The 'Emergent' Teachings Of Heresy And Compromise

To the church of Pergamos Jesus said: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." Revelation 2:14-15 The Lord here is exposing the false doctrines of Nicolas who taught that believers are free under grace to sin. He taught a doctrine of compromise and told believers that they didn't need to separate themselves from those who practiced the occult practices of the nations around. It was difficult for believers to live separately from all the activities of paganism because paganism and its religions were the center of life in the cities around Pergamos. Nicolas taught the people that these practices were ok because that's the culture in which they lived therefore all need to adapt to it. Thus the people went into deception and adopted a gospel that was without conviction or repentance. The "emerging church" of our day is doing exactly the same thing. They counsel people that the teachings of sin, repentance, hell, and judgment are old and antiquated teachings from the past, and that they should break from all negative things and fill their minds instead with "positive" beliefs and emotions. Sounds good, doesn't it! However in doing so, they are teaching a FALSE GOSPEL which is contrary to the Word of God. The Word of God, they say, is the old order of things and that dusty old book is no longer relevant today. Thus they are leading people down the road to hell. “For I am the Lord, I do not change;" Malachi 3:6 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Words will by no means pass away." Mark 13:31 The prophet Balaam was paid by Balak the king of Moab, to curse Israel and bring Israel down. His efforts didn't succeed so Balaam, wanting to please the king, showed him how he could prevail in destroying Israel by telling the people that they had the freedom to sin with impunity. He seduced the children of Israel into unbridled sensual living by dangling the prostitutes of Moab before the men of Israel, and those prostitutes led them into all manner of immorality and worship of their false gods, bringing upon themselves the wrath of God. And the judgment was horrific. We are living in "modern" times and the “emerging” churches are teaching the people that sin is of no consequence and that they needn't feel guilt because guilt is a negative thing that they must not allow to control their minds. They teach that God is a God of love who wants us to live in love for all - which translates in our day to tolerance for all, and that we are to reject all negatives, and only focus on the positives. Thus there is no sin, no judgment, no hell, and no need for repentance. And this is heresy. Jesus said that these are teachings that HE HATES, as stated above. And he stresses the demand for repentance: “unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3 Jesus stressed this for emphasis by actually speaking it twice: vs 5: "...but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Friends, our world is being overcome by demands for tolerance and inclusiveness, as the multitudes are being led into ecumenism which is the belief that we all worship the same God, each in our own way. This is heresy. We do NOT all worship the same God. The teachings of Jesus Christ declare that he is the ONLY way to salvation, directly contradicting the going mantra of inclusion being promulgated today. Jesus said emphatically: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME." John 14:6 "NOR IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches..." Revelation 2:17