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The Church The Church PersecutesPersecutesThe Church The Church PersecutesPersecutes

Lesson 24Lesson 24Lesson 24Lesson 24

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Immediately after the ascension of Immediately after the ascension of Christ, the believers in Christ began to Christ, the believers in Christ began to be persecuted by Roman and Jewish be persecuted by Roman and Jewish authorities, but the Christian church authorities, but the Christian church

continued to grow. Persecution did not continued to grow. Persecution did not stop it.stop it.

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Then Satan began to attack the Then Satan began to attack the Christian church from within. Error was Christian church from within. Error was stealthily introduced into the beliefs of stealthily introduced into the beliefs of the Christians, errors such as Sunday the Christians, errors such as Sunday

sacredness, sacredness,

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the immortal soul, the immortal soul,

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and infant baptism. and infant baptism.

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While such doctrines were While such doctrines were accepted by the majority of accepted by the majority of

people, God’s true flock did not people, God’s true flock did not accept them, and his people accept them, and his people continued steadfast in their continued steadfast in their

faith.faith.

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Then Satan began to attack God’s people Then Satan began to attack God’s people with persecution by the church itself, and with persecution by the church itself, and that is what our lesson is about this week.that is what our lesson is about this week.

We will learn what heresy is and how the We will learn what heresy is and how the Roman church treated it.Roman church treated it.

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The word The word heresyheresy means: means:

a belief or opinion contrary to orthodox a belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrinereligious doctrine

And what does And what does orthodox religious doctrineorthodox religious doctrine mean?mean?

Traditional doctrine--that which has been Traditional doctrine--that which has been established by a particular religious body established by a particular religious body

as truth.as truth.

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In the year 325, the first In the year 325, the first major council of the major council of the

Christian church took place Christian church took place in Constantinople. in Constantinople.

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Constantine convened this council. Constantine convened this council. Approximately 318 men attended. Approximately 318 men attended. Various issues were discussed and Various issues were discussed and then votes were taken. The most then votes were taken. The most

important thing agreed upon was a important thing agreed upon was a profession of faith.profession of faith.

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What is a profession of faith?What is a profession of faith?

Every, or nearly every, church body has put Every, or nearly every, church body has put down in writing adown in writing a

profession of faith, or a list of their beliefs.profession of faith, or a list of their beliefs.

Today Seventh-day Adventists have 28 Today Seventh-day Adventists have 28 fundamental beliefs, but our original fundamental beliefs, but our original

declaration of fundamental principles in declaration of fundamental principles in 1872 contained 25:1872 contained 25:

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1. One God1. One God2. One Lord Jesus2. One Lord Jesus

3. Bible given by inspiration of God3. Bible given by inspiration of God4. Baptism4. Baptism

5. New birth5. New birth6. Prophecy6. Prophecy

7. World’s history is outlined in prophecy7. World’s history is outlined in prophecy8. Second coming precedes, not follows, the millennium8. Second coming precedes, not follows, the millennium

9. 2300 days of Daniel 8:149. 2300 days of Daniel 8:1410. Sanctuary10. Sanctuary11. The law11. The law

12. The Sabbath12. The Sabbath13. The man of sin, the papacy13. The man of sin, the papacy

14. The work of the Holy Spirit in conversion14. The work of the Holy Spirit in conversion15. Dependence on Christ for justification and for grace to render obedience15. Dependence on Christ for justification and for grace to render obedience

16. Gifts of the spirit16. Gifts of the spirit17. Three angels’ messages17. Three angels’ messages18. Investigative judgment18. Investigative judgment

19. The grave has no work, device, wisdom, nor knowledge19. The grave has no work, device, wisdom, nor knowledge20. State of the dead20. State of the dead

21. The resurrection of both righteous and wicked21. The resurrection of both righteous and wicked22. The living righteous to be changed in a moment22. The living righteous to be changed in a moment

23. The millennium23. The millennium24. Final destruction of the wicked24. Final destruction of the wicked25. New heavens and a new earth25. New heavens and a new earth

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28 Fundamental Beliefs of SDAs are:28 Fundamental Beliefs of SDAs are:1. Bible1. Bible

2. Trinity2. Trinity3. Father3. Father

4. Son4. Son5. Holy Spirit5. Holy Spirit6. Creation6. Creation

7. Nature of man7. Nature of man8. Great Controversy8. Great Controversy

9. Life, Death, Resurrection of Christ9. Life, Death, Resurrection of Christ10. Salvation10. Salvation

11. Growing in Christ11. Growing in Christ12. Church12. Church

13. Remnant and Its Mission13. Remnant and Its Mission14. Unity in Body of Christ14. Unity in Body of Christ

15. Baptism15. Baptism16. Lord’s Supper16. Lord’s Supper17. Spiritual Gifts17. Spiritual Gifts

18. Gift of Prophecy18. Gift of Prophecy19. Law of God19. Law of God

20. Sabbath20. Sabbath21. Stewardship21. Stewardship

22. Christian Behavior22. Christian Behavior23. Marriage and the Family23. Marriage and the Family

24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary25. Second Coming25. Second Coming

