Sbc_reformed,<br><br>Much of the New Testament is made up of letters to churches in a given locality or region. It is therefore striking that Peter, John, and Paul--the three major writing apostles--spoke to particular local congregations about the larger catholic church of which they were members or parts. In the book of Revelation, John not only addresses each of the seven churches in Asia Minor with a message peculiar to its need but also encourages them to be overcomers by trusting in God alone. He repeatedly says listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.<br><br>Each time that man has believed himself to be more intelligent than God, that he has painstakingly developed a religious system more conformable to the spirit of our times, instead of simply following the Biblical model, his attempts will not be blessed by God and most assuredly will be judged. In Paul’s letter to Timothy he writes “If any man teaches otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of truth, supposing that gain in godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (I Tim. 6:3-5)<br><br>All heresies and deviations in the church spring from the abandonment of Scripture and of the model the church is intended to follow. The true Church will be identifiable by it’s faithfulness in preaching the gospel, rightly administering the sacraments, and proper discipline. <br><br><br>Wes<br><br><br><br>

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts