Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-07

t:E*:t2 - HM3 toRSs ~ ID LIZ
lu e n tly claimed
~ IA that all the points
@ Of difference sepa-
~ rating the denomi-
nations are only
~unimpOrtant, un-
essential. and that they do not effect
the vital nature and essence of faith.
The widespread spirit of unionism and
syncretism that endeavors to bring the
many church bodies into a visible
union. without first bringing about a
true union in faith and doctrine, over
looks the seemingly minor differences
that divide the churches. Yea. there
are those who favor an amalgamation
and conglomeration of all religious
cults of the earth. asserting that all
have elements Of truth in them which
we cannot afford to ignore.
as that really true? Is there no
vital, essential difference between the
various denominations? Does it mat
ter so little what doctrine in minor
points we believe and confess? We
shall permit the word of God to answer
this important question.
Warns Against False
I'VE read in our text. Beware of
false prophets. which come to you in
sheep's clothing; but ~inwardly they are
ravening wolves. This warning against
false prophets and false teaching is
so necessary. because false teaching
is such a dangerous thing. False
prophets are not imaginary beings. they
are real visible persons. They come to
the disciples Of Christ. the Christians.
They are not sent as the apostles of
old, but come without being called.
The world they believe TO be their
parish, and they single out the very
followers of Christ as their prey. They
have a very deceiving appearance.
They come in sleeps clothing, claim
ing to have been sent by God and to
preach Gods word, even though they
wilfully and ma%liciously teach false
doctrines and mislead their hearers.
Inwardly they are ravening wolves. |
They kill the souls of their hearers.
they destroy, or at any rate. endanger
their spiritual life and their eternal
salvation, and not ~infrequently lead
them into eternal destruction. Thus
christ speaks of all false prophets.
They all even though they may be well |
meaning men, though they may preach
errors unwittingly. though they may
not know any better and think they
possess the whole truth. yet thew are
dangerous people, and must be guard
against. For all false teaching is a
dangerous things.
Know by Their Fruits
"'Ye shall know them by their
In the chapter from which our
text Is taken Christ gives this com
fland not only once, but twice. He
His followers to know well. ac-
each and every false prophet
nat approaches them. A prophet, if
ne opens his mouth. must teach. He
lannot avoid being dogmatical. The
eVli fruits by which the Christians are
o know them are the evil words. The
savior had the Pharisees and Scribes /
n mind. The fruits of these pseudo
prophets should be judged according ,
o the standard of Gods word. It is 7
he will Of the Father which they do l
'ot do. The Savior censured them be F.,
,ause they ignored the Scriptures. His {
could not obey the command. /
because they enjoyed the privilege Of 8
he open Bible. The disciples were /
not to be misled by the glib
words of false teachers, nor to enter
ipon an unholy union with men. nor :
Q %connlve at their false doctrines. S
.nrlSt commands a total separation as 9
~ 'hIt ''.lNf. iiiHPT WIN f1lm or I
galnst Him, not only in the essential t
ut even in the minor points of doe :
rlne. BeWare Of the ravening wolves. a
he false prophets. c
Says Prove Indifference a
Does not this prove that indiffer- &
nee IN matters Of doctrine is against .
ne word of God: Christ wishes. yes Il
ommands you 10 be separated from a
hat class of people whose deepest =
is that you ought not to have -
ny convictions. Is it not true that Il
lose who peremptorily demand tolera- q
on from others are usually the most :
tolerant! Has their broadmindedness
{ which they boast not a very limited
rcumference? The specious plea of m
ome who parade before the world W
leir idea of a creedless Christianity tc
lould not influence us. for every per- o,
IN must have some sort of creed. n,
very prophet must lay down his dog X
a. his doctrine. And as soon as he fe
pens his mouth. stating his position. W
Is the duty of every follower of the ri
of God to contend for the faith ia
AT is within him. Christ urges him fe
4 the battle. A Christian is not ia
gotcd, ruthless. harsh, if he does al
hat Christ commands him to do. tn
hrlst says. Now | beseech you, breth- lie
n, to mark them which cause divisions F.
I'd offenses contrary to the doctrine lis
.ich We have learned and avoid W
en-. st. John writes, Beloved, be- tn
we not every spirit, but try the al
irits whether they be Of God. be- vi
use many false prophets have gone tr
t into the world al
Scriptures Are Test :,
are they to do this? How are ii
Christians to watch against false
and false teachings? What
the standard by which they are mea-
red? Nothing else but the word Of
d. the Scriptures. for they are pro :,
able for doctrine as st. Paul says. Gu
them we must get all our en-
and according to them an
must prove them whether they SUI
right or wrong. Every doctrine on
It agrees with Scriptures is a right be-
and you must therefore hum wa
accept it, no matter what you heart re