Antagonist

Matthew 23:13 (NASB)

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter it yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in."

Christ waged a unilateral war against the established religion of His time, especially the Pharisee and Sadducee orthodoxy. As much as the Lord was for the oppressed and repentant sinner, He was against organized religion and its leaders. The Pharisees and religious leaders had so perverted the law and the holiness of God that it was impossible for the commoner to seek God's grace without going through a series of rituals to obtain the priestly blessing. The priests, bishops, and religious were so powerful that they proclaimed themselves the conduits to God.

Do we see that happening today? Are there denominations within Christendom that proclaim that they are the only legitimate Church and refuse to serve communion to other believers? Do their authorities claim to be vicars of Christ instead of the blessed Holy Spirit? Do they proclaim to have an official policy against immorality, abortion, and the likes and yet vote for candidates espousing and legalizing such debauchery?

That yeast of pharisaism is still spreading through the church today. Saints should follow the Holy Spirit and avoid such denominations, no matter how large their following may be.