ABOUT OUR NAME
The name ChurchWatch is based on the scriptures in Romans 16. In our banner we use Romans 16:17 to highlight the origin and concept of our name and what we do.
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” Romans 16:17-19
“I appeal to you, brothers”
We used this scripture so Christians are reminded that it is the Apostles that are appealing to us, (not us), to…
“to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught”
Considering that Paul is warning Christians to watch out for those who teach contrary things to Christiantiy, we have compiled a general biblical check list to see if they are rightly marked as a threat to Christianity. Our criteria is in this order:
1. They preach a false gospel (not good news).
2. They preach a false Jesus.
3. They preach a false spirit.
4. They preach a false Christian faith.
5. They preach blasphemies and promote heresies against God.
6. They falsely prophesy to manipulate people.
7. They reject the bible.
8. They parade false titles or false credentials to convince people they are genuine.
9. They promote or associate themselves with false teachers, prophets and leaders.
10. They fulfil the signs of a cult (counterfeit religion), using the acronym BITE and the + – x % model laid out in the below video.
“avoid them”
We would encourage Christianity to avoid such cults that pervert the grace of God and use it as a means to justify sin and evil behaviour.
“For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
We believe that the Apostle Paul is speaking directly in today’s culture, describing the false teachers we are monitoring and marking, who do indeed fulfill this criteria laid down by the Apostle Paul.
“For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you”
We believe we need to promote Christ-like love and obedience by submitting to the above scripture and encouraging Christians likewise to avoid and warn people to flee from these dangerous religious groups.
“but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.”
We encourage our readers to not remain juvenile and immature but to “be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil”.
ABOUT OUR LOGO
THE CHI-RHO
At the center of the eye is the famous chi-rho. These are two combined ancient greek letters. These letters are pronounced ‘Ch’ (chi) and ‘r’ (rho). These two letters were used to represent the first two letters of Christ. Here is the ancient Greek word for Christ:
Χριστῷ
This symbol (XP) was used in the early church (like the use of the fish and anchor symbols). However, this symbol has remained popular since it can be seen carved in the catacombs of Rome when the early church was hiding from persecution.
Similarly today, more of the traditional and reformed churches are re-using this symbol or other greek symbols in protest how our culture and the false church are persecuting (or slandering Christians) those who hold to Christ’s teachings (for example see Pirate Christian Radio and Alpha & Omega Ministries).
While many of us write from Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Baptist and Anglican backgrounds – we see the importance of today’s church reforming to Christ’s Word and His sound doctrine. Thus we wish to promote the use of the chi-rho to mean reforming to Christ and His teachings. The chi-rho is placed in the center of the eye to represent discernment and how we must test everything through what Christ has achieved on our behalf on His cross. Our eyes must always be on Christ, His Word and His Work.
THE ALPHA & OMEGA
The letters on either side of the chirho are ‘a’ (alpha) and ‘o’ (omega), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This is another reference to Jesus where he says, ‘I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end’ (Revelations 1:8; 1:11; 21:6; 22:13). This is to simply reinforce the truth that we must always see Christ as center and not ourselves.
MEANING OF THE COMBINED SYMBOLS
There are a few other scriptures behind our logo:
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified” (Galatians 1:8).
It is Christ that grows and matures us (Eph 4). It is Christ that grows us in His discernment (Hebrews 5). It is Christ that can help us discern (kritikos) “the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4). It is also Christ that gives us the ears to hear and the eyes to see what His Spirit is doing in His Church today (Revelations 2-3).
Our opinions are useless – Christ and His Word are forever. We hope people who visit our site, grow in the knowledge, maturity and discernment of Christ and His Word and become faithful churchwatchers in light of Romans 16:17.