Yes, This Really Happened To Me In The Ministry

The ministry is at times difficult and discouraging. It is important that we keep our eyes on the Lord and remember we do what we do for the cause of Christ. We preach so many times about Peter and how when desiring to walk on the water the Lord told him to go ahead and when he took his eyes off the Lord he began to sink. Of course it is applicable to talk of his taking his eyes off the Lord but let us remember that at least he got out of the boat. That is more than the other disciples did!
Most of the time the ministry is encouraging and quite an adventure. I remember one occasion when I was in town in Jacksonville Florida where we were serving as Dean of Students at Trinity Baptist College. Since I was in town I agreed to help with a bus promotion. I was given a gorilla suit and told that Sunday on the buses it was "Have your picture made with the Gorilla" day. We ran over 65 buses. After Jr. Church I was in the bus parking lot having my picture made with the little bus riders. All of a sudden a boy about the age of 7 or 8 began to run towards me. As he came I heard him shout "Kill King Kong!" When he got closer he reared back and threw a rock at me. It caught me straight in the forehead and knocked me out. When I awakened I saw this young man standing with one foot on my chest and shouting "I got him!" Needless to say I have not forgotten nor been able to live down the day of that event and to tell you the truth, every time I read of David and Goliath I think of my personal experience and know how Goliath must have felt. Yes, this really happened to me in the ministry!

Thank You

I want to thank the two men that have emailed me to let me know that there is a web site that is scorning and mocking me, Bro. Jeff Allen, our church Cozaddale Baptist Temple, and our flag. I appreciate both of you taking the time to let me know this was going on.
Scriptures tell us that there will always be scoffers. Their comments are nothing less than scoffing. Scoffing tries to tear down and belittle Truth. They do not seek to taught truth, instead out of conviction tear down truth. I would be glad to talk to one of them-any of them should they desire to call me: 513-722-2064. But most will not.
It is scoffing because you will not find one who can take Scripture to 'disprove,' rather they will use slander and human reasoning to attack.
So please, give me a call should you desire to debate, otherwise, you may continue to scoff.
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Ps. 119:22

Three Lights Shining in the Dark

As we enter the 11th century, we still are in what is referred to as "The Dark Ages." The papacy was yielding in wicked influence, and the spiritually blindness of Europe was life draining. But, as we have studied, the light of the Gospel and Truth still shone in the midst of such darkness. The beam of Truth was, at this time, centered around three groups and their leaders. These three lights shined bright in the midst of a very dark time.
These three lights were Peter De Bruys and the Petrobrussians, Henry of Lausanne and the Henricians, and Peter Waldo and the Waldenses. Due to the fact that the majority of our research can only be accomplished by reading the works of those who were opposed to these groups and saw them as 'heretics;' our knowledge of them is limited. What we find, though, is that these groups stood for truth in a very dark period of history, and they suffered for it.
The first light we will examine is Peter de Bruys. Peter de Bruys studied at the University of Paris and many agree was at first the priest of Toulouse. After his conversion, he joined with the Albigenses and soon became one of their chief preachers of Truth. The Albignses were named for their town of origin, Albi, which was 70 kilometers NE of Toulouse. Their faith was originated from the Paulicians who had sent missionaries all across western Europe. They believed in the local church, believers baptism, and sole Authority of Scriptures. Peter de Bruys began to preach in southern France. His preaching ran contrary to the church of Rome. One contemporary opponent of Peter de Bruys listed these five "heresies" of Peter de Bruys:
1. Infant Baptism was rejected and only believers were to be baptized. In addition, all who joined with them from the church of Rome were to be re-baptized.
2. Consecrated church buildings and altars were useless.
3. Idolatry and images of the cross were to be rejected.
4. Transubstantiation was error.
5. Prayers, alms, and good works for the dead were useless.
I say "AMEN" to those 'heresies!'
Peter de Bruys demanded that the sole Authority for every believer was the Word of God. All catholic doctrines that were contrary to Scripture were taught and preached to be lies. Peter continued to preach in southern France these Truths for 20 years, and for it was arrested in 1126 A.D. There, at St. Gilles, he was burnt to death. By the time of his death, Catholic historian Peter the Venerable writes:

The people are re baptized, the churches profaned, altars dug up, crosses burned, flesh eaten in public on the very day of the Lord's passion (Good Friday), and He preaches 'the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.'

