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NO. 12 – STATED DOCTRINE TO BEWARE, TAKE HEED, NOTE (MARK, KJ), AVOID, WITHDRAW, REJECT AND COME OUT OF BABYLON
A. WARNINGS TO BEWARE, TAKE HEED (To turn one's mind or attention to and be on guard against). 1. Beware of false prophets (Men or women who make claims of divine revelation). "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves (Mt. 7:15). 2. Beware of men. "But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. "And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles" (Mt. 10:17,18). 3. Beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees" (Mt. 16:6). Then they understood to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:12). Jesus charged the disciples to take heed and beware of this leaven (doctrine) (Mk. 8:15), which is hypocrisy (Lu. 12:1). 4. Beware of the scribes. "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the market places, the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts" (Mk 12:38,39; Lu. 20:46). 5. Take heed that no one deceives you. "For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ' and will deceive many" (Mt. 24:4,5; Mark 13:5,6; Lu. 21:8). "For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things before hand" (Mk. 13:22,23). 6. Beware of dogs (morally impure), evil workers, the mutilation (Jews teaching circumcision necessary for salvation) (Phil. 3:2). 7. Take heed how you build. "For other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1Cor. 3:10,11). 8. Take heed lest you fall. "Therefore, let him who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall (1 Cor. 10:12). 9. "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another" (Gal. 5:15). 10. "Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification…" (1 Tim. 1:4). 11. "Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth" (Tit. 1:14). 12. "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place…" (2 Pet. 1:19). B. THE APOSTLES, (when opposed by unbelievers) SEPARATED BELIEVERS FROM UNBELIEVERS. 13. Paul separated himself from the unbelievers in the synagogue of the Jews in Corinth (Ac. 18:1-8). 14. In a synagogue in Ephesus, when some spoke evil of the Way, Paul separated the disciples from the unbelievers (Ac. 19:1-10). C. THE APOSTLES INSTRUCTED THE CHURCHES AND EVANGELISTS ABOUT SEPARATION. 15. The brethren in Rome were exhorted to note (mark, KJ) those who cause divisions and offenses and avoid them (Rom. 16:17). 16. Christians in Corinth were instructed to not keep company with brethren who continued in immorality (1 Cor. 5:9-13). 17. Christians in Corinth were warned not to be deceived; "Evil company (companions) corrupts good habits" (1 Cor. 15:33). 18. Christians in Corinth were instructed to come out from among unbelievers, and be separate (2 Cor. 6:14-18). 19. Christians in Ephesus instructed to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but to expose them (Eph. 5:11). 20. Christians in Thessalonica were commanded to withdraw from brethren who walk disorderly (2 Thess. 3:6). 21. Christians in Thessalonica were instructed to note and not keep company with anyone who would not obey the words of the apostles; yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish (warn) him as a brother (2 Thess. 3:14,15; James 5:19,20; 1 Pet. 4:8). 22. Timothy was instructed to withdraw himself from those who are destitute of the truth and engage in useless wrangling (1Tim.6:5). 23. Shun (avoid) profane and idle babbling…their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus named (2 Tim. 2:16-18). 24. Timothy was instructed to reject (avoid) a divisive person (heretic, KJ) after the first and second admonition (warning) (Tit. 3:10). 25. Do not greet or receive into your house those who do not bring the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 7-11). D. GOD'S LAST WORDS ABOUT SEPARATION IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. 26. God has something against churches that have leaders/members who hold the doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14). 27. God has something against churches that have individuals who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which God hates (Rev. 2:15). 28. God has something against churches that allow teaching of false prophetess' like that woman Jezebel (Rev. 2:20-23). 29. If anyone worships the beast and his image...receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he…shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God…he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb (Rev. 14:9-11). 30. Come out of Babylon (organized apostasy from Christ) lest you share in her sins and receive of her plagues (Rev. 18:4,5). God wants Christians to be united with Him, with Christ and with all believers (John 17:20,21). According to the above scriptures God does not want Christians to follow, support or be closely associated with false teachers, false prophets, immoral people, the disobedient or those who cause divisions among believers in Christ. We cannot be in close fellowship with those who create divisions by rejecting the "essential" doctrine of Christ (those who will not accept what God equates with salvation, His stated commands, charges, orders, mandates or exclusions). Neither can we be in close fellowship with those who cause divisions among believers in Christ by making "unclassified" doctrines conditions of salvation and fellowship. This is why it is so important for all Christians to have a clear understanding of the "essential" doctrine of Christ and where Christians should have "freedom" to differ in beliefs without separating from one another.
Arranged by Eugene Lockling |
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