
time they almost totally ceased: very few instances of the
kind were found. The cause of this was not, (as has been
vulgarly supposed,) “because there was no more
occasion for them,” because all the world was become
Christians.
(continued)
33
Wesley (continued):
This is a miserable mistake: not a twentieth part
of it [the world] was then nominally Christians.
The real cause was, “the love of many,”
almost of all Christians, so called, was
“waxed cold.” The Christians had no more of
the Spirit of Christ, than the other heathens.
The Son of Man, when he came to examine
his church, could hardly “find faith upon the earth.” This was
the real cause, why extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost
were no longer to be found in the Christian church;
because the Christians were turned heathens again, and
had only a dead form left.
John M. Wesley, Sermons on Several Occasions, Vol. 2
(New York: J. Emory and B. Waugh, 1830), 266.
34
Johann von Mosheim (1694-1755), German
Lutheran church historian and chancellor of
Gottingen University:
During this [seventh] century true religion lay
buried under a senseless mass of superstitions, and
was unable to raise her head. The earlier Christians had
worshiped only God and His Son; but those called
Christians in this century worshiped the wood of a cross,
the images of holy men, and bones of dubious origin.
Johann Lorenz Mosheim, Mosheim’s Institutes of
Ecclesiastical History, Ancient and Modern, Fifth Edition
(London: Willam Tegg, 1867), 250.
35
Martin Luther (1483-1546),
launched the Protestant
Reformation and Lutheran
Church:
In 1517, Martin Luther, a Catholic
priest, nailed 95 criticisms of the
church to the door of the Castle
church in Wittenburg, Germany.
At that time, the Catholic church
was the only existing Christian
church in Europe. If you wanted to
get to heaven, it would have to be
through papal authority. Initially,
Luther wanted to reform the
Catholic church, but after the Diet
[Council] of Worms, Germany in
1521, he saw that he would have
to separate from Catholicism. 36
Roger Williams (1603-1683), advocate
for religious freedom and founder of
the first Baptist church in America:
What would it take to leap the whole
way, into perfect and pure congruence
with the ancient pattern? It would
take, Williams reluctantly concluded,
more than mere mortals by
themselves could ever achieve . . .
But how, sixteen hundred years later, could such a church be
formed? The doctrine of apostolic succession might seem to
be the answer; that the authority and commission of Christ had
been transmitted, generation by generation, from his own time to
the present. But that would mean that a wholly false church
. . . could in its impurity faithfully preserve and rightly pass
on a wholly pure power. And that made no sense at all.
37
(continued)
Roger Williams (continued):
After Constantine, a true ministry no
longer existed, and none but God could
now bring it back. Williams did not come
to this position easily, nor did he find it
easy to persuade others that recreating
the true church of Christ was a vain
pursuit – apart from direct divine
intervention.
Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience: Roger Williams in
America (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 91-92.
38
Roger Williams:
He seems rather to have conceived that
the church of Christ had so fallen into
apostasy, as to have lost both its right
form and the due administration of the
ordinances, which could only be
restored by some new apostolic, or
specially commissioned messenger
from above . . . He conceived “that the .
apostasy of anti-Christ hath so far corrupted all, that there can
be no recovery out of that apostasy, till Christ shall send
forth new apostles to plant churches anew.
Edward B. Underhill, Struggles and Triumphs of Religious
Liberty (New York: Edward Colby, 1851), 238-239.
39
Roger Williams:
On his return from England he [Roger
Williams] refrained from fellowship with the
Church [the Baptist church in Providence
that he founded], and lived in an isolated
religious condition, preaching the gospel to
the Indians, as he found opportunity, but
refusing to participate in the ordinances.
He had embraced a singular notion, which
is thus stated by one of his biographers: “He denied
that any ministry now exists, which is authorized to
preach the gospel to the impenitent, or to
administer the ordinances.”
John Mockett Cramp, Baptist History: Foundation of
the Christian Church to the Close of the Eighteenth
Century (London: Elliot Stock, 1868), 461.
40
Almighty God of love,
Set up the attracting sign,
And summon whom thou dost approve,
For messengers divine.
From favored Abraham's seed
The new apostles choose,
In isles and continents to spread
The soul-reviving news.
Charles Wesley
41
Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) was a major
force in the “American Restoration” movement.
He tried to avoid denominational labels.
