If My Pastor Went Charismatic
If My Pastor Went Charismatic
Most Apostolics have been blessed with a wonderful pastor whom we think is the best in the world. We love our church family and feel safe in our knowledge of God’s word.
Every now and then we hear unsettling news of a pastor somewhere who has led the flock astray from the old paths. We shake our heads in dismay and our hearts ache.
That kind of news makes good saints pray for their pastor even more and thank God for him. It makes them feel a greater thankfulness for their own church and for truth.
We pray to God that we will never have to live through something like that. But, God forbid, what if it happened in the church we attend? What would we do? How would we react? I cannot speak for anyone but myself, so for what its worth, here’s what I would do.
After carefully listening to him preach and promote his approval of things that the Bible disapproves of, the things we have been taught, and things he used to preach against.
I Would…
- Not agree with him.
- Be horrified.
- Recognize his doctrine as false.
- Be disappointed in my pastor.
- Be fearful for my family and myself.
- Pray for him.
- Ask to meet with him.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
I Would…
- In a humble spirit question the direction he was taking the church.
- Express my concern and fears.
- Respectfully remind him of what he used to preach.
- Remind him of what our elders taught us.
- Try to reason with him.
- Show a good spirit.
If That Meeting Didn’t End Well…
I Would…
- Take other members with me for a second talk.
Matt. 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
If That Meeting Didn’t End Well Either…
I Would…
- Pray for him.
- Pray for the safety of the souls of my family.
- Realize God had given him a delusion because he didn’t receive a love for the Truth.
2Thess. 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Thess. 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
I Would Understand…
- Just because he is compromising, doesn’t mean I have to go with him.
- Just because he’s convince of a damnable lie doesn’t mean I am.
- Just because he is preaching false doctrine, doesn’t mean I have to let my family be indoctrinated and cursed too.
- He was in false doctrine.
- He was wresting the scriptures to his own destruction.
- If I stayed, I would be lost, just like him.
- That in the Old Testament God always cursed the kings that led Israel astray.
- He is a heretic, and I reject him.
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
G141 (Thayer) heretick
“schismatic, factious, a follower of a false doctrine”
I Would Recognize…
- Like God lifted his anointing from Saul, God was lifting it from my pastor too.
- That when men lose their revelation of Holiness, the revelation of the Godhead always seems to be next.
- Immorality may be the next monster to surface in that environment. It almost always has.
I Would…
- Leave!
- I would NOT be disrespectful.
- Understand this is not a normal transfer, this is life or death.
- Realize I don’t need his permission or blessing to go, the Bible gives it to me.
- Encourage all my family and friends to go with me, “pulling them from the fire.”
- Plead the Blood over my family against the seducing spirits.
- Find a church that was truly Apostolic in doctrine, worship and holiness.
- I would go there and be grateful that Truth was being preached.
- I would do my best to be the best saint in my new church.
- I would pray daily that God keep my new pastor in truth and support him.
May God Keep Us All Safe From False Doctrine!
____________________________________________________
Additional References:
Mark Them And Don’t Fellowship Them
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
False Prophets Are Among You
2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Some Pervert The Gospel
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Written by Martyn Ballestero
January 8, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Posted in Backsliders, Christian Living, Conviction, Doctrine, God's House, God's Word, Holiness, Pastors, The Blood, Truth, Worldliness
Tagged with change churches, charismatic, false doctrine
22 Responses
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Amen!
Johnny King
January 8, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Excellent as always. Very needed in our changing world. As the coming of the Lord draws nearer, we must be vigilant. God bless you. Your voice is so valuable in the Apostolic world.
kennethbow
January 8, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Elder, having lived through that a good number of years ago, I cannot agree more.
It is disheartening to say the least, but it does indeed happen. I have seen the case where, when I met with the pastor, he could not even correctly repeat back to me a correct understanding of the New Birth to refute it. He had once taught it, but then completely lost the ability to understand it. That scared me, and I fled.
Thank God for men who will continue in the old paths wherein is the good way. We need to love truth more than life itself.
Peter Connell
January 8, 2016 at 1:34 pm
This is an excellent and needed post!
rkeithnix@gmail.com
January 8, 2016 at 2:14 pm
This happened to me & my family 9 years ago. I was heartbroken. Been in that church for 30 years. The Pastor was family so this made it even harder. We left & went to another church. It will never be the same.
S
Stephen May
January 8, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Good post!
Brian Norman
January 8, 2016 at 3:57 pm
It is absolutely A HEAVEN OR HELL ISSUE,that we Apostolic Christians,CONTINUE STEADFASTLY,in the Apostle’s Doctrine.There are some things that can be affected by using different methods.For instance,what would work in one assembly,might not work in another.But we are talking about methodology here,not infallable,moral,spiritual and DOCTRINAL ABSOLUTES.Do we REALLY BELIEVE,”other foundation,can no Man lay”?We must ALL FIGHT,to preserve Apostolic Truth.To those that won’t,let them depart.Better than that the whole body should be corrupted.Pastor G.M.Campetella
Gerald Campetella
January 8, 2016 at 6:31 pm
My husband and I went through this exact thing a few years ago. It was heartbreaking. My husband did just as you outlined but he would not hear it. We found a true Apostolic church.
