The Baptist Beacon

By Elder Timothy Binion

Paul warned the Churches not to mix man-made religion with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Judizers that tainted the gospel had no place in the Church and were not to be received as gospel ministers. Paul wrote in Galatians: "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." This was a call for separation. These over zealous Jews were from the church of Jerusalem. It mattered not to Paul who they were. If they preached any thing contrary to the truth an instant, accurate, separation must occur. He included himself and all that were endorsed by him. If an angel visited from heaven and upheld some unfounded doctrine they would not be welcome to speak. Anyone that preached another gospel or changed the requirements of Christ in anyway were not to be received. Paul quickly informed the church about men departing from the faith and warned the Elders at Ephesus of grievous wolves that would enter in among them, not sparing the flock. Paul charged the church at Corinth not to fellowship with other religions. He wrote: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness" (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)? Paul in the epistles called for a separation from all that taught error or lived in error.

Paul confirmed that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth in 1 Timothy 3:15. Erring from the simple doctrines of Christ was a great concern of Paul. He warned: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into 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. . .(2 Corinthians 11:13-16 KJV). Is the church today immune from such intruders? NO! These same false preachers should be dealt with in the same manner as the Apostle advised.

Should we allow these ministers of darkness that project themselves as ministers of light in our pulpit? No, Paul said; "mark them," "withdraw from them," "have no company with them," "they are the enemies of the cross of Christ" . . . etc. Today some men that are called Evangelical ministers commit much greater offenses than those which Paul was speaking about should be dealt with scripturally. They have no concern about the truth of God's word nor do they try to live a life above reproach. Paul said in Acts 20:30 "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them." These men are not welcome to speak as representatives of the gospel in our assemblies. Paul wrote to the young minister Timothy that; "the time would come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4, KJV)

Let us strive as the Apostle Paul advised to keep our pulpits pure.