Revelation 2:21-23; Repent of Her Fornication (2)
Revelation 2:21-23 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Clubbing (also known as club culture) is custom of visiting and gathering socially at nightclubs (discotheques, discos or pubs). That includes socializing, listening to music, dancing, drinking alcohol and sometimes using recreational drugs.[1]
In most cases it is done to hear new music on large sound systems that one would usually have in their domestic occasion or for socializing and meeting new people. This form of social life is prevalent amongst the working adults today. I would like to warn you that many young men and women fell into sin, separate the sin of drunkenness and sexual sins in this manner. One of the distinctive of the BP church at her founding in 1937 is total abstinence as opposed to the OPC – Orthodox Presbyterian Church that permitted social drinking. Our spiritual forefathers thought it necessary to take a stand against this Jezebel tide of permissiveness in the church.
The exercise of discipline is a prerogative of the Church. The Puritan John Owen, defined Discipline as “the due exercise of that authority and power which the Lord Jesus Christ, in and by His Word, hath granted unto the Church, for its continuance, increase, and preservation in purity, order and holiness, according to His appointment (Matt 16:19; Rom 12:8; 2 Cor. 10:4-6; Rev 2:2, 20).” Turretin observed that the spirit of discipline should be connected with a spirit of kindness. Diligent care must be taken that the person whom it is directed is not too overcome with sorrow that it would turn out for his destruction.
The true church can be recognized if it has the following marks: The church engages in the pure preaching of the gospel; it makes use of the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them; it practices church discipline for correcting faults. In short, it governs itself according to the pure Word of God, rejecting all things contrary to it and holding Jesus Christ as the only Head. By these marks one can be assured of recognizing the true church– and no one ought to be separated from it.
As for those who can belong to the church, we can recognize them by the distinguishing marks of Christians: namely by faith, and by their fleeing from sin and pursuing righteousness, once they have received the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ. They love the true God and their neighbours, without turning to the right or left, and they crucify the flesh and its works. Amen.