With his father and Barton Stone, he started
what eventually came to called the Disciples
of Christ or Churches of Christ:
We argue that all Christian sects are more or less
apostatized from the institutions of the Savior: that by all
of the obligations of the Christian religion, they that fear and
love the Lord are bound to return to the ancient order of
things, in spirit and truth.
Alexander Campbell, The Christian Baptist, Volume 5
(Bethany, VA: A. Campbell, 1827), 402.
42
In 1830, Alexander Campbell severed ties with
the Baptist Church and ceased publication of
the Christian Baptist monthly. He began a new
monthly publication called the Millennial
Harbinger, in which he said:
We have to pattern after the first church as well
as we can. But we can never equal it. With all
our efforts, the great disparity will ever remain. And could
The Apostles and primitive Christians be here, they would
doubtless weep at beholding it.
Alexander Campbell, Millennial Harbinger: A Monthly
Publication Devoted to Primitive Christianity, Vol. 5
(Bethany, VA: A. Campbell, 1830-1870),40.
43
44
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you
into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not
another; but there be some that trouble you, and would
pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7
45
Alexander Campbell:
The day of light, so illustrious in its beginning,
became cloudy . . . By the Reformation of the
seventeenth century that dark cloud was
broken in fragments; and though the heavens of
gospel light are still obscured by many clouds –
the sects of various names – the promise is that “at even-time
it shall be light.” The primitive gospel in its effulgence and
power, is yet to shine out in its original splendor to
regenerate the world.
A.S. Hayden, Early History of the Disciples in the Western
Reserve, Ohio (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1875) 37.
46
Alexander Campbell:
Besides, do not the experience of all the
religious – the observation of the intelligent –
the practical result of all creeds, reformations
and improvements – and the expectations,
and longings of society, warrant the conclusion
that either some new revelation, or some new
development of the revelation of God, must
be made, before the hopes and expectations of
all true Christians can be realized, or Christianity save and
reform the nations of this world? We want the old gospel
back, and sustained by the ancient order of things; and this
alone by the blessing of the Divine Spirit, is all that we do want,
or can expect, to reform and save the world.
Alexander Campbell, The Christian System: In
Reference to the Union of Christians and a Restoration
of Primitive Christianity (Pittsburg: Forrester &
Campbell,1839), 244-245.
47
John Wesley:
What could God have done which He hath
not done, to convince you that the day is
coming, that the time is at hand, when He will fulfill His
glorious promises; when He will arise and maintain His own
cause, and to set up His Kingdom over all the earth?
John M. Wesley, Sermons on Several Occasions, Vol. 2
(New York: B. Waugh & T. Mason, 1830), 98.
48
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie
down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the
fatling together; and a little child shall lead them . . . they shall
not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain . . . And it shall
come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand
again the second time to recover the remnant of his
people, which shall be left . . . And he shall set up an ensign
for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and
gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of
the earth.
Isaiah 11:6, 9, 11-12
49
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the
earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall
arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Isaiah 60:1-2
50
Therefore whosoever heareth these
sayings of mine, and doeth them I
will liken him unto a wise man, which
built his house upon a rock. And the
rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house: and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock.
Matthew 7:26-27 51
Behold, I stand at the
door, and knock: if any
man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will
come in to him, and will
sup with him, and he
with me.
Revelation 3:20
52
53
APPENDIX
54
Roger Williams
55
One member baptized [Roger] Williams,
who in turn baptized all the others. About
twenty persons joined in the creation of
this, the first church of Baptist
identification not only in Rhode Island
but in all of North America as well . . . For
Williams, who wrote of the “restless
unsatisfiedness of my soul,” found no
enduring peace, not even in the church
molded by his own hands.
What authority did he have to be baptized or to baptize
others? What line of apostolic continuity could be traced to that
score of Bible believers who agreed to worship together? What
biblical commission or divine command set this church
apart or perhaps even above all others?
Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience: Roger Williams in
America (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 90.
56
In writing to John Winthrop as early as
1636, Williams bemoaned the spiritual
nakedness of New England’s churches but
added the hope that within a few years
the Lord would reveal “the first and
most ancient path” more plainly “to you
and me.” More than a dozen years later, in
a letter to Winthrop’s son, Williams
indicated that he found no churches
organized “after the first pattern” . . .
