(12)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on February 10, 2019
Topic: The Assessment of the Churches (10): The Church in Pergamos (Syncretism in the Church?)
(use the audio to study)
Background
In looking at the condition of the church in Smyrna last week, we noted that the view of many would be that that church was not in the mold of the church of God. This is because it was a suffering, poor, and persecuted church—and none of these seemed to abate! This made us ask the question as to whose view the church today is modelling itself after—the view of the world or the view of God?
While many today would see the church in Smyrna as a failure, the Lord commended them and urged them to keep the faith, even as they were to be further tested by Satan! In the approval-seeking world that we live in, the church, for the most part, is not immune from seeking the approval of men—wanting to be accepted by the world and still claim to be the church of God. This is clearly an impossible proposition for the bible makes it clear that we are going to have to choose between God and Satan; between the Spirit of God and the flesh; between Christ and the world; but we can never have them both!
The church must model itself after the righteous standard of God; not the self-righteous standard of the flesh and the world! It is indeed possible to face numerous challenges and troubles and still have one’s name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life; and it is also possible to have the accolades of the world, and God have nothing to do with you! Let is stop framing the church in the mold of the world and men; rather, let us look to God for what is needed for the church to be pleasing to Him.
Scripture Text(s)
Revelation 2:12-17
As we take on another church—the church in Pergamos (or Pergamum, as in some translations), we want to quickly make a few notes as follows:
1. This church was in the citadel of Satan.
a. A church can locate anywhere, even in Satan’s headquarters.
b. However, Satan’s headquarters should be sited in the church!
c. And for the church that is sited in Satan’s headquarters, it is important that it remains unsullied, meek, loving, not overcome by temptation, and it remains faithful and loyal to God.
2. The assessment of the church in Pergamos.
a. In so far as faithfulness to God in the face of severe persecution, which even took the life of Antipas (whom the Lord referred to as His faithful witness), the church in Pergamos scored top marks.
b. But in another area, the church in Pergamos had its failings.
c. God wants the church to be 100% by His yardstick (Genesis 17:1; Ephesians 5:27; 1 John 5:3b; Acts 15:19-20; Matthew 11:28-30).
3. The things the Lord found against the church in Pergamos.
a. Some were holding on to (practicing, adhering to, being led by, shaping their lifestyle by) the doctrine (what is being taught, the act of teaching itself) of Balaam (who taught Balak to cause Israel to stumble in the wilderness by luring them into idolatry through sexual immorality).
b. Some others were also practicing, adhering to, being led by, shaping their lifestyle by, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (believed to propagate immorality because we are in a dispensation of grace—Romans 6:1-14).
4. The remedy for the church in Pergamos.
a. As always, because this is an assessment, and not judgment, the Lord urges those engaged in the practice of false doctrines to repent, else He would come quickly and give judgment upon them.
b. He also spells out the rewards for those who overcome (those who remain faithful in doctrine, as well as those who repent of their deviation from doctrine)—hidden manna (the Bread of Life); a white stone (declaration of purity) with a new name written (2 Corinthians 5:17).
What we see in the church in Pergamos is a multiplicity of doctrines, which was a problem for that church by the Lord’s assessment; and which sadly, is a problem for the church today! And this is essentially what syncretism is and portends for the church—a problem between the church and her Lord (akin to a woman with many lovers—promiscuous, a prostitute, a whore, a loose woman). The word ‘syncretism’ is the union of two words, ‘syn’—together; and, ‘Crete’—as Titus 1:10-14. Thus, ‘syncretism’ is: an illogical compromise in religion; a confederation of beliefs; a reconciliation or an attempt to reconcile different systems of beliefs; a fusion or blending of religions. The question then is, “Is there, or can there be syncretism in today’s church—which is supposed to be the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15)?
Matthew 16:5-12; Galatians 1:6-7; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 John 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 5:1-8; Jude 1:3-11; Exodus 12:15-20; 2 Peter 2:10-19; Numbers 22—25; 1 Kings 3:3; 11:1-13; Ezekiel 8:1-8; Matthew 22:23; 1 Corinthians 11:26; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15; Matthew 15:7-9; Jeremiah 23:16-18, 21-22, 25-28; Matthew 6:22-24; 2 Timothy 3:10-17.
Conclusion
• The problem of syncretism can be likened to the problem of a man with a promiscuous, adulterous wife! (Ezekiel 17:1ff; Hosea 3:1-5; Hebrews 10:14-31).
• Syncretism is idolatry of the highest order, and must be severely dealt with by God, but the Lord offers repentance if we must escape the judgment of God—the sword of His mouth (Revelation 2:16).
• According to Joshua 24:19-23; Ephesians 4:21ff, we must always have at the front and centre of our minds that God is a holy and Jealous God, Who will not share His glory with any other. He will forsake you, if you forsake Him, therefore, let us put away those foreign doctrines and incline our hearts to the doctrine of the Lord!
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