Denominational Doctrines vs. The Bible II

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION  "Is Christ Divided?" I Cor. 1:13

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of your saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (I Cor. 1:10-13)


Introduction

In addition to the doctrines studied in Lesson 19, there are many other teachings with the essential form and rituals having been adopted straight from the Catholic Church and which are even now widely practiced in various Protestant denominations around the world. We have already touched upon some of these in Lesson 15. The purpose of this present study will be to examine denominational doctrines, some of which may have had their roots in the Reformation, or even before it, but which for the most part are products of the post-Reformation era.


The Ten Commandments are Still Binding

The Bible teaches that we are no longer bound by the restrictions of the law of Moses, having been released from it when Christ died on the cross. We are now under the New Testament of Christ, ALL of the Old Testament having been removed. (See Hebrews 9 and 10).

After about 1831, a denomination (Adventist) arose which began teaching that we are still bound by the ten commandments today, that the law of Moses had two parts, and that only one part, the ceremonial part, was abolished while the other remained. Inasmuch as they believe that the ten commandments are still in force, one of their fundamental doctrines is Sabbath-keeping. Another peculiar doctrine of this group is the sleep of the soul, or unconsciousness after death.


Did the law of Moses Have Two Parts -- One Moral and One Ceremonial?

 

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Consider: Moral conditions are holy within themselves, but ceremonial things are made holy by commandment (Mark 2:27). The Sabbath commandment is part of the ceremonial law and was made holy by commandment (Ex 20:8). The law -- all of it -- was abrogated, completely taken away. Thus, one of the foundation rocks of this denomination is removed and the false doctrine upon which it stands (or falls, as the case may be) is exposed.


Are We Required to Keep the Sabbath?

 

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Does the Soul Sleep after Death?

 

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Baptism of the Holy Spirit

There is a difference between the baptism of the Great Commission and Holy Spirit baptism. Recall further that there is only one baptism (Eph. 4:5). Which one baptism do we use today?

There are several sects who believe in Holy Spirit baptism: the Holiness groups and Churches of God, the Pentecostals and Assemblies of God. The first two groups while accepting Holy Spirit baptism do not accept speaking in tongues and divine healing. The last two groups claim all manifestations of Holy Spirit baptism.


Are Men Baptized of the Holy Spirit?

 

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Consider: The Lord gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who obey him and put him on (Gal. 3:27) in baptism (Acts 2:38). The gift of the Spirit promised in Acts 2:38 does not enable one to perform miracles. This is evidently the "indwelling," of the Spirit of I Cor. 6:19-20. No unusual feeling is promised to those who obey the command to repent and be baptized. However, one may rejoice in that he has obeyed the Lord (Acts 8:38-39). It is at this stage that he can have a clear conscience (I Peter 3:21). He baptizes no one in the Holy Spirit today. Water baptism is a command to obey (Mark 16:16). Holy Spirit baptism is a promise to be received (Acts 1:5). We can obey a command -- to be baptized -- and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We cannot obey a promise -- Holy Spirit baptism -- therefore God places it on whom He chooses, when He chooses. It was promised to His apostles to guide them into all truth (John 16:13). But, we have the Bible which is all-sufficient for us today (II Tim. 3:16-17). Why do we need Holy Spirit baptism? Can those who claim to have Holy Spirit baptism do the same things the apostles did when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit? If not, why does their baptism differ from the kind outlined in the Bible? Cannot men be content with the gift (natural, not mysterious) of the Holy Spirit which he will deposit with all who obey him (Acts 2:38)?

Thus, obedience to the command to repent and be baptised is prerequisite to receiving the "gift of the Holy Spirit" promised in Acts 2:38. "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6). God did not send the Spirit to make them sons. Instead the Spirit was sent into the hearts of those who had become "sons" by putting Christ on in baptism. (See Gal. 3:27).

This notion came as a result of some who felt that they were not as pure or as sanctified as they should be after their conversion and that they needed something extra, to cleanse the soul. How can we tell if we are pure or not? Will our feelings tell us? And, how does a person know when he is pure enough, or too pure? The Bible says, "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17) and "ye are clean through the Word" (John 15:3). God promises us cleansing and purity of soul through His Word -- the Bible -- not by Holy Spirit baptism.


Are Men Able to Speak in Tongues Today?

 

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Consider: How important is speaking in tongues? Paul said, "I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue" (I Cor. 14:19). Will speaking in tongues save a person? Is it necessary to speak in tongues to be saved? This false idea started with those who felt that there surely must be something more -- something mysterious - about Christianity.

The purpose of speaking in tongues (I Cor. 14:22) has long since passed. They were for a sign or evidence to non-believers. Today, those who claim to be able to use them do so for a different purpose entirely. This is a departure from scriptural authority.

Consider further: There was a time (first century) when the Word of God resided in the Holy Spirit-filled apostles. The New Testament had not been written. When the apostles, through the inspiration of God, committed this word to writing, there was no further need for miraculous manifestations of the Spirit to support the apostles. The written word could speak for itself and men could be guided with the same unerring and infallible word of God through the pages of the New Testament. Thus, the age of miracles passed on. Those who claim these powers today obviously have other purposes in mind.


Can Men Perform Miracles of Healing Today?

 

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Consider: Those who profess to have this power today should be able to do the same thing the apostles did in the first century. Mark 16:14-18 tells us that those who spoke in tongues, and healed the sick could also take up serpents and drink deadly poisons without being hurt. Doesn't it seem strange that people today could really do the first two things and not be able to do the latter. And, if they cannot, their false pretenses are exposed for all to see. The need for miraculous healing, the purpose of which was to serve as a testimony, has passed on. God's word, the Bible, both Old and New Testaments serves as its own witness today.


Baptism for the Dead

This is a peculiar doctrine taught by the Mormon denomination in Utah, U. S.A. Their belief in baptism for the remission of sins carried them all the way to the grave.


Should Men Baptize for the Dead?

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Consider: The proof text of those who practice baptizing for the dead is I Cor. 15:29. However, a careful study of this text will show that Paul is not approving of the practice of baptizing for dead bodies, but is only using that false notion as an argument to support his case regarding the resurrection of Christ. Some of the people were saying that Christ had not been resurrected and yet they were baptizing for the dead. He was simply showing the inconsistency of their position. The resurrection doctrine is true. The baptism for the dead teaching is false.


Death is Annihilation

This is a doctrine peculiar to Russelism (Jehovah's Witnesses) a materialistic group that started in about 1874. Russel was an immoral man, admittedly, and much of his doctrine is in complete contradiction to the Bible, but there are many people in the world who follow his teaching.


Is Death Annihilation?

 

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Second Chance After Death

This is another false teaching of Russelism. It has the Catholic idea of "purgatory" behind it.


Do Men Receive a Second Chance after Death?

 

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Men Cannot Sin

This is one of many QUESTIONABLE concepts of Mary Baker Eddy, a so-called prophetess for the Christian Science sect.

 

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Summary: While the facts presented in this lesson do not imply that all denominations believe or endorse any or all of these teachings, these are some of the doctrines which have been introduced into the denominational world. This list is not exhaustive and many more peculiar teachings abound, however, it will serve to draw our attention to this pressing question: Why are there so many different denominations? Don't we all have the same God, Christ and Bible? Then, why the variety in teaching, and in contradiction to the Bible? The answer can be seen in the following lesson.
 

 

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Howard, V.E., Gospel Radio Sermons
Stewart, J.D., The Living Word Series, A Study of Minor Religious Beliefs in America R.B. Sweet Company, Inc., Austin, Texas, 1964.
Thompson, L.G., Churches of Today