Post Apostolic Departures From the Original Church Worship and Activities

by Joel Hendon⁽¹⁷⁰⁾ Red Star

http://hebronics.org/index.html

As we have brought out in several previous articles, the apostle Paul warned of the apostasy which would come to the Lord’s church. The second chapter of Thessalonians contains a positive warning of the coming apostasy. Jude, in his single chapter writing, also warns of the falling away.

Paul, in chapter 20 of Acts, speaking to the bishops of the church in Jerusalem, has this to say also:

Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:28-30)

And Jude, in his writing assures that the apostasy has already begun at the time of his writing. It has been shown also that the apostasy did start among those who held positions of leadership. There were some of them which were exalted over the others and then over several congregations and on until one was established as head of the church. This was the beginning of the apostasy and was sufficient to place it into being an apostate organization, however there were many other unauthorized actions started. We cannot undertake to describe them all in a single article but a few examples will be shown.

Sunday, the first day of the week, was observed as the day the early Christians came together to worship (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2; Rev. 1:10). This continued to be observed after the death of the apostles. Later, Wednesday and Fridays were set apart as days of fasting, with no scriptural authority for such. The Easter season became very popular among those of the church, even though the celebration was a pagan practice and the time was connected to the Jewish Passover. So, it has no scriptural authority or inference whatsoever for Christians.

The Lord’s Supper, instituted by Jesus himself, was observed by the early Christians on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), when each partook of the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. Fundamental changes began to occur concerning the observance of this. It became known as the “Eucharist” which was taken from the Greek verb eucharistic which means to “give thanks”. And it began to be considered a divine act. Here is a quote showing the added changes made toward the partaking of it:

(1) Real presence of Christ., Christians began to take more and more literally Christ's words with respect to the bread and wine, "This is My body," and "This is My blood" (Matt. 26:26-29). It gave dramatic meaning to the Lord's Supper to believe that Christ was really present in the elements, though it would be many years later before this idea would reach full bloom and it be concluded how He was present. (2) Sacrament. This is defined by a Catholic source as "a sacred sign instituted by Christ to give grace" (Life in Christ, p.161). Thus, the idea began to arise that partaking of the Lord's Supper, per se, could confer special benefits, such as forgiveness of sins, upon the partakers. Consequently, the threat of exclusion from the Lord's Supper became a powerful weapon of manipulation in the hands of the clergy. (3) Sacrifice. Again, though it took many more years to become fully developed, the idea that the observance of the Lord's Supper was a renewal of the sacrifice of Christ began to gain popularity. This thinking made a great contribution to the prestige and power of the clergy. Something fraught with such awesome importance required the special handling of skilful hands and knowledgeable minds; that is, those of "priests." (Part II - The Ante-Nicene Age: Lesson No. 11 Changes in Doctrine: Church History-Eubanks)

Veneration of Saints: The term “saint” simply means one set apart from the world and devoted to the work of the Lord. All faithful baptized believers were referred to as saints in the New Testament (I Corinthians 1:2). Just as the word “church” means the “called out” and had no reference in the New Testament as being some organization or building. It simply meant that Jesus had called those who obey him to be set apart from the world and become a member of his kingdom, the church.

However, the term eventually came to be used exclusively in reference to a few pious elite who had attained a special degree of holiness by virtue of their works. Early persecutions also produced a number of martyrs. Saints and martyrs at first were honored and commemorated, but they eventually began to be prayed to and venerated. Even their relics were highly prized. This was the roots of saint-worship. (Ibid)

These variations from the original scriptural activities and meanings brought on many other false doctrines, such as clergy being able to forgive one’s sins, the indulgences where one could pay for being allowed to break the rules. Paying for clergy’s prayer for those in “purgatory” and on and on.

This resulted in discontent with many who wished to live and worship as under the apostolic doctrines, caused accusations of “heretics” and strong persecutions, even death for those who would not disavow their “heresies“.

Article submitted Saturday, April 16, 2011 & read 19 times.

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