26. Death and Resurrection26. Death and Resurrection27. Millennium27. Millennium

28.The New Earth28.The New Earth

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The two side-by-side:The two side-by-side:

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1. Bible1. Bible2. Trinity2. Trinity3. Father3. Father

4. Son4. Son5. Holy Spirit5. Holy Spirit6. Creation6. Creation

7. Nature of man7. Nature of man8. Great Controversy8. Great Controversy

9. Life, Death, Resurrection of Christ9. Life, Death, Resurrection of Christ10. Salvation10. Salvation

11. Growing in Christ11. Growing in Christ12. Church12. Church

13. Remnant and Its Mission13. Remnant and Its Mission14. Unity in Body of Christ14. Unity in Body of Christ

15. Baptism15. Baptism16. Lord’s Supper16. Lord’s Supper17. Spiritual Gifts17. Spiritual Gifts

18. Gift of Prophecy18. Gift of Prophecy19. Law of God19. Law of God

20. Sabbath20. Sabbath21. Stewardship21. Stewardship

22. Christian Behavior22. Christian Behavior23. Marriage and the Family23. Marriage and the Family

24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary25. Second Coming25. Second Coming

26. Death and Resurrection26. Death and Resurrection27. Millennium27. Millennium

28.The New Earth28.The New Earth

1. One God1. One God2. One Lord Jesus2. One Lord Jesus

3. Bible given by inspiration of God3. Bible given by inspiration of God4. Baptism4. Baptism

5. New birth5. New birth6. Prophecy6. Prophecy

7. World’s history is outlined in 7. World’s history is outlined in prophecyprophecy

8. Second coming precedes, not follows, 8. Second coming precedes, not follows, the millenniumthe millennium

9. 2300 days of Daniel 8:149. 2300 days of Daniel 8:1410. Sanctuary10. Sanctuary11. The law11. The law

12. The Sabbath12. The Sabbath13. The man of sin, the papacy13. The man of sin, the papacy

14. The work of the Holy Spirit in 14. The work of the Holy Spirit in conversionconversion

15. Dependence on Christ for 15. Dependence on Christ for justification and for grace to render justification and for grace to render

obedienceobedience16. Gifts of the spirit16. Gifts of the spirit

17. Three angels’ messages17. Three angels’ messages18. Investigative judgment18. Investigative judgment

19. The grave has no work, device, 19. The grave has no work, device, wisdom, nor knowledgewisdom, nor knowledge

20. State of the dead20. State of the dead21. The resurrection of both righteous 21. The resurrection of both righteous

and wickedand wicked22. The living righteous to be changed 22. The living righteous to be changed

in a momentin a moment23. The millennium23. The millennium

24. Final destruction of the wicked24. Final destruction of the wicked25. New heavens and a new earth25. New heavens and a new earth

1. One God1. One God2. One Lord Jesus2. One Lord Jesus

3. Bible given by inspiration of God3. Bible given by inspiration of God4. Baptism4. Baptism

5. New birth5. New birth6. Prophecy6. Prophecy

7. World’s history is outlined in 7. World’s history is outlined in prophecyprophecy

8. Second coming precedes, not follows, 8. Second coming precedes, not follows, the millenniumthe millennium

9. 2300 days of Daniel 8:149. 2300 days of Daniel 8:1410. Sanctuary10. Sanctuary11. The law11. The law

12. The Sabbath12. The Sabbath13. The man of sin, the papacy13. The man of sin, the papacy

14. The work of the Holy Spirit in 14. The work of the Holy Spirit in conversionconversion

15. Dependence on Christ for 15. Dependence on Christ for justification and for grace to render justification and for grace to render

obedienceobedience16. Gifts of the spirit16. Gifts of the spirit

17. Three angels’ messages17. Three angels’ messages18. Investigative judgment18. Investigative judgment

19. The grave has no work, device, 19. The grave has no work, device, wisdom, nor knowledgewisdom, nor knowledge

20. State of the dead20. State of the dead21. The resurrection of both righteous 21. The resurrection of both righteous

and wickedand wicked22. The living righteous to be changed 22. The living righteous to be changed

in a momentin a moment23. The millennium23. The millennium

24. Final destruction of the wicked24. Final destruction of the wicked25. New heavens and a new earth25. New heavens and a new earth

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In the profession of faith set forth in In the profession of faith set forth in Constantinople, it is stated that if a Constantinople, it is stated that if a person believed Jesus did not exist person believed Jesus did not exist

“before he was begotten,” that person “before he was begotten,” that person was cursed.was cursed.

