The New Testament church began with the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus called HIS ministers: "apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers."
Paul is an example of one of the first of these New Testament church ministers appointed to the church after Jesus arose. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Idols were added to the churches as something for the people to use in worship, much as the golden calves were used as idols in the Old Testament for the people to worship.
So ministers were set up by men to be worshipped and they were called, "Reverend", priests, pope, archbishop, cardinal, and such, none of which were in the New Testament Bible.
("Priest" is Old Testament. No minister in New Testament church in the NT Bible is called "priest.")
People were also taught many things to do at church which were not in the New Testament Bible.
And we have what we see today in churches. All manner of idols.
God will strongly deal with these idols when Jesus returns. In the meantime, we who are of God, must turn from idols in today's New Testament churches.
First, we have to learn to recognize these idols.
Please listen to this Podcast.
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* Ministers who allow themselves to be called "Reverend".
There is only one time the word "Reverend" appears in the Bible.
Psalm 111:9 HE (God) sent redemption unto HIS people: HE hath commanded HIS covenant for ever: holy and reverend is HIS name.
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In the New Testament Bible, ministers of the New Testament church are called: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Paul called himself apostle, preacher, and teacher.
I Corinthians 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Paul introduced himself in almost each of his letters to the churches as being "an apostle".
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Peter said he was an apostle and elder. We see this in the New Testament Bible.
I Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
II Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
I Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
It was a requirement in the Bible that an elder (also called bishop) be married, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, whereby showing they are capable of caring for the church. Titus 1
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In the book of Acts, we see Philip was an evangelist.
Acts 21:8-9 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
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In the New Testament Bible, we see examples of New Testament prophets:
Acts 11:27-28 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Acts 21:10-11 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Paul often travelled with a prophet:
Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
Acts 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
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Paul was an example of a teacher, as well as an apostle and preacher.
II Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
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Paul identified Timothy as an evangelist:
II Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
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If any man comes calling himself pope, archbishop, cardinal, minister of music, Father, Reverend, Priest or anything else, ask that man to take a New Testament Bible and show you that which he is calling himself. He will not be able to show that from the New Testament Bible.
If that name is not in New Testament Bible, then it is an "idol" set up by man for the church.
And the church does greatly worship the men calling themselves "Reverend." This is a great idol in the New Testament church, and it should not be happening.
We should refuse to call men these things which are not in the New Testament Bible.
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We are to worship God today in spirit and in truth:
John 4
The woman at Samaria was talking to Jesus and she said:
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship HIM.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth.
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At the time of sexual intercourse the two people become one flesh even if the sex is with a prostitute.
I Corinthians 6
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith HE, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
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Other idols in religious groups today:
* Crossing yourself
* Holy Water
* Lighting candles in religious context.
* Music when used as "entertainment" to set moods for the congregation.
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