1 Timothy 4:1-5

WARNINGS AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS

1 Timothy 4:1-5

1Ti 4:1  Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 1Ti 4:2  These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

Are we already guilty of this. Below are estimates of the number of denominations that exist throughout the world. A lot of these are independent churches and really do not have many differences but what is the count for the number of churches that have serious differences? Wikipedia lists about 40 major divisions, each of whom might have some variation in belief.

Joh_17:21  I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me.

Which one of the 40 divisions is right? There is one God, one Holy Spirit, one Savior and one Bible. That would indicate to me that there is only one church. You wonder why the Christian religion is declining in the United States? It should be obvious there is only one church. not 40+

• World Christian Encyclopedia (David A. Barrett; Oxford University Press, 1982) apparently estimated almost 21,000 denominations, and the updated World Christian Encyclopedia (Barrett, Kurian, Johnson; Oxford Univ Press, 2nd edition, 2001) estimated at least 33,000. “Denomination” is defined as “an organized Christian group within a country”.
• The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary estimated 34,000 denominations in 2000, rising to an estimated 43,000 in 2012. These numbers have exploded from 1,600 in the year 1900.

1Ti 4:3  They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 1Ti 4:4  Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 1Ti 4:5  For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

There are Christian religions, I use the term loosely, that have to dance with snakes, there are ones who judge others, there are ones that marry same sex couples. We have strayed so far from where God wants us. Regardless of your beliefs on any of these subjects if it is forbidden in the Bible then we as followers of Jesus Christ must also follow his word. I do believe everyone should go to church regardless of their sexual preferences. That way we allow the Holy Spirit a chance to witness to them. I know I am controversial on this subject but read the Bible and make you own conclusions.

Dave