The Practice of Idolatry within the Church

Indifference or ignorance

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            As we read of the "high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,"[39] and "the better promises"[40] that He has for His people in the New Covenant than in the Old, we have a great well-founded hope for true conviction on this fundamental issue. The promise given is explicit and most encouraging. »How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God ?"[41] The efficacy of Christ Jesus' blood is very great. It is sufficient to reach to the very soul and conscience. A soul defiled with idolatry can be purged, its conscience assuaged and enabled to serve the living God. The blood of Christ through the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit not only convicts but also absolves the true believer enabling him to serve the living God in a worthy manner.

 

            The Apostle Paul proceeds most strongly called on all to repent from the absurdity of idolatry, not merely those who knowingly and willfully engaged in it, but those who in ignorance did so, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent."[42] Men greatly dishonor God if they make Him after the likeness of a mere human body. It is like unto the sin of apostasy in that it puts Christ Jesus to open shame. Most beloved, to imagine that it is acceptable to present the Lord in human flesh that is not His own glorified flesh is to engage in idolatry. 

           

           There is no higher obligation than to obey the command of God. It can be done. God does not expect the impossible.  It is a fearful thing to think that some have concluded that this matter of idolatry is inconsequential. There will be no revival in the absence of the true Gospel. There will be no revival without sincere repentance for making and using images, which is the predominant sin of movies and pictures that portray the Lord Jesus Christ. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

 

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End notes :

 

  [1] Isaiah 26:18

[2] God will cast all idolaters into"the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone,which is the second death" Revelation 21:1-8, Acts 17:29-30, and Romans 1:22-25

 [3] http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:l4a0QsT5bn8J  3/12/04

 [4] http://www.pastornet.net.au/renewal/fire/ff-1700.htm   3/12/04

 [5] II Corinthians 6:16

 [6] Exodus 15:11

 [7] Isaiah 46:9

 [8] I Timothy 3:16

 [9] Hebrews 2:14

 [10] Colossians 2:9

 [11] Habakkuk 2:18

 [12] John 1:14; 14:9.

 [13] Hebrews 1:3

[14] Nestorianism is the heresy named after Nestorius who was born in Syria and died in 451 AD. He advocated the doctrine that Jesus had two distinct persons. The biblical solution to that controversy was stated at the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) when it was shown that Christ has two natures in His one person. On questions about whether the two natures can be merged into one, confused or separated, a later the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) showed biblically that the two natures can never be confused with each other, nor can they be separated from each other.

 [15] I John 5:20-21

 [16] Zechariah 10:2

 [17] Romans 1:21

 [18] Romans 1: 22-23

 [19] Isaiah 40:18

 [20] Romans 12:2

 [21] 2003 Reuters Limited 6/20/03

 [22] Hebrews 11:1

 [23] Psalm 27:13

 [24] Exodus 20:4-6

 [25] The Greek Orthodox honor and kiss icons. These are pictures and not statues. They state "use of icons was defended and upheld at the Seventh Ecumenical Council. The end of that council is still celebrated as the 'Triumph of Orthodoxy' in today, and icons remain a central part of Orthodox faith and practice." 

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