FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
HEATHEN PHILOSOPHIES AND PAGAN PRACTICES INTO THE EARLY CHURCH AND IS NOW TOO DEEPLY EMBEDDED TO UPROOT.
Let’s retrace the origins of three vital and pivotal doctrines, practices by Christianity today, fulfilling Paul’s prophecy that Christ’s second coming “shall not come, except that there come a falling away first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thess. 2:3 (read verses 4-12), K.J.V.
“The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of ERROR in the doctrines put forth from Rome. Even BEFORE the establishment of the papacy [in 538 A.D.], the teachings of heathen philosophers had received attention and and exerted and influence in the [early] church. Many who professed CONVERSION still clung to the tenets of their PAGAN philosophy, and not only continue its study themselves, but urged it upon OTHERS as a means of EXTENDING their influence among the heathen. Serious errors were thus introduced into the church.
“Prominent among these was the belief in [1] MAN’S IMMORTALITY and his CONSCIOUSNESS IN DEATH. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which Rome established the [2] THE INVOCATION OF SAINTS [3] THE ADORATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY. From this sprang also [4] THE HERESY Of ETERNAL TORMENT for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith.
“Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another invention of paganism, which Rome named [5] PURGATORY and employed to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes. By this heresy is affirmed the existence of a PLACE OF TORMENT [or Torture], in which the souls of such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer punishment for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity, they are admitted to heaven.
“Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to PROFIT by the FEARS and VICES of her adherents. This was supplied by the [6] DOCTRINE OF INDULGENCES. Full remission of sins [Justification], PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE, and the release from all the pains and penalties incurred, were promised to all who would ENLIST IN THE PONTIFF’S WARS [deceivingly called ‘holy Crusades’] to extend his TEMPORAL dominion, to PUNISH his enemies, or to EXTERMINATE those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy. The people were also taught that by PAYMENT OF MONEY to the church they might free themselves from SIN, and also release the souls of their DECEASED [dead] friends who were confined to the ‘tormenting flames.
“By such means did Rome FILL HER COFFERS [treasury,] and sustain the magnificence, luxury, and vice of the pretended representatives of Him ‘who had not where to lay His head.’” – E.G. White, ‘The Great Controversy,’ 1911 ed., pp. 58, 59.
More follows. God bless, NMF.