Thank the Lord for his light and the light of his followers, the Petrobrussians.
The second light shining was that of Henry of Lausanne and his followers the Henricians. Henry was a successor of Peter de Bruys. He was at first a catholic by faith, even more, a Benedictine monk at near Lyons, France. From studying Scriptures, Henry came to the Truth. He began preaching and was truly gifted in doing such. He went to Lausanne, in Switzerland about the year 1116 and preached against the viles and wickedness of the Catholic clergy and laymen. Truth led him to Southern France where he joined with the Albignses.
Henry preached hard on morals and salvation's truth. Great numbers were saved. At Mans, the bishop was away at Rome, and Henry asked permission to stand in for him. Henry was granted permission and began to preach Truth to this catholic congregation. J.M. Cramp, in his book Baptist History writes:

At Mans, where, while the bishop was absent at Rome, he was permitted to occupy the cathedral, his influence over the people became so powerful that when the bishop returned, they refused to receive him, and declared that they would adhere to Henry.

Henry refused taking this 'church' rather choosing to continue preaching Truth and baptizing believers forming what he called "apostolical societies" (which we would call churches).
The church at Rome sensed the influence Henry was wielding and the Council of Pisa in 1134 condemned him. Henry was arrested and sentenced to a monastery to 'reform' him back to his days of being a monk. Soon, he was released, but no different. He preached for 10 more years near Albi and Cramp says, "astonishing results followed. Multitudes were added to the churches, and , as in the times of the apostles, 'a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.'"
The pope was notified of this 'heretic' and Cardinal Alberic was sent to handle Henry. The Cardinal and a 'Bible' scholar Bernard, was sent to preach their lies and correct Henry's influence. The followers of Henry, the Henricians, knew Scriptures too well and the Cardinal and Bernard had little success.
Henry was then arrested and placed in prison. Henry was starved to death sitting in a prison cell. Bernard would go on to say

the Albigenses were called Henricians, from this person. They boast that they are the true successors of the apostles, and the faithful preservers and followers of their doctrines: they are simple men, yet clergy, bishops, and princes condescend to favor them.

