Tossed To and Fro
by Gary Colley
When Paul penned the letter to the church of Christ in Ephesus, he gave a very serious warning about what was facing them from the devil. It would seriously affect the future of the church Jesus built and purchased with His blood, over which He is the only head (Matthew 16:18; Luke 24:46-47; Ephesians 1:22; 4:4-6). He did not want them to be like gullible youngsters or children who are easily taken advantage of when they might be tempted to do wrong with a piece of candy.
When we think of something tossed, we may have in mind a salad served with our meal. Or more than likely, as with our subject, it’s the danger of being “shaken in mind” and troubled as one in a boat on a rough sea in a storm when we are “tossed to and fro.“ Paul referred to the winds of doctrine. In the Bible the word “doctrine” (singular), refers to Heaven’s-revealed teaching, while “doctrines” (plural) refers to the opinions, declarations and philosophies of men (Matthew 15:9).
When Paul called the elders of the church of Christ in Ephesus to meet him at Miletus, some thirty miles from Ephesus, he warned them about the dangerous situation they were about to encounter from among some in the eldership. He termed their wrong actions to be as “wolves” surrounding and about to attack and kill a flock of sheep (Acts 20:28)! He was predicting an action that was on the horizon which he later would call the “falling away” or more commonly seen as a general apostasy (II Thessalonians 2:1-4).
This evidently refers to the schemes of the Catholic Church hierarchy, as recorded in history, which gradually gained ascendancy. It appears that it originated within the eldership, as Paul mentioned. It came to pass when one elder wanted to be called the “chief elder.” Then, when the “chief elder” of other congregations wanted to meet together, there were some chosen who were called “bishops, cardinals,” etc. All of this was of their own making, as were also those whom they appointed, until finally they decided to have one Papa or Pope over them all. They would elect him, and he would also appoint them. They thought they gave him Heaven’s throne as the “head” of this apostate body, and falsely declared Peter to be the first Pope! This man would later declare himself to be the head of the church, “setting himself forth as God” (II Thessalonians 2:4). Many religious people today still refer to the Pope as the “Holy Father.” It is claimed that he was the first Pope in Rome. However, there is no evidence that Peter was ever in Rome. If he were there when Paul addressed the letter to the Romans, Peter would certainly have been mentioned (Romans 1:1-3). These prefer their humanly made system of error and delusion, more than the simple and pure Gospel (by which they might be saved)! The inspired Paul demonstrated that they would deceive people with their false “miracles,” deceitful arts, and practices, to uphold their selfish and unrighteous schemes (II Thessalonians 2:8-12).
Paul, in contrast, says he has been crucified with Christ and that his life now belongs to Jesus as his head and Savior (Galatians 2:20). He knew the Truth that made him free from the doctrines of men and their ungodly schemes, and so it can be with us today! He refused to be “tossed to and fro” by the doctrines of men and determined to live only as the doctrine of Christ would guide him (Matthew 15:9; 28:20). We must decide to be of the same mind and judgment if we intend to go to Heaven (I Corinthians 1:10; II John 9-11). Jesus said to those who believed in Him, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Let each one of us make up our mind that we will abide in the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (John 17:17). This is the only safeguard against being tossed about to and fro, by every wind of doctrine, and being lost!
Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, and others who have claimed later revelations and started their own religions, have been and are being “tossed to and fro” themselves, and are sadly tossing many unsuspecting souls “to and fro” by windy doctrines which will cause many to fail to obey the Lord and be lost! (Matthew 7:13-14; 14:6; Colossians 3:1-4). They openly contradict passages of Holy Writ as II Timothy 3:16-17; John 8:31-32; Revelation 22:18-19; Galatians 1:8-9.
No man or woman has any excuse for following any doctrines of men when we have the revealed will of God once and for all times given (Jude 3).
