p. 16 | Early Apostasy

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 14, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 40.

Early Apostasy

Early Apostasy.—God gave the Word of his truth as a sanctifier and perfecter of character through Jesus Christ. John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16. He bids men come direct to him through that Word (Eph. 2:20, 21; John 17:23); “for the head of every man is Christ” (1 Cor. 11:3). It was the work of Satan to hide from man, by intervening men and demons, the love and sympathy and presence of Jesus Christ. Against this the apostle Paul faithfully warns the elders in the church:—

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers [elders or bishops], to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [Not feed them with tradition, but the Word of God. 1 Peter 2:2.] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after THEM. . . . And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:28–30, 32.

This would be the beginning of the apostasy which would result in the development of the man of sin, and the utter subversion of the church as it came from its Head. Heathen philosophers in the garb of profession entered among the flock. Apostates arose who exalted man instead of God; and the professed church of Jesus Christ turned from him to the world, and the result was spiritual death, the union of Church and State with its progeny, the persecution of the Dark Ages.