the churches of men, the methodist church

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THE CHURCHES/KINGDOMS OF MENTHE METHODIST CHURCH

• In our previous studies, we noted that in Matt 16:18-19 Jesus said he would build His church/kingdom. His church/kingdom is not of this world per John 18:36. It is spiritual in nature. He built only one per Eph 1:22-23 & 4:4.

• In Acts 2:47 we noted that on Pentecost in about AD33, the Lord added to the church He built, those who were being saved, who had repented and were baptized according to the gospel preached by Peter on that day.

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• We also noted that those Colossians who had been baptized (immersed in water – Acts 8:36), were buried and then rose with Him in baptism. They were dead in trespasses, had been quickened or made alive with him and were forgiven of their sins by the Lord per Col 2:11-13.

• We noted that upon their obedience to the gospel, the Colossians were translated into the kingdom of His dear Son per Col 1:13

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• The Lord built His church/kingdom in the first century exactly the way He wanted it.

• According to Luke 1:33 there shall be no end to the Lord’s church/kingdom.

• We noted that in the first century there were local churches of Christ per Rom 16:16 and that the same pattern of teaching was taught in every local church (1 Cor 4:17; 2 Tim 1:13)

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• Since the first century, uninspired men have sought to build their own churches and have regulated them according to their own doctrine and commandments. See Matt 15:9

• John wrote in 2 John 9 that those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ do not have God.

• In John 6:46, the Lord asks why those call Him Lord and don’t do what He says.

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• This will be another study examining one of the man-made churches. In this case, the Methodist Church.

• We will note when it was established, who established it and some of their doctrine that contradicts the truth as written by the inspired apostles in the New Testament. This church is not the Lord’s.

• Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: ……

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• Date of Origin 1729, or 1737-40,depending on historian

• Name The Methodist Church• Founder John Wesley• Authority The Methodist Discipline

1948 (M.D.)• Doctrine According to the M.D

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• According to pg 3 of the Methodist Discipline, “the Methodist Church is a church of Christ in which the pure Word of God is preached…”

• It is demonstrably true that the Methodist Church did not exist in the first century, was not built or established by the Lord, and does not preach the pure Word of God.

• Paul notes in 1 Cor 14:37 that “the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” Much which contradicts Methodist Doctrine.

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• John Wesley was a preacher in the church of England ordained as a priest by a bishop Potter in 1728.

• The group of young men that he led in 1729, which included his brother Charles, had no intention of starting a new denomination, but they were protesting the formality, coldness, indifference and ungodliness in the Church of England. This group was given nicknames by other students: "Bible Moths, " "Bible Bigots, " and the "Holy Club."

• Because the members adopted strict methods of study, diet, exercise, etc., they were also dubbed "Methodists.“ The name was ultimately adopted.

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• On pg 3 of the Methodist Discipline it is stated that “The Methodist Church did not start as an independent denominational body, but "had its origin within the Church of England."

• “It was in 1729 at Oxford University after half a dozen young gentlemen began to read the New Testament in Greek, with the idea of trying to conform their ideas and their behavior to the teaching of the New Testament, that a young man of Christ Church College said: "Here is a new set of Methodists sprung up! "

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• The Methodist Church does not teach “the pure word of God” per pg 3 of the M.D.

• “We are saved by faith only” (Pg 27 of M.D.)• Bible: “By works a man is justified and not by faith

only” (James 2:24)• This one instance where Methodist doctrine

contradicts the inspired word of God proves the Methodist system of salvation to be false. One must believe and obey the gospel or be condemned per Jesus in Mark 16:15-16.

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• This contradiction is evident. But the M.D. states on pg 1, “We have therefore expected that the Discipline would be administered, not merely as a legal document, but as a revelation of the Holy Spirit working in and through our people."

• How could the Discipline be a revelation of the Holy Spirit and contradict the Holy Spirit’s words in the Bible? Obviously, it can’t and isn’t.

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• Paul states the following in 2 Tim 4:1-4 • “1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus

Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

• 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

• 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;

• 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

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• What about the name “Methodist”? Does the “pure word of God” teach disciples of Christ to wear that name as Methodists teach?

• In Acts 11:26, disciples of Christ were called Christians, not Methodists.

• In Acts 26:28, Paul persuaded men to be Christians, not Methodists.

• According to Peter in Acts 4:12, there is salvation in no other name.

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• The Methodist Discipline says “Let every adult person, and the parents of every child to be baptized, have the choice of sprinkling, pouring, or immersion." (Page 470).

• Is this the “pure word of God?”• The Bible says in Rom 6:4 that baptism is a burial.• No one was ever sprinkled or poured by any person for

any reason for baptism in the word of God. No one was ever given that choice.

• No infants were ever baptized by any person for any reason according to the inspired word of God.

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• Concerning Baptism “: Does baptism mean that I am saved?• A: No, salvation is a lifelong process during which we must

continue to respond to God's grace. Baptism offers the promise that the Holy Spirit will always be working in our lives, but salvation requires our acceptance of that grace, trust in Christ, and ongoing growth in holiness as long as we live.

• Q: Do I have to be baptized in order to be saved?A: No, but baptism is a gift of God's grace to be received as part of the journey of salvation. To refuse to accept baptism is to reject one of the means of grace that God offers us.

• http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/faqs-about-baptism-membership-and-salvation

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• The Bible says in Mk 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

• Again in 1 Pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

• And finally in Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

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• At the dedication of an organ in worship, the minister is to say, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we dedicate this organ to the praise of Almighty God." (M. D., Page 550). "In the name of" simply means "by the authority of." Where in the pure Word of God does the Father, Son and Holy Spirit authorize the organ in the New Testament church? What church of Christ ever used it in Bible days? Again, it's Methodism versus the pure Word of God! There is not one Bible passage that authorizes an organ in the Lord's church!” Earl Fly, Truth Mag.

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• Methodists teach that all babies are born with “original sin”. Note pg 26 of the M.D.

• "OF ORIGINAL OR BIRTH SIN" it says, "Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually."

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• The pure word of God says in Gen 8:21 “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.” Note that man’s heart is evil from his youth, not his birth.

• Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

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• This should be more than enough to show that the Methodist Church is not a church of Christ and does not teach the pure word of God, as they claim. It is a man-made church.

• John is very specific when he says per 2 John 9

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

• Let Methodists examine themselves whether they abide in the doctrine of Christ. Note 2 Cor 13:5.

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• The pure word of God states:• John 8:24 belief necessary• Luke 13:3 & 5 repentance necessary• Luke 12:8 confession necessary• Mk 16:16 baptism necessary• Acts 2:38 for remission of sins• Acts 22:16 to wash away sins• 1 Pet 3:21 baptism saves us• Gal 3:27 baptized into Christ• Rev 2:10 remain faithful to Christ

the churches of men, the methodist church

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