Thank the Lord for the light shone by Henry and the Henricians!
The third light was that of Peter Waldo and the Waldenses. Though Peter Waldo was a great preacher of the Waldenses (1200 A.D.), the Waldenses did not originate with him. As we have previously pointed out, the Donatists and Novatians were condemned as heretics around the year 400 and were forced to flee. They were persecuted, possessions taken, many martyred, and all forced to flee. They would settle in the valleys of Piedmont near France and Switzerland. There they would discreetly preach and live the Truth of God's Word. Because of dwelling in the valleys (Italian word 'Valdesi'; French Word 'Vaudoius'), they became known as the Valdenses-now Waldenses. For over 500 years, all those who sought a 'safe' place to worship and grow in Truth went and joined with those Bible believers in the valleys.
Around 1200, a great revival of these people took place under the leadership of Peter Waldo. Waldo was a very wealthy merchant of the Catholic faith living near Lyon. Waldo was led to Christ while living there and began to study God's Word for himself. He even hired 2 priests to translate the Bible into his tongue. Soon, Waldo, with a desire to honor the Lord and preach the Gospel and Truth, sold all his possessions and went about preaching Truth. He and his followers loved the Word of God and held it as Absolute Authority. They memorized large portions of Scripture and began to expose the lies of Catholicism. For 35 years he and his followers preached the Truth. Each of his followers carried small Bibles under their cloaks, ready to preach Truth.
The Waldenses held and preached the Scriptures as Truth in a time when the Catholic church forbade laymen to have it. They rejected the Catholic claim that they were the 'true church'. Baptism was preached as being for believers only. They rejected purgatory, preaching the Truth about salvation. They exposed the fallacies of Mary worship, indulgences, relics, and such.
One of the greatest works of the Waldenses is in their preservation of Scripture. From the very beginning, this group were used of God to preserve Scripture. Their Italic Bible was compiled in 157 A.D. translated from the pure text. They protected and translated the True Word of God into the 14th and 15th centuries. Their translations such as Olivetan Bible was used in the translation of the English Geneva Bible which was replaced by the AV1611. They translated the pure Scripture into other languages as well: Diodati in Italian; Olivetan in French; Genevan in English. It is thought that there were at least 6 Waldenses Bibles for 6 different languages. Even the Jesuits in the 15th century used Jerome's corrupt Vulgate and translated it into Latin to "shake out of the deceived peoples' hands, the false heretical translations of a sect called Waldenses." I say praise the Lord for the Waldenses!
How they suffered for their faith! 1380 Clement VII sent a monk into the valleys to root out the heretics. Over the next 13 years, hundreds were burned at the stake.
1488 Pope Innocent VIII ordered an army of 18,000 men to exterminate them. Yet, the light still shown.
It saddens me to write that after the reformation, the Waldenses would join with the Protestants and today's Waldenses are an ecumenical, modernistic, social Gospel organization. Even their own people do not know their heritage and today are far from what they were. For more information on such and to see just how far the Waldenses have fallen into apostasy, visit here:
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/waldenses.html

Though Satan sought to blind the eyes of the world to the Gospel, the Truth went on just as the Lord promised. There were men, and groups of believers, who decided they would stand in the face of error and apostasy and suffer the consequences thereof. There were those who were willing to part with all they had to see that the Gospel and Truth was preserved. There were churches who saw to it that they helped to preserve God's Word and truly served as the "Pillar and Ground of Truth." There was, as a common denominator, a reliance on an Absolute Authority-God's Holy Word. This they studied, meditated on, memorized great portions, and shared with all they could. What we need today is much the same. May we too shine in this dark world, the light of God's Truth!

A Light in the Dark....Ages (The Paulicians)

The period of time from the 6th Century until around 1500 A.D. is known as the Dark Ages to most historians. We have followed the Lord's churches from the time He began the church into the 6th Century. We have noted how the Truth was upheld by the apostles, their disciples, and then groups surfacing such as the Montanists (2nd Century), the Novatians (3rd Century), the Donatists (4th and 5th Century), and Patrick and the churches in Britain (5th Century).
By the 6th Century, the world scene was shifting. Pope Gregory I (540-604) envisioned the church reigning superior over over all of Rome. The Papacy grew in power and exercised extraordinary influence both over the spiritual and government. 'Christendom' was divided between a western and eastern church. With the crowning of Charlemagne on Christmas Day 800 A.D., and Charlemagne's promotion of the papacy, the foundation for a Holy Roman Empire was laid. This period of time was marked by persecutions, murders, witch craft, perversions, the rise of Islam, religious wars, and a great spiritual darkness over most of Europe. It was during these times that the papacy introduced such lies as Mass, Mary as the Mother of God, Extreme Unction, prayer to Mary, holy water, celibacy of priests, transubstantiation, and much more. Those of the faith were persecuted and forced to flee. Many such as the Dontatists emigrated to Spain and Italy and had to eventually flee to caves and mountains to worship-thus later assigned the name Montenses. The people were in darkness as their eyes were blinded from Truth in a very wicked world. Yet, there was still light shining in these beginning stages of darkness (500-1100 A.D.)
Where was that light? Armenia.
Armenia is a very isolated and mountainous region located mainly in modern Turkey, but also extending to Iran and Russia. It was here that first century Christians planted churches. Most church historians agree that these churches were planted by the apostle Thomas. This group would be assigned the name Paulicians during the beginnings of the Dark Ages. This name is mostly due to their emphasis upon the epistles of Paul in their church polity and practice.
It seems "God's spotlight" began to shift towards them around the 7th century as most of Europe was entering the Dark Ages. As if God had kept Truth nourished and protected for such a time as this. John T. Christians in His Book A History of Baptist says

