We, being 2,000 years removed from the 1st Advent of Christ, aspire to ground ourselves in an ancient and historic faith that has proven true through the test of time.
A working knowledge of Church History is admirable. However, if this enterprise is undertaken without biblical caution, the ambitious students of today will be injured or even mortally wounded in the endeavor. The masses of Christendom wouldn't agree. They are quite content to seek the living among the dead. They have no qualms roaming the graveyard of conventional seminaries looking for the divine. It seems that everyone from just about anywhere is willing to give a hearty salute to the system of "Christian Academia"
I understand the sentiment. We, being 2,000 years removed from the 1st Advent of Christ, aspire to ground ourselves in an ancient and historic faith that has proven true through the test of time. Yet, what does the Bible teach about how "truth" fairs through many generations of human depravity? Specifically speaking, can "the Church" be trusted as the guardian of the "truth", or will even they mishandle it and allow its corruption through time? I'm afraid you will not like the answer, my reader. For, in reality, according to Holy Scripture, even redeemed men are prone to corrupt the "truth" and mishandle it. Consequentially, the general consensus of "the remnant" in any given generation cannot be trusted. One must resort to Holy Scripture as the only voice of truth - the one and only faithful guardian of the soul.
Leaders of "the Church" nowadays would never cast a shadow of doubt upon the study of Church History. It's truly disturbing. They don't want its appearance to be darkened in the eye of the beholder. They don't want its true shade to become apparent before the onlooking eyes of aspiring pupils. Nevertheless, the Bible speaks for itself The Bible accurately portrays how successfully "the Church" can guard, preserve, and pass on the "truth".
For, according to HolyScripture, there is a nigh-invariable course of depravity which runs in cyclical revolutions from generation to generation: namely, that the SONS follow in the sins of their FATHERS from generation to generation. This is not a progressive and steady learning of the truth, this is a progressive and steady unlearning of the truth from generation to generation. My reader, please, let me present to you a brief survey of the Kings of Judah. See for yourself how among the 20 Kings of Judah, only a handful broke the cycle of declension that violently progressed onward from generation to generation.
THE KINGS OF JUDAH
REHOBOAM caused Judah to do “evil in the sight of the LORD…above all that their fathers had done”
ABIJAH "walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father" Notably, Abijah’s sermon shows a profound understanding of the knowledge of God, albeit he was wicked like his father Rehoboam
ASA broke the cycle and “did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD,\as did David his father</span>…But the high places were not removed: nevertheless, Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days\”
JEHOSHAPHAT“walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD”
JEHORAM “walked in the way of the Kings of Israel, as did the House of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD”
AHAZIAH “walked in the way of the House of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the House of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the House of Ahab”
ATHALIAH, a Queen, “destroyed all the seed royal” after the death of Ahaziah and reigned until Joash, the only remaining son of Ahaziah, grew to be of age where the Kingdom was restored to the proper line
JOASH (Jehoahaz) “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days whereinJehoida the Priestinstructed him. But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places” Fearfully, Joash rebelled against the LORD after the death of Jehoida the Priest… thus in the latter end he was a wicked King.
AMAZIAH “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did. Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places”
AZARIAH (Uzziah) “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. And the LORD smote the King, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death…”
JOTHAM “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places…”
AHAZ “did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the Kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree” Also, Ahaz made a league with Assyria and copied their idolatrous altar, and he reformed the priesthood around it! What an abomination.
HEZEKIAH“did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not”
MANASSEH “did evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel…Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel…moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD” Shockingly, though, after Manasseh was chastened by God and imprisoned, he humbled himself to the LORD and besought Him only; and, graciously, the Lord restored him to the Kingdom and Manasseh lived out his last days converted unto God and walking in obedience.
AMON “did that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did…he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD”
JOSIAH“did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walkedin all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left” “And like unto him was there no King before him [Josiah], that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal. And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusale mwhich I have chosen, and the House of whichI said, My name shall be there”
JEHOAHAZ “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done”
JEHOIAKIM“did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done”
JECONIAH (Jehoiachin) “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done”
ZEDEKIAH “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done”
REHOBOAM caused Judah to do “evil in the sight of the LORD…above all that their fathers had done”
ABIJAH "walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father" Notably, Abijah’s sermon shows a profound understanding of the knowledge of God, albeit he was wicked like his father Rehoboam
ASA broke the cycle and “did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD,\as did David his father</span>…But the high places were not removed: nevertheless, Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days\”
JEHOSHAPHAT“walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD”
JEHORAM “walked in the way of the Kings of Israel, as did the House of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD”
AHAZIAH “walked in the way of the House of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the House of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the House of Ahab”
ATHALIAH, a Queen, “destroyed all the seed royal” after the death of Ahaziah and reigned until Joash, the only remaining son of Ahaziah, grew to be of age where the Kingdom was restored to the proper line
JOASH (Jehoahaz) “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days whereinJehoida the Priestinstructed him. But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places” Fearfully, Joash rebelled against the LORD after the death of Jehoida the Priest… thus in the latter end he was a wicked King.
