Subject: When did the catholic church go wrong? |
Bible Note: Hi Joe, These words are not born in academics, but in my spirit. You probably have a better grasp of historical specifics than me(highschool and 27 years in the faith aware of such issues). I once did a study on churh history and spent several months about these things. But it is the reality of how people and churches respond to what GOD has declared in His word which moves me to speak in these terms. Joe --The Reformers, just like those who came before, did not seek to overthrow the Church of Rome, but to bring it back to the basics as seen in Scripture. Hence the name "REFORM." Originally there was never any intent to form new branches of Christendom, but to fix what was wrong in the existing ones. ------------ Yes this was in the hearts of many including Luther, but it found no interest in Rome, as she was pre-eminent in her own mind, and abided no one telling her of needed reforms, to include the Spirit of GOD as being revealed in His word. Believers seek to overthrow or protest nothing except the power of sin in mens life through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Joe: --Please provide some historical examples from the Dark Ages of groups that held true to the biblical faith AND split off from the institution of Roman Catholicism.--------------- There are books of Martyrs giving many testimonies of how Rome(church) responded to those who whould not embrace her, and yet maintained a testimony for Christ. History tells of her brutality in the inquisition. She is known to have manipulated governments to obtain her ends, to include many wars. These are historical facts Joe, but the spiritual reality is that she seeks her own glory, and to bind men to herself. As I said this was evident when she was in a position of power, but today she must lay low, for much of her real power is gone, but she's working on it. Joe --Please also demonstrate how the verse you cited refers to Rome: "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." --Matthew 24:24 Good question Joe, sinse it dosen't. Look at Revelation 17:5 and see the whore having daughters, harlots. These are the many groups and organizations who sinse the reformation have conformed themselves in ever deeper ways to what the scriptures are saying. One good test to avoid the spirit of Babylon is to refuse membership in anything except the already established membership all believers have in the body of Christ by the sure promises of GOD received in the faith of jesus Christ, our life and Lord. Carnal distinctions are forbidden believers by scripture, yet babylon will always insist that belonging to her is the real expression of the Holy Spirit. The Roman church is not this, for she is easily discerned as off, and twisting the word of GOD Yours in Christ, Paul |