The word “apostasy,” translated from the Greek “apostasia,” means to forsake, fall away, depart, abandon, desertion of the truth. This doesn’t necessarily mean the apostate stops attending church or forsakes their profession of faith, but rather that in their beliefs and attitudes they have forsaken the truth for a fable. Replaced true doctrine with something untrue. This is apostasy and it defines majority of professing Christians today including those in the Evangelical Mennonite Conference (EMC), Evangelical Bergthaler Mennonite Conference (EBMC), and other Evangelical and Reformed Churches. Though the errors and sins exposed below certainly overlap these denominations and churches, this report focuses primarily on the EBMC. EMC is much much worst, thoroughly corrupt and apostate and a bastion of all kinds of heresy and ungodliness.
Apostasy is a reflection of an unsaved heart and will. Those in Matt 7:21-23 were apostates. They had a profession of Christ, but didn’t obey Gods will, thus revealing an apostate and unsaved estate. Demas is another example in 2 Tim 4:10, where Paul says: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.” Forsaking Paul is forsaking apostolic doctrine which is tantamount to forsaking God. The great danger of apostasy is not that it’s obviously unChristian, i.e. paganism, but rather professing Christianity with all its appearances and professions. There is apostasy in the denominations of EMC, EBMC, and Reformed Churches, and that demands exposure. Silence is not an option. (To read further on Apostasy, see Three Main Stops on the Road to Apostasy).
The NT warns repeatedly that the end of the age of the Gentiles will be characterized by apostasy and spiritual confusion rather than faithfulness to the truth (Matt 24:3-4, 11, 24; 1 Tim 4:1-5; 2 Tim 3:1-13; 4:3-4; 2 Pet 2:1; Ju 1:3-17). If you cannot recognize it, you may well be blind and very likely part of the problem. Sadly, the vast majority of churches today by far are apostate. Churches are being leavened over with heresy, and filled with unregenerate people, and this is certainly the case at EBMC. But apostasy must be rejected because Scripture plainly teaches it is wrong.
If you’re of the philosophy that exposing these things is unBiblical or unloving, then you accuse God and His Word of being unBiblical and unloving. Contemplating heaven and hell and the destiny of men, demands brutal honesty. Thus, it is impossible to write in a total dispassionate style. Sadly, in spiritual matters, most people prefer a sweet lie to the bitter truth.
How does one travel on this road of apostasy that leads to destruction and eternal damnation (Matt 7:13-14)? There are a few interrelated subjects that are to blame but they don’t exactly overlap. If I were to characterize the major stops on the road of apostasy, I would call the whole road, "faithless." Each step of the disobedient way takes away confidence in the Word of God that should be there.
The question is sometimes asked why we don’t focus rather on other areas of apostasy outside these evangelical denominations, such as cults, sects, religions, philosophies, educators, academicians, theologians, and politicians who oppose foundational Bible teachings, and the short answer is because the closer to home the apostasy is, the more dangerous it becomes and the more important the warning and expose becomes. But I do write on those other areas as well, there is no partiality or respect of persons. Though I broad-brush all churches within these denominations, I believe there are some very slight and minor exceptions to things mentioned here within a few of the churches, but overall the problems are general throughout all of them, since they are all in agreement. Consider now the symptoms of apostasy at EBMC, while most (and even worse) found also at EMC and Reformed Calvinist churches. (FYI: underlined words are linked to other reports).
1. False Gospel.
This is where apostasy really begins, though it interrelates. Gospel perversion occurs through various means including easy believism (and “ask Jesus into your heart” form of false salvation); false repentance; no-Lordship; process “salvation;” false faith; Calvinist TULIP theology (for instance, pastor Peter Fehr claims one must be regenerate before one can be saved); social “gospel;” not requiring or understanding evidence of salvation, not expecting Biblical fruit, and worldly self-fulfillment “gospel” that “turn[s] the grace of God into lasciviousness” (Ju 1:4). Many also embrace a works gospel of “trying our best,” and gainsay eternal security of salvation and promote "losing salvation," which denies the indwelling Holy Spirit, charges God with lying and rejects God’s record of His Son (1 Jn 5:9-13)—all characteristics of an apostate. This also reflects “another Jesus” (2 Cor 11:4).
All these elements on their own reflect a false gospel, and its this issue largely that has dominated these churches with false unregenerate “believers”—though treated as genuine Christians. At best, the gospel preaching is typically watered-down, blood-less and anemic. Not expecting evidence and fruit of salvation is really not the exception but the rule. Unable to differentiate between saved and lost. Some believe in the Calvinist doctrine of being regenerated before you can believe and be saved. These are all elements of a “another gospel” that doesn’t save. Each one of these perverted elements on its own condemns their gospel as false and corrupted (Gal 1:6-9; 2:4-5; 2 Cor 11:4).
Gal 1:8-9 warns,
"As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."
It is thus unsurprising there are so many false professions and unsaved people in these institutions; conservatively I would estimate >90%. (Including some of the church leaders in that number as well). Most members lack a true testimony of salvation and are partakers of leavening the whole lump (Gal 5:9; 1 Cor 5:6). They have a form of godliness, so they are allowed into the church, but their testimonies, lives, and fruit, deny it (2 Tim 3:5). Paul warns, “There be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ, which are “false brethren,” of whom Paul said, “we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour...” (Gal 1:6-9; 2:4-5).
Teaching that a Christian can lose their salvation at EBMC opposes the Bible from start to finish and the gospel itself. Salvation and eternal life are inseparable. The nature of salvation, the things that come to pass at salvation and the foundation of salvation are among hundreds of reasons why the blood-bought, grace-saved saint could never lose that which he never merited to begin with. There are well over 400 passages of scripture in the NT (and many more in the OT) that clearly teach eternal security of salvation. It is impossible to lose your salvation (Rom. 8:28-39; 1 Jn. 5:11-13; Jn. 3:15-18, 36; 5:24; 10:27-29; Heb. 6:4-6). Why would professing believers deny such a clear teaching of God’s Word? Because they have never been saved in the first place, is the Biblical answer. They do not understand the true gospel of Christ and have never been born again, since all that are truly saved know most assuredly (1 Jn 5:10-13) they have eternal life. Losing Salvation is a False Gospel Propagated by False Teachers.