His growing unease about the nature of all man-made (as
opposed to Christ-created) churches led to his departure from
the Providence church after only a few months of fellowship in
that congregation’s midst.
Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience: Roger Williams in
America (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 91.
57
In four ways, he wrote, the modern
ministry fell short of its New Testament
pattern: in gifts, in calling, in work, and in
wages. With respect to the first, Williams
argued that the greatest gift of all was
missing – namely, an apostolic
commission, a discipleship like that
enjoyed by those whom Jesus appointed.
A simple proof of this lack was that
present leaders could not even agree on such matters as
the proper baptism or the ceremony of laying on of hands
for ordination or even church membership.
Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience: Roger Williams in
America (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 92.
58
But it was the fourth point that attracted
Williams’ chief attention: the matter of
wages, and more particularly of wages
paid by means of a forced tithe
collected by the civil power. The ministry
was a calling, not a trade, Williams argued
. . . He who haggles over his wages,
who bargains for his keep, who “makes
the cure of Souls, and the charge of
men’s eternal welfare, a trade, a
maintenance, and living” was never
sent of God to be a laborer in his vineyard. Like servants
hired by the year, today’s clergy leave one parish for another the
minute they hear offers “of more Ease and better wages.”
Indeed, they even leave one religion for another . . . in order
to keep their comfort and their salary.
Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience: Roger Williams in
America (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 93.
59
We also learn from Williams in 1649 that
the Baptists not only persisted in rejecting
infant baptism but came to require that
adult believers be fully immersed. Not
content with sprinkling, as was the case
with infants, Baptists now wanted all
members “dipped,” symbolically buried
with Christ in baptism and raised with him
into a new life. “I believe,” Williams wrote,
that this baptism “comes nearer the
practice of our great Founder, Christ Jesus, than other religions
do, and yet . . .” For Williams, always that “and yet.” His
qualification pertained, of course, to his conviction that until
Christ came again and created new apostles, all church
ordinances lacked full validity.
Edwin S. Gaustad, Liberty of Conscience: Roger Williams in
America (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 116.
60
61
Examples of Doctrinal Error
62
The Rock of the
Revelation of Jesus
Christ
Thou art the Christ, the Son of
the living God . . . Blessed art
thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh
and blood hath not revealed it
unto thee, but my Father
which is in heaven . . . Thou
art Peter, and upon this rock
I will build my church; and
the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.
Matthew 16:16-18
63
What was the rock that Christ built his
church upon?
The Restored Gospel tells us that the “rock” was “the
revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. Some churches believe that the rock was simply “Christ”
himself. However, Peter was “blessed” because God
revealed Jesus’ identity directly to Peter.
2. Some teach that “Peter” was the rock pointing to a
succession of authority through the centuries. There isn’t
sufficient evidence to establish that Peter was ever a
Bishop in Rome or that he chose Clement as his
successor. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ that
undergirds his church.
64
“What does it mean to say “the gates of hell shall
not prevail against” Christ’s church?
Restoration View: Ultimately, Christ’s church will be
victorious. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess.
However, the spiritual battle will swing back and forth
between good and evil until that final victory.
Catholic View: Catholicism suggests that there has been a
pattern of continuous, uninterrupted papal succession from
Peter assuming leadership of the church in Rome until today.
However, there is no evidence, certainly not in scripture, that
Peter ever led the church in Rome or ever chose Clement as his
successor. In fact, the last mention of Peter is in Acts 15
regarding the Council in Jerusalem, but nothing about activities
in Rome. Even his epistles, 1 Peter and 2 Peter, do not mention
Rome.
65
“What does it mean to say “the gates of hell shall
not prevail against” Christ’s church?
Protestant View: The Reformation maintains that the Catholic
church successfully carried the gospel ball for centuries
and then made a hand-off to Protestantism. But Roger
Williams said that, if the Catholic church was truly in apostasy by
the 1500s, this idea “made no sense at all.”
Secondly, Protestants rail against the system of papacy and
priesthoods found in the Catholic church. Are they really
saying that ministerial priesthoods of the Catholic church were
acceptable for 1500 years, but when the Reformation occurred,
God changed his mind about church governance and instituted
a new “priesthood of all believers”? This also makes no sense.
66
Surely the Lord God will do
nothing, but he revealeth the
secret unto is servants the
prophets.
