Henry G Mulle

From . . . the Apostolic Apple, to Denominational Oranges Henry G Mulle

"Apples to Oranges" is about what has happened to the Christian Church since its early formation by the apostles and Jesus' teachings. With the myriad of church denominations today, we ask -- would the founders of the various denominations (if they could return today) even affiliate with their own denominations? How did the different denominations form, and then reform? Was necessity the mother of invention, or was the Church that Christ built simply the victim of human frailty over the ages? Did the Nicolaitan-like early bishops get their Nicolaitanism from trying to compete with Caesar and his royalty? Are the Nicolaitans of today more interested in church politics than in preaching the Gospel? How important were icons to the twelve apostles? Did they insert a row of precious gems in their plain robes to set them apart from each other and those who followed them? Where is biblical support for the sale of indulgences? Was the absence of a male heir to the throne a legitimate reason for starting the Church of England? Is baptizing an infant so important that those refusing to do so were drowned in Switzerland? When God says He is "not willing that any should perish," how does that affect predestination? When Jesus promises not to lose any whom the Father has given Him, are we eternally secure as believers? While sound Christian doctrine is found throughout Scripture, dogmatic practices are absent. The Holy Spirit of God breathed words of truth into the minds of the biblical writers. Since He chose not to pursue dogmatic details, we are similarly bound. Whenever we try to "improve" on God's perfect plan, we fail. When we ignore doctrines declared in Scripture, we also err. There is a need to return to the doctrines and practices of the Apostolic Church.