For an additional article on the false gospel at EBMC, see: The Call to Discipleship is a Call to Salvation vs The False Gospel Being Preached at EBMC.
2. False Worship and Impurity.
EBMC is worldly and increasingly so. Although I am sure there are exceptions, the home of the average member is worldly, where country and rock music is listened to including “Christian” rock music and CCM, immodest and gender indistinctive clothing is used, youth groups are entertainment-orientated gatherings, pop culture embraced, children sent to public education institutions to be indoctrinated by the world, or many other marks of a gross love of the world. When is the last time pointed preaching has happened against these worldly sins, against indecent and immodest and gender indistinctive dress, worldly music and unwholesome entertainment? They can’t preach against these sins because they are incumbent on their lives. And when the government decrees shut your church, they obey. They rationalize their disobedience to Gods Word, but what they reveal is a fear of man over fear of God.
EBMC adopts the worlds music and justifies their love of country music, pop and rock music (which includes CCM and the breathy squawky voice, sensual singing styles, and fleshly gratification) and other ungodly golden-calf music. They believe that performing CCM is worshipping God, but they are sorely deceived. Missionaries from this denomination have gone to Bolivia to start churches among the Mennonite Old Order or Old Colony colonies (where cars and telephones and electricity is not even allowed), where they draw the young people (especially) through the use of worldly, carnal and flesh-driven rock music, with the whole rock band trap, "worshipping" the flesh, but also in their manner of worldly and gender indistinctive dressing. The people are won over, not by the true gospel of Jesus Christ, but by liberty of the flesh for an occasion of sin. CCM is unholy, worldly, fleshly, ecumenical, charismatic, adulterous, and contrary to worship expressed in Scripture. Nothing about CCM is Biblical. Not its lyrics, melody, beat, attraction, musicians or flaunting sensual style. Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) Is Dishonouring to God.
The mood of these churches is worldly, pop novelties. Everything becomes more and more casual. Rock bands and concerts. Movies, heretical so-called "Christian" films such as Faith Like Potatoes and Fireproof and Courageous, are undiscerningly embraced and loved. Attending heretical conferences (e.g., Break Forth, YC Edmonton, Spring Blast, G3 Reformed Calvinism Conference), pursuing worldly amusement and activity. Hence the gymnasiums in the “church” like at the La Crete EMC Church (LCCF), a church where EBMC pastors and missionaries regularly preach at, a church that is very closely associated with the EBMC denomination. Evangelicals really get upset if you talk about taking away their music, dress, and entertainment. These are rationalized as so-called cultural issues, but they really are the division from the world, what keeps Christianity distinct, and commanded of the Lord for those who love Him (1 Jn 2:15-17; Jam 4:4). They have created “another Jesus.” Many times they’ve got the same words in their doctrinal statement, but everything means something different. God isn't feared and revered or obeyed. Every man does that which is right in his own eyes.
The critical matter of dress, the spirit of the age like hand in glove, is not so much about exposure, though that is commonly a huge problem, but on gender indistinctive clothing, confounding the garment that once differed the sexes for us, which is androgyny and rejection of authority toward God and husband. Woman wearing that which pertains to a man (De 22:5; 1 Tim 2:9), while not many men are wearing that which pertains to a woman (I.e. dresses). But both are equally an abomination to God. Gender indistinctive clothing is not only immodest but also an androgynous attack on God as Creator. Its a denial of what God has made. Further, it’s a gospel issue because its an external reflection of the heart. Have a read here on the Immodesty and Transgenderism of evangelicalism today.
They love the world and things of the world, in opposition to the Bible (1 Jn 2:15-17). These passages warn those who love the world are unsaved because they don’t have the love of the Father in them (v. 15) and do not do His will (v. 17), being dominated only by the natural man (v. 16).
Worldliness, often intimately associated with sin, and false teachings, is leaven that’ll “...leaveneth the whole lump.” (Gal. 5:9; 1 Cor. 5:6). We are commanded however to:
“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” (1 Cor. 5:7)
Genuine repentant faith changes a person entirely and permanently (2 Cor 2:15; Ti 3:3-7). True believers do not twist and conform the Bible to their life, they do not ignore what scripture says, they do not justify their sin (I.e. love for, and conformity to the world through such means as dress and music). No, they “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” because their “love [is] without dissimulation.” (Rom 12:9). Genuine true conversion results in completely new behaviour and a new song (2 Cor 5:17). The new heart is set forth to godliness, righteousness, holiness, and purity, since, after all, its been regenerates by the Spirit of God and produced by the same grace that saved them (Ti 2:11-14). They do worship God in “spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:24).
EBMC does not. Their worship is dishonouring to God and disobedient to the Bible and they are directly contributing to end-times apostasy.
Read here for further info on the unBiblical nature of modern contemporary worship music:
3. False Bibliology.
True Bibliology is denied and the heresy of textual criticism embraced. Though lip service is given to “sola scriptura,” they in fact deny the surety of God’s inspired Word and the promise of its preservation, by their use and embracement of any corrupted perversion of Scripture, including NKJV, ESV, NIV, NLT, The Message, Das Bibel, etc. All modern Bible perversions have been weighed in the balance and found desperately wanting. If you can't be sure about what the Bible is, how can you stand upon it? All 500+ modern English Bible perversions are birthed from the severely corrupted Critical Greek Text (aka. Nestle Aland Text) which is the Satanic Westcott & Hort Text, and all must be rejected. Some like the NLT and The Message are blasphemous. Yet all are used by the lay people and clergy alike.
The following are some reasons why English modern versions are perversions, while here is another more detailed article on the subject Why Modern Bible Versions are Corrupt, and the King James Version is Not:
All modern versions derive from the Critical Text, authored by two demonic apostates in 1881: Westcott & Hort, thus follow the same corruption (2 Cor 2:17). Over 3,000 changes exist between the Critical Text and that of the Received Text, the Text Received by Bible-believing churches over the last nearly 2,000 years.
