Savage Wolves. During his last visit in Ephesus, on his journey back to Jerusalem and imprisonment, Paul said this to the elders of the churches there. – For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears (Acts 20:29-31).

We know now that “savage wolves” did enter into the church of Christ, although Ephesus enjoyed a relief until the passing of John. We call those “savage wolves,” “the Church Fathers.” Nicene Christianity. Paul also said this – But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons {the words of the serpent in the garden}, speaking lies in fakery, having been seared in their own consciousness (1 Timothy 4:1).

Paul was speaking of what we call “the fall into Roman darkness.” By AD 311, another gospel and another Jesus had taken full control inside the minds of almost all Christians and through the darkest of centuries, a “Christian theology” was woven out of the words of the serpent in the garden, a “theology” that rules to this day, that is, Nicene Christianity. It is not possible in this short chapter to give a full account of this great departure in Christian thinking, but we will do our best to provide a clear and specific overview A Mental “Christ.” Ignatius, bishop of Antioch was the first of these so-called “Church Fathers,” and helps us understand the others. Ignatius was a good and godly man who loved the Lord; nonetheless, two primary elements from the serpent's words and from Adam's rebellion showed themselves early on, things that only continued to grow among Christian leaders from then on.

The first was this. When you read the writings of these men, you find them saying many good things ABOUT Christ and the Christian faith, but none of them write out from a personal knowledge of living inside of Jesus and Jesus inside of them. Rather, Jesus is far away, that is, separate, leaving the “Christ” of whom they speak nothing more than an image in the mind. Human Leaders. The second problem was “heresy.” Ignatius believed that it was his responsibility to “protect” the congregation of Antioch from “the wolves,” and thus he was the first to make himself the sole human leader over the entire church in that city, the “Bishop.”  Believers in Jesus who wanted to be in good standing with the church, must acknowledge Ignatius as their overseer.

Do you see what is happening, as Jesus alive inside of us and we inside of Him vanishes into the distance, no longer known, two things take His place in the life of His body. The first is an image of “Christ,” an image that takes on “super” qualities, and a strong human leader standing in the place of Jesus in directing the lives of everyone. Power Corrupts. Now certainly, as we walk together as the Body of Christ, we submit to one another in honor and in the fear of the Lord, because we see Jesus Himself filling one another. But no victory is ever gained by telling people what to do; the victory of Christ is laying down our lives for one another

And anytime one individual takes the position of solitary “protector” over many, the fact that Jesus IS doing all things well as head of every little one who belongs to Him disappears from knowledge, and the strongest of humans, no matter how “good,” now take His place. As Lord Acton said, “Power corrupts.” That's why God will never give power to us, only authority; all power is reserved only to God's Holy Spirit. The Capable “Lead.” Here is the dilemma through the history of the Church. – Consider your calling brothers and sisters, that not many wise according to the flesh were called, not many powerful… But the foolish things of the world, God has chosen, that He might shame the wise; and the weak things of the world, God has chosen… so that no flesh might boast in the presence of God (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). 

Not many of those who are capable in their human persons, able to present a front of “certainty” that they are able to “lead” and to convince many to “follow,” are called into the Church. But some are – and those some immediately feel “called of God” to be the leaders and ministry in the Church, willing to “stand-in” for an absent “Christ.” Let It Not Be So. It's not that these men cannot be good and decent Christians; it's that they, being blind, imagine themselves capable of being “above” the congregation, in-between these weak and foolish Christians and a faraway and someday “Christ.” As Paul said, “Fakery.” They pretend to know something that the average Christian does not know; they pretend that they know “what it's all about and where they are going.”

Daniel Yordly

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Vern

"We know now that “savage wolves” did enter into the church of Christ, although Ephesus enjoyed a relief until the passing of John. We call those “savage wolves,” “the Church Fathers.” Nicene Christianity. Paul also said this – But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons {the words of the serpent in the garden}, speaking lies in fakery, having been seared in their own consciousness (1 Timothy 4:1)."

So brother, you are saying that all of the early church fathers were savage wolves. Check out what many of them had to say about "scripture alone being the final authority."



Early Church Fathers' Quotes on Scripture Alone is final Authority:

