What does the Bible say about organized religion?
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The Bible teaches that Christ gathers his people into visible congregations for faithful teaching, loving fellowship, worship, and mutual care, while warning against corrupt or controlling religious systems. Elders are to shepherd willingly and humbly, not domineering over the flock, as 1 Peter 5:2-3 teaches. Believers must test teachers by God’s truth, since false prophets and deceivers arise, according to 1 John 4:1 and 1 John 2:26-27. Revelation 18:2-5 calls God’s people to separate from spiritual corruption. Yet Jesus says that his disciples are recognized by their love for one another in John 13:35.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Peter 5:2-3
[2] Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; [3] neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
- 1 John 2:26-27
[26] These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray. [27] As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don't need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.
- 1 John 4:1
Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Revelation 18:2-5
[2] He cried with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird! [3] For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality, the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from the abundance of her luxury." [4] I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don't receive of her plagues, [5] for her sins have reached to the sky, and God has remembered her iniquities.
- John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
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