Omission of 41 complete verses: Matt 17:21; 18:11; 23:14; Mk 7:16; 9:44, 46; 11:26; 15:28; 16:9-20; Lk 17:36; 23:17; Jn 5:4; 7:53–8:11; Ac 8:37; 15:34; 24:7; 28:29; Rom 16:24; 1 Jn 5:7, and partial omission of 200+ verses. 2,886 words are removed in the modern Greek text, which is equivalent to 1 and 2 Peter (This also exposes the myth that only 1/2 page of text is in question).
The effect of this huge omission of words and passages is corruption and a demonic attack on critical doctrine, and intentionally so, such as the following (with references): The Trinity (1 Jn 5:17); Gospel of Christ (Mk 16:9-14,19; Ac 3:26; Rom 14:9); Salvation (Rom 11:6; Mt 9:13; Mk 2:17; 10:21; Ac 9:5-6; 2 Tim 1:11; Col 2:11); Biblical marriage (Mt 19:9); Separation (1 Tim 6:5); Hell and Eternal punishment (Matt 23:14; Mk 9:44-47; 16:16; 2 Pet 2:17 — completely GONE in OT, 1/2 gone in NT); Believers Baptism (Ac 8:37); Atonement of Christ (1 Cor 5:7); Judging (1 Cor 5:12; 6:4); New Covenant/Testament (Matt 26:28; Mk 14:24; Lk 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25; 2 Cor 3:6; Heb 9:15); Evidence or Proof of Salvation (Gal 3:1; Jam 2:20; 1 Pet 5:12); Christ’s Return (Mt 25:13); Doctrine of Christ and His Deity (Mt 5:22; 8:29; 19:16-17; 23:8; 28:6; Mk 1:1; 1:31; 16:9-20; Lk 2:33, 44; 22:64; 24:40, 51; Jn 1:18, 27; 3:13 ,16; 5:16; 7:8; 9:4, 35; Ac 2:30-31; 4:24; 7:30, 37; Col 1:2; etc — His name is removed >200 times); Doctrine of Scripture Preservation (1 Pet 1:23); Fasting and Prayer (Mt 17:21; Mk 9:28-29; Ac 10:30); OT prophecies fulfilled in NT (Matt 27:35; Mk 13:14; 15:28); etc, etc. To turn salvation into a process, as the NKJV does, is a damnable heresy.
The modern versions read like a dull, vague, opaque literature device, in contrast to the magnificence, beauty, and majesty of the KJV. The KJV is an incorruptible bulwark that stands in a class of its own concerning English translations.
The foundation of the modern versions is a rejection of preservation — God allegedly only promised to preserve His concepts not His “words” (cf. Ps 12:6-7; Pr 30:5-6; Mt 5:18). This position is devoid of any scriptural foundation and akin to agnosticism.
Around 500 English versions of the Bible produced since 1881 😳, but “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Cor 14:33). When we consider the end of those who omit or add or corrupt Gods Word (Rev 22:18-19), the authorship of modern perversions can only be accredited to the one known as the Great Deceiver, Satan, the father of lies. He has orchestrated the greatest attack ever on God, thereby leading millions into unquenchable hell fire.
Frankly, embracing corrupted perversions of God’s Word translated from the exceedingly corrupt Critical Text, which was based upon two horrendous manuscripts Aleph and B (both of which remove thousands of words from the Bible and contradicted each other in as many places as well), is blasphemous and disgraceful to the Lord, towards His Word which He has magnified above all His name (Ps 138:2). These versions have added, omitted and butchered the Word of God falling under the condemnation of Rev 22:18-19 and Pr 30:5-6, and those that use them become an accomplice to this crime of high treason against the King of Kings and Lord of lords.
Two popular versions used at EBMC are the NJKV and ESV. The NKJV is missing many words found in the underlying Greek text and was not translated from a historical and Biblical position on inspiration and preservation. The translators blatantly lied that it was translated from the same Greek text. It wasn't and you can read here How we Know the New King James Version (NKJV) is Not an Updated KJV or a Good Translation. A careful comparison, as you will read, reveals that they lied. Along with a host of other problems that include the NKJV translators attacking the KJV and the Greek text behind the KJV. Here is an Expose of the English Standard Version (ESV).
The only presently available English translation derived from the true text of Scripture that God inspired and preserved — the Hebrew Masoretic Text and Greek Textus Receptus (which have nearly 6,000 manuscripts defending it as God’s inspired and preserved Word, while the Critical Text has basically 2) — is the King James Bible. If you are using any other Bible in English, you do not have “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17b). Period. This is not difficult to prove or understand, you just have to be willing to change when confronted with the truth. But many don’t want to, and the reason for that, again, is apostasy. Unregenerate apostasy. You need an accurate translation and there is only one in the English language and that is the King James Bible.
Ezra 6:11 decrees the seriousness of the matter in altering God’s Word:
“Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.”
He was referring to the word of Cyprus, the decree to build the temple at Jerusalem (Ez 6:1-10), which was the inspired Word of God. In reality, the earthly death of those who have altered God’s Word is nothing in comparison to what they have waiting for them for all eternity:
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Rev 22:18-19).
4. False Doctrine and Corruption of Scripture.
Additionally, besides what has been mentioned or will be mentioned, doctrine is not sound but corrupted in many areas (in no particular order):
Doctrine is corrupted by dividing into “essentials” and “non-essentials,” as if there is anything non-essential in the Bible (its a means to justify doctrinal and practical error, to keep coalitions). Read here on this heresy: The False Practice of Ranking Doctrine into “Essentials” and “Non-Essentials” is Phariseeism.
Doctrine of separation is despised and repudiated, whether it be separation from the world, from error, from sin, or from people and churches. We find very little teaching and practice of personal and ecclesiastical separation at EBMC, if any at all, even though separation is a critical wall of protection against sin, the world and spiritual danger. When someone misrepresents or perverts separation including by neglect, he also gets God, Scripture, the truth, the church, and even the gospel wrong. Every doctrine relates to separation. Failure to separate from error leaves one open to the influence of error, and consequently EBMC is leavened over with error. The Bible does not instruct believers to dialogue with compromisers, false teachers, heretics or apostates, but rather to preach the truth to them, to rebuke their errors and to separate from them (see Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Cor 11:3-4, 12-15; Phil 3:2, 17-19; 1 Tim 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 3:5-9; 4:1-5; Ti. 3:10-11; 2 Jn 1:9-11; etc). Neo-evangelicalism is characterized by exalting "love" and "unity" above doctrine and obedience, and we see this on every hand in the EBMC.
