Islam is growing very quickly, with lots of crazy western converts added by the day. Quantity does not equal quality. Like islam today in many places, the RCC was the only game in town for a 1,000 years and there were harsh consequences if you wanted to leave the collective, often resulting in your toasty departure from the Earth at the order of the RCC in direct violation of the Law of Love and the example of Jesus.
I find it amusing the obsession that RCC folks have with Luther, like he is some sort of pope of protestants. I only have one Savior, and one Heavenly Father. I respect Luther’s courage and appreciate him standing up against Catholic hegemony and apostasy. But he is no more relevant to my daily worship than any other theologian. Earthly titles or accomplishments, legends or superstitions, have no bearing on my faith. There is only one Rock, only one certainty in this world. (Matthew 7:24-27, Ephesians 5 & 6)
For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. Matthew 7:13-14
There was no “unbroken” chain because there is, and has always been ONE HEAD of the TRUE Church! Read the Book of Acts without your Roman glasses on. There were disputes and splits throughout the early years that the Gospel was preached. Even Paul laments, “This you know: All those in Asia have turned away from me.” 2 Timothy 1:15. This was towards the end of his ministry when churches were abandoning the simplicity of the Gospel, turning to pagan rituals, ceremonies, and traditions that have no place in the Church, where Believers SHOULD worship in Spirit and Truth, enjoying the freedom from religious bondage in Christ. (John 4:21-23, Galatians 5:1) The challenges of this early apostasy can be seen in religion today, and throughout history.
What religion became is exactly what Paul argued against in Galatians and Colossians - the beggarly elements, the rudiments of the world - all the manmade rituals, ceremonies and traditions taken from the Old Covenant and the pagan world that have no place in the Church. It seems those two books were largely ignored by those intent to build a temporal religion, instead of expanding the Body of Christ.
Should it be surprising that once the Bible was translated, printed, and distributed to the people, Believers began departing Rome? As more folks studied God’s Word for themselves, there were further splits from denominations that continued many of Rome’s errors, or had drifted away from the Truth of God’s Word.
I don’t care what Church one attends. I’m not here to pimp any congregation. I want people studying God’s Word for themselves, not what some man thought about it in 1346. He is dead. Christ is alive. God’s Word is alive. The Holy Spirit is given to every Believer to help you understand and receive revelation from His Word. (Psalm 119:130, John 14:26, 16:13, 1 Peter 2:2-3)
BTW, God is not impressed by quantity either. He is simply looking for faith in Him/His Word:
“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:19-20
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7
salient...
AMEN!
Preach it, brother!!!!!
....”Should it be surprising that once the Bible was translated, printed, and distributed to the people, Believers began departing Rome? As more folks studied God’s Word for themselves, there were further splits from denominations that continued many of Rome’s errors, or had drifted away from the Truth of God’s Word”......
Even today some catholics want to go back to where only latin is used in the Mass....once again keeping people in the “dark” of what is actually being spoken.
right on