PMB - read topic

THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH

If I were to ask you to join an organization that worships idols would you join that organization? If I were to ask you to start practicing deception as a Christian would you? And, if I were to ask you to practice pagan rituals as the occult does, would you practice them? I am going to assume you as a Christian would probably answer NO to these questions. In this study about the "Church" you may discover that you or others you know have been doing this all along without even realizing it!

The Physical Concept

The modern concept of Church is a building we "go to", and it's status as measured against other churches is how big the building is, how many members they have, their amenities, how much money is in the bank, and what kind of religious programs are offered. This associated concept of church is about the building located somewhere that "members" attend "services" for a few hours on Sundays while for the rest of the 164 hours of the week it remains empty.

Our mental association to "church" is welded in our minds by certain icons such as steeples, pews, altars, pulpits, choirs, stained glass, vaulted ceilings, the smell of burnt incense, church bells, statues of Jesus, crucifixes, a comedian pastor dressed in religious attire, a entertaining two hour service, and of course somewhere you will find the offering plates.

All these trappings market to our minds what the "Church" is. For example when you drive down the road and see those golden arches - everyone from China to America knows this means McDonald's restaurant, and unfortunately the image trappings of the "Church" is no different.

Financial issues

Consider the average wage of clergy is about $40,000 per year plus fringe benefits such as insurance, travel, sick and vacation pay, housing allowance, and retirement plans, could easily add another $25,000 yearly to the clergy salary. Also factor in the cost to build, furnish and maintain these buildings along with corporate insurance, utilities, travel, and the salaries of other church employees. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that the "Church" has to bring in large sums of money to pay for all this!

Therefore Churches must grow, they must attract new members to keep their Church financially sound as members die or leave for a "better Church." This viscous cycle results in competition with one another for growth and dollars, and also results in a lukewarm politically correct, non offensive teachings which represent God as "a Genie in a bottle" who exists to grant all our wishes. This message is a "me... me...me" self-centered message which turns men into lukewarm spectators, instead of champions of faith. The focus is shifted from SERVING to being SERVED. Let’s face it, this is what the people want, and if you do not give them what they want - a more attractive or competitive church will. People do not want to hear that they have to change to be like God, thus they change GOD and the Church to serve them!

The State Church

Most "recognized Churches" of today are on what might be considered a government subsidy program whose federal income is non taxable as "501C tax-FREE IRS recognized entities", however as the saying goes there is nothing free, and this is certainly true in this subsidy program that places certain limitations upon the Church.

Churches under this tax free subsidy program are considered "public trusts" and who are substantially limited in areas lobbying and political involvement that could affect moral, social and political issues of our day.

To read the IRS publication 1828 Click Here.
Below are several quotes from page 5 the publication.

■ their net earnings may not inure to any private shareholder or individual,
■ they must not provide a substantial benefit to private interests,
■ they must not devote a substantial part of their activities to attempting to influence legislation,
■ they must not participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, and
■ the organization’s purposes and activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy.

These limitations represent some big challenges for the Body of Christ to operate freely, especially when the government decides what "public policy is".

Should the Church be capable of lobbying congress without ANY hindrance on moral issues such as homosexuality, same gender marriages, or substantially involved in the political process of electing Christian officials, OR for that matter strongly and substantially opposing those running for public office who are anti-Christian, who are immoral, supportive of abortions, homosexuality, school prayers, and done so without ANY hindrance from the Church? Make no mistake about it, the government is buying off our Churches in exchange for headship over the Church. Do you really think, God is pleased with this? Is the Church truly free to operate as Christ may lead with these IRS policies?

What would happen if same gender marriages became legal? Could the Church truly oppose this? Not according to the rule "activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy."

IRS recognized religious organizations are truly afraid of loosing their "tax-exempt" status! Why? Because we are talking about MILLIONS, perhaps BILLIONS of dollars, and instead of trusting IN GOD, theses organizations are taking the bait of a government subsidy in exchange for giving away the constitutionally gauranteed freedoms that the Church of Jesus Christ should have!

Perhaps one of the worst things about surrendering the Headship of Christ over His Church is the IRS even defines who and what a "Church" is! This is nothing less than selling the Church of Jesus Christ into slavery of being governed and legislated by the State. This is shameful to shackle the Church and affect its ability to speak, lobby, and be directly involved in the election of Christian public officials.