Sanctification is severely corrupted into something where you may or may not grow, two-tiered Keswick-type theology, which is wholly unscriptural. Rare preaching against sin or error. You can
False or fake unity which is a rejection of true unity of regenerate people adhering to sound doctrine (Rom 15:6; 1 Cor 1:10; Ac 2:42; Eph 4:1-16; Phil 1:27; 3:15-19), in spite of emphasizing “unity” over purity and truth. A plethora of different beliefs are accommodated within even just one church, with many different “Bibles” used but if that isn’t confusion and disunity, I’m not sure what would be. No surprise, divisions and splitting of churches frequently occurs. Read here about True Biblical Unity, What the Bible Requires Versus Fake Unity, the Most Common Today.
Doctrine of preservation of scripture is rejected and found nowhere in their teachings or statement of faith. That fits with the embracement of heretical Bible perversions and Textual Criticism.
Divorce and remarriage is accepted at EMC and quite possibly at some of the EBMC churches, even if not formally. That is adultery and wicked, and here is a brief report on it: Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage.
“Kingdom-now” and “Word-Faith” heresy. Though this may not be very prevalent, it is present nevertheless.
Psychology, humanism and mental health comes out regularly in the preachings at EMC, though lesser at EBMC and Reformed churches. Peter Fehr, pastor of an EBMC church, preached a sermon (Taking Every Thought Captive) that was really an infomercial for Christianized Psychology and Mental Health. Psychology is also endorsed through heretical books by psychologists (such as Emerson Eggerichs, Larry Crabb, etc); by courses offered (e.g. Love & Respect, Five Love Languages); by conferences (e.g. Break Forth, Joanne Goodwin 2019 Hearts Renewed Conference — a Pentecostal, mental health drug pusher, female “pastor,” mocker of God); and by courses and counselling programs offered and supported (such as Cantata, HOPE [EMC], Heart to Heart/John Regier affiliates [e.g. Merv Tuplin]), etc.
Calvinist and Reformed doctrine includes corruption of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will, election and predestination, TULIP theology, etc. Entire programs are taught at EBMC Bible school on Calvinism and Reformed Theology. See here for further reading on this heresy: Trampling Calvinism’s TULIP.
Prophecy and Bible interpretation is perverted. Many utilize allegorical Bible interpretation which is not only serious confusion, contradiction and compromise, but its also heretical resulting in a mass of erroneous teachings, including not believing in the pre-millennial rapture of the church, or the Great Tribulation period set aside specifically for the Jewish people, or in the literal reign of Christ for a thousand years on earth (the Millennial Kingdom), or that the church is Israel (thus believing in Replacement Theology) and distorting many other prophecies in the Bible. There were over 300 prophecies concerning Christ fulfilled when He came to earth to die for the sins of mankind. Each one was fulfilled precisely and literally as prophesied. In fact every prophecy already fulfilled, well over a thousand has been fulfilled exactly as the Bible describes it, literally. The only reason not to believe God concerning His future literal prophecies and thus spiritualize scripture is to not understand scripture and not have the indwelling Teacher of Scripture.
The Messenger publication of EMC is excessively heretical, containing truck loads of false doctrine, heresy, perversion of Scripture, emerging church and new age teachings, promotion of apostates and wolves in sheep’s clothing (incl. Catholics), etc. It would take an encyclopedia length report to even address just one year of this extremely heretical publication.
Some of the errors of the church growth movement embraced. The Big Church syndrome.
Hatred and hostility against proving all things, criticism, contending for the faith, reproof and rebuke, and judging, due to pride and not hating sin and error (Ps 119:127-128). Some of the false arguments and logical fallacies are answered here.
The Great Commission, the active witnessing and preaching of the true gospel to professing or non-professing Christians including door-to-door, is utterly disobeyed and denied and in its place there is a new non-confrontational "great commission" which is the false teaching of "lifestyle evangelism." But there is no such thing as "lifestyle evangelism" in the Bible. And even if there was, would the people of EBMC qualify? With their worldly lives and immodest dressing and ungodly music, etc, they are "winning" the unsaved to the same worldly cesspool? While we should back up our preaching with a godly Christian life and we should live what we preach—which truly saved people will indeed do, not because its a requirement for soul-winning but because they are actually truly saved, Rom 2:12-29—the power of salvation is in the true gospel (Rom. 1:16). Prayer, too, is not enough. God’s Word must be proclaimed. It alone is quick and powerful and has the ability to convert those who are under Satan’s snare (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim 2:25-26). This false teaching further reveals that they are in fact unsaved. Why? Because they have no burden for the lost, which ALL truly saved people do for they ministers of God's Word and ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:14-21) and because they are ashamed of Christ "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 10:32-33). “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mk. 8:38).
