Policing the body of Christ by those who claim to be defenders of the faith can become as heretical as those who claim they are prophets and are not. They often become judgmental faultfinders hitching a free ride on the fame of false prophets. A critical spirit that comes in the name of an apologetics ministry can bring serious reproach on the true body of Christ, by causing needless controversy and needless attention to non essentials. It divides Christians and diverts their attention from Christ. The focus becomes false doctrines, demons and Antichrist.The only valid ministry of apologetics pertains strictly to the essential of historic Christianity. All else is out of bounds, and when it comes to brother against brother, under the belt. Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”
The only essential in the defense of the Christian faith is the deity of Jesus Christ. Any so called faith that does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ is almighty God in human form is open game for the ministry of apologetics to expose as a non Christian cult. But it is never the duty of any apologetics ministry to engage in controversy’s found within the true church. That is for the five offices of ministry given in Ephesians 4:11, designed by God for the work of the ministry and for the perfecting of the saint. Edification, exhortation, and comfort come by the word of God through, “…revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine (1 Corinthians 14:6). There is no such biblical thing as the office of apologetics and there is more to Ephesians 4:11 than Pastors, Pastors, Pastors, Pastors and Pastors.
Paul warns us in Philippians 3:2 to ‘beware of dogs and evil doers’ but then goes on in chapter 4:8 to affirm, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Concerning Christ and his church, we as believers should thrive on the good news of our hope in Christ, not the bad news of hopeless unbelief. When God sent twelve spies into the land of Canaan, Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report to the people of God. Both of them were fully aware of the giants that were in the land but they refused to let that become their focus. They said, “let us go up at once and possess the land.” Joshua and Caleb became heroes of faith in the bible; while on the other hand the bible called the bad news of the other ten spies ‘an evil report’.
We should avoid the bad news of things that gender strife and focus on the good news of things that produce a unity of faith. We are looking for Christ not the Antichrist. There may be a devil behind every bush, but we are to keep our eyes on the Lord. “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1Timothy 1:4). “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9). In Romans 16:17 Paul says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrines which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Often times the devil plays both sides. It’s a technique used by the underworld. The strategy is, kill one of your own to make the other side think you are on their side. Self proclaimed apologetics and prophets are both misleading. Each has a way of overturning the faith of some causing their faith to become shipwrecked. A ship loaded with treasure that gets blown off course and loses its direction may get lost in a storm and sink loosing both the treasure and its crew. A believer that is twisted up in the wrong form of apologetics can lead many astray and spend their whole Christian life so preoccupied with what should not be in the church that they never discover and experience the treasures that God had for them within the church.
The devil came to kill, steel, and destroy. Jesus said that immediately when the word is sown the devil comes to steel it away. At some point in the life of every Christian, that Christian must face a cross roads. Will they choose the unpredictable higher road of faith for treasures unseen, or will they settle for routine predictability that never stretches their faith.
The promises of God are attainable but we must press into the things of God and by faith lay hold of them. Proceed with caution, but by all means proceed. Be careful and watch your steps, but take a step. Stop listening to those who try talking you into the confinement of their particular little boat. Get out of the boat and walk in the Spirit.
Pastor Tilson
