Letters    

On Christianity

Dear P. K.                                                                                                September 30, 1992

      ... (As a religion) Christianity is exclusive because it is divinely revealed. The Bible even forbids Christians to marry non-Christians. Of all the religions in the world, only Christianity can satisfy the soul of man because it answers the problem of sin. It is fatal to men's souls to argue that one religion is as good as another, and that a person need only live a good life.

      Christianity is therefore evangelistic. Our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to make disciples of all nations. We must not vex or oppress non-Christians, but we are to teach and to preach. We are to be hospitable, and not hostile to unbelievers, but we are under orders to "teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" Jesus said; "and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:19,20). Christianity is prophetic in the sense that Christians are compelled to condemn those practices in their society that are contrary to the Law of God. Let there be no mistake: they who condone the perversions and aberrations of the natural man are not Christians.

ON THE NATURE OF THE EARLY CHURCH

Dear S. P.                                                                                                         March 15, 1991

        ...The most distressing and alarming view was in your last letter in which you said, "Until the Council of Trent, the western church was still a true church." I am concerned about you, my friend, that you may share sympathies with Scott Hahn who has not long defected from the Presbyterian ministry to the embraces of the Roman Catholic Church. God does not have many churches—only one. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, etc. All true believers believe fundamental Christian doctrine. Denominationalism is man-made, and does not constitute other "churches."

       In your view, was the Eastern Church also a true church? and do you think salvation by works, and popery can co-exist within the framework of grace, and ministry, and Scripture? The Church of Rome has assumed the place of "primus inter pares," i.e. "first among equals," but it has no more right to do it than the church of Antioch, or the church of Jerusalem. It is an evident judgment of God upon Rome that He gave them over to a reprobate mind.

     It is certain there were believers who rose to preach the Word of God because God has His people strategically located, and some believers are even found in Masonic temples. But the Roman Catholic church was never part of the Christian Church. Rome knew this, and therefore forbade people to have the Word of God in their possession; and excommunicated Savonarola, Huss, Luther, Wycliffe, and others.

      As for authority, it is interesting that: l.) Clement of Rome wrote a letter to the Corinthian church urging the believers to restore some disciplined officers who had been appointed by the apostles. His letter gives advice, but expresses no authority that would require them to do it. 2.) About the year 115, Ignatius urged obedience to pastors and deacons, but could not and did not demand it. 3.) Neither the Epistle of Polycarp nor the Shepherd of Hermas reveal any episcopal development. 4.) The Apologists referred to the Scriptures as the final authority. They made no appeal to the authority of bishops. 5.) Irenaeus (c. 130-202) in writing against Gnosticism (c. 185) refutes the teaching by using Scripture. His use of apostolic succession is made to prove the correct interpretation of Scripture, and not vice versa. 6.) Cyprian of Carthage who forwarded the office of bishop more than anyone else argued that as bishop he had authority over all churches and persons in his diocese because he was the successor of the apostles. Yet, even in his corrupting of New Testament order, he faithfully taught all bishops are of equal rank, and vigorously denied the right of any bishop, even the bishop of Rome, to exercise authority in the diocese of another.

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