Apostasy, The Demise of the Early Christian Church, Part One

Preaching for profit

An apostasy is more than just a "falling away". It is an outright rebellion. The ministers of the church rebelled at the apostles approach of preaching for free, while carrying on day jobs, and changed the focus from salvation to commerce.

Over and over the apostles counseled against preaching for hire, and gave their own work ethic as the example.

"Let every apostle, when he cometh to you be received as the Lord;... but if he ask money, he is a false prophet." - The Didache (A.D. 80-140)

"For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you." (2 Thess. 3:7-8).

"Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." (1 Peter 5:2)

Alma tells us the story of Nehor who taught that priests ought to become popular, supported by the people, so that they didn't have to labor with their own hands. Nehor established his own church, and wore costly apparel. He got into a debate with Gideon, and Gideon knew the scriptures and embarrassed him. So Nehor pulled out a sword and slew him. Alma, as the chief judge, determined that Nehor was guily of priestcraft and the more severe crime of murder and sentenced Nehor to death, according to the law of Moses. Alma makes this interesting observation, that if priestcraft were to be enforced by the sword, that it would lead to the destruction of their people. (Alma 1:12)

But what is priestcraft, and why is it a crime?

A minister of God must teach the message that God would impart, and not the message that is popular. A minister who relies fully on his congregation to support him financially, is working for his congregation and not for God. He will tell them what they want to hear, lest he be found without a job.

"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. " (2 Timothy 4:3)

Paul saw the apostasy coming! Corrupt ministers already taught people what they wanted to hear.

"You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us." (2 Corinthians 2:17)

False doctrines began to spread like wildfire, and the apostles could not keep up with it. John tells us quite mournfully, that it is the last hour. He has given up hope for the earthly church, and consoles himself that the saints who are left - the true Christians - will be received into heaven.

"Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come." (1 John 2:18)

It was false ministers, and those who supported them, that led this rebellion against God.