Scripture Alone is final Authority
Irenaeus, (130-202), “We have known the method of our salvation by no other means than those by whom the gospel came to us; which gospel they truly preached; but afterward, by the will of God, they delivered to us in the Scriptures, to be for the future the foundation and pillar of our faith,” (Adv. H. 3:1).
Clement of Alexandria (150?-213?), “They that are ready to spend their time in the best things will not give over seeking for truth until they have found the demonstration from the Scriptures themselves,” (Stromata 7:16:3).
Origen (185?-252), “No man ought, for the confirmation of doctrines, to use books which are not canonized Scriptures,” (Tract. 26 in Matt.).
St. Cyprian of Carthage (200?-258), “Whence comes this tradition? Does it descend from the Lord’s authority, or from the commands and epistles of the apostles? For those things are to be done which are there written . . . If it be commanded in the gospels or the epistles and Acts of the Apostles, then let this holy tradition be observed,” (Cyprian of Carthage, Ep. 74 ad Pompeium).
Athanasius (300?-375),
“The Holy Scriptures, given by inspiration of God, are of themselves sufficient toward the discovery of truth. (Orat. adv. Gent., ad cap.) The Catholic Christians will neither speak nor endure to hear anything in religion that is a stranger to Scripture; it being an evil heart of immodesty to speak those things which are not written,” (Athanasius, Exhort. ad Monachas).
"5. Again it is not tedious to speak of the [books] of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz., of James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after these, one of Jude. In addition, there are fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The first, to the Romans; then two to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians; next, to the Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the Hebrews; and again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John. 6 These are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take ought from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said, 'Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.' And He reproved the Jews, saying, 'Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me.' " (Athanasius, Festal Letter 39:5-6).
"Vainly then do they run about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith's sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter, but stated the doctrine so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards Christ announced in divine Scripture." (Athanasius, De Synodis, 6).
Ambrose (340?-396), “How can we use those things which we do not find in the Holy Scriptures?” (Ambr. Offic., 1:23).
Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-386), “Not even the least of the divine and holy mysteries of the faith ought to be handed down without the divine Scriptures. Do not simply give faith to me speaking these things to you except you have the proof of what I say from the divine Scriptures. For the security and preservation of our faith are not supported by ingenuity of speech, but by the proofs of the divine Scriptures,” (Cat. 4).
Jerome (342?-420), “Those things which they make and find, as it were, by apostolical tradition, without the authority and testimony of Scripture, the word of God smites. (ad Aggai 1) As we deny not those things that are written, so we refuse those things that are not written. That God was born of a virgin we believe, because we read it; that Mary did marry after she was delivered we believe not, because we do not read it,” (Adv. Helvidium).
Scripture Alone is not final Authority
Athanasius (300?-375), “But beyond these [Scriptural] sayings, let us look at the very tradition, teaching and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, the Apostles preached, and the Fathers kept." (Athanasius, Four Letters to Serapion of Thmuis, 1:28).
Basil (330-379), "Now I accept no newer creed written for me by other men, nor do I venture to propound the outcome of my own intelligence, lest I make the words of true religion merely human words; but what I have been taught by the holy Fathers, that I announce to all who question me. In my Church the creed written by the holy Fathers in synod at Nicea is in use." (To the Church of Antioch, Epistle 140:2).
Ambrose (340?-396), "Wherefore all other generations are strangers to truth; all the generations of heretics hold not the truth: the church alone, with pious affection, is in possession of the truth," (Commentary of Psalm 118,19).
Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-386), "But in learning the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered to thee by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures . . . Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions which ye now receive, and write them and the table of your heart." Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, 5:12 (A.D. 350).
Gregory of Nyssa (330-394), “And let no one interrupt me, by saying that what we confess should also be confirmed by constructive reasoning: for it is enough for proof of our statement, that the tradition has come down to us from our Fathers, handled on, like some inheritance, by succession from the apostles and the saints who came after them," (Against Eunomius, 4:6).

https://carm.org/early-church-fathers-scripture

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Mike

I did not write this but agree with this.

"When you read the writings of these men, you find them saying many good things ABOUT Christ and the Christian faith, but none of them write out from a personal knowledge of living inside of Jesus and Jesus inside of them. Rather, Jesus is far away, that is, separate, leaving the “Christ” of whom they speak nothing more than an image in the mind. Human Leaders. The second problem was “heresy.” Ignatius believed that it was his responsibility to “protect” the congregation of Antioch from “the wolves,” and thus he was the first to make himself the sole human leader over the entire church in that city, the “Bishop.” Believers in Jesus who wanted to be in good standing with the church, must acknowledge Ignatius as their overseer."

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Vern

I do not see anything in this article about starting house churches.

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Vern

I read the book and found it quite edifying. It is definitely not inspired, but undoubtly in the category of good Christian literature.

Ignatius stressed several thing in his letters:
1) The importance of the Lord's Supper.

2) Submission to church leaders, especially bishops.

3) The iminant expectation of martyrdom.

I do not find fault with any of them, however, I can imagine that if you take these highlighted truths to further extremes you can end up with a clergical hierarchy and transubstantiation of the elements - which eventually happened.

However, I think it is unfair to attribute the errors of the romish papal system to Ignatius and his contemporaries. On the contrary, we should rather learn from our forefathers who fought the good fight before us and joined the cloud of witnesses.

These 3 doctrines are lacking today in our church:

1) The Lord's Supper must be an integral part of our fellowship. I usually lead communion in our small church and each time I discover new aspects of the effacy of sharing the elements among us. Any misconception or contempt of this sacrament harms the body of Christ. Proper use of the elements contributes greatly to the health of the body of Christ.

2) We should appoint the godliest men in our midst, who fulfill the criterias outlaid in 1 Timothy as elders, deacons end bishops and submit to them as we submit to Christ, not as mediators but as sheep to undershepheards who themselves are sheep.

In those days they only had one church and no denominations, and there were bishops in cities that oversaw all the house-based fellowships. I think this was the situation in all the churches that were addressed in the New Testament. There was only one church in every city though they met in several locations, usually homes.

3) Imminent possibility of martyrdom.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in Ch 15
verses:0-31 (KJV)
30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

The imminent possibility of martyrdom is an incentive to crucify the desires of the flesh and the world.
Living is living for Christ and dying is only gain.

This godly view of our live on earth is sorely missing today but I am sure, it will be crucial for our spiritual live in the near future. It will make us overcomers, not mere survivors, that try to sustain only their bodies during times of tribulation.

These were the things I gleaned from this book.

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Ron Halverson

Brother Greg,

I haven't read your book. I did read your response in this post and I've seen some other comments that lead me to ask a question. Having house churches ( which I whole heartedly endorse but not as some sort of law ) and maintaining authority in the church ( Biblical ), both of which you seem to advocate strongly, begs the question of what that looks like in practice with a group of 20-30 gathering in small groups weekly.

Do you advocate or support apostolic leadership models or bishopric models for leadership? If so, how are these leadership structures established and who decides who has been called to positions of authority?

Knowing your support of KP Yohannan, maybe you could address what he supports or advocates for the churches he oversees. Zac Poonen as well if you know. Early church fathers also if you are aware.

I'm just looking for some clarity because we seem to be skirting around the issues that house churches and authority in the church raise in application.

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Robert