For behold, the time cometh,
Amos 3:7
and is not far distant, that
with power, the Lord
Omnipotent who reigneth,
who was, and is from all
eternity to all eternity, shall
come down from heaven,
among the children of men,
and shall dwell in a
tabernacle of clay.
Mosiah 1:97
67
Does God still want to reveal his will to man as he
has in times past?
The Restored Gospel affirms “continuing modern
revelation.”
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. Some churches believe that, based on passages such as
Revelation 20:12, the canon of scripture is closed, and
that the Bible is all the revelation believers will ever need.
Nothing about this passage precludes further revelatory
insight (See Deuteronomy 4:2).
2. Some churches teach that the gifts, including the gift of
prophecy, all ceased centuries ago. But if the gifts cease,
then any ministry we can hope to offer is empty and
meaningless.
68
Paul Was Highly Educated, But He
Was Taught the Gospel by
Revelation
But I certify you, brethren, that the
gospel which was preached of me is
not after man. For I neither received it
of man, neither was I taught it, but by
the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12
69
What about ministerial offices in Christ’s church?
Christ’s restored church affirms a lay ministry with many
different offices and functions to serve the many needs of
the body of Christ.
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. Some churches assert that a “priesthood of all believers”
replaced ministerial functions at the cross. However, the
New Testament makes it clear that there were functions
exclusive to the ministers of Christ’s church.
2. Some churches claim a continuous succession of
ministerial authority from the New Testament church
down to the present day. Succession is important, however,
ministerial authority is validated by the fruit that is borne,
the Spirit that accompanies such ministry, and how aligned
those ministers are with the teachings of Jesus.
70
Ministerial Authority
And they were astonished at his
doctrine; for he taught them as
one that had authority, and not
as the scribes.
Mark 1:22
71
Helps and Governments
In the New Testament church, 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that
God provided “helps and governments,” such as ministers
and spiritual gifts, to bless his people:
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that
miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments,
diversities of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28
72
And no man taketh
this honor unto
himself, but he that
is called of God as
was Aaron.
Hebrews 5:4
73
What about ministerial offices in Christ’s church?
Christ’s restored church calls ministers to serve in
keeping with Hebrews 5:4 and ordains ministers in
keeping with passages like Acts 6:6 and Acts 13:2-3.
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. In some churches, an individual merely “feels” a call and
enrolls in seminary training. However, Exodus 28:1 says
that Aaron was called by Moses, one in spiritual
authority.
2. Some churches believe that ordaining is indistinguishable
from calling and that both terms are strictly limited to the
meaning “to appoint,” and nothing more. However, John
15:16 makes clear that calling and ordaining are two
separate functions. The laying on of hands is how power
was conveyed to Timothy, to the disciples, and to the seven
men designated for ministerial service in Acts 6.
74
Apostles and Prophets
Some churches believe that:
• apostles ceased to exist after the first century, and
• prophets were no longer needed to reveal the mind and
will of God to his people in the form of scriptural guidance.
However, Ephesians 4:11-13 makes it clear that apostles,
prophets and other ministers should continue to function in
Christ’s church.
75
Are apostles and prophets still needed?
Christ’s restored church can achieve its greatest spiritual
potential when the offices of apostle and prophet are fully
functioning in his church.
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. Some churches believe that the office of apostle or even
prophet ended in the first century or in an “apostolic
period.” However, Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us that these
two offices will continue until we reach “the measure of the
stature of the fullness of Christ.” So they are still needed.
2. Some churches claim that the roles of apostle and prophet
have continued until our day, just in a different form and
with different titles. We do not see these functions being
fulfilled by other churches in the same manner that the New
Testament church experienced.
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Ephesians 4:11-13
Ministerial Offices
“And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers;”
What is their Purpose?
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;”
How long will they remain in the Christ’s Church?
“Till we:
1. in the unity of the faith,
2. all come to the knowledge of the Son of God,
3. unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of
the fullness of Christ.”
77
Holy Ordinances
Holy ordinances, that follow the pattern given in the New
Testament church, provide a blessing to God’s people and a
means for us to align our lives with the will of God. God’s
ministers are given the responsibility to bring holy
ordinances to the body of Christ, such as:
• Water Baptism
• Baptism of the Holy Spirit
• Communion
• Administration to the Sick
• Marriage
• Blessing Children
• Ordaining Ministers
• Patriarchal Blessing
78
Are apostles and prophets still needed?
