A CHART OF CHURCH CONDITION
By R. L. DeWitt
[From a chart about 1980 and adapted 4/09]
This outline seeks to set forth that testimony which is believed to have faithfully continued to represent the mind of God, rather than a history of all the Christian sects and systems, which were organized by men to serve the various interests of the founders. Other papers are available by the writer to give a fuller account of this outline. Follow the red line below for God's true testimony.
In the beginning | Believers in Christ continued steadfastly in truth and with one accord (Acts 2:42-47; Rom.
| 16:16). The apostles taught them and admonished them, but there began to be a falling
| away (Rom.16:17-18).
|
|_ When the apostles departed, most Christians embraced human innovations and much of
| | Jewish traditions, and there was generally little regard for the counsels of God (2 Tim.4:1-8).
| |
| |
About 500 A.D.+ |_| Continued disregard by Christians for sound doctrine (Titus 1:9), not continuing in the
| | Spirit (Gal.3:1-3), and allowing leaven (1 Cor.5), gave rise to false teachers and more
| | ritualism; then in time the RCR (Roman Catholic Religion) of popery arose with hierarchy,
| | ceremonies, and wickedness. In those "dark ages" true believers were scattered, and
| | could only meet in secret because of the terrible persecutions by the RCR (Acts 20:29).
| | At that time the written Word of God was not available to all.
| |
About 1500 A.D.+ |_|_ God revived the gospel message out of the bondage, with such servants as Martin
| | Luther, though facing persecutions and slaughter of faithful saints by the religionists of
| | the RCR. Many godly saints were then embolden to speak out for the Lord. There was
| | a protest movement and attempt at reformation, which soon became separation. The
| | Word of God began to circulate as more copies were made.
| |
| |_ The separation brought forth sectarianism with various denominations and the
| | | traditions, hierarchy, rituals, and practices they had learned with the RCR for
| | | 1,000 years. There was not a clean break.
| | |
About 1800 A.D.+ | |_|_ God began to call faithful believers out of the denominated sects which had
| | | developed in form like the Roman religion, and with exercise to return to His Word
| | | and dependence on the Holy Spirit (Matt.18:20). In 1827-28 there were those who
| | | came together in homes in Ireland and England in simplicity like the early church, as
| | | members of the "one body" (1 Cor.1:2; 12:12), to just continue "steadfastly in the
| | | apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts
| | | 2:42). They recognized the priesthood of believers (1 Pet.2:5-10). This was a new
| | | work and revival by the Spirit and much sound ministry was written, which is available
| | | today. A lovely fellowship prevailed. The movement was blessed and spread rapidly
| | | to revive precious truth. Original brothers among them were J.N.Darby, Edward
| | | Cronin, William Hutchinson, and J.G.Bellett. Later, William Kelly, G.V.Wigram,
| | | C.H.Mackintosh, and other capable students of the Word became associated with
| | | this "brethren movement", as it was called.
| | |
| | |_ Satan hated this new work of God and soon raised up the flesh. An independent
| | | | spirit came forth. Some brethren arose "speaking perverse things, to draw away
| | | | disciples after them" (Acts 20:30). A number of saints went out to form new and
| | | | compromise gatherings back with denominated systems, some established rigid
| | | | control of the saints, and some sought mergers or various ideologies. A faithful
| | | | testimony continued, however, in spite of the falling away.
| | | |
About 1900 A.D.+ | | | |_ "Fundamentalism" then arose among the denominational sects seeking to
| | | | | preserve the gospel there. It also preserved man-made traditions. A so-called
| | | | | "pentecostal" system came out of that, which denied the eternal security of
| | | | | believers and promoted signs and emotional experiences.
| | | | |
| | | | |_ Satan began to raise up many wicked Christ rejecting systems, cults, and
| | | | | | religions to imitate and confuse (2 Cor.11:13-15).
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Present day | | | | | | > The saints are now quite scattered with new sects and sub-divisions forming
| | | | | | every year. Denominated sects are amalgamating. The professing Christian
v v v v v v groups without Christ as Savior are moving back to the RCR system. Christian
"fundamental" sects are overlooking differences and merging. Some Christians
shun any order and are seeking to have an experience as a "free-spirit". There
remains, however, that testimony that God raised up in the early 1800's --
--expressing the "one body" worldwide in the scriptural order, gathering to the
Name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone, and waiting upon the Holy Spirit. They
recognize the ruin in the church is to our collective shame, and are not
occupied with forbidding the unions and popular ways (Mark 9:38); rather, they
continue in the path, desire the honor and glory of the Lord, and "all the
counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). Though weak in numbers they are holding fast
"Till He comes". Does the reader know about this? One should also read
Miller's Church History, and Foxe's Book Of Martyrs. - RLD.
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