should Christians belong to so-called secret societies Why did many early Pentecostals warn against becoming members of these types of organizations how does this apply to those of us living in the 21st century stay tuned for the answer welcome to Apostolic life in the 21st century a podcast dedicated to helping modern-day Believers live out the teachings of the first century church this podcast is part of the Teaching Ministry of Dr David K Bernard Dr Bernard has dedicated his life to studying the Bible and helping Believers apply its message to their daily lives in Apostolic life in
the 21st century Dr Bernard answers your questions about what the Bible teaches and how those teachings apply to everyday life if you enjoy this podcast we encourage you to check out Dr David K Bernard's books Dr Bernard has written more than 30 books on biblical Theology and Christian Living leadership visit Pentecostal publishing.com and search David Bernard for a list of available titles enter promo code dk10 at checkout to save 10% on your order that's Pentecostal publishing.com promo code dk10 to save 10% at checkout thank you for joining us the question we want you to would
like you to address this episode actually comes from the articles of faith of the unied Pentecostal Church International which includes the following statement Under The Heading secret societies Etc it says according to the word of God we firmly believe and hold that the people of God should have no connection whatever with secret societies or any other organization or body wherein there is a fellowship with unbelievers Bound by an oath and then it adds as scriptural uh evidence of this James 5:12 2 Corinthians 6:1 14-18 so my question is why did the founders of the upci
feel like this needed to be included in the Articles of Faith why did they believe that Christian shouldn't be part of so-called secret societies what's the rationale behind that perhaps that was more urgent in their day than we think of today but I do think it's an important teaching so let's look at the scripture uh this what you just referenced talks about in James is don't swear by an oath don't take an oath I think we may have had another episode about that but basically the scriptural teaching there in James which actually Echoes Christ teaching
in The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapter 5 and six um that we should just be simply known as people who tell the truth we should not take a special oath to try to prove that this statement we will stand by even though by implication we're probably not going to stand by other statements so we shouldn't do that uh and and then 2 Corinthians 6 let me read in the new King James uh starting with verse 14 do not be unequally yolked together with unbelievers for what Fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness what communion has
light with Darkness what Accord has Christ with belel or what part has a Believer with an un in an unbeliever and what agreement has the temple of God with Idols so this is a very strong teaching now uh we often apply this to marriage which I think is a valid application because that's the closest Association two humans could have you might wonder what about business Partnerships well most business Partnerships are limited uh and for certain purposes so I don't think that necessarily comes into play but there are certain organizations in ancient times and in modern
times and usually these are semi-religious if not religious or mystical where people take a secret oath uh they agree to support one another or support their order they agree to certain doctrines they agree to keep certain things secret and uh you something like the Masons might come to mind or similar groups like that now if something is just a social group or a charitable group uh or a business group then I don't really think that applies but if it's a group where Believers and unbelievers are bound with a secret oath to support one another to
believe certain things and not to disclose that to the outside well then that means that this believer is putting this Association uh above the church where the church should be our highest Association and they're binding themselves probably in support of doctrines which are false or contrary to God's word they're pledging support to unbelievers which they have no guarantee that those unbelievers will not commit sinful things or things contrary to God's word and they're they're bound to participate or to support that and then being secret they're not subject to the church or Believers being able to
examine the content of this so yes I think being bound in a secret society by an oath would be contrary to these passages of scripture and I think the reason why this statement is in the Articles of faith is is that this would undermine the unity of the church or would put something where you are supposed to give a higher loyalty to some other group than to the church or to the teachings of the Bible and that can lead into actual false Doctrine or actual sinful activities or at least the potential is there and there's
a conflict of loyalty between this group and the church so I don't think um that we should participate in any kind of group that would have that degree of loyalty or secrecy or commitment to an unbeliever I I do think we have to take it seriously do not be unequally yolked together with unbelievers thank you for listening to this episode of apostolic life in the 21st century if you enjoy this podcast please take a moment to give us a review on Apple podcasts Spotify or your favorite podcast app we also appreciate it when you share
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