Therefore, it is quite arguable that they should be regarded as representing the survival of a most primitive type of Christianity.

A.H. Newman in his book A Manual of Church History says

The Paulician church was not the national church of a particular race, but an old form of the apostolic church, and included within itself Syrians, Greeks, Armenians, Africans, Latins, and other races. Finding refuge in Armenia, it there nursed its forces in comparative security under the protection of the Persians and Arabs, and prepared itself for a magnificent career of missionary enterprise in the Greek world.

The Paulician rise to prominence began around 660 A.D. It was then a man named Constantine was converted (not the emperor). Around 653 A.D., he sheltered a Christian deacon in his fleeing of Islam. As a way of saying 'thank you,' the deacon left Constantine with a copy of the four Gospels and the epistles of Paul after having witnessed to him repeatedly. After reading these Scriptures, Constantine was gloriously saved and soon joined with a Bible believing church in the region. Constantine decided to change his name to Silvanus after Paul's companion in 1 Thessalonians.
Constantine (Silvanus) began preaching the Gospel and seeing many saved as pastor of his church. Gibbons in his famous book The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire went on to say that

the New Testament he received became the measure of his studies and the rule of his faith. He began to bring people with whom he associated under the notice of the Eastern Catholic church.

It was then that the Eastern Emperor ordered Constantine's death. The emperor sent a man named Simeon to carry out this sentencing in 684 A.D. When he arrived, he gave to each of his church a stone and offered them the forgiveness of the church should they stone their pastor to death. One by one, each member laid down his stone at their feet as they would have no part in doing such a heinous act. It was a man named Justus who betrayed his pastor (and the man who had adopted him as a son) and stoned Constantine to death.
Simeon decided to attempt to 're-convert' these souls to the Eastern church and debated with them the Scriptures. Problem was, Simeon found their knowledge of Scripture and arguments too powerful and he was converted to the faith! Simeon would return home, but soon had to return and join this church in Armenia. He would later become pastor of this church, replacing Constantine-the very man he had ordered to die for the faith! Around 690, this same Justus had Simeon (who had taken the name Titus) arrested and burned alive with his followers. Only a few escaped, one being Genesius who would take the true faith with him to Episparis.
Genesius would preach truth and see many converts. He would disciple the next pastor, Joseph, who would train and send missionaries into all of Armenia, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and Syria.
By the beginning of the 9th century, the Paulicians were shining the light of Truth amidst the Darkness of the age in many regions. The most significant pastor at this time seems to be Sergius. Sergius (who took the name Tychicus) had been won to the Lord by a Paulician woman who encouraged him to study the Scriptures himself. He did, and after converted, served 34 years as a great leader for the Paulicians. He traveled the world as a missionary. He would write in a letter towards the end of his life:

I have run from East to West, and from North to South, till my knees were weary, preaching the Gospel of Christ.

