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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
like Judas, betray those who for their good have sought to reprove
them.
[45]
The apostles encountered those in the church who professed
godliness while they were secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and
Sapphira acted the part of deceivers, pretending to make an entire
sacrifice for God, when they were covetously withholding a portion
for themselves. The Spirit of truth revealed to the apostles the real
character of these pretenders, and the judgments of God forever rid
the church of this foul blot upon its purity. This signal evidence of the
discerning Spirit of Christ in the church was a terror to hypocrites
and evil-doers. They could not long remain in connection with
those who were, in habit and disposition, constant representatives of
Christ; and as trials and persecution came upon his followers, those
only who were willing to forsake all for the truth’s sake desired to
become his disciples. Thus, as long as persecution continued, the
church remained comparatively pure. But as it ceased, converts were
added who were less sincere and devoted, and the way was opened
for Satan to obtain a foothold.
But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince
of darkness, and there can be no union between their followers.
When Christians consented to unite with those who were but half
converted from paganism, they entered upon a path which led farther
and farther from the truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in
deceiving so large a number of the followers of Christ. He then
brought his power to bear more fully upon them, and inspired them
to persecute those who remained true to God. None could so well
understand how to oppose the true Christian faith as could those who
had once been its defenders; and these apostate Christians, uniting
[46]
with their half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the
most essential features of the doctrines of Christ.
It required a desperate struggle for those who would be faithful
to stand firm against the deceptions and abominations which were
disguised in sacerdotal garments and introduced into the church.
The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith. The doctrine of
religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated
and proscribed.
After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to
dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free