Ellen White on Early Church Apostasy and the Papacy

Yes, the early church experienced a gradual apostasy that eventually led to the development and establishment of the papacyGC 443.4+1. This falling away from the simplicity of the gospel was the very event foretold by the apostle Paul when he warned that the "man of sin" would be revealed after a significant departure from the truth 2 Thessalonians 2:3GC 49.1.

The Origins of the Apostasy

The process of corruption began early in the history of the Christian churchGC 49.1. While the church remained relatively pure during the lives of the apostles, errors began to creep in as pagan rites and customs were accepted to facilitate the conversion of the heathenGC88 384.5.

• Pagan Influence: To make Christianity more attractive to those accustomed to idolatry, the church lowered its elevated standards and allowed a "pagan flood" to bring in its customs and idolsGC88 384.5.

• Doctrinal Corruption: Errors such as the belief in natural immortality and consciousness in death were borrowed from pagan philosophy, providing the foundation for the invocation of saints and the adoration of the Virgin MaryDD 18.1+1.

• The Mystery of Iniquity: This subtle work of error was already operating in the first century, eventually preparing the way for the papacy to rise and wage war against God's law 2 Thessalonians 2:7LP 117.1+1.

The Union of Church and State

A key turning point in this apostasy was when the early church lost the Spirit and power of God and sought the support of secular rulersGC 443.2.

• Seeking Civil Power: Apostasy led the church to seek the aid of the civil government to control the consciences of the peopleGC 443.4+1.

• The Resulting Power: This illicit alliance between the church and the state resulted in the papacy—a power that employed the authority of the state to further its own ends and punish what it termed "heresy"GC 443.2.

• The Papal Usurper: Through these means, the Roman Church established the authority of the papal usurper, leading the world into a spiritual night that lasted for a thousand yearsSPCCSR 28.3+1.

Changes to the Divine Law

As the papacy grew in power, it fulfilled the prophecy of Daniel by thinking to "change times and laws" Daniel 7:25GC88 51.3.

• Image Worship: To provide converts from heathenism a substitute for their idols, the adoration of images and relics was introduced, and the second commandment was eventually expunged from the lawGC88 51.3.

• The Sabbath Breach: The most significant change involved the Sabbath; the papacy trampled upon the seventh-day Sabbath of Jehovah and exalted the first day of the week—a day originally devoted to heathen sun worship—in its placeST February 22, 1910, par. 2+1.

• Pretensions of Deity: By altering God's holy precepts, the papal power acted as the "man of sin," exalting itself above the God of heaven and demanding the homage of the world7BC 911.1+1.

Preservation of the Truth

Even through the ages of darkness and apostasy, God preserved a remnant who held fast to the original faith of the apostolic churchGC 64.2+1.

• The Church in the Wilderness: Groups like the Waldenses remained guardians of the treasures of truth, keeping the true Sabbath and rejecting the supremacy of RomeGC 64.2+1.

• The Light of the Word: These faithful believers possessed the Holy Scriptures in their own tongue and stood unflinchingly for God's honor, even at the peril of their livesGC88 64.1+1.

• The Call to Return: Today, the Lord is calling His people to return to the primitive godliness and gospel order of the early church, which were lost during the great falling awayGP 90.2+1.