He started saying that you don’t need the Holy Ghost for salvation. It was a UPC church – it isn’t anymore.
I do see his family and some of the members that remained from time to time and it breaks my heart. Women (including the pastor’s wife) have cut their hair, they are wearing extremely immodest clothing with a lot of jewelry (she even sells it), but worst of all, I see the youth and how they are following along without any understanding of just how dark the road they’re going down really is.
It is so sad.
Five or so years later I am still praying for him, his family, and the church. I am also still praying for the members – I’m still in touch with a few. I witness to them when I can.
I believe that as long as they’re breathing there’s a chance and I won’t give up.
mrsmayberry
January 8, 2016 at 6:43 pm
It is unfortunate that this even needs to be said. I thank God that there are many that are still hanging on to the old landmarks, and they are willing to fight every spirit in hell to protect their flock from the bombardment of worldly influences. However, there is also a great falling away and people need to know it is ok to protect their family by leaving. Excellent Post!
RevSpag
January 8, 2016 at 10:07 pm
Amen. Very orderly!
dustin simonsen
January 9, 2016 at 12:01 am
What do you do when there IS no church close enough to attend that preaches the truth? 😰
Lisa
January 9, 2016 at 12:17 am
Well, if you need a good church – you need to go find one, or see if a God-called man of God will come and start a church. You might need to move. In my case, I was a minister and moved nearly 2,800 miles in the will of God to assist in a church across the country. God opened doors in a spectacular fashion as He led us.
Of course, care must be taken to examine ourselves to ensure that WE are not the problem beforehand.
Peter Connell
January 9, 2016 at 1:51 am
Very good stuff!
Marvin L. Reyes
January 9, 2016 at 12:52 am
Yes! Absolute unequivocal truth!
Mark Welch
January 9, 2016 at 3:28 am
Very well done! In my observations, this fall most always is preceeded by lack or total stoppage of pre-service prayer, “progressive” changes in the music and elimination of footwashing and communion. The rest comes very soon thereafter. I drive 58 miles one way to attend a good Apostolic church. You do what you have to do to be saved in this last hour! Amen! Amen!
Bro. Lance Tarpley
January 10, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Thank you Elder!
Casey J. Lee
January 11, 2016 at 11:16 pm
This is a very good article it’s a shame that it has to be the truth in so many places that once held a solid standard thank you for being honest in your writings God bless you. Bro.Phelps
Roberts Phelps
January 14, 2016 at 7:47 pm
Bro Ballestero, Just want to say that I love you and pray the best for you and your family. Hope all is well!
Steve Pixler
January 21, 2016 at 11:05 pm
You are exactly what the Elder just described. You walked away from Truth
Mark Maynard
October 17, 2022 at 7:54 am
I have enjoyed reading this. And there are many great and valid points. I do though disagree with asking for a private meeting with the pastor after he promotes things the Bible clearly disproves of. When it reaches that level, there are no meetings – just leaving. Above all else I must be saved.
Brian Norman
January 22, 2016 at 1:57 am
Thank you for this post!
Just finished listening to your message at:
https://www.inlandlighthouse.com/media/sermons/
Wednesday March 23, 2016
So Thankful for preachers that still believe in holiness and separation from the world and are not afraid to preach it!
It’s so sad to watch church after church backside and the saints who still believe the whole truth wandering around trying to find a holiness church.
Thank you for this direction from God’s Holy Word!
To the lady in a previous comment who asked what we should do if there aren’t any holiness churches in our area. I am happy to say that if you are from Fort Worth, Pastor Tim Thompson and family has just started one there. It’s at 5401 Woodway Drive, Fort Worth 76113, phone 817-807-2564
Hope to see you there soon!
Wynette
March 27, 2016 at 11:56 pm
A friend told us about this article and so grateful for it! About 2 years ago our former holiness pastor starting preaching things contrary to the word especially regarding holiness. A year ago he resigned which was very devastating to us as a church.He had a man take over who was a familiar face that we had known and heard preach many times over the years who we loved. We assumed his stance on holiness was the same. I asked very pointed questions regarding holiness and found out that they were quite contrary to what our former pastor preached when he was right with God. My heart grieved because we (my husband and I) had been at the church many years and I won many in my family who are still currently at the church. We had been praying and seeking God diligently for a true holiness apostolic church to attend because we knew we had to leave. We talked with the current new pastor regarding our concerns about what he believed on holiness and our differences and he called us Pharisees and told us we didn’t care about the church which was furthest from the truth. It left us confused because we poured our hearts into our local church. We continued praying and the Lord continued prompting us to leave. There are no holiness apostolic churches in our local area and found out about several that are about an hour away. The Lord is so faithful! God blessed us to find a church home further out but it has been a huge blessing and so grateful for men of God that will teach/preach the whole council of God. Driving a further distance is a small price to pay for our souls. Please pray for my family that is still at our old church. It is a pain I cannot explain but God’s not done!
Carmella
February 11, 2020 at 1:37 pm