Keeping The Church Pure And Undefiled

...not a novice, lest being lifted up

with pride he fall into the 

condemnation of the devil.

moreover he must have a good

report of hem which are without; 

lest he fall into reproach and 

the snare of the devil.

1Timothy 3:6-7

     This business of selecting an overseer is not to be taken lightly. An examination, or as is said often today, vetted, he must be vetted to ensure that he is a man of God and not a heretic wrapped in a veil of Christianity. Heretics quote Scripture, they will point back to someone, often an obscure writer who writes vaguely of their own doctrine and then use this to prove their false doctrine. Those who are not familiar with the truth of Scripture will often agree with such heresy as promulgated thinking that this person(s) have found a better, or more "right" way. Heretics use this veil of obscurity, attaching to it the word "Christianity" deluded many people to follow after their teaching. These heretics have no fear of setting before others the poisoned cup of heresy, and due to their godlessness fan the embers and do all to remove or eliminate the memory of those saints who taught the truth of the Gospel, and in doing so attempt to defame Authentic Christians. For an example of heresy being set forth as truth are the Jehovah Witness (for one such group) who from the foundation of this organization use the King James Bible for their teachings, but as time went on their doctrine became more Arian, they needed to have a different Gospel that would align with their doctrines: they found this in the Critical Text, which in fact there is not single Critical Text, that text as set forth by Wescott and Hort, and is used for their New World Translation because the words of that text, even without their many add-ons, and removal of words, it aligns with their doctrine so, in 1950 they wrote their Bible using this text. It was revised in 1961 and is the revision used by them today. This text used by them with their changes in the translation seems to be Christian, is it not the same text used by the NIV, ESV, ASV, NASVB? Yes! Although those texts do not have the changes of the Jehovah Witnesses, that text does not hold Jesus up in a high position. 

     Just because a person says he or she, or some organization is "Christian" does not make them an Authentic Christian. An overseer must meet the doctrine of Scripture set forth by the inspired writers of the Bible. When we do not take action against such disrespectful and heretical teachings then we are acting as did Ham, the son of Noah. Ham failed to cover the nakedness of Noah and even spread what he did to others. Ham had a filial responsibility and did not use it properly and he then deserved punishment. Sin if not irradicated spreads its harmful and heretical teaching to others, especially to those who will come into the future and be taught by them. Ham beget Canaan, who was the father of the Canaanites, who fought vigorously against the Hebrews, were known by the sinful living. Noah's two sons, Shem and Japheth walked into Noah's tent backward and covered Noah. When Noah awoke he cursed Canaan, ad blessed Shem and Japheth (Genesis 9:20-27). 

     We ought, with great fear, to dread the sin of altered and polluted faith, a crime from which we are deterred and by this deterrent, this rush to do what we should not do, we will act as did Ham and forget who we are and who we are to act as Authentic Christians. We will do wrong things and often to our peril, now, and in the coming age. Paul expressly warns us of this problem: "How quickly you are being changed from Him who called you to Christ's grace. to a different glad tidings, which is not another, but there are some who trouble you, and desire to pervert the glad tidings of Christ" (Galatians 1:6-7). Many do this perversion for financial gain, other for the celebrity status it gives them, all in all, it is wrong and the leaders of the Church, even those who not called to be leaders must ensure that the one chosen to oversee, meets the authentic requirements of Scripture. 

    This may be a tough assignment, but it is necessary if one is to remain true to God, keeping His Church pure and not defiled by those dogs who would do so. 

And the LORD looked upon him,  and said,

     "Go in this they might, and thou shalt

save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:

    have not I sent thee?"

                  Judges 6:14

Surely the Lord will be with you

Richard L. Crumb