Christ’s restored gospel specifies how holy ordinances
should be administered.
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. For baptism, some churches pour or sprinkle. But this
does not represent the death and resurrection of Jesus as
baptism should (Romans 6:4-5).
2. Some churches teach that there is no need for laying on
hands to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. However,
Acts 8:12-17 tells us there were believers who did not
receive this gift until there was a laying on of hands.
3. Regarding communion, some churches teach that the
bread or wafer are literally transformed into the body of
Jesus. However, the power of this ordinance resides in a
changed life, not what happens to the emblems that are
served.
79
Holy Ordinances
I am the bread of life . . . Then said Jesus unto them, Verily,
verily I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of
man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso
eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life . . .
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in
me, and I in him.
John 6:48, 53, 54, 56 80
The Doctrine of Christ
Therefore [not] leaving the principles of the doctrine of
Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the
foundation of:
• repentance from dead works,
• and of faith toward God.
• of the doctrine of baptisms,
• and of laying on of hands,
• and of the resurrection of the dead,
• and of eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:1-2 (IV)
81
What is repentance?
Christ’s restored gospel teaches that true repentance will
bear fruit in the life of the believer.
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. Some churches believe that the concept of repentance is
strictly limited to being a “change of mind” about who
Christ is, and nothing more. However, repentance is more
than simply a change of mind. Acts 3:26 tells us that
repentance involves “turning away” from sin.
2. Some churches teach that we are saved by faith alone
and that repentance is indistinguishable from faith.
However, repentance is a separate concept that is also
necessary for salvation, and according to Luke 3:8
repentance must bear fruit in the life of the believer.
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Repentance
19 Repent ye therefore, and
be converted, that your sins
may be blotted out . . .
26 . . . turning away every one
of you from his iniquities.
Acts 3:19 & 26
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy
of repentance.
Luke 3:8
83
Repentance
Behold, he sendeth
an invitation unto all
men; for the arms of
mercy are extended
toward them, and he
saith, Repent, and I
will receive you.
Alma 3:57 84
What is faith?
Christ’s restored gospel teaches that we are saved by
faith, but a true faith must bear fruit in the life of the
believer.
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. Some churches teach that faith is merely an intellectual
understanding that Jesus is Lord and that he died for my
sins. But Galatians 5:6 talks about “faith which worketh
by love” is what has the power to truly change lives.
2. Some churches teach that we can simply believe and
never have to act on our faith. However, Matthew 14:2533 makes it clear that faith is a principle of action as well.
Peter had to act on his faith and step out of the boat to go
to Jesus.
85
Faith
For in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision availeth
anything, nor
uncircumcision; but faith
which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:6
And in the fourth watch
of the night Jesus went
unto them, walking on
the sea . . . And Peter
answered him and
said, Lord, if it be thou,
bid me come unto thee
on the water. And he
said, Come. And when
Peter was come down
out of the ship, he
walked on the water,
to go to Jesus.
Matthew 14:25, 28-29
86
What are baptisms, and do they save?
Christ’s restored gospel teaches that we are saved when we
bring a faithful and repentant heart to the holy ordinance of
baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Examples of doctrinal error:
1. Some churches teach that baptism is a work that has
nothing to do with salvation. However, a person who has a
true faith, when presented with the opportunity to be
baptized, will do so. In Acts 22:16, Ananias instructed Saul to
be baptized and wash away his sins.
2. Some churches teach that laying on hands has nothing to
do with receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, but in Acts 2:3738, Acts 8:12-17 and Acts 19:1-6 we are told of believers
who did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit until there
was a laying on of hands.
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Baptism
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in
their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest
of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall
we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:37-38
And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be
baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on
the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16
88
INFANT BAPTISM
If the person being baptized is unable to make a conscious
decision to serve Jesus Christ, baptism has no value; it is
an empty and meaningless act.
Rationale to baptize infants: “It removes both the guilt and the
punishment due to Original Sin, delaying baptism until a child
can understand the sacrament may put the child's salvation in
danger, should he die unbaptized.”
. . . I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should
baptize little children . . . Behold, baptism is unto repentance to
the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins. But
little children are alive in Christ . . . For awful is the wickedness
to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and
the other must perish because he hath no baptism . . . And he
that saith that little children need baptism, denieth the
mercies of Christ . . .
