Beginnings of Different Religious Bodies

One of the most exciting stories ever told in the annals of church history is the breakdown of Roman Catholicism. For almost 1000 years, the Roman Catholic church (RCC) dominated the religious world. When the people were more ready to hear a message from the Bible than one from the pope, strong men were able breakdown the dominance of the RCC. By divine providence, and not by coincidence, men began to be dissatisfied with the RCC religion.

One of the major problems of Catholicism then and now was the moral decline among the clergy, including the popes themselves. This was one of the chief motivating factors in the rise of the reformation. The moral status of the RCC was at its lowest during the heights of papal rule. They condoned lying, stealing, extortion, fornication, concubinage, bigamy, murder, profanity, abortion and drunkenness.

Bigamists were authorized as priests by "St. Sircius" (General Legislation in the New Code of Common Law, 179). Adultery was practiced and approved by popes. Segius III was father of John XI by Morozia, one of the worst women in history (Catholic Encyclopedia, VIII, 426). John X (9l4-928) was made archbishop when he was 5 years old and was made pope by his mother. John XI (931-936) son of Sergius III and Morozia, was made pope by his mother at 20 years of age. John XII (955-964) was described as "a coarse, immoral man whose life was such that he was spoken of as a heretic. Benedict IX (1032-1049) was the nephew of two preceding popes and was made pope at 12 years of age. He was described as "...a disgrace to the chair of Peter". The Catholic Encyclopedia describes John XXIII (14l0-1415) "At the same time he was utterly worldly minded, crafty, immoral, a good soldier, but no moral leader". Everything but a Christian! Innocent VIII (1484-1492) had illegitimate children, seven sons, by different women. They gave him the name "Father". He sold catholic offices to the highest bidders. Alexander VI (1492-1503) was described as the worst pope. He had eight illegitimate children by different women. (Catholic Encyclopedia VIII, pgs. 15-20; 213, 425-434; De Morton I pg. 247).

The politics of the RCC were becoming more and more evident as time went on. Religious significance was minute to political power. The use of celibacy for priests was not only contrary to the natural instincts of man, but to the biblical principles favoring marriage (I Timothy 4:1-3; I Corinthians 7:1-2). Not only did this effect the RCC back then, but it still does today as the RCC is plagued with 75% homosexuality, 10% adulterers, etc. The RCC was so immoral that "good men" such as John Wycliffe (1384), John Huss (1415) and John Wessel (1498) were trying to reform the RCC. (Catholicism Against Itself vol. II, chap. II)

By 1517, the RCC was in desperate need of trying to reform itself. In studying the Reformation, it is essential to understand the European society of the 16th century. The world was coming out of the Dark Ages. Printing presses were now giving men books that they never had before been able to read (including the Bible). The Catholics taught that only the "clergy" could read and understand the Bible and "laity" was to heed the teachings of the "clergy". For centuries, people were held from reading the Bible themselves, and the Catholics made sure of withholding the Bible from the people. That is why they did not try to translate the Bible from Latin to English, French, or Spanish. Nor was their services performed in any other language, but Latin.

THE REFORMERS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

The word "reform" does not suggest overthrow. It suggests changing an existing order. Keep in mind as we study these "Reformers" that their mission was not to start a new religion, but to "reform" or "convert" the RCC. The Reformation began almost simultaneously on three fronts: Germany, England and Switzerland.

In 1517, Pope Leo X authorized archbishop Albrecht of Germany to send agents throughout Germany to collect indulgences to help pay for a massive construction project at St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. An indulgence is a paper signed personally by the pope which is given to any man who pays a price for it. It assured him that all of his sins or those of his relatives were forgiven, and they could be released from "purgatory". He also told the people that by buying indulgences, they would have the right to go out and do that which was evil and their sins would be remitted in advance (Catholic Ency. IX pg. 165). John Letzel, who was commissioner of a district which included Wittenburg, Germany, began to sell indulgences

Martin Luther opposed the selling of indulgence, and he wrote 95 objections to the RCC and nailed them on the church door in Wittenburg on October 31, 1517. (Wittenburg is where Martin Luther lived and was a professor at the Wittenburg University. He also was a priest who just came from Rome. Seeing the corrupt natures of the leaders, Martin Luther was very discouraged about his religion). He offered to debate any who differed with him. Needless to say, he was excommunicated by the pope.

The writings of Luther and his colleague Melanchthon were received with joy by many in England who were disturbed and already speaking out on the same issues. The reformers in England, however, were unable to advance their causes because of King Henry VIII, who had been named "Defender of the faith." Henry was a strong Catholic and enjoyed the power he exercised as a result of his friendship with the pope. However, in 1527, Henry wanted a divorce from his Spanish princess Catherine and wanted to marry Anne Baleyn (and later Jane Seymore, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and finally Catherine Parr), but the pope refused to allow him to do so. Henry broke from Catholicism and assumed the headship of the church in England.

The leading reformer in Switzerland was John Calvin. He was the greatest of the second generation of reformers. He differed theologically with Luther on some points, but both agreed that the pope was not the church leader.

These men who led people from accepting the teaching of Catholicism and brought them out from under the rule of the RCC were admired for their courage and desire to return to the Bible. They did, however, make some serious mistakes in their conclusion on some important scriptural doctrines.

In 1529, Luther wrote his longer and shorter catechisms (His own doctrinal statements). A year later, a statement of faith known as the Augsburg Confession, was authored by Martin Luther. In 1577, the formula of Concord was drawn up. These documents were an explanation of Luther's teachings from the doctrinal basis of Lutheranism. The people who became members of the Lutheran church merely experienced a change of religious masters; they freed themselves from the pope, but bound themselves to a man-made creed.

Martin Luther was the one who taught the "faith only" doctrine. Luther was so determined to go the opposite of the RCC belief concerning faith and works, that he taught that man is justified by "faith only". Luther went to the other extreme. He denied that man is required to do any act at all in order to be saved. He taught that man is saved by faith apart from works. His followers objected to most of the New Testament's teaching on baptism for the remission of sins. A further discussion on this teaching will be addressed later in the study.

How does each of the following passages dispute Luther's "faith only" theory?

1. James 2:14-24

2. Mark 16:16

3. John 14:15

4. Matthew 7:21

Since several denominations accept and teach John Calvin's five points on salvation, it is necessary for us to study Mr. Calvin's five point system. While Luther was advocating his "faith only" theory in Germany, John Calvin was introducing his five point system to salvation. These five points can be found in John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. The system is better known as TULIP.

(1) TOTAL INHERITED DEPRAVITY John Calvin taught that man is born into the world totally depraved (sinful, corrupted). He taught that man inherits his sinfulness from his parents, who received their guilt from their parents, etc. Paul said "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23). Since Adam sinned, so according to their teaching, sin is passed on to all mankind. While it is true that we die (suffer the consequences of Adam's sin) we do not inherit sin itself. Sin is a transgression (I John 3:4), and we do not inherit transgression. Transgression is a result of each man's own disobedience to God's law.

MATCH THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES WITH THE TRUTHS THEY EXPLAIN ABOUT SIN

a. Ezekiel 18:20 c. John 5:28-29 e. II Corinthians 5:10

b. Zechariah 12:1 d. Romans 14:12 f. I John 3:4

1. ___ Sin is a transgression of God's Law

2. ___ Each man shall give account of himself to God

3. ___ On judgment day each one will receive the things done in his body

4. ___ When men rise from their tombs, their destiny will be determined by how they lived.

5. ___ A son will not bear the iniquity of his father

6. ___ God forms the spirit of man

(2) UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION John Calvin next affirms that since man is totally depraved when he is born, that it is beyond his ability to choose to serve God. He taught that man is "totally depraved" (so sinful) that only God can make him spiritual. Therefore, God decides whom He wants to save, and that man has no say so in his own salvation. This teaching is better known as "predestination".

The New Testament does teach "predestining" or "foreordaining" those who will be saved (Ephesians 1:3-6; Romans 8:29-30). Paul, in these passages, is not teaching that God chooses particular persons to be saved, but that a particular class of people will be saved. Those who have humbled themselves to Christ's will and have obeyed Christ's commands will be saved (Acts 10:34-35 Romans 2:11). God has chosen the Christians because the Christians have chosen Him.