The Pilgrim Church by E.H. Broadbent
It was then a wicked leader, Empress Theodora ordered his death by being cut in half (c. 840 A.D.)
The Paulicians truly were a light shining for Truth. They claimed to be able to trace their originating from the apostles of Christ. They accepted the Word of God as their Absolute authority for faith and practice. They only accepted believer's baptism, and rebaptized all who were not baptized with proper authority. They rejected the ceremonialism of the Catholics and Orthodox churches. They believed in holy living and church discipline. They held the Truth-Praise God!
They would send missionaries and the Truth throughout Macedonia, Turkey and Bulgaria. Later, around 1200 A.D., Pope Innocent III would try to eradicate them from Bosnia, accusing the "Cathari" (pure ones) of blasphemy, and launched an inquisition against them. They would flee and take the Truth throughout Europe and into France and Italy.
Persecution continued throughout the Dark Ages. Empress Theodora between 842 and 867 A.D. ordered over 100,000 Paulicians to perish through beheading, burnings, drownings, and worse. Orchard says:

Her decrees were severe...horrible beyond expression.

Yet, the Truth went on.
Our Lord promised the perpetuity of His churches(Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 11:26). Though the Dark Ages were beginning and a great spiritual darkness covered the majority of humanity, God saw to it that a light of the Gospel still shone and preserved Truth. Though persecuted and 1,000s martyred, the end result was great faith. Great faith that at one time over 100,000 could be slain and the Truth go on! Great faith that the Eastern Orthodox church felt threatened and 'something had to be done.' Great faith that we 1,000 years later are still talking of them as torch bearers of the Truth we uphold today.
We too live in a spiritually dark day, but now is not the time to quit, hide,or conceal Truth-We have a duty to be keepers of the flame. We must pass the torch of Truth to the next generation. There are still souls to be won, churches to build and plant, and a world living in darkness that needs the glorious light of God's Word!
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Cor. 4:4

A Definite Division

The 6th Century was one of change and rapid digression concerning most things spiritual. As mentioned before, the Dark Ages officially begins in the 6th century. For the next 1,000 years (some people refer to it as the Devil's Millennium) the papacy and Catholic church would use the sword against those who did not believe in their lies. All non-conformist (especially Baptists) were forced into hiding and obscurity; but it is important to note that groups of Bible believing churches did not go into extinction as is claimed by Protestants. There were always those that held the New Testament as their sole authority for faith and order.
According to Orchard in his book on Baptist History:

All Christian communities during the first three centuries were of the Baptist denomination, in constitution and practice. In the middle of the third century, the Novatian Baptists established separate and independent societies, which continued till the end of the 6th age; when these communities were succeeded by the Paterines, which continued till the Reformation.

These 'Baptist' churches under the names Novatians and Dontatists and Waldenses continued throughout northern Africa and Europe. Though forced into obscurity, they continued on as the Lord promised they would. Why the obscurity? The Rise of the Papacy!
There were 13 different popes during the 6th century, climaxed by the 'reign' of Gregory I. It was Gregory "the Great" who organized the papal government, established the pagan observance of Ash Wednesday, advocated celibacy for all priests, but was most consumed with a 'mission project.'
As written earlier, the Brits were enjoying a pure faith and doctrinal sound churches. Though forced into Wales due to Saxon invasion, the churches remained strong and sound. Patrick took the pure faith to Ireland, and the Celtic churches were mostly sound.
In 521 A.D. a man named Columba was born. Columba began a mission work of his own trying to reach Scotland for Christ. His work not only went to Scotland, but England, Normandy, Denmark and even parts of Germany. The British Isles were being reached with the Truth; but as always, the Devil fights.
Gregory had a 'great burden' to see Britain 'converted' to Catholicism. Gregory sent a man named Augustine to 'evangelize' Britain with Catholicism. Augustine 'converted' the Saxon King, Ethelbert, and Catholicism was spreading as a result through England. Eventually Augustine arranged a meeting between he and the Welsh Baptist of Columba.
Augustine offered toleration as long as the Columba churches accepted Catholic and infant baptism and he being seen as their archbishop. The Columba churches of course refused believing in a pure baptism and congregational form of church government.
Many Christians suffered and died the next 1,000 years for not bowing the knee to the papacy and its lies, and though many of the Lord's churches had to go into hiding, they stood strong against the Pope (who they referred to as anti-Christ), they regarded the church of Rome as they mystical Babylon as found in Revelation, they insisted the true churches consisted of believers properly baptized, they pleaded for the translation of the Scriptures into modern languages, the condemned the ceremonial worship of the Roman church, they read God's Holy Word continually so that many could repeat large portions from memory, they denied the ecclesiastical hierarchy, they hated image worship, they would not pray to saints, condemned purgatory, indulgences and such, and absolutely refused any law that contradicted the New Testament. To which we say AMEN!
For nearly 300 years, there was only one type of church (though it was being attacked and was corrupting), but by the 6th century there was a definite division between the Lord's churches and Satan's church (Catholic). Praise God for those that stood for Truth.
I would challenge the reader to consider our modern day Christianity and its call for unification. This ecumenical movement is of the Devil. Purity and Corruption cannot fellowship. We cannot bow the knee to heresy and corruption for the sake of unity. Even amongst the Lord's churches today, we must continually contend for Truth. This can be done in love and a Christ-like spirit.
We should, of course, not compromise and accept the damning heresies of the Catholics and work salvation teachers, cults, and the like. Nor, should we compromise and accept and not content for Truth amongst our own ranks. I believe we see differences amongst the Novatians, Dontatists, Waldenses, and Columba's churches though we consider them Truth bearers; but then again, they were Novatians, Dontatists, Waldenses, and Columbas-they didn't compromise for the sake of unity.
There was enough Truth to love and support one another, but enough differences to distance and stand as they saw the Word of God.
There still ought to be a definite division between God's people and the world, cults, false teachers, and even brethren that are in error in some doctrines.
Amen.