AMAZIAH “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did. Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places”
AZARIAH (Uzziah) “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. And the LORD smote the King, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death…”
JOTHAM “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places…”
AHAZ “did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the Kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree” Also, Ahaz made a league with Assyria and copied their idolatrous altar, and he reformed the priesthood around it! What an abomination.
HEZEKIAH“did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not”
MANASSEH “did evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel…Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel…moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD” Shockingly, though, after Manasseh was chastened by God and imprisoned, he humbled himself to the LORD and besought Him only; and, graciously, the Lord restored him to the Kingdom and Manasseh lived out his last days converted unto God and walking in obedience.
AMON “did that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did…he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD”
JOSIAH“did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walkedin all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left” “And like unto him was there no King before him [Josiah], that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal. And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusale mwhich I have chosen, and the House of whichI said, My name shall be there”
JEHOAHAZ “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done”
JEHOIAKIM“did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done”
JECONIAH (Jehoiachin) “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done”
ZEDEKIAH “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done”
Evidently,"the truth"can hardly survive the hands of the Church even as they hope to safeguard it and pass it on to the next generation. Rehohoam rose beyond the crest of the rebellion of his predecessor and father, Solomon, exemplifying the unquenchable thirst of depravity from the beginning. Abijah, secondarily, being encumbered by a guiltier conscience than his father, only continued in the status quo “sins of his father” and not beyond. Asa, though, on the contrary, and very early on in the line of Kings, broke the cycle of depravity and did “as David his father” had done; thanks be to God. Jehoshaphat, also, following in his train, did as “Asa his father” had done. Nevertheless, religious superstition prevailed in that neither Asa nor Jehoshaphat removed the unlawful patriarchal high places. This shows how reverence for pastime religious antiquities is strong among the common people in every generation. Somehow, men are fond of ancient practices of religion, as if such things have become holy through"passing the test of time"...whatever that means.
Suddenly, and tragically, after this short-lived revival of righteousness, Jehoram swerved into an unprecedented course from all the Kings of Judah before him by following in the way of the Kings of Israel! Why? For similar reasons… it was because he was influenced by the daughter of Ahab, his wife. He couldn’t resist the pastime Family Values. Predictably, Ahaziah his son, also, followed in the ways of his father Jehoram, for he was influenced by his father in law, Ahab, and did likewise. Athaliah, though, as an off-shoot, was notoriously self-seeking and murderous. After her unexpected and bloody reign, Joash, the only son of Ahaziah, was able to stand upon the truth as long as he was positively influenced by Jehoidathe Priest, a righteous man, …but, fearfully, after Jehoida’s death Joash caved under the pressure of the status quo widely accepted apostasy. Ah! How the vicious cycle continues in its revolutions!
"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, \yet not like David his father</span>: he did according to all things as Joash\ his father did." -
"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart." -
Evidently, saving faith is exemplified by walking in the ways of David, and nothing short (compare & ). “AlmostChristians” still aren't Christians. Or, in other words, “IncompleteChristians” still aren't Christians. Just like"Unbiblical Believers"aren't real Believers. Therefore, Amaziah, being caught in the cycle, did what his father Joash did but not what David had done with a perfect heart. Azariah, likewise, did what his father Amaziah did but not what David had done with a perfect heart. Jotham, likewise, did what his father Azariah did but not what David had done with a perfect heart. Then, Ahaz, radically swerving from the cycle of depravity in motion among the Kings of Judah, fell a-lusting after the cycle of depravity ravaging the Kings of Israel instead! Veering from one he was sucked into the other like the gravitational pull of orbiting planets! This is fearful. Note: God Himself, and no one else, should be our center of gravity.
Then, at last, Hezekiah broke the cycle of depravity in motion among the Kings of Judah and returned to the LORD “according to all thatDavidhis father did”. This is saving faith. This is a true believer. However, sadly, after Hezekiah came Manasseh - a man who rebelled more than them all! Perhaps he was acclimated thereto by the wretched example of Ahaz. Then, at last,...when the Church was on the verge being judged, Josiah arose! His generation narrowly escaped the wrath of God Nevertheless, a revival of righteousness after the ways of David flourished gloriously. It lasted for 13 Years Nevertheless, everything was suddenly lost as depravity resumed its course in an ever-increasing stride via the former generational cycle picking up where it left off. Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah, the sons and grandson of Josiah, were all sucked into the unquenchable force until God’s judgment came and Jerusalem was made desolate.
