The Shifting Sands of Mainstream Christianity

Major denominations of “Christendom” are in the throes of controversy, some to the point of dissolution. They are being hammered with protests and litigation by proponents of vile, unbiblical lifestyles and conduct. Such religious organizations are aware of the Bible’s clear teachings against such sins, but they do not want to alienate the proponents who demand recognition and acceptance as members.

Sadly, we see that compromise, division, dissolution, and major schisms have occurred all the way back to the early centuries following Jesus Christ’s founding of His Church. But that Church was built on a rock (Matthew 16:18). Christ explained the perils of building one’s house on sand, pointing out that it would not withstand the storms that are bound to come (Matthew 7:26–27).

A study of the practices of the early Church of God—referred to by that name twelve times in the New Testament—reveals that within 200 years after the time of Jesus Christ, pagan practices had been adopted by many who professed to follow Christ but did not adhere to His teachings. Consider that the pagan belief of the “immortality of the soul” is without biblical foundation. Only God is immortal (1 Timothy 6:15–16; cf. Isaiah 57:15). Eternal life in Christ is the reward of the saved (Romans 6:23); those who reject salvation will die forever in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14–15).

The “Rapture” is another popular teaching; many claim that God will suddenly take some people away, leaving their neighbors astounded and wondering what happened. Yet Jesus said it is only after the Tribulation and the heavenly signs occur that “the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30). His elect will then be gathered from the four winds. Paul gave more details in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.

Early Christians followed Christ’s instructions to keep His commandments (John 14:15; 15:10). But, almost from the beginning, many turned away from Christ’s true teachings—see Wallace Smith’s article on the Council of Nicaea. Today, most churches teach that the Ten Commandments were abolished or “nailed to the cross.” Most denominations completely ignore the Fourth Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8–11).

Christ observed the Passover and told His disciples, “This do… in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:25). Yet most Christians today observe Easter instead, which is named for a pagan deity and cluttered with many fertility symbols, such as rabbits and dyed eggs. Christ and the Apostles kept the seven annual Holy Days picturing God’s plan of salvation for mankind (Leviticus 23), while mainstream Christianity observes Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas in addition to Easter—all of which have their origins in idolatry and paganism.

So, we should not be surprised when we see “Christian” denominations accept what is prohibited by biblical instruction. These developments are the inevitable result of claiming to follow Christ but building on the shifting sands of human reasoning.

The Rock of True Christianity

Jesus anticipated this situation when He said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name… ?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21–23).

The Church that Jesus Christ built on the Rock still exists today—and it is actively preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, feeding a flock of local congregations around the world, and giving the Ezekiel 33 warning of the end-time catastrophes yet to come.

If you want to know more about this Church, read Mr. Gerald Weston’s informative article on the Church behind TomorrowsWorld.org. And to learn even more about real Christianity, you can read Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity and Restoring Original Christianity, available right here at this website, or you can request your own free printed copies from the Regional Office nearest you, listed on page 4 of this magazine. All of this literature—and more—is available free of charge.