The title of this article might suggest that misbehavior and apostasy is a recent malaise of the church. Apostasy, from the Greek word, “apostasia”, means “a defiance of an established system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.” In the first-century world, apostasy was a technical term for political revolt or defection. Actually, just like in the first century, spiritual apostasy threatens the Body of Christ today.
I have personally experienced pulpit bullies, false teachers, apostates and heretics in our postmodern church. These same men seem to have started right, but, over time, their ‘true selves’ emerged, and they are the ravenous wolves which scriptures warn about: Matthew 7:15-23 says, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “So then, you will know them by their fruits.”
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
Before I go further, please watch the first 15 minutes of Pastor Trent Casto’s sermon broadcast (Senior pastor of Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida) to get additional background and context. (If you prefer to shorten your viewing time, watch at least from the 4:42 minute mark of this video to the 13:35 minute mark.
The men, (and, now, women), as referred to in Pastor Casto’s sermon, are in pulpits and on TV screens, leading thousands and tens of thousands astray.
Finally, please, familiarize yourself with what the Bible says, since it is the way to life! I have copied the following text from the website from the website GotQuestions.org as an excellent resource for details on the Biblical qualifications of a pastor.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Here are some additional links on this matter, for you to consider:
The Christian Betrayal of Jesus in America
Whitestone Fellowship 