Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – The Litmus Test
Biblical New Testament Churches of Christ Never Persecuted

“The act of Cain is spoken of by Jude as “the way of Cain.” He was the first man who instituted a human and false religion………………

All human religions were instituted as was Cain’s, – at the instigation of the devil, the enemy of God and man, and peace; and identically the same spirit animates and characterizes all of them, – the spirit of their founder. They are full of envy, hatred and opposition to that which is good; and from the days of Cain until now, they have persecuted, and, whenever they have had the power, murdered the true followers of God and of Christ.

In the hands of the human and false religions of earth is to be found all the righteous blood that has been shed from the days of Abel. This is clearly indicated by the word of God: “But as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” (Note this is Galatians 4:29)

The children of God are not murderers; the church of Christ never persecuted, – never shed blood. By this unmistakable test, all existing religions or sects professing to be churches of Christ may be known. If it has shed blood to coerce the conscience in any age of its existence, it is not, it can not be, the church of Christ.”

Thomas E. Kresal from “The Work of Christ Consummated in Seven Dispensations” by J.R. Graves pg.180 – 81.

Note from Tom: Cain corrupted pure worship by making one change rendering it unacceptable to God and it’s been spiraling out of control ever since. Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Muslims and Jews, have the blood of many Biblical New Testament saints on their hands. History is our witness.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:17-18