Yes, This Really Happened To Me In The Ministry

BAPTISM III

In the early eighties I had the privilege of serving on the staff of Dr. Gerald Fleming, now in Heaven, and the great Dayton Baptist Temple. Being one of the few ordained men it fell to me to baptize one Sunday while Dr. Fleming was out of town. Now Pastor Fleming was a tall and very slender man. I, on the other hand, was a little shorter and quite a bit more "husky." When the morning service ended we made our way up to the dressing room to prepare for the baptismal service.
The men who helped me get dressed insisted I wear the preacher's waders. I mentioned to them I was larger than the preacher but they assured me the waders would fit just fine. I put on the waders and made my way into the pool. We baptized several that morning. When finished I started up the stairs back into the dressing room. When I got to the last step I felt the waders give way and I heard a horrible ripping sound! When I removed them I noticed that the left leg had split from the waist down to the foot. I finished dressing, hung the waders up and left the church.
I forgot all about those waders until the next Sunday. The morning service ended and now it was time to baptize. I still had not remembered those ripped waders. As we sung a song the candidates entered the baptistry. As soon as the preacher entered the water I heard him gasp for air. Oh no! I remembered the waders as he felt the cold water run down his leg.
Now let me say, Bro Fleming was a good pastor and kind man. However, we had staff meeting on Monday mornings. Let me just say, I dreaded staff meeting and after a private session with the pastor I knew my memory was for ever improved! Thank the Lord for mercy and grace! Yes, this really happened to me in the ministry.

Rise of Dr. Big Shot

We now come to the 5th century in our study of Baptist History. It is important to note that there were churches still holding to the Truth of God's Word and doctrine. The Novatians and Donatists had many churches thriving. Orchard in His book History of Baptists says

At the conclusion of this fourth century, the Novatiansists had three, if not four churches in Constantinople; they had also churches at Nice, Nicomedia, and Cotiveus, in Phrygia, all of them large and extensive bodies, besides which, there were very numerous in the Western empire. In the fourth Lateran council, canons were made to banish them as heretics, and these canons were supported by an edict in 413, issued by the emperors. The Novatianists and Donatists, two powerful and extensive bodies of dissidents in Italy and Africa, were consequently made to feel the weight of his influence. These combined modes of oppression led the faithful to abandon the cities, and seek retreats in the country, which they did, particularly in the valleys of Piedmont, the inhabitants of which began to be called Waldenses.