89
Moroni 8:10-21
THE NEED TO RESTORE
CHRIST’S CHURCH
There was an urgent need to
restore, and not simply reform,
Christ’s church in light of
doctrinal error that had
developed over the centuries.
Any attempt to restore his
church would include
doctrines, gifts of the Spirit,
holy ordinances and
ministerial offices that adhere
more closely to the pattern
found in the New Testament.
90
91
Doctrinal Error in
Catholicism
92
PAPAL INFALLIBILITY
This is a dogma of the Catholic church that says when the pope
speaks “ex cathedra” (i.e., when he speaks about doctrine or
morals in the discharge of his duties as pastor over all
Christians), the supernatural assistance of the Holy Spirit
will prevent him from making any mistakes. The book
Catholic Dogma says, “The Pope is judged by nobody.” The
supreme teacher is unilaterally responsible to have jurisdiction
over all matters of church life. So the pope is supposed to be
infallible when he speaks ex cathedra.
The idea of papal infallibility had existed for centuries. It
became the majority view of Catholics during the CounterReformation (1545-1648) in reaction to dissension caused by
Reformers. However, it did not become official doctrine until
the First Vatican Council of 1869.
93
“THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL”
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
The phrase “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” is
often used by Catholics to suggest that Christ’s church will
remain intact without interruption throughout history. They point
to, what they believe to be, a continuous succession of the
church down through the centuries until our day.
94
“THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL”
It is true that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” Christ’s
church. But it is misleading to infer that there will never be
an apostasy and therefore no need for a restoration of
Christ’s gospel. Christ leaves people’s free will intact, and the
battle between good and evil continues.
Just like the score in a football game, the lead can potentially
swing back and forth, but we know who will ultimately win the
struggle. The Lord Jesus and his church will be victorious. He
will conquer his enemies. All of creation will submit to his will.
Eventually, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess
that he is Lord. In this sense, the gates of hell shall not prevail
against his church.
95
PAPAL SUCCESSION
This is the idea that there was an unbroken chain of papal
succession from Peter in Rome until today. However, there is
no record in scripture of Peter ever assuming leadership of
the church in Rome. Peter’s activities are described in Acts 15,
and then that is it -- nothing about passing his leadership to
Clement. In fact there were time periods when there was no
Bishop of Rome at all: the years 304 to 308, 638-640, 10851086, 1241-1243, 1269-1271, 1292-1294, 1314-1316 and 14151417. For hundreds of years, five episcopal sees of the Roman
empire, each one with their own bishop, battled over who would
be victorious. That issue was not settled until Rome became
dominant under Gregory the Great (Bishop in Rome from
590 to 604 AD). At that point, to justify Rome’s pre-eminent
position, a myth was constructed about Peter leading the church
in Rome and continuous succession down through the
centuries.
96
SEVEN SACRAMENTS
Baptism: Catholics say, “Infant baptism removes both the guilt
and the punishment due to Original Sin.” However, this is not
true; unbaptized infants will not go to hell.
Confirmation: Around the age of twelve, a bishop or priest can
anoint a member to consecrate and empower them for service to
God. However, Acts 8 indicates that the gift of the Holy Spirit
should be conferred soon after water baptism.
Eucharist: The communion or Mass involves ingesting the Real
Presence of Jesus (i.e., literal body and blood of Christ).
However, this is not true, the bread and wine should be
merely symbolic of Christ’s body and blood.
Penance (Confession): Members allegedly atone for their sins
by performing an act or paying a price.
Sacraments also include Matrimony, Anointing the Sick
and Holy Orders (i.e. ministerial ordination).
97
PRIESTS’ ROLE IN TRANSUBSTANTIATION
The book Catholic Dogma states, “When the priest announces
the tremendous words of consecration at the Mass, he reaches
up into the heavens, he brings Christ down from His throne
and places Him upon our altar to be offered up again as the
victim for the sins of man. It is a power greater than that of saints
and angels, greater than that of seraphim and cherubim."
At the Mass or Eucharist, bread and wine are placed on the
altar, and through a supernatural power greater than the angels,
the priest raises his arms, allegedly to enact a miracle every
time that Mass occurs (i.e., change the water and wine into
the literal body and blood of Christ). This is called
transubstantiation. One conclusion from the Council of Trent in
1546 was that even the bread and wine are therefore worthy
of worship. Also, Mass can supposedly be conducted to
atone for the sins of the dead as well.
