In what was shown the first tangible evidence of this "falling away" from the truth of God?
Answer
The adoption of heathen rites and customs in the church.
NOTE-"The bishops augmented the number of religious rites in the Christian worship, by way of
accommodation to the infirmities and prejudices, both of Jews and heathen, in order to facilitate their
conversion to Christianity. . . . For this purpose, they gave the name of mysteries to the institutions of the
gospel, and decorated particularly the holy sacrament with that solemn title. They used in that sacred
institution, as also in that of baptism, several of the terms employed in the heathen mysteries, and
proceeded so far, at length, as even to adopt some of the rites and of the ceremonies of which those
renowned mysteries consisted."-Mosheim's "Ecclesiastical History" (Maclaine's translation), cent. 2, part 2,
chap. 4, pars. 2-5.
What gave special force to the oath of an angel?
What is said of the tender compassion of God?
To how many is the Lord good?
How many may receive this gift?
What was Paul's manner respecting the Sabbath?
Whom should we fear and dread?
To what is the life of the redeemed compared?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle