THE ATTACK ON ESTABLISHED TRUTH IN BAPTIST CHURCHES

By Mike DeWitt

          “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (I Cor. 11:18-19).

            The attack on established truth is of great concern for Baptist churches, and is no less a concern today as it was in the past. We have problems in these last days of higher criticism, political correctness, and situational ethics. Sovereign Grace Missionary Landmark Baptists are seen as old fashioned, worn out, ignorant, intolerant, and bigoted. I say let it be said that we are the ones who have shaped history, and we have loved the unloved, cared for the uncaring, and held tenaciously to the “faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3).

            The lack of exposing false doctrines and not keeping the commandments of our Head in turn produces heresies (sects) in the Lord’s church. This is what the inspired writer is referring to in I Corinthians 11:18-19 when he writes: “I hear that there be divisions among you.” There were those who were schismatic in the assembly and were not following established doctrine of the originator of the Church. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Cor. 1:10). The idea that is set forth in these scriptures is that these “sects” in the church held to opinions contrary to “the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour” (II Pet. 3:2).

            The word “heresy” comes from the Greek word, airesiv hairesis hah’-ee-res-is; from 138; properly, a choice, i.e. (specially_ a party or (abstractly) disunion: ---heresy [which is the Greek word itself], sect. We see this same Greek word used in only a few instances, “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets” (Acts 24:14). It is also used in Galatians 5:20; II Peter 2:1. I was surprised to find that the same Greek word is translated, which I believe is rendered properly, as “sect” (See Acts 5:17; 15:5; 24:5; 26:5).

            With all this in mind, we see that our modern day rendering is not quite correct. Heresy, as I have always heard it used, does not mean “error of doctrine” in the strictest or broadest sense. Its definition always in the Greek is a party, or sect, a group of people such as the Pharisees or the Sadducees and even Christians. I wonder how many times this word has been misused in sermons around the world. Christ, our all-sufficient example, gave us the correct words for us to use to warn others of error. “Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. . .Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6, 12).

            The members as well as the pastors have a responsibility to know what their respective church stands for and to search out the desire of our Saviour as to how his churches are to conduct themselves. In doing this members are strengthened in what they believe and in turn become unified. “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19).

            Following after another doctrine that has never been taught by your church must be deeply examined by every member and all must bring to the table their findings. Discussion as to the way a church is heading is for the particular church alone. Outside interference must be avoided at all costs, for the sake being of independent. The important thing to remember is what does your church believe? And why has your church always believed it? And why are you hearing a new doctrine being introduced? The attack on these doctrines that the Lord’s churches hold to are only successful when the flock is not understanding of what they believe, and why they believe them. A church should have articles of faith that they frequently review and study. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). An assembly that does not know what they believe is as a double-minded man who is unstable in all his ways. Lack of knowledge of what you believe is a miserable state to be in indeed. Lack of unity produces lack of fellowship among the members. Lack of fellowship produces obviously a lack of communication among the members. Lack of communication means lack of love. The Apostle writes in ending his letter to the Corinthian Church: “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (II Cor. 13:11). When a church is lacking these vital points of unity it in turn widely opens the door for heresies (sects).

            A church that has members who are ignorant of what their church believes is easy prey for teachers to lead them away into all kinds of false doctrine. The remedy for the attack upon established truth is simple enough. All it takes is study, study, and study. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). And while you are studying always remember to. . .pray. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

            The next step in defending the church from an attack is to investigate what the church has always believed and why. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (II Tim. 3:14). Sadly enough members of churches are content to just let things go on for the sake of peace, and find later they should have used medicine for the infection which has taken a member from the body.

            Each member of the Lord’s churches has a responsibility to guard the doctrines that each particular church to which he or she belongs. The Bible is our only sufficient rule of faith and practice and is our only weapon for our defense. Let us not be as those in the book of Hebrews: “For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe” (Heb. 5:13). The inspired writer of Ephesians says we ought to be “no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14).

            I pray that the Lord’s people will begin going back to basics and build upon “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).

            “These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Tim. 4:11-16). The pastors of churches are to be examples to the flock in conduct and doctrine. The more the pastor is grounded in the Word through study, prayer, and much meditation, the more equipped is he for defending the flock from heresies. I have always heard my mother say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

            Pastors are to expose error to the Lord’s people in a manner that is unquestionably simple and solidly built upon the foundation of truth. Confusion is a rough road, and a dry, steep hill for the sheep of the pasture. Error in the church is discomfiting and agitates the unity of the membership. The Lord’s sheep are precious in His sight, and He gives them peace and comfort. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (I Cor. 14:33). Those that have been called to care for the sheep have a responsibility to keep confusion out of the churches. This in no way implies that all the effort is placed upon the Pastor. The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15). The pastor can only do as much as the church he pastors allows him to do.

            Many of the epistles in the New Testament are written to churches for their understanding of how to guard against false doctrines and heresies (sects) from entering in. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (II Pet. 2:1). I believe the problem today is that error is not exposed as error. Too many times I hear, “We do not believe this such and such belief to be a damnable heresy.” Sad it is when Baptist pastors and Baptist churches are so indulgent to false doctrine. The sect that Peter was referring to will be brought into the church by teachers who hold to doctrines that are contrary to established doctrines of the local church concerning the Lord Jesus. Guarding against these kinds of sects takes the whole church to be unified in what it believes. A house divided against itself will fall.

            In the beginning of the article I said that we had a problem with political correctness. The desire not to offend the people with hard sayings, and doctrines of distinction, has led many to an unstable end. When speaking to his disciples Jesus did not sugar coat a particular doctrine and said: “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (John 6:65). The results of hard sayings and doctrines of distinction to those who want everybody to “just get along” fear what happens in the next verse. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no  more with him” (John 6:66). The doctrine of this world would have us to be at peace with all kinds of false doctrine for the sake of peace and good will among other religious societies. However, the problem I see even among our own people is that error is tolerated for the sake of “not rocking the boat.” Each individual church is to stand for what it believes. Drawing lines and not crossing the lines is called being an independent church. Respect for the beliefs of other independent churches is paramount in fellowship.

            The trap that I see being sprung today is the idea that the Lord’s churches need to advance with the times. “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Rev. 2:25). This is a command from the Lord in His churches to not fall from established truth. The church may invite preachers, or place teachers who hold to different doctrinal beliefs than the church and allow them to have free rein to preach or teach whatever they want. The result of this is that “sects” who hold to those different teachings than what the church believes begin to form, thus causing divisions. “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you” (I Cor. 11:18). This leads us to the last point of this article.

            The Lord’s churches are under a great deal of pressure, not just from outside sources, but also from within. The Lord’s people are inundated everyday by this world to conform to it rather than the Lord. Beware, my brothers and sisters, of false doctrines and those who would deal with you deceitfully. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (II Cor. 11:13). We are commanded to stand fast and keep the things that have been given to us and use them for the edification of the saints. The desire of some to creep in to spoil the people with false doctrine is deceitful and full of wicked intentions. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (I Cor. 16:13).

            “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen” (Rom. 16:17-20).