PAGANISM AND CHRISTIANITY UNITE

The Christians could not be influenced to obey Satan. Satan made plans to fight more successfully against the government of heaven. Satan would try to do evil in the Christian church. Satan hoped if he could get the Christians to do wrong, the strength and firmness of Christ's followers would fail. Then Satan could easily overcome Christ's followers.SRme 1.1449

The great enemy, Satan, had failed in his attempt to force Christ's followers to follow him. Now Satan would try to win by clever deceit. He stopped all persecution. Satan tried to get Christ's people to follow him [Satan] by giving them the dangerous attractions of worldly wealth and honor. People who worshiped idols accepted part of the Christian faith, but they rejected many important truths. These idol-worshipers said they accepted Jesus as the Son of God. They said they believed in Jesus' death and resurrection. The idol-worshipers were not sorry for their sins. They felt no need to repent or to have a change of heart. The idol-worshipers suggested that they give up some of their beliefs and the Christians do the same. Then the two groups could unite as believers in Christ.SRme 1.1450

The Christian church was in danger. Prison, cruelty, fire, and sword were blessings compared to mixing false beliefs with the truth. Some of the Christians would not accept false beliefs. These Christians could not give up what they knew was true. Other Christians decided to change some of their beliefs. These people chose to unite with the pagans who had accepted a part of Christianity. The Christians reasoned that this might lead the pagans to full conversion.SRme 1.1451

That was a time of deep sorrow for the faithful followers of Christ. Satan was entering the church through people who accepted some false beliefs and some truth. Satan wanted to corrupt the church, and turn hearts and minds from the word of truth.SRme 1.1452

Finally most of the Christian groups lowered their standards and principles. Christianity and paganism joined together. The worshipers of idols said they were converted. The idol-worshipers united with the church, but they continued their idolatry. The idol-worshipers made images of Jesus, Mary, and of the saints. In this way idolatry was introduced into the church and did its evil work. Weak doctrines, beliefs based on ignorant fears, and ceremonies of idol worship were brought into the church.SRme 1.1453

The Christian religion became corrupted as the followers of Christ united with idol-worshipers. The church lost its purity and power. But some people were not misled by these false teachings and practices. These people kept their faith in Christ, the Author of truth. They worshiped only God.SRme 1.1454

Among the followers of Christ there have always been two groups of people. One group of people study the Saviour's life and earnestly seek to correct their errors and live as Jesus lived. The other group of people do not accept the clear truths that show their mistakes.SRme 1.1455

At the time when the church was the strongest, some members still were not completely true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that people who willfully keep sinning are not to be received into the church. But He associated Himself with people who had not overcome their sins. The Saviour gave people who had not overcome sin the help of His teachings and example. Jesus associated with these people so they would have an opportunity to see and correct their errors.SRme 1.1456

The Prince of truth [Christ] and the prince of darkness [Satan] can never be united. In the same way, the followers of Christ and the followers of Satan can never unite. The early Christians agreed to join with those who were only half converted from paganism. Then the Christians started doing things that would lead them farther and farther from the truth.SRme 1.1457

Satan rejoiced that he succeeded in deceiving so many of Christ's followers. Satan then used his power more strongly on the Christians he had deceived. Satan encouraged the deceived Christians to persecute the Christians who remained true to God. People who had once fought for the true Christian faith knew how to fight against that faith better than anyone else. These apostate Christians united with their half-pagan friends and led the war against the most important teachings of Christ.SRme 1.1458

The faithful Christians struggled to stand firm against the false teachings and pagan practices that had been introduced into the church. The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith. Any person who did not believe the false doctrines of the church was called a heretic. And these "heretics" were hated and put out of the church.SRme 1.1459