NOT A NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Jun P. Espina         9 min read

Updated on September 7th, 2024

New Testament Christian Church

Pseudo means false or counterfeit. When we combine the word “pseudo” with the term “Christian Church,” it becomes clear what this church stands for without further explanation. It is not a New Testament Christian church, obviously. It is a fraud—a church teaching false doctrines while milking their members. It is a worldly group akin to a vegetarian club or other associations—but with a “church” surname—that doesn’t recognize the Scripture’s divine authority and doesn’t also give Christ’s glory and honor as their core and binding creed.

The pseudo-Christian church deviates from the foundational principles outlined in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. We confront harsh truths of doctrinal erosion, false messiahs, and lukewarmness as we navigate through this intricate subject.

We have meticulously gathered scriptural markers to learn more about the pseudo-Christian church that nurses false Christianity.

 

👁 TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. New Testament Christian Church
• 2. Lukewarm and Self-Sufficient (Laodiceanism)
• 3. Examine Your Faith
• 4. Falling Away from Sound Doctrine
• 5. The Church that Follows the Antichrist
• 6. Conclusion

 
 

 

Lukewarm and Self-Sufficient (Laodiceanism)

The Laodicean church is a poignant portrayal of spiritual complacency and self-reliance. In Revelation 3:14–22, God presents a vivid picture of the Laodicean congregation that has waned in its enthusiasm for the Gospel. The Lord’s message, conveyed through the apostle John, carries a tone of rebuke and admonishment:

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.'” (Revelation 3:14-16, NASB)

Revelation 3:15-18 addresses the church in Laodicea. It is often interpreted as a warning against spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency. Here are some implications of this passage in relation to modern Christianity.

1. Lukewarmness (Not a New Testament Christian Church)

The description of the Laodicean church as “neither cold nor hot” denotes a state of indifference or complacency in faith. Congregations in modern Christianity, although culturally Christian, often exhibit a lack of genuine spiritual fervor and sound doctrines. Have you heard of the prosperity gospel, the extreme charismatic groups, the hyper-Calvinists, etc., which promote beliefs such as “I experienced a miracle today; Christ spoke to me in the bathroom” or “you don’t need to believe if you are chosen—you believed because you have been predestined to believe,” among other questionable teachings?

They may attend services, participate in activities, and identify as Christians, yet their faith does not save them. As a result, they cannot significantly impact their own lives with born-again belief system, much less influence others.

Think of a cup of lukewarm water; it’s not cool like cold water or cozy like hot water. The life-giving message of the Gospel and the warmth of real community and discipleship are similarly absent from a lukewarm church.

2. Consequences of Lukewarmness

What Happens if Christ Vomits Out a Church? The phrase “I will vomit you out of My mouth” conveys a profound rejection of Christ by those members of a false New Testament Christian church. This suggests that a lukewarm church may lose its effectiveness and influence within the community. It raises the question of whether the Holy Spirit is truly present in such gatherings. While the Holy Spirit may still be active in individual lives of saved Christians, a lukewarm church may not truly experience His presence or power in their worship and ministry. Christ’s message to false Christian is “I never knew you.” (Matt. 7:21-23)
 

 
 

 

3. Buying Gold Refined by Fire

What is “Gold Refined by Fire”? In verse 18, Christ advises the Laodiceans to “buy from Me gold refined by fire.” This metaphor emphasizes the necessity of genuine faith and spiritual wealth that arise from a true illumination of Scripture by God’s Spirit. For this reason, the apostle Paul stated, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17) The phrase “buy from Me gold” implies that lukewarmness is invariably associated with a lack of Christ, spiritual ignorance, and a disconnection from the divine.

4. White Garments and Eye Salve.

In Revelation chapter 3, verse 18, Christ presents three analogies addressing the lukewarmness of the Laodiceans, each conveying a “buy from me” message. First, He urges, “buy from me gold”; second, “white garments” and third, “eye salve.” Only our Lord Jesus can provide these remedies to heal half-hearted faith.

