The Church in Pergamus: Discernment & Discipline

The church in Pergamus, though they had maintained a correct doctrine of Christ and a willingness to die for His name, had failed to call to account the false teachers and their followers that had infected their congregation. They had earned a reputation of being willing martyrs for the name of Christ, yet were tolerating a teaching that was emboldening idolatrous and immoral behavior in their midst. It was becoming difficult to distinguish the church from the general Pergamus culture in terms of participation in pagan rituals. This letter is a call for believers to pursue and maintain spiritual discernment for the benefit of their own souls and for the safety of the congregation, and, to exercise biblical, loving discipline for the glory and honor of Christ and for the rescue of the sinner. Those who overcome and refuse the table of demons will be invited to sit at the heavenly table to feast on heavenly manna.