Removal of the Holy Spirit

The breathtaking power of the early church was unmatched and the deadly persecution by Satan did little to halt the spread of the Gospel because the Holy Spirit continually replenished believers. The Devil switched tactics and restricted access to the Bible and eliminated widespread teaching about the Holy Spirit.

Over time, all first-century churches drifted into formalism and doctrinal compromise, resulting in a loss of spiritual power. The simple worship was replaced with elaborate ceremonies of the Roman Mass. Church leaders adopted ornate robes and essential teachings were replaced with ceremonial observances and infant sprinkling.

A remnant of true believers survived in obscurity, but Christianity became an empty religion, lacking the Holy Spirit’s power. Satan could not destroy the church directly, but he was able to corrupt it by restricting access to the Bible and the liturgy of Roman Catholicism offered nothing in the way of new birth.