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The Profession Of Faith at the Council of Nicea, 325

1. We believe in one God the Father all powerful, maker of all things both seen and unseen. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten begotten from the Father, that is from the substance of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, Consubstantial with the Father, through whom all things came to be, both those in heaven and those in earth; for us humans and for our salvation he came down and became incarnate, became human, suffered and rose up on the third day, went up into the heavens, is coming to judge the living and the dead. And in the holy Spirit.

2. And those who say

1. “there once was when he was not”, and “before he was begotten he was not”, and that2. he came to be from things that were not, or from another substance, affirming that the Son of God is subject to change or alteration, these the catholic and apostolic church anathematises [or curses].

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Perhaps you have heard of the word Perhaps you have heard of the word anathemaanathema. It is a Greek word that means . It is a Greek word that means accursed or to place under a great curse.accursed or to place under a great curse.

Paul uses Paul uses anathemaanathema in Galatians 1:8 and 9, in Galatians 1:8 and 9, and the so-called Christian church in AD 325 and the so-called Christian church in AD 325 placed a great curse on anyone who did not placed a great curse on anyone who did not

believe that Christ had always been in believe that Christ had always been in existence, just as the Father has always existence, just as the Father has always

been. been.

We know, however, that Jesus was begotten We know, however, that Jesus was begotten because this is what the Bible teaches. We because this is what the Bible teaches. We don’t know when or how he was begotten--don’t know when or how he was begotten--

God has not told us that--but just because we God has not told us that--but just because we cannot explain what God says does not mean cannot explain what God says does not mean

we are to stop believing it.we are to stop believing it.

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Other councils were convened in 381, Other councils were convened in 381, 431, 451, 553, 680, 787, 869, 1123, 431, 451, 553, 680, 787, 869, 1123,

1139, 1179, 1215, 1245, 1274, 1311, 1139, 1179, 1215, 1245, 1274, 1311, 1414, 1438, 1512, 1545, 1870, and 1414, 1438, 1512, 1545, 1870, and

1962.1962.

The one in 1962 was held at St. Peter’s The one in 1962 was held at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and addressed Basilica in the Vatican and addressed

various issues over three years, various issues over three years, including the declaration that the only including the declaration that the only church of Christ is the Catholic Church. church of Christ is the Catholic Church.

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To mark the 50th anniversary of this To mark the 50th anniversary of this ecumenical council, Pope Benedict ecumenical council, Pope Benedict

announced in October 2011 that October announced in October 2011 that October 2012 through November 2013 is to be a 2012 through November 2013 is to be a year of faith and has ordered all parishes year of faith and has ordered all parishes

and religious institutions to reaffirm in some and religious institutions to reaffirm in some manner either the shorter Apostolic Creed or manner either the shorter Apostolic Creed or

the longer Nicene Creed.the longer Nicene Creed.

What is an integral part of the Apostolic and What is an integral part of the Apostolic and the Nicene Creeds?the Nicene Creeds?

Who God is.Who God is.

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In these councils, the Roman church set in In these councils, the Roman church set in writing their beliefs about various writing their beliefs about various doctrines, and then they began to doctrines, and then they began to

persecute those who would not accept persecute those who would not accept them.them.

They needed a biblical reason to kill those They needed a biblical reason to kill those who disagreed with the doctrines, and they who disagreed with the doctrines, and they

used Luke 22:38 as a justification.used Luke 22:38 as a justification.

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““And they said, Lord, behold, here are And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is two swords. And he said unto them, It is

enough.” enough.”

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And from this text the Catholic Church has And from this text the Catholic Church has developed the doctrine of the two swords--developed the doctrine of the two swords--one sword a spiritual power and the other one sword a spiritual power and the other sword the power of government--and the sword the power of government--and the papacy has used the government to force papacy has used the government to force

people to obey them.people to obey them.

Ellen White tells us it will happen again:Ellen White tells us it will happen again:

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The dignitaries of church and state will The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all

classes to honor Sunday. (GC 592)classes to honor Sunday. (GC 592)

A key word is compel.A key word is compel.

God never forces the will or the God never forces the will or the conscience; but Satan’s constant conscience; but Satan’s constant

resort--to gain control of those whom resort--to gain control of those whom he cannot otherwise seduce--is he cannot otherwise seduce--is

compulsion by cruelty. (Ibid., 591)compulsion by cruelty. (Ibid., 591)

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Credits:Credits:Slide 4: Chris D at flickrSlide 4: Chris D at flickr

Slide 6: Phil Scoville at flickrSlide 6: Phil Scoville at flickrSlide 8: Simon at flickrSlide 8: Simon at flickr

Slide 9: Cosmin Cornea at flickrSlide 9: Cosmin Cornea at flickr