If you find yourself lukewarm in your beliefs, you must seek the genuine—and not counterfeit—gold of faith, as your faith is far more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7) and requires true trust in Christ’s words.

Additionally, you need a “white garment,” which symbolizes Christ’s righteousness (see 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Last, you require Christ’s “eye salve” because our Lord stated that in Him, “those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” (John 9:39)

5. The Term “Eye Salve”

The term “eye salve” also refers to the essential need for discernment and spiritual insight. Laodicea was renowned for its medical school, which produced eye ointments. Christ’s warning suggests that the church was oblivious to its true spiritual condition. The application of eye salve symbolizes the necessity for Christians to seek wisdom and insight from the Holy Spirit.

Core Take Away

Laodicean lukewarmness serves as a reminder that the rapture will leave some “Christians” behind. It is not sufficient to merely be a member of a church; we must demonstrate that we are born-again Christians who attend a Christ-honoring and Bible-believing congregation. As the Apostle Paul stated 2,000 years ago, “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1)

Falling Away from Sound Doctrine

Scriptures sternly warn against unscriptural teachings, commonly known as man-made doctrines. According to apostle Paul’s writings, sound doctrine is fundamentally incompatible with humanity’s sinful nature. The natural man often values falsehoods more than the truth. Paul states that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” (Rom. 8:18) Sound doctrine (which is the truth), therefore, is unsuitable with man’s natural inclination toward ungodliness. False doctrines tickle people’s ears; hence, they are drawn to myths and fables. (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3-4)

The allure of teachings that cater to materialism and heresy—such as “signs and wonders” (exemplified by charismatic groups), the “prosperity gospel” (which emphasizes wealth accumulation over spiritual growth), the “born again to believe” heresy (also known as predestination or hyper-Calvinism), and the belief in “salvation through good morals and perfect obedience to the Ten Commandments” (promoted by Seventh-day Adventism), as well as the notion of “faith in Christ plus baptism and good works for salvation” (the most prevalent version of modern Christianity that turns to antichrist at the end)—has led many astray.

The apostle Paul emphatically stated, “Even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Gal. 1:8-9). Scripture condemns those who create false doctrines, labeling them as abhorrent leaders of deception.

The Church that Follows the Antichrist

The pseudo-Christian Church, often referred to as false Christianity, will ultimately align itself with the Antichrist. It is important to note that all individuals who are not born again are considered members of pseudo-Christianity and the counterfeit Christian church.

A person who has not been born of God is not a member of Christ and His Church. Born-again Christians constitute His true church. Therefore, no single Christian denomination on earth can be deemed the true church of our Lord, as Christ’s assembly of believers has all undergone rebirth and transformative regeneration.

The local, visible church includes both saved and unsaved individuals. The unsaved are organic members of the false church, even though they may be recorded as members of the Christ-glorifying church in the local congregation.

In Matthew 7, our Lord stated,

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matt. 7:21-23)

Nicodemus recognized Christ’s divine authority and remarked, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2) However, Christ, in essence, responded, “You know Me, but I do not know you.”

Many people believe they are Christians solely because of their baptism and church membership. Yet, the apostle Paul affirmed, “The Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” (Rom. 8:9, NASB)

 

Conclusion

If you are not born of God, you are outside of Christ’s chosen people—the Church—who will serve as priests and kings in His kingdom on earth during and after the Millennium. If the Spirit of Christ does not dwell within you, you are not a genuine Christian. The Apostle Paul stated, “Christ lives in me.” (Col. 2:20) Christ—His Spirit—lives in you if you are born again. What should you do if you remain unsaved after decades of church membership? The answer remains unchanged: sincerely believe in Christ and trust in His word.

In John 3, our Lord said, “The one who believes in Him [Christ] is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (v. 18) You are unsaved because the word of God you have received since becoming a pseudo-Christian lacked divine enlightenment. You possess a historical understanding of Christ, but you do not know why you believe in Him. The true Christ—the One who died and rose again—does not yet reside in your heart. You are a stranger to Him. Therefore, repent of your sins and believe in Christ, whose shed blood on Calvary “cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)