DANGERS in doctrines of liberated denominations !
By: Rev. Steven B. Smethers DD
************************

Some Definitions:
CHURCH DOCTRINE: Noun , The body of teachings of a religious group that are generally ACCEPTED by that group.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION: Noun , A group of religious congregations having its own organization and a DISTINCTIVE faith.

We are all one in the body of Christ. This is the "unity" that was requested of all Christians in the Bible. Yet in most churches today we are led by denominational doctrine. (see above) Is this a Biblical arrangement? The answer is ... NO! Don't these same denominations teach us about Christ and the teachings of the Bible? This is where things start to become a problem.
Denominations want to teach us their "take" or interpretation on the meaning of the scriptures. This is their distinction or what sets them apart from other religious denominations. (see above) Denominational following was NEVER sanctioned in the Bible. Quite the opposite. The Bible is very clear that there be only one "Church" and one DOCTRINE. The Bible warns us about this repeatedly.

Here are just a few of the scriptures about doctrines:

Matthew 15:8-9, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. "

Romans 16:17-18, "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. "

Galatians 1:6-9, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. "

Any time that we add to or take away from or in any way distort the pure Word of God and the teachings of the Holy Bible, we have created a new doctrine. The Bible is the Word of God, so how can any denominational religion dictate it's interpretation? They have added to the truth in the Word of God by including their beliefs as doctrine.

Here is the FIRST Example listed in the Bible:

Genesis 2:16-17, "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

This verse shows that God said "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it" This is the commandment that God set down to Adam.

Here is how the commandment was changed by Eve:

Genesis 3:1-5, "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

Eve CHANGED what God commanded by adding "neither shall ye touch it". Neither shall ye touch it ... That is an innocent enough phrase. That simple addition (which was Eve's interpretation of what God said) changed man for all time and condemned him to death for his sin.
It was all that was needed to allow Satan to twist the Word of God and convince Eve that no evil would befall her.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him]. "

This example should show you that God intended for us to take His Word as it is written and not add our own twist onto the interpretation of it. Now it is one thing to receive some help in understanding scripture ... it is Quite another to TEACH this interpretation! Yet this is exactly what religious denominations do. Their DOCTRINE is what sets their religious denomination apart from others. This factor is so strong that almost all Christian denominations have their "accepted" Seminarys and will only ordain ministers that have been properly "indoctrinated" by their seminarys. Additionally, these same ministers are not acceptable to any other denomination. I ask you; Is this Unity in Christ?

MORE SUPPORTIVE SCRIPTURES:

Ephesians 4:13-14, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we [henceforth] 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; "

Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

Colossians 2:20-22, "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men? "

1 Tomothy 4:1, "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 Timothy 4:3, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"

Hebrews 13:9, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein."

2 Peter 2:1, "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."

You may say: "I really think that all Christian Denominations teach basically the same doctrine and I don't see any problems with them". CAUTION: remember Eve? There are many who think that the modern church should "keep up" with the times of our society. Many of our "large denominations have done just that. You see they are not limited by the "restrictions" of the Holy Bible. Instead, they create their "doctrines" on the fly so to speak, adding whatever they think will please their flock. Most recently several MAJOR denominations have taken up the ordination of marriages between GAY and or LESBIAN couples. TRUE! If that isn't enough, some have even ordained GAY and LESBIAN ministers. They say that they are keeping up with the times and are liberated in their doctrines. And claim to be modern Christian Denominations.

Let's just do a quick check in the Holy Word on this topic:

Romans 1:21-27, "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. "

Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Leviticus 18:22, Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.
I suppose that these same "denominations" will remove these scriptures from their Bibles because they see them as out of date. God demands UNITY in His believers and this type of UNGODLY belief is completely outside of the DOCTRINE that Jesus Christ gave to us.
God will strike down these FALSE DOCTRINED RELIGIONS.

Please consider this scripture:

1 Timothy 1:8-10, "But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; "

Notice that it says that "But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly" ... Do you see? [law is not made for a righteous man] If these Christian denominations allow these UNGODLY acts and add them to their DOCTRINE, they will fall from GRACE and be subject to the old LAWS of SIN and DEATH. They are renouncing Christ and the "grace" that we were given by Him. This scripture refers to "Sound Doctrine" in other words ..... the Word of God in the Holy Bible!

Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

My friends, I issue a stern WARNING! Remove yourselves from denominational religions that allow, condone and ordain ungodly acts. These liberated church denominations of today are an abomination in God's eyes. God is waiting to strike these religions down. Do not be deceived by this treachery. These religions WILL fall and all who believe through them will perish along with them. Keep your eye and your heart focused on the pure Word of God and do not follow the theology of UNGODLY DENOMINATIONS. Jesus Christ started the only recognised church. It is based on the Unity that is in and of the Body of Christ. Satan has NO power against it's doctrine. It's Doctrine is the truth that is in the pure Word of God. (and no other doctrine)


Written by: Rev. Steven B. Smethers DD
Senior Pastor / Administrator - UCMI