The Truth was still being preached and persecuted against, namely in the Dontatists and Novatianists, and now some called Waldensian churches.
Unfortunately, the 'state church' was becoming more powerful and more influential. The fifth century saw the rise of the papacy. "The word pope is derived from papa, meaning father, and was at first applied to the bishops of the large cities-the Metropolitan Bishops." (Hammett "History of Baptists" pg. 70)
It is at this point we first see the rise of the 'Dr. Big Shot.' The Big name pastors began to see the need to 'help out' and 'watch over' the pastors of small churches. They began to wield their heavy influence over them, and soon a power was designated to them. It was not long after (451 A.D.) that the first Pope was declared to be Leo I by the Council of Chalcedon. He was declared to be the successor of Peter, the Chief of Apostles, and the Vicar of Christ.
Today, the danger of 'Dr. Big Shot' still exists. Yes, there is still a pope in all his power and glory over the Catholic church, but this false teaching is still practiced today even amongst Independent Baptists. While I am not against a blessed by God, large church; and I praise the Lord for Biblically qualified pastors of large churches, there is never Biblical support for pastors of large churches residing over or lording over pastors of smaller churches. I am not against Bible preaching conferences, we must be weary of Dr. Big Shots teaching Pastor Peons 'how to do it right.' More harm than help is often associated with these meetings, as the flesh and lusts of the flesh are appealed to and often the weaknesses of Dr. Big Shots are learned and practiced more than the other way around. There is a reason why all the 'good ole boys' and all the 'baptist friends' share alot of the same immorality disguising and weak doctrine. I will go on.
The rise of the Dr. Big Shots not only applied to Pope, but 'church fathers. The fifth century saw men like Augustine rise up and begin teaching his heresy. Perhaps no other man is quoted amongst religious circles as Augustine of Hippo, who I agree should be called the Father of Corrupt Theology. He introduced post millennialism eschatology, universal church, that "Already the Kingdom in the form of the church is a reality. Now already Christ and the saints rule, for the Kingdom is ruled by Christ through the heads of the hierarchical Church. Resurrection is not taking place, for new life is taking place through the Gospel, now Satan is bound." He hated the Dontatist, believed all acts of the 'church' were right, that grace was channeled through the sacraments, and Mary was the Mother of God, first taught irresistible grace (beginning of Calvanism), laid a foundation for Purgatory, and the doctrine of 'original sin.' It is no surprise the Martin Luther and John Calvin used Augustinian teaching to 'prove' their beliefs.
The fifth century also saw asceticism (self denial and harming) first practiced, hermits introduced, and monks and monasteries first practiced. Mary Worship was accepted in a council at Ephesus.
Also, in 476 A.D. Rome fell which brought much doubt as to Augustinian teaching that the Kingdom of God was in place. It was the king of the Franks, Clovis, that promised God conversion if he won a crucial battle, that issued in the "Dark Ages." Upon his victory, he and his sister and 3,000 men were baptized and 'converted.' He saw to it that all people 'converted.' This Dr. Big Shot took the sword and 'preached' conversion. Thus further persecution upon the Novatians and Dontatists and now Waldenses.
There was however, a positive. Upon the fall of Rome, the Roman garrisons left England. Without this influence, England became an open mission field. A pure doctrine was preached and churches were started in England. Upon the invasion of the Saxons, many fled the country and left for Wales and Western Britain.
One man, Patrick was gloriously saved and went to Ireland as a missionary. Many were saved and baptized under his ministry. He later would be killed and the Catholics would try to 'adopt this hero of the faith;' but let it be clear-"Saint" Patrick was no Catholic Dr. Big Shot; rather, he was a humble missionary that saw many saved and baptized and the pure Truth continually taught. But in Europe, the sword and a false religion brought with it the Dark Ages!