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Simon Magus |
Dear Brethren,
We recently had the opportunity to return to
Pasadena and visit the site of what was once the beautiful campus of Ambassador College.
Surprisingly, the original monument designating the property as the location of the Worldwide
Church of God Headquarters still stands at the corner of S. Orange Grove Blvd.
and W. Green Street. But beyond that, a great deal has changed. It was a
heart-breaking experience to tour the once world renowned campus. We walked
through the dark and lifeless offices of the Church Administration Building from
which a work reaching around the globe was once directed. Looking at the
facilities today, it is hard to imagine that they were once the platform for
preaching a message of hope, peace and Godly love to the world. The front of the
Ambassador Auditorium is covered with a two story tall facade which turns the
majestic structure into a movie prop for a film about greed and murder.
When we saw the deteriorating buildings, the paint peeling, and the defaced
memorials, we thought of the words of Haggai to Zerubbabel as he recalled the
former glory of the Temple: "Who is left among you that saw this house in her
first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of
it as nothing?" (Haggai 2:3)
Did Jesus know that the Church would fall apart as it has? Of course He did. He
was the author of the words, "...smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be
scattered," and He repeated them the night before He died. (Mark 14:27, Zech.
13:7) It was Jesus Christ, Himself, who founded the Church of God in 31 A.D.
that was scattered at the persecution of about 42 A.D., and again at the end of
the first century. Since before the days of Adam and Eve, there has constantly
been a plot to destroy the people of God and the Truth of God.
Simon Magus commandeered the name, "Christian," and began to establish a
counterfeit religious organization at Rome. He was only one of many that Jesus
prophesied would usurp His name in that way (Mark 13:6). "Many shall come in my
name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." Simon Magus was the founder
of Roman Catholicism which embraced the ancient Babylonian religious belief
system. Simon Magus was an enthusiastic contributor to the Gnosticism which was
rampant in the early Church of God.
Peter was not the first pope as the Catholics claim. It was not the apostle,
Peter, who established the great church at Rome. Simon Magus took advantage of
Simon Peter's name and reputation. The apostle Paul was brought to Rome about 67
A.D., beheaded, and buried on the Ostian Way. Tradition declares that the
following year, the apostle Peter was also brought to Rome during Nero's reign
and martyred by being crucified upside-down. The Gospel of John does not
contradict this - in fact, it confirms that Peter was taken against his will,
and that he was crucified.
This we know for an absolute historical fact: Jesus told Peter, "Truly, truly, I
say unto you, when you were young, you girded thyself, and walked wherever you
wanted: but when you shalt be old, you shall stretch forth thy hands, and
another shall gird thee, and carry you where you would not go. This spake He,
signifying by what death he [Peter] should glorify God." (John 21:18-19)
There is no Biblical proof that Peter ever went to Rome. The Scriptures reveal
that Peter went to Antioch, Samaria, Joppa, Caesarea, Babylon, and other places.
Simon Magus was an adversary and chief antagonist against Peter from their first
meeting in Samaria. At their first encounter, Peter sharply rebuked Simon Magus,
exhorting him to repent of his wickedness (Acts 8:22). Justin Martyr wrote about
152 A.D. that Simon Magus went to Rome during the reign of the Emperor Claudius
Caesar and by his magic arts won many followers. It was Simon Magus, not Peter,
who became the first pope at Rome, and founder of the Catholic Church.
Brethren, let's never be discouraged because the Church is not growing mightily
in numbers. God has something else for us to learn right now. We are to learn
from the trials we endure - just as God's people have always done. Ancient
Israel was established in their land with Jesus as their King - and they went
into various captivities. Look at how many times Jesus came to their rescue in
the 325 years of the book of Judges. Over and over Israel went through the cycle
of sin, servitude, supplication and salvation. The Scriptures are replete with
examples of how God has often raised up His people, restored their strength and
knowledge - only to step back a short distance in order to see who would remain
faithful to Him, and who would drift back into the world.
We should not be sad or disappointed at the loss of those temporary, physical
facilities. This must be our time of prayer and supplication as we look for the
salvation that Christ will bring with Him. Although we have been continuously
under attack by Satan and his agents, we, the Spirit led saints, will endure
until the Kingdom of God is established on the earth for all to see and be a
part of (Matthew 16:18). The Kingdom of God is not about buildings and
structures. It is about God's Spirit in us that makes us His Children. "God has
made known [to His saints] what is the riches of the glory of this mystery...;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)
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Sermon: "Samaritans"
This is #10 in the series: A Blending of the Gospel Accounts.
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