98
CELIBACY OF CLERGY
Celibacy had been practiced for centuries, but in 1079, Pope
Gregory VII made it an official doctrine and began to rigorously
enforce celibacy as an obligation of Roman clergy. The
problem with this unscriptural requirement is described in
1 Corinthians 7:9: “It is better to marry than to burn.” In other
words, it is better to marry than to have lust burn in the
heart of the believer. The rationale for the celibacy requirement
is supposedly Matthew 19:12, which talks about voluntarily
being a eunuch for the kingdom’s sake.
The celibacy requirement has contributed to the large number of
sexual scandals that have rained down in torrents upon the
Catholic church in recent decades. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 says, “Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith . . . speaking lies in hypocrisy . . .
forbidding to marry . . .
99
PURGATORY
In 1439, the Council of Florence made the concept of Purgatory
official dogma of the Catholic church. Prayers had been
offered for the dead for centuries, and the concept of
Purgatory helped to promote an active relationship between
those on earth and those who had passed on.
Revelation 21:17 supposedly offers a rationale by saying that no
unclean thing can enter heaven. So Catholics believe that we go
to Purgatory to be purged or cleansed of sin. However, there
actually is no scriptural justification for the concept of
Purgatory.
In the 1500s, Johann Tetzel sold indulgences to shorten
people’s stay in Purgatory. This was a way to raise money to
build St. Peter’s Basilica. This helped to launch the Reformation
and Martin Luther’s stinging criticisms of the Catholic church.
100
MARY: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
This is the idea that, at her birth, Mary was not subject to
original sin.
In 1854, Pope Pius IX made this official dogma by issuing Bull
Ineffabilis Deus which said:
“Mary was preserved by Immaculate Conception when
conceived in her mother's body and was miraculously free
from pollution of sin inherited from Adam. She was in soul
and body holy, sinless, stainless, undefiled, pure innocence . .
. the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in the first instance of her
conception by a singular grace and privilege granted by
Almighty God in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior
of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of
Original Sin. This is a doctrine revealed by God and
therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the
faithful.”
101
MARY: PERPETUAL VIRGINITY
This is the idea that, through a miracle, Jesus was born
without passing through the birth canal, thus not injuring
the body of Mary. It also includes the idea that Mary
remained a virgin throughout her life – perpetual virginity.
In 649 AD, Pope Martin made this an official belief. He stated,
"Mary gave birth in miraculous fashion without any opening of
her womb and injury to her body and without pain.“
However, Matthew 1:18 says,”. . . when as his mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together . . . (This
passage tells us that Mary and Joseph eventually “came
together.”) Matthew 13:55 tells us that Jesus had brothers
named “James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas.”
102
THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY
This is the idea that, at the end of her life on earth, Mary
ascended into heaven with her body intact just like Jesus
did. It is also believed that when that happened, everyone
who was in Purgatory was released from there.
Even though this belief existed as early as the fifth century, it
was not official doctrine until November 1, 1950 when Pope
Pius XII stated,“The bodily assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary into heaven is a dogma of the divine and Catholic faith.”
The idea of the assumption of Mary showed up in the 400s AD
but was labeled as heresy at that time. Prayers to Mary were
officially instituted around 600 AD. Rosary beads to aid in
prayers to God and Mary were implemented in 1090 AD. But it
was not until 1950 that the assumption of Mary became official
belief.
103
MARY AS “MOTHER OF GOD” AND
“QUEEN OF HEAVEN”
In the fifth century, the Bishop of Alexandria referred to Mary as
the “Mother of God.”
In 431 AD, Mary’s title as “Queen of Heaven” became official
dogma when Pious XII said, “The Blessed Virgin Mary is to be
called queen not only on account of her divine motherhood,
but also because by the will of God she had a great part in the
work of our salvation . . . she took a unique part in our
salvation by desiring it, praying for it and so obtaining it.”
Some of our Catholic friends say this is “veneration” rather than
“worship.” This seems to us like a distinction without a
difference.