The doctrine of discernment, warning and watching, concerning compromisers and false teachers of which evangelicalism is loaded with, absolutely NEVER happens at EBMC even though the Bible commands it over and over, and even though it is the clear example of the Apostles and Christ Himself throughout the NT. Those guilty of violating this important truth and aspect of the ministry disqualify themselves from the office of pastor, and yet this is normal occurrence in these charlatan environments. Is it possible to only proclaim truth without warning of the false? We don’t see that in Scripture. What we do see is vast amount of warnings throughout the NT and the Apostles and Christ spending a lot of time in dealing with error (e.g. Matt. 7:15-23; 24:2-4, 11, 24; Ac. 13:6-12; 20:28-32; 1 Cor. 15:12, 33-36; 2 Cor. 11:1-4, 12-15; Gal. 1:6-9; 2:4-5; 5:1-12; Eph. 4:11-14; Phil. 3:1-3; 3:17-19; Col. 2:8-33; 1 Tim. 1:3-11; 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:1 - 4:6; Ti. 1:9-16; 3:9-11; 2 Pet. 2:1-22; 3:14-18; 1 Jn. 2:18-29; 1 Jn. 4:16; 2 Jn. 6-11; Ju. 1:3-20; Rev. 2-3; etc). Over 200 verses in the NT deal with this subject. Every preacher has a responsibility to deal with error (Ac 20; 2 Tim. 4:2; Ti 1) yet it is unheard of at EBMC. The apostles named names and were very specific (1 Tim. 1:18-20; 2 Tim. 1:15; 2:17-18; 3:8; 4:10, 14-15; 3 Jn. 1:9-11). The under-shepherd of the Shepherds flock is commanded to not give heed to false teachers and wolves in sheep’s clothing (Ac. 20:26-31; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:1-5) but warn of them and to take heed to sound doctrine (Ti. 1:9; 2:1; 1 Tim. 1:3-11; 4:15-16; 6:3-5; etc). Every believer has a responsibility to defend the truth against error (Ju 1:3). This requires studying the Word of God and being strong in sound doctrine and bold through the indwelling Spirit. False teachers and teachings are a very great danger to churches, yet EBMC does not warn of the massive amount infiltrating homes and churches through books, videos, programs, podcasts, etc. Not only do they not warn, they are complicit in promoting their dangerous and destructive poison. Doesn't that then make them one and the same? According to passages such as Am 3:3 it does. Again, see here for Answers to Accusations, Slanders, Misconceptions, and Maligning of Contending for the Faith, Reproving and Exposing Error, and Fighting Spiritual Warfare.
And much more could be detailed here such as Scripture wresting, experiential non-exegetical preaching, amillennialism (by some), continual false “love” and false “grace” and false “liberty" (see also here), doubting’s, railings against “legalism” falsely so called, judge-not philosophy, fairy tales, fictional romance, reconstructed history, fascination with ancient “church fathers” heretics, shift from objective and sound doctrine to subjective experience, virtually no preaching on hell or the fear of God (which without you cannot be saved), positivism and anti-negativity, etc. Family is exalted to the level of idolatry, and hospitality is of greater value than truth. The preaching itself at EBMC purposefully neglects portions of the NT, and is meagre non-exegesis watered-down eisegesis at best. Most often it is serious perversion of Scripture. Much of scripture is neglected, and not practiced or preached on.
Overall, a non-judgmental, inclusive, hip, artsy type of heretical neo-evangelicalism. They refuse to make an issue of the whole counsel of God, hence the extremely shallow, non-exegesis humanistic feel-good preaching, and the power-less Bible perversions don’t help either. In contrast, Paul exemplified exactly what they neglect to do (Ac 20:27), and in this, he was merely following His Master’s example. Jesus commanded His disciples to teach converts “to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt 28:20). Paul instructed Timothy to keep the truth “without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Tim 6:14). A spot is a small, seemingly insignificant thing.
The Bible was given for doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16) and is to be preached with doctrine (2 Tim. 4:2). A person is only saved by believing the right doctrine (Rom. 16:17). We are not to be cast about by every wind of false doctrine (Eph. 4:14), and commanded to not allow any false doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3), and preachers are to take heed to all Bible doctrine (1 Tim. 4:16; Ac. 20:27-28) so he can edify and protect the local church (Ti. 1:9). Only true to the NT churches (as noted here: Marks of a True Local Church According to the Seven Churches of Revelation) are the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). The true pillar and local body of believers is to be “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27) but EBMC churches are far from that Biblical standard. 1 Tim 3:15 teaches that the foremost characteristic of a true local church is TRUTH. The ministers of God (2 Cor 5:18-20) are commanded “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (1 Tim. 6:14) and pastors and evangelists and teachers commanded to "speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:" (Ti. 2:1), to "Hold fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Ti. 1:9). Each individual believer is exhorted to “be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Pet. 3:14). Jude instructed every believer to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints” (Ju 1:3). As Jude didn’t delineate what part of the faith is to be defended, the obvious meaning is that whatever aspect of the faith is under attack, it should be defended. Scripture is crystal clear that church leadership is to only teach “sound doctrine” (Ti 2:1) and “no other doctrine” (1 Tim 1:6). Saved people believe and teach the truth, not heresy (Ti 3:10-11; 2 Tim 4:3-4), because they know the truth, since they are taught the truth by the “Spirit of truth” (Pr 8:8-9; 22:20-21; 1 Jn 2:20-21).
These truths on sounds doctrine and obedience to the Scriptures appears to be largely absent in this denomination. True believers are commanded to separate from those who teach false doctrine (Rom. 16:17; 2 Cor. 6:17), which consequently means to separate from EBMC.
It appears like many of these churches present “another Jesus” (2 Cor 11:4), a modern Christ which is a designer Jesus concocted for the narcissistic culture duped in Freudian-think. They’re lookin for the thrill they feel in an experience with Jesus. That’s the same Jesus men wanted in Jn 6. That wasn’t Him, so they walked away, and Jesus didn’t run them down. These churches today would definitely chase these people and offer them something, anything to hold their attention for a moment, until they can give them Jesus the entertainer, Jesus the goodymeister, or Jesus their therapist. The numbers have to be kept up, so they feed their itching ears what it is that they want to hear.
The mood of these churches could be well summarized by 2 Tim 4:3-4,
“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; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
The prophecy is fulfilled today with this new type of Christianity, essentially harlots of the great whore (Rev 17). The prophecy says there will be heaps of teachers who give unsound teaching to itchy ears for this new type of strange Christianity, and that’s exactly what we see. Almost none of it contains the straightforward preaching and teaching of Scripture that reproves, rebukes, and exhorts (2 Tim 4:2). Evangelical groups such as EBMC do not endure sound doctrine, and accept unsound doctrine because we can’t apparently agree with everyone. The big issue is their itching ears loving these false teachers and their fables. Preach the Word, preach every Word, preach it boldly, preach with reproof and rebuke and exhortation, preach without compromise and let the chips fall where they will, is the command and demand of God. He demands the under-shepherd of His flock to lead with faithfulness to His Word and without compromise but we sadly do not see that at EBMC.
