Tag: devotional

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(The Great Falling Away, Part 5)

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:13–14, NASB1995

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From Spiritual Power to Religious Control

By the 4th and 5th centuries, the Church had merged with political power, and that shift required new theological justification. Enter Augustine of Hippo—a brilliant thinker whose teachings would redefine free will, grace, and the Church itself for the next thousand years.

Though sincere, Augustine’s influence laid much of the doctrinal foundation for the Medieval Church—and with it, centuries of spiritual captivity.

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Augustine’s Doctrinal Shifts

1. Free Will Reinterpreted

• Taught that the will of man was enslaved by sin—rendering true choice impossible without God first regenerating the soul.
• Introduced the idea that faith itself is a gift given only to the elect.

2. Grace Became Selective

• God’s grace was seen as irresistible and given only to those unconditionally chosen.
• The call of salvation became exclusive—not an open invitation.

3. Salvation Became Institutional

• Emphasized the visible Church as the only means of grace.
• Sacraments were tied to salvation; baptism regenerated the soul—especially infants.

4. Persecution Justified

• Believed the state could use force to correct heresy, citing the parable of the banquet (Luke 14:23) to “compel them to come in.”
• This thinking laid the groundwork for inquisitions, forced conversions, and doctrinal suppression.

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Councils, Creeds, and Control

Following Augustine’s influence:

• Councils replaced congregational discernment.
• Creeds dictated what could be believed.
• The Roman Church declared itself the one true church—unchallenged and uncorrectable.

The Holy Spirit’s leadership was gradually replaced with hierarchy, formality, and fear.

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The Church Became a Gatekeeper, Not a Servant

Rather than pointing people to Jesus, the Church began standing between God and man, declaring:

• Who could receive grace
• Who could speak truth
• Who could be saved

“You shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces…” — Matthew 23:13

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Application for Today

Ask yourself:

• Have I allowed tradition or theology to override the Word and the Spirit?
• Am I part of a system that controls faith—or fosters it?
• Do I believe God’s grace is available to all—or only a few?

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Scriptural Truth Remains:

“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men…”
— Titus 2:11, NASB1995

(The Great Falling Away, Part 4)

“They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”
— Titus 1:16, NASB1995

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The Turning Point in Church History

In the first three centuries, the Church grew under persecution—purified, not protected. But in the early 300s, a dramatic shift occurred:

Christianity became legalized, then preferred, and eventually politically empowered—all under the Roman Emperor Constantine.

What looked like a victory for the Gospel… was actually the great acceleration of apostasy.

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The Context of Constantine’s Rise

• Rome was fractured, and civil war loomed.
• Constantine claimed to see a vision: “In this sign, conquer”—a cross with military implications.
• He issued the Edict of Milan in AD 313, granting Christians freedom to worship.
• By AD 325, he presided over the Council of Nicaea to unify Christianity… under imperial control.

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What Changed After Constantine

1. Church and State Became Allies

• Bishops gained political power, prestige, and property.
• Christianity became entangled with empire, no longer separate from the world.

2. Wealth and Buildings Replaced Simplicity

• Lavish basilicas replaced house churches.
• Imperial favor flowed in—but so did compromise.

3. Faith Became a Civic Identity

• People converted for safety, status, and social advantage.
• Persecution of pagans and “heretics” began—not by Rome, but by the Church.

4. Creeds and Councils Replaced the Holy Spirit

• The Nicene Creed established doctrinal boundaries—but was enforced by imperial decree.
• Spirit-led discernment gave way to imperial-backed orthodoxy.

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This Was Not Reformation… It Was Deformation

What began in Acts was Christ-centered, Spirit-led, and world-rejected.
What emerged under Constantine was emperor-approved, politically-entwined, and carnally compromised.

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness…?”
— 2 Corinthians 6:14

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Apostasy Took on a Robe and Crown

• The Gospel of the Kingdom was replaced by Christendom—a territorial religion.
• Bishops became magistrates, and the Church became a governing institution.
• Constantine was called “Bishop of Bishops”—yet was never baptized until his deathbed.

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Application for Today

We must not confuse institutional success with faithfulness.

Ask yourself:

• Is my church modeled after the Acts church—or after Rome?
• Are we seeking power, comfort, and visibility—or holiness, sacrifice, and truth?
• Would we still follow Jesus if persecution returned?