Counterfeit Christianity

Chapter Two - What Led Us Into Apostasy?

        The apostle Paul clearly warns that at the end of this age, there will be a falling away from the faith, an apostasy so deep and cunning that most Christians will be deceived into worshipping a different God.

                "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 Thess. 2:3). The Amplified Bible puts it this way: "Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come - and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition). (Dan. 7:25; 8:25; 1 Tim. 4:1)" The word "apostasy" means to turn away from one's original beliefs.

           The body of Christ has fallen away from its original beliefs. Its structure, doctrines and practices have little resemblance to the church that our Lord Jesus gave us when He returned to heaven. Apostasy may mean little to modern Christians who enjoy the good feelings of false security, prosperity and shallow love offered. They are ignorant.

Ignorance is bliss, but it will lead to destruction.

HOW THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED

         The destruction of the church began a long time ago. Over the centuries, beginning around 325 AD, the structure of the church and the purity of its doctrines have been systematically altered until they no longer reflect the New Covenant church Jesus gave us. We have turned back to the Old Covenant in many ways.

            For example, the Lord Jesus was against large temples and an elite priesthood. When He returned to heaven, He made our physical bodies the temple of God and did away with the elite priesthood. (1 Cor. 3:16, 17). “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”  (2 Cor. 6:16). Christians met in houses and wherever they could through good times and bad. It was not until Emperor Constantine of Rome legalized Christianity around 312 A.D. and the Roman Catholic Church arose, that church buildings were constructed and used as places of worship.

        There was no elite priesthood throughout that period and any saint, educated or not, could be an elder or leader of the church, if he qualified under 1 Timothy 3:1-13. Jesus Christ is our high priest and His Spirit came to dwell in our temples (bodies) to minister and lead us into all truth.

            All Christians were made kings and priests unto Him. Rev. 1:6; 5:10. The elite priesthood was done away with, along with festivals, holy days, Sabbaths and new moons. Col. 2:16; Gal. 4:10. The early church never observed Easter or Christmas, or any other holiday or festival. There is no need for the law, rituals or festivals and no need for an elite priesthood under grace.

               Over time, the original doctrines of Christianity, as taught by the Lord Jesus and His first apostles, have been added to, abrogated, bent and distorted. Many doctrines and practices from strange religions have been added and many churches now take on the appearance of large pagan temples.

The elite priesthood has been reinstated and the people taught its version of truth instead of receiving truth from the Holy Spirit. Today, Christians flock to meetings, conventions and seminars to learn what man has to say about truth and God. We have kicked God out of His church and no longer seek the Spirit of God and His power. Most Christians have no idea how to be led by the Spirit of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”  (Rom. 8:14). Few cast out devils, speak in tongues and heal the sick. We have rejected Mark 16:17-18 (“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”).