The Marks of a False Church
For a number of years now I've been persuaded that without restraint the modern evangelical/charismatic church is in danger of eventual apostasy within its multiple factions. After reading Article 29 of the Belgic Confession, I saw disturbing parallels:
As the confession states, the shift in authority goes to the institution, and the ordinances of the institution. i.e. what's being defended is not the Word of God, but rather the denomination, network, administration, or leader. In fact, the Word of God is downplayed because the Scriptures would condemn the leader, the organization, and the undiscerning followers.
There is clearly a lack of submission "to the yoke of Christ." Our Lord demands love by obedience to His commandments, yet love is being redefined into the toleration of sin.
We suffer most, as the confession states, because the majority of evangelical and charismatic churches do not administer the sacraments Biblically. Such verses as 1 John 1:9 are read as encouraging the "private" relationship with God where the confession of sin is done in the closet rather than at the table of the Lord. Need I remind these lovers of God that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness? That's why you should be weekly drinking the blood of Christ. As it runs down your throat God is "cleansing you from unrighteousness."
Think of the compounding of sin amongst millions of protestants by not partaking of the sacrament of communion? What are the ramifications? "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (1 Cor. 11:30).
The confession continues that the false church bases itself upon men. Well, I don't even need to comment on that. Just take a visit to your local Christian bookstore and you'll witness firsthand the Christian celebrity culture where leaders are excused the grossest morality because they are leaders.
Lastly, the false church "persecutes those who rebuke it for its faults, greed, and idolatry." I've tasted a bit of that one personally. I still receive emails of outrage from Christians who have more compassion for sodomite pastors then they do love for the law of God.
What then is the true church? For this the Belgic fathers are also helpful; and accurate:
Remember, Israel suffered more than the bondage of Egypt. She also suffered the bondage of Babylon -- the city of religious confusion ("babel"). Judgment begins in the house of God and the present crises are clear indicators that a "loving" Father is demolishing some Christian playpens.
As for the false church, it assigns more authority to itself and its ordinances than to the Word of God;The continual moral and political decline in modern evangelicalism is coincidental with a rise in elitism in church leaders. This is often the case historically. The deterioration of morality and government is defended by leaders who are fortified by the Cult of Personality.
It does not want to subject itself to the yoke of Christ;
It does not administer the sacraments as Christ commanded in His Word;
It rather adds to them or subtracts from them as it pleases;
It bases itself on men, more than on Jesus Christ;
It persecutes those who live holy lives according to the Word of God and who rebuke it for its faults, greed, and idolatry.
As the confession states, the shift in authority goes to the institution, and the ordinances of the institution. i.e. what's being defended is not the Word of God, but rather the denomination, network, administration, or leader. In fact, the Word of God is downplayed because the Scriptures would condemn the leader, the organization, and the undiscerning followers.
There is clearly a lack of submission "to the yoke of Christ." Our Lord demands love by obedience to His commandments, yet love is being redefined into the toleration of sin.
We suffer most, as the confession states, because the majority of evangelical and charismatic churches do not administer the sacraments Biblically. Such verses as 1 John 1:9 are read as encouraging the "private" relationship with God where the confession of sin is done in the closet rather than at the table of the Lord. Need I remind these lovers of God that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness? That's why you should be weekly drinking the blood of Christ. As it runs down your throat God is "cleansing you from unrighteousness."
Think of the compounding of sin amongst millions of protestants by not partaking of the sacrament of communion? What are the ramifications? "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (1 Cor. 11:30).
The confession continues that the false church bases itself upon men. Well, I don't even need to comment on that. Just take a visit to your local Christian bookstore and you'll witness firsthand the Christian celebrity culture where leaders are excused the grossest morality because they are leaders.
Lastly, the false church "persecutes those who rebuke it for its faults, greed, and idolatry." I've tasted a bit of that one personally. I still receive emails of outrage from Christians who have more compassion for sodomite pastors then they do love for the law of God.
What then is the true church? For this the Belgic fathers are also helpful; and accurate:
The true church can be recognized if it has the following marks:This is the litmus test for where you attend church. If they fail in any of the above mentioned items you should be considering other options. It is not beyond the scope of God's judgment to implicate an entire group for the coddling of sin and false doctrine. This is why you should vote with your feet.
The church engages in the pure preaching of the gospel;
It makes use of the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them;
It practices church discipline for correcting faults.
In short, it governs itself according to the pure Word of God, rejecting all things contrary to it and holding Jesus Christ as the only Head.
Remember, Israel suffered more than the bondage of Egypt. She also suffered the bondage of Babylon -- the city of religious confusion ("babel"). Judgment begins in the house of God and the present crises are clear indicators that a "loving" Father is demolishing some Christian playpens.
