Bible Study 17 | The Origin of Heresy in the Bible

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Today’s passage is part of the second sermon book by Rev. Paul C. Jong of The New Life Mission, titled “RETURN TO THE GOSPEL OF THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT.” On our website, we provide this book, along with various sermon books by Pastor Paul C. Jong translated into multiple languages, in eBook, audiobook, and bilingual book formats completely free. Click on the image below to visit.

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The Origin of Heresy in the Bible

In the Bible, it speaks of Jeroboam’s sin, which became the origin of heresy. Jeroboam replaced God with a golden calf, and he changed the priesthood — that is, the sacrificial law established by God, which is the law of salvation.

What about this present age?

We must clearly know the heresies spoken of in the Bible and discern them.

It can be seen through 1 Kings 12:25–26. ‘Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out from there and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David.”’

Jeroboam was originally a servant of King Solomon, but due to Solomon’s corruption, he was appointed as the king of the 11 tribes of Israel following Solomon, according to God’s will during the reign of Rehoboam.

After becoming king, Jeroboam’s first concern was what to do if the people of Israel returned to the house of David, currently ruled by King Rehoboam of the tribe of Judah.

Thus, he devised a radical security measure, which was firstly to replace God with golden calves, and secondly, to change the place of worship from Jerusalem to Bethel and Dan. 1 Kings 12:28 says, “Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold.” He placed one golden calf in the temple of Bethel and the other in the temple of Dan, making the people worship these golden calves.

This act became a great sin before God across that era and subsequent times. He also set up anyone who volunteered as priests to offer sacrifices before God.

“After this event Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but again he made priests from every class of people for the high places; whoever wished, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. And this thing was the sin of the house of Jeroboam, so as to exterminate and destroy it from the face of the earth” (1 Kings 13:33–34).

This is the origin and the result of heresy.

‘Whoever wished, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.’ And even today, heretics appoint priests before God if anyone volunteers. People who apply to seminaries can become false pastors, false evangelists, false elders, false deacons, and false congregants upon graduation, even if they have not been born again through the Gospel of water and the Spirit as spoken by Jesus. This is a system that can lead to heresy.

How can unregenerate sinners become clergy?

Any place that appoints the unborn-again as false clergy becomes a factory producing heretics.

Looking again at the origin of heresy, Jeroboam first replaced God with golden calves to maintain his regime. Second, he appointed anyone who volunteered, even if they were not regenerated righteous people, as priests (pastors, evangelists, deacons, deaconesses, and overseers). The saying that ordinary people were made into false clergy means just this. It is the same today. Since Jeroboam, heresy has continued to flow in this manner.

Those who have not been born again of water and the Spirit should not become pastors or evangelists.

Can one become a clergy just by attending a theological school or just by being recognized by a denomination? Are true clergy made in theological schools? No. Don’t you know that today’s theological system is producing false clergy?

The Bible says that God’s servants are appointed directly by God.

But today, if you attend a theological school, you are made into a clergy. Do you think there is no problem with this? Judges in society become judges through examinations conducted by higher civil service institutions, but serving God is about following the Holy Spirit. Can one serve without the Spirit in their heart?

Of course, I am not saying that learning the Word is wrong, but merely having theological education does not qualify one to be a clergy. I believe that only those who are born again can truly become clergy.

Can one become clergy without God’s recognition? No. Only those recognized by God are true clergy. Clergy recognized by God are at least those who believe in the Gospel of water and the Spirit of Jesus and are born again.

The Bible records in 1 Kings 12:25–26 and Chapter 13 that the sins of Jeroboam provoked the wrath of God.

We must know about the sin of Jeroboam, who created false clergy, and we must not follow his example.

It is necessary to be aware of this, and if one does not know, they should revisit the scriptures. Jeroboam was the originator and principal leader who appointed false clergy to protect his own kingship by replacing God with golden calves.

The same situation is occurring in our present reality.

We should carefully consider whether today’s false ministers are also replacing God with golden calves to maintain their pastoral positions and false ministries.

Have church leaders not changed their ministry methods to focus on material blessings, fearing that their congregants might turn to ‘the gospel of being born again of water and the Spirit’? Haven’t they emphasized that believing in Jesus brings material blessings and physical healing, while promoting their denomination as orthodox and appointing unborn-again people as false clergy?

This is akin to the sin of Jeroboam before God, and it is a great sin that provokes the wrath of Jehovah.

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Everyone, we must accurately understand what the Bible says about heresy so that we do not follow their example, and instead turn back to believe in the gospel of the water and the Spirit accomplished by the Lord, to be born again as sinless children of God.

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