5. False Associations (Ecumenicalism).
EBMC is closely yoked with EMC and EMMC, all three are in association together, of a tri-conference of sorts. EBMC joined Mennonite Foundation Canada (MFC) in 2011 as a participating conference, to which Pastor Ken Wiebe stated “We look forward to benefiting from the Foundation’s stewardship education resources and learning from the other denominations that work with MFC.” Who exactly are these other denominations that EBMC looks forward to learning from? CMC, EMC, EMMC, MCC, Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada and Mennonite Church Canada, and more. Some of these, those that I have researched personally, are deeply heretical and apostate in their way of living, doctrine and practice, and have strayed far away from the truth of God’s Word and far from being true Biblical Christian churches. They have departed “from the faith” (1 Tim. 4:1) and have become “enemies of the cross” (Phil. 3:18), promoting “damnable heresies” (2 Pet. 2:1), “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” (Phil. 3:19). In ecumenicalism there is endorsement of erroneous teachings and practices, whether one participates in them or not. Both EMC and CMC have women in leadership roles within their member churches. This is completely contrary to God’s Word (1 Tim. 2:11-12). By association EBMC endorses this practice. Even at EBMC there have been females teaching classes that included males (husbands and wives together teaching or even wives individually). Whether they are on their own or with their husbands, women teaching men explicitly disobeys God's command (1 Tim. 2:11-12; 1 Cor 14:33-35). This is now also frequently noted in the nauseating and unscriptural statement "pastoral couples" amongst these "evangelical churches." The Word of God strongly and frequently warns against ecumenicalism and fellowshipping with heresy and apostasy. Believers are commanded to “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them.” (Eph. 5:11).
These denominations align in events and prayer, and they support and promote a number of heretics and apostates (of many denominational varieties), such as Methodists, Pentecostals, MCC, MCCanada, EMMC, MWC (which is excessively apostate, yoked with Rome, Islam, is Anti-Israel and pro-every sort of evil), WCC, K.P. Yohannan (GFA—a fraudulent criminal, see here), GoMinno, Brian Thomson and Dan Wiebe, Brian Doerksen, Brian Siewert (FamilyLife Canada/ FOTF/ Willow Creek), Ron Sider (left-winged liberal Bible rejecting heretic), Steinbach Bible College, Briercrest College, PRBI, Prairie Bible College, John Hagee, John Luesink, John Tweedie, David Platt and Secret Church Simulcast, Pinelodge Bible Camp, Eagles Nest, CIAM Radio, Joanne Goodwin, Steve Janz key speaker at the 2022 EBMC Mens Conference, etc.
They associate with these apostates by either speaking positively of them, hosting them in the pulpit or using their material for studies: AWANA, Lead like Jesus (Ken Blanchard -- point #3a), Purpose Driven Life (Rick Warren), Crazy Love (Francis Chan), Paul Ryan and YWAM, The Prayer of Jabez (Bruce Wilkinson), Our Daily Bread (RBC), John Bevere, Southland Church of Steinbach, James Robinson, Andy Stanley, Charlie Stanley, Chuck Colson, Chuck Swindol, Larry Crabb, James Dobson & FOTF & Adventures in Odyssey, John Piper, Hank Hanegraaf, C.S. Lewis, Ravi Zacharias, Louie Giglio, R.C. Sproul, Peter Wagner, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Beth Moore, Max Lucado, Augustine, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Joyce Myer, Louis Palau, etc.
Consider just one of these examples: Louis Palau. Palau has honoured Soviet atheistic churchmen; endorsed the blasphemous, evil and heretical Living Bible; spoken at the apostate Oral Roberts University and Moody Bible Institute; and his ecumenical evangelism campaigns have involved Roman Catholics, charismatics, liberals, and new evangelicals. His messages are also full of serious Scripture manipulation, misuse and abuse, and heavily diluted with pop psychology, easy-believism, and Keswick/Higher life heresy. That doesn’t stop pastors at EBMC from quoting him from positively from the pulpit, such as Dwayne Wolfe from Countryside Church.
The church libraries are mostly flooded with utterly heretical books authored by the above, by Neo-Evangelical’s, Charismatics, Emerging Churchers (e.g. Rob Bell), Roman Catholics and Contemplative Mystics (e.g. Henri Nouwen, John Stott), and other wolves in sheep’s clothing— major toxic poison for the soul, worthy only of fire. Heretic and apostate after heretic and apostate. The fact that these groups, in partnership with EMMC, are tied to the excessively heretical Mennonite World Conference (MWC) and World Conference of Churches (WCC) reveals the depth of apostasy. We are commanded to abstain from illicit fellowship with error, but that is right at home with EMC, EBMC and Reformed churches.
Consider one abhorrent example of ecumenicalism in the EMC, which is also true of MCC and MWC. These, along with other Mennonite groups, participated in a five-year (turned into 10+ years) ungodly and diabolical ecumenical Mennonite-Catholic leaders dialogue starting around 2000, which included “Ron Penner from the Evangelical Mennonite Conference in Canada” who headed EMC for five years (e.g. https://www.cmu.ca/library/Mennonite-Catholic_Dialogue/2010-01-14%20Mtg%2029.pdf), along with other EMC pastors. This linked document is notes of one of at least 40 meetings, and exposes the depraved apostasy and unregenerate condition of the groups involved in this, including EMC and Penner.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), which is strongly supported by EMC and EBMC, is extremely and horribly apostate, a liberal, modernist, and utterly unscriptural organization that only promotes heresy and false “gospels.” They are pro-sodomy, pro-Islam, anti-Semitic, pro-Catholic (with all its heresies), extremely apostate and pro every kind of heresy imaginable of these last days including the social-justice “gospel”, climate change, feminism, humanism, globalism, etc. The “religious” practice by MCC is akin to Baal worship, yet these groups support it, as do vast majority of other Mennonites, because they carry the name “Mennonite” and make an occasional far-flung reference to “Christianity” to seduce simple-minded “believers” to empty their pockets and back their unBiblical social needs. What a shame! Read here for further info on the MCC: Biblical Reasons Why No True Christian Supports the Apostate Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
Where’s the spiritual discernment? It appears absent. Why? Apostasy. Where is the love for protecting the alleged sheep? Invisible. Not only are they not warning the presumed flock (Jn 10:11-13) of these ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing (Ac 20:29-30; Matt 7:15), they are positively quoting, promoting and exalting them. How evil and treacherous is that? Not only not protecting but actually leading the flock into the pen of wolves, to the slaughter. There is an obvious rejection of God’s clear directive to separate from false teachers, found everywhere in Scripture (Pr 4:14-19; Rom 16:17-18; 2 Cor 6:14-18; Eph 5:6-11; 1 Tim 6:3-5; 2 Tim 2:1–3:10; 4:1-5; 2 Th 3:6; Gal 2:4-5; Phil 3:17-19; 1 Jn 1:9-11; 3 Jn 1:9-11; Rev 2 & 3).
The true Church of God is to be pure and without spot (Eph 5). The ecumenist is a blatant rebel to God’s Word and an apostate (1 Tim 6:3-5; 2 Tim 3:5-9; 4:3-4; 2 Th 3:6). Rather than warning the people, as commanded (Matt 7:15-20; Ac 20:28-30), church leaders positively endorse and recommend the teachings of wolves in sheep’s clothing. According to scripture, only a wolf himself would do that. Jesus said in John 10 that His sheep do not follow the voice of wolves.
“And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (vv 4-5).
EBMC is ecumenical and that is apostasy.
6. False Ecclesiology (Church).
None of the churches of the EBMC denomination fulfill the Marks of a True Local Church According to the Seven Churches of Revelation (link).
Denominations have no Biblical authority. The NT precisely lays out instructions for the governing of local assemblies, but never provides instructions for establishment of denominations. Every church in Scripture is local, independent and autonomous, ONLY. Denominational popery, i.e. overseeing bishop or board, including elder boards, is apostasy. They have the ability to fire a pastor. Nowhere do we find that in Scripture. A pastor, ordained by God, either must step down if God so leads or removed by the congregation if he no longer is qualified for the position (1 Tim 3; Ti 1). Outside of that there is no scriptural support for voting in and out of pastors, as happens at EBMC. The apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ planted autonomous congregations and never once built denominational structures yoking congregations together. The NT precisely lays out instructions for the governing of local assemblies, but never provides instructions for the establishment of denominational structures or intra-church unions. None of these EBMC churches are autonomous. They must fit in and agree with the dogma of the hierarchical leadership or denomination. Dissension or opposition to the mainstream brings prompt trouble.
Deacon and elder boards are unscriptural, as is the manner that pastors and deacons are chosen in many instances. Biblical guidelines are not followed but humanistic philosophies, such as hospitality, niceness, visitation abilities, and the "couples" rapport and gab faculty among the people. The people that get chosen by the "elder board" to represent the church as a pastor or deacon are called and habitually referred to as "pastor couple" and "deacon couple," whereas no such thing exists in the Word of God. There is pastor and there is deacon, but NO couple attached to it. Men alone are responsible for the position, NOT the wife (Ti 1-2). She has no part in that ministry. The Bible gives instructions on "aged women" in Ti 2:3-5 in the context of the local church, but that has no relation to the position of pastor or deacon. All "aged women" fall under these instructions. This addition of the wife to the position is an element of the attack on male leadership-only in apostate evangelcialism today. It's subtle and deceptive that leads to further leaven, but it well reflects the spirit of the age of great apostasy.
The true scriptural NT church, which is “the house of God . . . the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15) must be unaffiliated with any denominational structure or para-church groups. Groups like EBMC are man-made entities that have no Biblical authority, and yet have a large impact on church-ordained ministries in a variety of ways, but not Biblically. One of these is missions, and evangelical churches are not training grounds for missionaries nor are church-planting minded. The emerging church hijacked word “missional” gets tossed around, but this has a vastly different meaning than the missions presented in Scripture. For the very most part, these churches feel no burden to implement the Great Commission, not as a church or individually, as briefly touched on in the section on False Doctrine.
Unsurprising, these churches embrace the heretical “universal church” position (see also here), which produces plenty of heresy on its own (see The Destructive Damage of the “Universal Church” Doctrine).
How many of these pastors are actually disqualified from ministry, “ministering” in opposition to Scripture? The pastor must be qualified according to the specific qualifications set forth in I Tim. 3 and Titus 1. A minister of God according to the NT is to be “blameless” and “not given to filthy lucre” (some have corrupt business practices), “not given to wine” but “sober” (some drink alcoholic wine), “just” and “holy” (some are unsaved, in practice unjust, unholy), “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught . . . by sound doctrine” [so to be taught by the Holy Spirit: Pr 22:21; 1 Jn 2:27] (yet most are teaching false doctrine), “faithful children” (some do not). Some (like EMC) have female pastors or teachers, but Scripture is clear woman are to keep silent in church, including not reading Scripture (1 Tim 2:11-14; 1 Cor 14:33-35). EBMC by the way is completely yoked with EMC, so they are in agreement even if they themselves do not have any female pastors.
They also corrupt the church ordinances. A true church recognizes and stands fast upon only two “ordinances” (1 Cor 11:2): immersion (baptism) of believers upon profession of their faith in Christ (Ac 8:36-38; Matt 3:8) and the Lord’s Supper by closed communion of unleavened juice and bread (1 Cor 11). Foot washing is not a church ordinance, even though EMC pretends it is. Most practice communion openly which is very unscriptural; some even blasphemously with alcohol! “Baptism” by either “pouring” or “sprinkling” are faux “baptisms,” yet this is how its administered in many of these settings. In Scripture there is only one mode, one meaning and one example; all other modes utterly corrupt the salvation picture it represents. Me thinks the corrupt mode fits with the corrupt gospel.