How relevant is the Doctrine of Perfection? In reference to the aforementioned generations of Kings, for example, when the scripture stated of Amaziah, “he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,but not with a perfect heart” this meant, in other words, “he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,yet not like David his father…” So, what is perfection? Apparently, David was perfect . Right? My reader, let us understand this vital doctrine, even if the language of it is foreign or distasteful to our “Christian Vocabulary”. Don’tlet those heretics who preach “sinless perfection” cause you to reject anyone who renders a correct teaching on the matter of biblical perfection. A correct view of biblical Church History in these terms is vitally necessary.
*When that which is “right in the sight of the LORD” is incompletely defined
and far short of what is perfectly righteous, will you discern it?*
Amaziah, caught in the cycle, did what his father Joash did but not what David had done with a perfect heart Azariah (Uzziah), likewise, did what his father Amaziah did but not what David had done with a perfect heart Jotham, likewise, did what his father Azariah (Uzziah) did but not what David had done with a perfect heart
Biblical history describes the lives, generations, and centuries of God’s work of salvation in terms of personal and corporateperfection. Depending on whether or not they obtained biblical “perfection” - this determined their destiny of heaven or hell. The scripture explicitly states that JobNoahAbrahamJoshuaDavidSolomon ( with his repentance, which is in Ecclesiastes), Asa and Hezekiah went to heaven because they were perfect. As for all other heaven-bound men, even though it was not explicitly mentioned that they were “perfect”, they nevertheless followed the ways of those who were called “perfect”.
Likewise, the Scripture explicitly states that Abijam and Amaziah went to hell because of a single indictment – that they were NOT perfect. Furthermore, every major vocation is taught the saving expression of their office and duties by the term perfection. KingsPriestsJudgesWarriors and all, were taught what it is to be perfect in the execution of their office, and depending on whether or not they were perfect, they went to heaven or hell. All other men and women of every generation were taught perfection in the principle of its meaning, even though the very word is not explicitly used.
Therefore, shouldn't it alarm us if we don't even know what"perfection"is in the sight of God? For, how shall we escape the declension of Amaziah, Azariah, and Jotham - who did “right in the sight of the LORD” as their fathers had done - but not as David had done with a perfect heart! How susceptible are we to doing what is widely accepted and venerated as “right in the sight of the LORD”, and, at last, we lose our souls! How vulnerable are we to adopt a status quo righteousness as we have been taught and instructed by our fathers (a righteousness supported by Scripture but far short of perfection), so that all our faith and practice as we know it amasses to an unpardonable violation of the Doctrine of Perfection before the Judgment Seat of Christ
Did not our Lord say, “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasure of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection” Here, in this text, a “perfectrepentance” is exactly what God is expecting and demanding; and, because John the Baptist understood this doctrine he commanded the 1st century Jews, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father…” If John the Baptist were here today he would preach this to the Christians of this century. The only difference is, Christians don’t say, “We have Abraham to our father”, rather they say, “We have God as our Father and we are eternally secure”. This statement may be true, notwithstanding Christ was burdened for the perfection of God’s children when He said, “Be watchful, and strength the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God” Here, in this text, a"perfect repentance"is God’s expectation, and without it Christ warned that He would blot their name out of the Book of Life What does this mean? The text is very clear: without perfection, Christ told the saints that they were eternally insecure (blamable, unholy, unsanctified, & spotted).
Without a working knowledge of biblical Church History, we are bound to believe whatever is purported as extra-biblical Church History. While unacquainted with what God thinks, we will comply with whatever man thinks about God even if it isn't perfect. This is dangerous. What's more important?...what men say about the stalwarts of Church History, or what God says about the heroes of biblical Church History? Should we aspire to learn more about Calvin or Wesley, both of whom taught many right things, while abiding ignorant of the perfect things of Holy Scripture? You be the judge.
Genesis 10–11 sets Babel’s judgment between genealogies to trace nations, lands, and languages, then to recover the spiritual patriarchs who founded God’s kingdom in Salem and Hebron. In Shem’s blessing and Melchizedek’s priesthood, Scripture unveils Jerusalem’s ancient righteousness and covenantal purpose.
Oldtimers used to preach against sabbath-breakers with holy indignation as if they were speaking to adulterers and murderers. Afterall, it is the violation of the 4th Commandment, which states: “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.”
The things revealed to Paul are impressive. Somehow, even Peter was compelled to publicly acknowledge the staggering “wisdom” of Paul’s Epistles (2 Pet. 3:15-16). How were all these things revealed to the Apostle Paul?
"You can't explain it, you can't predict it, you can't direct it... God becomes sovereign!"
"When did you last tip-toe out of the sanctuary and say, 'Surely God is in this place, and that to bless us!'"
The Church isn’t a building. You can’t go to Church. It’s only possible to become the Church through a miraculous conversion to Jesus Christ by the power of the Gospel.
Sparks of excitement fly at the touch, texture, and smell of a book from heroic old-timers. A quiet read of one's own personalized copy only increases the fervor of religious sentimentality.
