Page 232 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

EPHRAIM - EPISCOPAL CHURCH

EPHRAIM (double fruitfulness). The younger of Episcopal doctrine and practice, but most Episcopalians
Joseph’s two sons (Ge. 41:50-52). Ephraim and are a part of the main group, with less than two million
Manasseh both became heirs to Abraham’s promises and members. Most of the divisions arose after the Episcopal
blessings, but Ephraim received the chief blessing when church voted to ordain women to the ministry in 1976.
Jacob blessed the boys before his death (Ge. 48:1-22). The Episcopal denomination has followed the pattern of
Both sons are listed among the 12 tribes of Israel (Nu. all the modernistic, ecumenical denominations, and has
1:32-34; Josh. 17:14, 17; 1 Ch. 7:20). Thus, there were been losing members steadily. Its membership has
actually 13 tribes, but Levi, the priestly tribe, was not declined 28% since 1965. The number of children in
counted with the 12 when the land was divided (Josh. Sunday School decreased 52% in 25 years.
14:4). The tabernacle was set up in Shiloh within Doctrine and Liturgy. The Episcopal Church is highly
Ephraim from the time of Joshua (Josh. 18:1). It was ritualistic, using prayer books and a formal liturgy. They
here that the people gathered to worship until the time claim there are three foundations of faith: Holy
of Eli (1 Sa. 1:3). After the Ark of the Covenant was Scripture, Reason, and Church Tradition. They have a
taken captive by the Philistines, Shiloh was abandoned special priesthood and sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist,
(1 Sa. 4:4-11; Ps. 78:60). After the northern tribes broke Confirmation, Penance, Ordination, Matrimony, and
with Judah, King Jeroboam established his capital in Healing). They often build large, elaborate cathedrals.
Shechem in Ephraim (1 Ki. 12:25). Bethel, where The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City is
Jeroboam set up the idol and established the system of the third largest in the world. Baptism is given to infants
false religion, was also in Ephraim (1 Ki. 12:26-32; Jud. whereby they are believed to be born again and receive
4:5). Thus, Ephraim was at the heart of the rebellion of the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s Supper is considered, not
the northern tribes. That is why God often refers to the simply a memorial meal, but an event in which Christ
northern kingdom as Ephraim (Is. 7:2, 5, 8, 9, 17; becomes present in the bread and juice. Episcopal
11:13; Eze. 37:16-19; Ho. 4:17; 5:3-15). In the list of priests believe they are reoffering the sacrifice of Christ
the tribes that are sealed in Re. 7:5-8, Ephraim is in the Lord’s Supper.
replaced by Joseph, but in the Millennium, Ephraim is Modernism. The Episcopal Church has largely been
again listed as one of the 12 tribes (Eze. 48:5). Some of taken over by modernism. A majority of the leaders hold
the more important Bible verses dealing with the tribe rationalistic beliefs, denying the perfect inspiration of
of Ephraim are as follows: Nu. 1:10-33; 2:18-24; the Bible and denying or questioning Christ’s deity,
26:28-37; De. 33:17; Jos. 14:4; 16:4-9; 17:8-17; virgin birth, resurrection, and other Bible miracles, yet
21:5-21; Ju. 1:29; 7:24; 8:1-2; 12:1-5; 17:1-8; 19:1-18; they are allowed to remain in good standing within the
Eze. 48:5-6. denomination. In the first half of the 20th century,
EPHRAIN (hamlet). 2 Ch. 13:19. Episcopal Bishop James Pike denied all of the major
EPHRATAH (fertility). Ru. 4:11; Ps. 132:6; Mi. 5:2. tenants of the Christian faith. He said, “Religious myth
EPHRON (strong). Ge. 23:8. is one of the avenues of faith and has an important
EPICUREANS. Followers of the ancient Greek place in the communication of the Gospel” and he spoke
philosopher Epicurus (B.C. 342-271). The Apostle Paul of the “myth” of the Garden of Eden and the “myth” of
preached the gospel to some Epicureans in Athens (Ac. the virgin birth. Pike said, “I have abandoned ship on
17:16-33). Epicurus saw no evidence of a future life and the doctrine of the Trinity. I have jettisoned the doctrine
taught that man should aim to have pleasure in this of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ” (Christian Beacon,
present life. Mar. 17. 1955).
EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Episcopal Church is the Another Episcopal bishop, John Spong, has gone to
American counterpart of the Church of England. the outer limits in radical theology. After worshiping in a
Following the American Revolution, the Episcopal Buddhist temple in 1988, Spong said, “As the smell of
church was formally separated from the Church of incense filled the air, I knelt before three images of the
England, and in 1789 the constitution of the newly Buddha, feeling that the smoke could carry my prayers
formed Protestant Episcopal Church was adopted in heavenward. It was for me a holy moment for I was
Philadelphia. It has retained most Anglican doctrines certain that I was kneeling on holy ground. ... My
and practices. Episcopal refers to the manner of conviction is that the true God, the divine mystery, the
government and describes the hierarchical oversight of essence of holiness, is within and beyond all of these
the denomination by councils and bishops. [See ancient worship traditions. ... when I visit a Buddhist
Anglican Church.] temple it is not for me a pagan place ... It is rather a
There have been several small breakoffs from the holy place where human beings different from me have
felt the presence of God. ... I will not make any further
main Episcopal denomination which still hold to former
attempt to convert the Buddhist, the Jew, the Hindu or

232 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity