The Falling Away and the Protestant Reformation Church History Part 1

Introduction God warned that there would be a falling away from the truth –1 Tim 4:1-3 In later times Doctrines of demons: forbidding marriage, abstaining from meat –Acts 20:28-30 Starting among the elders By looking back, we can see where the errors came from and prevent making similar errors today –Let’s start with a quick look at the errors

Organizational Changes NT churches had a basic organization –Each had its own elders (Acts 14:23) –No linkage into larger organizations –They were autonomous In the 2 nd century bishops began to practice one-man rule and in time, bishops of larger churches ruled smaller ones Five “patriarchs” emerged –Jerusalem, Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, and Alexandria ca. AD 600 Boniface III claimed the title of Universal Bishop Centralization was complete

The Priesthood Was Separated All Christians are priests. 1 Pet. 2:5, 9 Access to God requires only the mediation of Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 4:14-16 In the 2 nd century a separate clergy began to emerge. –Clergy: “ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions….” –Pastor: “shepherd”, a duty of elders (1 Pet 5:1-3) –Sacerdotalism: “belief emphasizing the powers of priests as essential mediators between God and man.” –Priests were viewed as necessary for forgiveness, communion, baptism, etc. Though not qualified as elders (1 Tim 3) they took over the titles and roles of elders

Scriptures Taken from the People Bible to be read and understood (Eph. 3:3-5) But some said only the Church (i.e. the clergy) could interpret the Bible –Part of that “sacerdotal” function In time, people were not allowed to own the Scriptures in their own languages –Scriptures in Latin promoted the need for clergy

Inherited Sin Every person is responsible for himself and his own sins (Ezek. 18:20; 2 Cor. 5:10) Augustine popularized the idea that all men inherit the sin of Adam –This led to infant baptism Scriptures taught the need for belief before baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-39; 18:8) Many changes were being made (Gal 1:6-9) –And many more came into being over the next thousand years: worship of Mary, use of idols, celibacy of clergy, forbidding meats on Friday, canonization of saints, etc.

The Protestant Reformation In 1517 Martin Luther published his 95 Theses on Indulgences –Indulgences were a money-making scheme of the Catholic Church (buy forgiveness before you sin) Though not his original intent, he launched the Reformation –Wanted to “reform” Catholicism, getting rid of excesses, abuse, and unscriptural practice Luther, Calvin and others paved the way for the hundreds of Protestant denominations today

Positives of the Reformation The Bible was given back to the people in their own languages –Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17 The clergy-laity distinction was challenged –(Sadly though it was not abandoned) People began to think for themselves

Negatives of the Reformation Nationalism took precedence over God’s kingdom (John 18:36) Protestant tyranny often replaced Catholic tyranny (2 Cor. 10:3-5) –Different protestant groups went to physical warfare against Catholicism and then each other –Disagreements led to exile or death A new clergy emerged –An effective means of controlling the people Division became acceptable eventually –John 17:20-21; Eph. 4:1-6 –What was believed became unimportant to many

Religion in 1800 Deeply divided Catholicism dominated some countries –Italy, Spain, Spanish colonies Protestant churches held sway in others –Germany, Switzerland, England, the Netherlands, America, and their colonies Protestantism was itself deeply divided –Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Congregationalist, etc. We’ll look at what happened next in our next lesson

Conclusion Men soon changed the teachings of the NT We too are susceptible to that danger We must make certain the Bible is our standard Have you done what the Bible says you need to do to be saved?