104
MARY AS “MOTHER OF GOD” AND
“QUEEN OF HEAVEN”
In 1745, St. Alphonsus Delaguarie, a cardinal who became a
saint, wrote The Glories of Mary, which continues to be reprinted
by the Catholic church today, and which identifies tributes to
Mary used in the Catholic church. Here is one example:
"O immaculate and holy, pure Virgin Mary, mother of God,
queen of the world, thou art the joy of the saints, thou art the
peacemaker between sinners and God, thou art the advocate of
the abandoned, the secure haven of those who are on the
sea of this world, thou art the consolation of this world, the
ransom of slaves, the comforter of the afflicted, the salvation of
the universe."
105
MARY AS “MOTHER OF GOD” AND
“QUEEN OF HEAVEN”
It is disturbing to think about Mary’s immaculate conception,
sinlessness, perpetual virginity, ascension into heaven, socalled appearances (which is part of the church’s official belief),
and that she suposedly mediates all divine graces to members
because she is co-redeemer with the Lord Jesus Christ. Mary
plays a much more prominent role in congregational names
and statues than either the Father or Son. In the rosary, there
are 50 prayers to Mary (10 prayers said five times) and only
five “Our Fathers.”
"Mary has changed the Trinity into a holy quartet. Mary is
viewed as the spouse of the Holy Spirit, the mother of the Son
and the daughter of the Father. And even an outsider looking
in can see that she is treated as a fourth member of the
Godhead.“
Newsweek Magazine, August 1997106
MARY AS CO-MEDIATOR
Catholic theologian Ludwig Ott catalogued much of official
doctrine. He said, ”Mary's sublime dignity as Queen of Heaven
makes her supremely powerful in her maternal intercession for
her children on earth. She intercedes to God and Christ to get
the grace for whatever we need and it never comes except
by her intercession."
Delaguarie said, “We may be afraid to go to God because it is
His infinite majesty we have offended, Mary has nothing in her
to terrify us.”
The idea here is that, as our advocate, Mary is tender,
merciful, and compassionate, whereas the Son and Father
are thought to be less approachable. So Mary, as the sinless
Mother of God, has great influence on Jesus to convince
him to have mercy on us. We have to go through her.
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MARY AS CO-REDEEMER
This is not official dogma, but it is such a widely-held belief that,
in the 1990s, 4.4 million Catholics from many nations signed a
petition to John Paul II imploring him to make it an official belief
of the Catholic church that, “Mary is co-redemptrix with Jesus
Christ.” The widely familiar St. Peter Catechism says, “God
willed that our redemption and all its consequences should
depend on the free consent of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
St. Bernard said, "All men past, present and to come, should
look upon Mary as the means and negotiator of salvation.“
St. Ambrose: "Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise since
thou hast its keys." Richard of St. Lawrence said, "Mary is the
mistress of heaven, for there she commands as she wills and
admits into heaven whom she wills." Catholic Theology: “O
Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces and since the
grace of salvation can only come through thy hands,
our salvation depends on thee.”
108
THE TREASURY OF MERIT
This begins with the concept of Purgatory and includes the idea
that most people will not immediately go to heaven. So to
“purge” their sins, they must first go to Purgatory, perhaps
for hundreds or thousands of years. Time in Purgatory can be
shortened by experiencing the pain that we rightly deserve, by
prayers for the dead that are offered here on earth, or perhaps
by having someone else’s excess merit applied to us.
Dead saints have excess righteousness or more merit than
necessary. The excess merit of saints is deposited in the
treasury of merit, and that is supposedly available to us. In fact,
you can even obtain merit before you die: you can purchase an
indulgence whereby excess merit will be credited to your
account, and your stay in Purgatory will be shortened. You can
also pay a priest to hold Mass for a departed loved one, who
will receive merit to shorten their stay in Purgatory.
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Things the Catholic Church Has Done Very Well:








Preserved the scriptures for all Christians.
Perpetuated a belief that the Bible is inspired by God.
Maintained certain essential doctrines of the Christian faith.
Preserved morality and excellence through schools.
Catholic charities provide outstanding support for the poor.
Strong family orientation.
Service to communities and the country.
Fearless advocate regarding social issues such as abortion.
110
THE NEED TO RESTORE
CHRIST’S CHURCH
There was an urgent need to
restore, and not simply
reform, Christ’s church in light
of doctrinal error that had
developed over the centuries.
Any attempt to restore his
church would include
doctrines, gifts of the Spirit,
holy ordinances and ministerial
offices that adhere more
closely to the pattern found in
the New Testament.
111
112