Consider the following proof for only one mode of baptism taught and practiced in the Bible, which is that of immersion: (1) the word baptism derived from “baptizo” means “to dip; to submerge; to immerse” and baptism is called “buried” in Rom. 6:4 and Col. 2:12; (2) all baptisms in the N.T. required “much water” (Jn. 3:23) and required the participant to go “into the water” and “come up out of the water” (Ac. 8:38-39; Matt. 3:6) (neither sprinkling or pouring requires “much water” nor requires going "into the water" or "out of the water"); (3) the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized by immersion (Mk. 1:9-11; Matt. 3:13-17) and so was the Eunuch (Ac. 8:35-36), and John the Baptist baptized with much water (Jn. 3:23); (4) immersion is the only mode that accurately portrays the picture or “figure” (1 Pet. 3:21) of the gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and repentant faith resulting in new life) and thus salvation (the death and burial of the old man and the resurrection of the new man to eternal life– Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:12). Both pouring and sprinkling modes corrupt the proper symbolism of the ordinance. The Bible has spoken and is clear; to be scripturally baptized, one has to be immersed. God commands baptism and Biblical baptism can only be by immersion (Matt. 28:19-20; Ac. 8:35-39). There is no NT support for the practice of either sprinkling or pouring. Read here for A Treatise on Believer’s Water Baptism.
Most at EBMC including pastors and deacons have not been scripturally baptized. Those departing sects such as Old Colony or Sommerfelder aren’t re-baptized. Their “baptism” from the false church is considered sufficient! I couldn’t make this stuff up. In Acts 19:1-7 we find some men who had been baptized unsaved being re-baptized. They acted in obedience to the gospel and the Spirit of God indwelled them. A “baptism” personally attended by this writer at EMC turned out to be a disgraceful clown show. Literally. And the testimonies we heard that day bordered on blasphemy and were certainly unbiblical and only reflective of false professions. Altogether its a monstrous mess of false “baptisms” and “baptisms” post-pseudo professions, with many unsaved who fearfully partake of communion unworthily (1 Cor 11:26-29), which makes them “guilty of the body and blood of the Lord” (v. 27) and certain “damnation” (v 29). Church discipline is very partial, if existent at all, openly disregarding scripture (Matt 18:15-17).
Conclusion
Though there is more, the above will suffice. The writer has evidence and proof of what is written here. Through these various avenues (False Gospels, Modern Bible Versions, False Worship and Impurity, False Doctrine, Corruption of Scripture, Ecumenism, False Ecclesiology—nothing “minor” by any means), we can sadly ascertain a spirit of apostasy. In areas most critical, there is wilful error, corruption, spiritual pacifism and compromise — a clear departure from God’s truth, and that is apostasy. Since the saved live in righteousness, holiness and godliness (Ti 2:11-14; 3:3-7; 1 Pet 1:13-16) and embrace sound doctrine alone, any person that wilfully embraces error, heresy, sin and worldliness needs to urgently self-examine whether they be in the faith (2 Cor 13:5; Ti 1:16).
The spirit of apostasy at its foundation is a spirit of faithlessness mixed with humanistic and rational philosophies. If you are guilty of these things, you only have yourself to blame for the evil befalling us today, God’s judgment on the nations.
For “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” (Pr 13:13).
I cannot be a sycophant or do the easy thing over the right thing. God’s Word forbids it. These eternity effecting dangers require an alarm.
“Charity . . . rejoiceth in the truth.” (1 Cor 13:6)
“A little leaven leaventh the whole lump,” (Gal 5:9; 1 Cor 5:6)
I believe someone can hold to some error and not be an apostate, of course depending on what that error is, but that is not what I’m describing above. There is a general theme of error throughout most facilities of doctrine and practice. And when error is exposed, true believers actually repent of their error, they correct it and make restitution. (And yes, error is easily discernible when you know the truth, Ac 17:11; 1 Th 5:21, since God’s Word is plain and perspicuous to the saved: Pr 8:8-9; 22:20-21, and wisdom results in Scripture application to all areas of life). This would be church leaders and teachers repenting towards God of the sins and error they have embraced and taught, and then repenting to their congregation and the public (since their heresies are public). This is a major objective of my expose, besides warning the people.
Though not every church holds to each and every error noted above or supports every apostate mentioned above, it is essentially true across the board and the level of association between the denominations makes them guilty by association at the least, since two can’t walk together except they be agreed (Am 3:3). EBMC in general is heavily intimate with EMC, filling in for each others pulpits, “missionaries” preaching in each others churches, praying together, advertising for each other, intermarrying, and holding to the same heresies and apostasies. Whether one group might oppose a specific heresy is neither here or there; it makes no difference in the light of the broader picture of ecumenicalism.
A true pillar and ground of the truth local church however does not corrupt the Word of God, or pervert the gospel, or embrace the world, or offer God false worship, or teach unsound and false doctrine, or pervert Scripture, or associate with heretics and apostates, or practice church unlawfully. Those that do are like the Laodicean church in Rev 3:14-18, which was an unsaved apostate church (vv. 17-18). This is where EBMC and EMC appear to fit in. It doesn’t have to be like that though. The antidote to error, false doctrine and apostasy is to confound it with reproof, truth and exposure (Rom 16:17; Eph 5:11). Those responsible for the disaster are to be “rebuke[d] . . . sharply, that they may be sound in the faith” (Ti 1:13).
In our day we see men everywhere lapping up praise lavished upon them, but when reproofs are given for their creeds and deeds, they cry “foul” or “trouble-maker” or “divisive” or “stirring up strife” or “attacking the body of Christ,” etc. Isn't it rather strange that this generation expects to be applauded, but are offended when a critic offers reproof? What does Scripture say? Reproof, rebuke and correction is commanded (2 Tim 3:16; 4:2). It is true, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” (Pr 9:8). Nowhere in scripture is a “scorner” saved, while the “wise man” is always saved. The test of reproof is a test of ones spiritual condition.
Hatred towards me for exposing the apostasy of EBMC? That’s no surprise,
“For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.“ (Jn 4:44).
If they hated Jesus for speaking the truth, they will surely hate me as well.
The world crowns success; the Lord of heaven crowns faithfulness. To wear the diadem of His approval is the highest honour (Gal 1:10). But to be approved of Him requires the new birth (Matt 10:34-39). Sadly many of these evangelicals “Hav[e] a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Tim 3:5). They are "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Tim 3:7). And that is because they refuse to repent and deny self, which includes from the lies they have embraced over the years and propagated into the ears of many others. The pride is high and the cost is too much.
Some “consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; . . . men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Tim 6:3-5)
“He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” (Pr 15:32)
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