Journey back to the first century around AD 32 in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The church was established, Acts 2:38.
It was prophesied in Isaiah 2:2-3 that the Lord’s house (the church) would be established in the last days.
And in Hebrews 1:2 it reads, “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things”, also in Acts 2:16-17, it reads,
- 16 “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel”;
- 17 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God”.
In Isaiah 2:2 “and all nations shall flow unto it”
The doors of the New Testament Church was first opened in Acts 2:38 and flourished for decades with the help of the special gifts given by God. When the New Testament was put together tortes the end of the first century or into the second the gifts were taken away because guidance of the Church are laid forth in the New Testament.
But it didn’t stay true it gradually apostatized. If it would have stayed true to its original form we wouldn’t have had the misleading consequences brought on by the Roman Catholic church and into the thousands of unscriptural churches spread around the world.
Matthew 7:15-16 foretold to beware of false prophets.
- 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
- 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:1-2:
- 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
- 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
The early church guided by the apostles was scriptural, But Gradually Apostatized. The bigger city congregations as they grew took over rural congregations extending their power over churches that should be independent.
Early in the second century, “We begin to find congregations headed by a single officer for whom the name bishop, is exclusively reserved. Bishops of major Christian influence areas were elevated above other bishops and given the title of, “Metropolitan.” Citys like Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Ephesus, Jerusalem and Constantinople had bishops who came to hold leadership positions for the whole church. The bishop of Rome eventually claimed and was recognized as the universal father or pope of all churches.
As the Departure from New Testament doctrine grew special conciles were held., policies were set and problems resolved.
These special conciles grew into general conciles or ecumenical councils. Through the centuries 21 of these concils were organized.
They were attended by archbishops, bishops, abbots, eventually cardinals, and they regulated, defined, reformed, confirmed, abolished, issued numerous decrees over various problems in these conciles.
Revelation 22:18-19, No One is to Add or Take Away From the New Testament
- 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
- 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Christianity Rendered Completely Ineffectual
Christianity was rendered completely ineffectual by the countless changes introduced in the government and worship of the church to carry out the purposes intended by our Lord. By the conclusion of the fourth century, only no more than a mere shadow remained of the ancient government of the church of our Lord. The Roman Catholic Church would rein completely for over a thousand years.
The following doctrines were added to the Roman Church
Listed here are some 31 Roman Catholic false teachings, there is others.
- North Africa region is first to practice infant baptism 250 AD
- Adults baptize by sprinkling introduced, instead of immersion: 257 AD
- Special dress code of the clergy in worship: 320 AD
- Priests forbidden to marry: 325 AD
- Date for Easter was established: 325 AD
- Praying to Mary and Saints started: 379 AD
- The worship of the Virgin Mary, treated with reverence, revered: 389 AD
- Once saved always saved: 400 AD
- All infants commanded to be baptized by immersion: 416 AD
- Special dress code for the Clergy to wear all the time: 502 AD
- Lent introduced: 519 AD
Note, of the holy days added, most notable of these were Christmas, the Lenten Season, and Easter - The belief of Purgatory established: 593 AD
- Latin first used in worship: 600 AD
- Certain apostles others canonized as saints: 995 AD
- Eating-red meat forbidden, fish only on Good Friday: 998 AD
Note, every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, 1 timothy 4:1-4 - Holy water becomes a part of church rituals; 1009 AD
- Penance, a punishment, to express or show sorrow for sin: 1022 AD
- A schism develops between the Roman Catholic church and the Greek Orthodox church: 1054 AD
- Celibacy for priests, bishops, presbyters is enforced: 1079 AD
Note, marriage to be honorable in all, Hebrews 13:4, Forbidding to marry, 1 Timothy 4:1-3. - Rosary beads invented: 1090 AD Note, in the The rosary: saying hail Marys and the use of Rosary beads.
- Introduction of special singers, choirs and instrumental music: 1095 AD Note, from The Original Practice of Vocal Singing of hymns by the congregation Ephesians 5:19
- The Sale of Indulgences, by selling tickets to remove sin is removed: 1190 AD
- In the Eucharist) The Lord’s Supper a simple memorial changed into the body and blood of Christ: 1215 AD
- A member is Formally forgiven by a priest in the sacrament of Penance: 1268 AD
Note, the doctrine of a priest hearing confession is not found in the New Testament. - Baptism by sprinkling accepted as the universal standard instead of immersion: 1311 AD
- Purgatory, ) Catholic theology where a member has limited torment to make amends for their sins: : 1439 AD Note, added by the Council of Florence: also note 593 AD
- The religious order of Jesuits: 1534 AD
- The tradition of church made equal to Bible: 1545 AD
- Apocryphal books added to the Bible, (books not canon, (of questionable authenticity): 1545 AD)
- The Pope cannot make an error, is infallible, by the Vatican council: 1870 AD
- Some Practices revolving around Mary Mother of Jesus, time instituted not known.
So far we have covered the beginning and final form arrived at, of the Roman Catholic church.