(3) LIMITED ATONEMENT "Limited atonement" simply means that Jesus came and died for only those certain individuals that God has selected to be saved. He did not die for all men, only those whom He chose.

HOW DOES EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES DENY THE DOCTRINE OF LIMITED ATONEMENT?

1. John 3:16

2. Hebrews 2:9

 3. I Timothy 2:3-6

4. II Timothy 3:16-17

(4) IRRESISTIBLE GRACE Calvin taught that since man has no say so or responsibility in his salvation man is totally dependent on God and Him only to save him. It is impossible for man to escape or forfeit his or her salvation because God miraculously saves man by the power of the Holy Spirit.

First, one must understand that God saves man by or through the gospel (Romans 1:l6-18; Romans 10:17; I Corinthians 4:15; 15:1-4; James 1:18,21; I Peter 1:23-25); not by the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. Second, the Bible teaches that one may resist the truth and refuse to obey the Gospel.

HOW DO THESE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT ONE CAN RESIST THE TRUTH?

1. Luke 8:11-15

2. II Thessalonians 1:7-9

3. II Thessalonians 2:13-14

(5) PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS This final point teaches that man can never do anything to cause himself to lose his salvation. This doctrine is better known as "once in grace always in grace". If God saves a man unconditionally because he predetermined that that individual should go to heaven, and if God sent His Son for man and not for those who shall be lost, then it is essential that the saved man remain saved by the continuing special power of the Holy Spirit. No matter what kind of sins one may commit, he cannot be lost if he is a child of God

HOW DO THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES REFUTE THE FALSE TEACHING?

1. John 15:17

2. I Corinthians 9:24 - 10:12

3. Hebrews 3:12-14

When Henry VIII broke away from the RCC, he established what is now known as the church of England. In America, it is called the Episcopal church. The doctrine of the Episcopal church basically follows the articles of the church of England and the Nicene Creed. Members are taught to live by their prayer book and by the Thirty-nine Articles written by Thomas Cranner. The church teaches that its bishops are successors to the apostles. In fact, its name comes from the Greek word, "episkopos" which means bishop or overseer. On salvation, it teaches and accepts Martin Luther's views on baptism and faith.

The Methodist church had its beginning in England and developed in America. John and Charles Wesley were clergymen in the church of England and along with a friend, George Whitefield, led a "society of fellows" students at Oxford University in a worship service. In 1739, Wesley drew up a set of general rules which are still held by modern Methodists. Back then, the rules were called Articles of Religion, but today they are known as Methodists Discipline. They teach that all religious bodies are just branches of the universal church, and thus are in fellowship with each other. They also teach for salvation that the saved are saved by faith before baptism, and that sprinkling is acceptable for baptism.

The Presbyterians were founded by John Knox. He was instrumental in making it a state religion in Scotland. The Presbyterians hold the teachings of John Calvin's 5 point TULIP doctrine. In 1648, Oliver Cronwell established a publication called the Westminster Confession of Faith, which is still used by Presbyterians as their creed.

The Baptists claim that they originated with John the Baptist, however, the first congregation appeared in Holland. A group of religious people called Mennonites (from a man named Menno Simons) organized churches teaching that people who were baptized as an infant had to be rebaptized. They teach that one has to be of age to believe before they are baptized. Baptists believe that one is saved at the point of faith, and that baptism gains you membership into the church. John Smythe was the first one to organize a congregation in Holland in 1607. There are about 30 different Baptist denominations in America teaching different theological positions.

Thus we have seen man's dissatisfaction with God's organization and doctrine of the church. Therefore, the results are more denominations springing up across the world, especially in America.

1. Name some of the reasons why people became dissatisfied with the RCC.

2. What does the word "reform" mean?

3. What is meant by the term "Dark Ages"?

 4. Give the background of the Reformation movement of the following:

a. Germany

b. England

c. Switzerland

5. Give the five points of Calvinism

T

 U

 L

 I

 P

1. Henry VIII ___ Baptist church

2. John and Charles Wesley ___ "Faith only" doctrine

3. John Knox ___ TULIP

4. Oliver Cronwell ___ Methodist church

5. John Calvin ___ Presbyterian church

6. John Smythe ___ Westminster Confession of Faith