The Apostolic message has not only been preserved over the years, but it has thrived in the last 2,000 years. Councils could not rewrite our doctrine, as much as they would have liked to and succeeded in starting new sects. State religion could not mandate away Biblical truths, even though they burned heresies at the stake. Kings were not able to edict false doctrines with soldiers and crusades. Denominations found they simply could not get rid of Bible-believing; Spirit-filled people and eventually decided to join them, to an extent. I want to review how the Apostolic message has been preserved over the years and reveal the reason why it’s going to stand until Jesus comes!
The original church was founded on the teaching that the Apostles received directly from Jesus Christ. There was no confusion in their minds as the risen Savior ascended into heaven and called for them to wait until they received power from on high. On the Day of Pentecostal, the Spirit was poured out and the first message of this new church was preached. Peter spoke plainly of the identity, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Those in attendance responded to the spoken word and asked how they might be saved. Peter delivered the requirements for salvation and those that gladly received the word joined a revolutionary movement that held its initial planning stages before the foundation of the world.
Paul shows us in his letters how some were false teachers. Many of those teachers and critics came from Judaism and would have loved to incorporate Jewish law into the doctrine of the church. As time passed, Gentiles brought in pagan practices that took root. Some would feel inconvenienced by the practices of the Apostles and modify certain activities to better suit them; some would even manipulate the scripture to keep the trusting masses from seeking the Truth.
Despite these eras of darkness, there was always a light for the church of the living God! We see glimpses of the doctrine from various times of soul search, studying the scripture, and pouring out of the Spirit. When men and women searched the scripture for themselves, setting aside tradition and defying the mainstream monarchy/theology, they were always led back to a need to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Questioning the norm led to a revelation: What does the Bible say? How did the Apostles do it? Why is this not relevant to me today? Born out of a desire to be closer to God, and possibly an urgent need, saints would seek until they found what they were looking for; seek what the Bible promised them.
We are living in an age where many people you meet are “Pentecostal.” I have encountered those that baptize their congregation “in the name of the father, son, and holy ghost, in the name of Jesus.” Paul’s words to Timothy resonate in our day, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:5-7, KJV, Tyndale 1987). “Those “silly women,” whose thoughts are busied about religion without their affections being reached or their principles being influenced by it. They are always beating about the bush, but they never get possession of the blessed and saving truth of the gospel of God. Their own selfish inclinations, and not the grace of God, continue to be the motive power with them” (Pulpit Commentary of 2 Timothy 3:7).
I thank God that some would allow themselves to be led by the Spirit to a deeper understanding of the scriptures. These anointed men and women of God have rightly divided the Word of truth and discovered the treasures within the manuscript. Casting tradition aside, even in Pentecostalism today, is the key to entering the pure doctrine as it is found in the Bible. Let God be found true (Romans 3:4) for all scripture is given and profitable (2 Timothy 3:16). If we are to preserve the Apostles’ doctrine for the next generation, we must be diligent in our teaching and reaching efforts. The world is throwing everything they have at us and our families, to desensitize and normalize its agendas. “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). Jesus will have His say in this hour. Our job is not only to stand our ground with doctrine but to advance and reclaim the Lord’s territory for a mighty end-time revival!