319 – The Slandering and Pollution of the Church

SEMESTER 2

319 – The Slandering and Pollution of the Church

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  ECCLESIOLOGY II LESSON # 19
THE SLANDERING AND POLLUTION OF THE CHURCH

INTRODUCTION:

1. There are few, if any, administrative acts of God, in which Satan has not involved himself.

i. He always tries to slander them. (Devil means accuser.)
ii. He usually joins to pollute from within.

III: Job 1:6-12

2. This principle has certainly been true concerning the Lord’s church. (Jn. 6:70)
3. In New Testament times, it was polluted from within and slandered from without.

I. SLANDER OF THE EARLY CHURCH

1. The apostles on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:13-15)
2. Stephen, before he was stoned. (Acts 6:13-14)
3. Paul at Philippi. (Acts 16:19-21)

II. THE POLLUTION OF THE EARLY CHURCH

1. The frequent complaint lodged against the church is they are not all pure.

i. One hypocrite draws more attention than ten righteous.
ii. It is considered justification for abstinence from any particular church.

2. The church Jesus built had at least one in twelve. (Jn. 6:70)
3. The church at Jerusalem had at least two. (Acts 5:1-14)
4. Paul had this problem in his company. (II Tim. 4:10)

Conclusion: Hypocrisy and pollution do not disqualify a church. These problems still exist today and come in two basic areas:

i. Genuine pollution in the church.
ii. Slander (unjust) from without.

III. POLLUTION WITHIN THE CHURCH

1. Hypocrisy of those who have joined for wrong motives.

i. In times of popularity, for business gain (due to social – church struc­ture).
ii. To relieve pressure from friends and family.
iii. Because they are entertained by preaching and music.
iv. Because of ego trips (energy of the flesh).

2. Lost people in the church, enlisted by high pressure “evan­gelism.”

i. These people often try to “serve God” within a format they hate and misunderstand.
ii. They usually establish a reputation then destroy it.
iii. The effect is loss of confidence in the church both from members and non-members.

3. False doctrine which creeps into the church.

i. This is probably Satan’s most effective tool because:

a) Doctrine dictates our feelings toward God.
b) Doctrine dictates our attitudes toward men.
c) Doctrine ultimately dictates our conduct.

III: “Don’t mess up her sweet spirit” (on tape).

4. Ungodly and unsound people brought in to draw and entertain the crowds.

i. An immediate effect is a message of doctrinal compromise.
ii. A side effect is the following of these people’s worldly styles, conduct and example.
iii. The ultimate effect is ecumenicalism, either identified or not.

IV. SLANDER FROM WITHOUT

1. The world will always have reason to criticize the church.
2. They will always go beyond reasonable criticism to slander such as:

i. The church people are a self-righteous bunch.
ii. They are all a bunch of hypocrites.
iii. They only want money for the church.

3. The reason for this slander is basically a subconscious self-defense.

 CONCLUSION:

1. These things existed in apostolic days, and in every preceding and following age, as they do now
2. The world will not change and we must not attempt to adapt to them.
3. We should respond in three basic areas:

i. Strive to get right where we are at fault. (Mat. 5:13-16)
ii. Maintain a proper attitude toward injustices. (Mat. 5:10-12)
iii. Strive to win them regardless of their conduct toward us. (I Cor. 9:19-22)

4. Do not become disillusioned over weaknesses within, or bitter over adversity from without.