EXAMINATION of the CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

EDUCATION:
1. Is your church supporting education that is worldly or using worldly methods? That is-- does your church's educational system have long courses of study finally awarding a "degree" of accomplishment to the student? This degree is usually conferred upon the recipient with much pomp and ceremony, and the graduates wear black robes with little square hats. The degrees are labeled-- "Bachelor", "Master", or "Doctor". Do your church's educational institutions employ the common "grading" system which places students in "classes"? Do students receive "A", "B", "C", "D", or "F" for their performance ratings? These are the methods of worldly education, and the Christian steers clear of them. Jesus did not recognize wisdom in such forms. True education consists in the study of God's word, the study of nature, the experiences of life, and useful labor. There are "classrooms without failure" in the "school of Jesus Christ." Every student is mandated to excel in all areas of endeavor. Whatever the service, it must be rendered as unto the LORD. Babylon, in contrast, has accepted and perpetrated the world's understanding and policies of education.

   HEALING:

2. Does your church support, practice or encourage the use of drugs in the art of healing? If your church educated doctors, are they considered a special class of people who receive especially high wages and are called by special names as "Doctor so and so"? It is well to notice that true religion practices preventive care such as the education of men and women in what foods are good for eating, and how water, fresh air and sunshine should be intelligently used to keep the body in health. If disease occurs, simple natural remedies are used in conjunction with prayer and faith in God to heal. Babylon has accepted a refined form of witchcraft. The "witch doctor" of today has simply changed forms. The use of drugs with strange names few understand is the accepted form of healing by the world. The is the method of Babylon.

   MINISTRY:

3. Is the ministry of your church a special class? That is--are they called "Reverend?" Or are they considered to be somewhat above the common class of people? Are the ministers trained through a long course of study finally receiving a "degree"? Is this degree considered his qualification for the ministry? A true minister is called of God. Through prayer and the Word of God he is made fit for ministry. Much of his training is actually doing the work of winning souls for Christ. Babylon has accepted the worldly method of classing its ministry and forming a hierarchy.

   HELPS:

4. Does your church ever engage a lawyer to bring individuals to court because they have done something the church does not like? Are individuals sued for using your church's name? Are they sued for some other infraction? Babylon has gone to the world instead of God for her help.

   DOCTRINE:

5. Does your church accept Sunday as the day of rest for the Christian, or does your church teach and support the observance of the Biblical Sabbath? The Seventh-day Sabbath is a sign of those who completely rest in Christ. It is a sign for those who have ceased from sin and love God above all things. The Sunday Sabbath represents those who trust in their own works. It is the sign for those who believe in sinning, then repenting. Are you one who may keep Saturday as a day of worship, yet, actually keep Sunday in your experience? (Matthew 15:9) Babylon has accepted the counterfeit "sabbath" as her sign of rebellion against God.

6. Does your church teach that when you sin just go to the Advocate (or priest) and obtain forgiveness? Does it teach that you are accepted of God as long as you stay "confessed up?" Does your church teach that you are only human and you will sin until Jesus comes? This is the epitome of Babylon. Babylon has accepted the teaching of man rather than the teaching of the Bible. The Bible teaches that when one receives Christ he ceases from sin. He will not knowingly or willingly commit a wrong act. (Romans 6:7 and 1 John 3:6, 9)

7. Does your church accept the doctrine that when a man dies he goes right on living in heaven or the spirit world? This spiritualistic concept is prevalent in Babylonian churches. The Bible teaches that when a man dies he is in the grave until the resurrection. Babylon teaches that when a man dies he goes to heaven. In other words, when a man dies he is still alive. This doctrine is also prevalent in a different form with some who say they do not believe it. The Bible teaches that when a man sins he dies. "The wages of sin is death." "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Babylon teaches that when a man sins he goes on living. Those who find themselves in sin often claim to be Christians. This is a false gospel. Jesus did not give us sin, but righteousness for sin. He gave us Himself--His perfect sinless Life.

   PRACTICE:

8. How is your church organized? Is it a 501(c)(3) corporation which comes under the jurisdiction of the state? The Church is owned and supervised by her Head, Jesus Christ. He requires the Church to be in compliance with His Word alone, without worldly influence and "traditions of men." Does your church build extravagant meeting houses, furnished with some of the most luxurious accessories society affords? Babylon has chosen the "rudiments of the world" and the "traditions of men" to impress the populations and gain their attendance. Babylon receives her authority and power to exist from the state governments.

9. Does your church praise its men and institutions? Are the sayings and doings of men dwelt upon instead of the plain, cutting truths of the Word of God? Are men soothed in your church instead of convicted? This being the case, your church has become "the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." (Revelation 18:2)

10. Does your church have "fund raisers?" Does it have dinners and parties in order to raise money for its projects? Does it show worldly movies and promote games in order to interest people in attending? Are carnivals and fairs held? Then you can know the world has come into your fellowship.

11. Is your church energy spent on programs for Easter, Christmas, and other holidays, or is your church energy mainly spent in prayer through the week? Is your church mainly interested in the quality of its members' characters, or is it focused on gaining numbers and baptisms? Does your church mainly look for a "high time," or do you spend time in quiet introspection and humility of heart so that God can clean your heart and soul? Babylon makes a great noise for the Lord, but its heart is far from Him.

12. Is the Word of God your church's creed or are other writings put in its place? Do men have a greater voice in your church than the clear, cutting words of the Scriptures? If men lead you instead of the voice of God, then you are classed with the world and its kingdoms.

13. What has your church taught you? Are your first and best thoughts of Jesus? Would you rather 1) pray than watch television, 2) study the Bible than read the newspaper, 3) walk in the woods than shop at the mall, 4) die than sin? If not, you are captive to Babylon.

    JESUS COMMANDS:

    Jesus said, "Come out of her [Babylon] My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:4.

NOTE: Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive of the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. Ellen G. White: 19MR 176 (1898)