Ephesian Church Left Their First Love for What or Whom?

[Vic]

(01-01-2011 03:04 PM)heb13-13 Wrote:  Thank you very much for your in depth reply.

I guess it has become easy for us today as opposed to the Early Church, to try these Apostles, then.

No one can live for 2,000 years.

Blessings,
Rick

I am not sure if it's easier. It's only easier if you can apply the scriptures to understand what an apostle was/is. There very obviously were deceivers who appealed to the people then and those who did it for money etc. There's many references to those too and some specific names like that Simon. But I think today we are seeing an inundation of those claiming to be apostles and they are being accepted as such by many who would claim to be of Christ. I do believe it's because of going by emotion and the flesh rather than actually studying the Word of God to prove what they believe. And as that verse says about ,

"2 Corinthians 11:12-13 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness."

Many too, I think, are apostles in their own minds, but would never say it like that to others. If they don't say the label, then if others view them as such, that must make it alright. It still comes down to trying the spirits, and that means applying what someone says is Scriptural to the Word of God. If people actually believed the Word then it might be easier. But too many say they believe but in action don't. Otherwise, why would we see so many caught in deceptions that can be proven as deceptions simply by applying the Scriptures.

I was thinking about the list of churches and each either recognised a particular group (such as false apostles) was not of GOd or they were succumbing to the error of a deception of a particular group--like the Nicolaitians. But each time, Christ called them to repentance on the particular error and downfall. People like to say that repentance isn't part of belonging to Christ. BUt I think it's foundational.