As a result we find that prayers in schools are now illegal. In our schools, the atheist view of evolution is taught while creation by God is banned! Furthermore, in most jurisdictions even the MINISTERS of CHRIST have to seek government permission to officiate marriages!

This is a vile and sinful outrage against GOD and our Christian heritage!

Can you imagine this happening in a Muslim country? Can you imagine Muslims allowing their religion to be trampled and violated as Christians do? Can you imagine any Muslim country where their government would the outlaw of prayers in their schools? Can you imagine Muslims standing in silence as our Christian Churches do? But, in the land of the free you could go to jail for violating this ban on Christianity!

Why do Christian Churches turn a blind eye to these same issues that other religions would not tolerate such government interference in their religious faith? Because our Churches have sold out to be defined by their governments and grouped collectively as "religions" making no distinction between CHRISTianity or any other "religion" to become recognized as tax exempt!

Does this sound like the operation of the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD? Does it sound like JESUS? Does it sound like the POWERFUL and MIGHTY CHURCH OF GOD, or a lukewarm, powerless religious organization? The concept of "Church" today is more attached to the appearance of being religious, and less about obedience to GOD, or about being the living BODY of JESUS!

Tax exemption has NOTHING to do with legitimacy or accountability for the government equally recognizes abortion clinics, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Islam, and even the Church of Satan are grouped together in the same cesspool, along with the State controlled Churches, as tax free exempt entities! IRS recognition is nothing less than Churches getting tax free money in exchange for stripping the Church of it's constitutional guarantees in order to bring the Church under government control!

Why a Christian Church would even remotely suggest that this is proof of their legitimacy speaks volumes that the institutional Church is becoming just another religion, seeking the approval of man, instead of keeping itself HOLY unto GOD as the BODY OF CHRIST. For in reality NO government can give legitimacy to the CHURCH of CHRIST; for ONLY CHRIST can give it legitimacy and He holds it accountable to Him!

The CHURCH (body) of CHRIST stands with NO EQUAL, and cannot be defined by men; human kings do not rule over it nor can it be given legitimacy or held accountable to MEN!

For more information on this subject you can visit this web site http://hushmoney.org/

How does this square with the commands of God "Thou shalt have no other gods before me... thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God... Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain"?

We need to WAKE UP to the TRUTH!

_________________________________________

THE EKKLESIA

The English word "Church" in the Bible comes from the Greek word "ekklesia" which means "called out". The Bible is very specific that the Church is LITERALLY the "Body of Christ". As shocking as it is the concept of Church is nowhere intended to mean a religious denominational franchise, or other such physical institution, for the Body of Christ (Church) is HOLY and undivided by men!

What are we then "called out" to? We are called out to be assembled as the literal Body of Christ. Let me say it again, the ekklesia i.e. the Church are those persons called out by God and fashioned by Him into the literal BODY OF CHRIST JESUS!

There is a very real and important difference between attending the First Southern Holy Church, or someone saying "I am going to church", because it actually degrades the reality of what CHURCH is! The Church is NOT a building or somewhere you travel to attend services... IT IS WHAT YOU ARE!

Christ is bodily alive on this earth at this very moment, and we "the called out ones" are his body! Now you begin to see having the tainted modern concept and practice of "Church" is sinful against the BODY OF CHRIST! The tainted concept of Church is a deception, it is very sinful to turn the truth into a concept of physical object, an IDOL that is inferior to our GOD, and the Mystery of the Church being the literal Body of Christ in which WE are born again into as a NEW creation.

This is no different than the Israelites building an image of God as a GOLDEN CALF

This does not mean that collectively worshipping the LORD inside a building is wrong. It does not mean that members of the BODY OF CHRIST cannot gather by any means, including the internet. But, it does become wrong when a physical object is taught that it is the HOLY BODY OF CHRIST. For NO such structure could even remotely be the BODY OF CHRIST! A building, a human institution, a social club, membership in a denomination, or a religious service IS NOT the CHURCH, and to casually allow this modern IDOLTRY to continue to be taught is a very grave sin.

Do you begin to see a degree of idolatry when the Church (the LITERAL BODY OF JESUS) is referred to as a building at a certain location. Unfortunately religious organizations calling themselves "churches" are building a religious iron curtain around their denominational views and practices and calling it CHURCH, which does not unite the Body, but actually attempts to amputate the Body of Christ.

In the Body of Christ there is no "Roman Catholic Church", and there are no "Methodist", "Baptist", or "Home or Cell Church" divisions in the BODY OF CHRIST!

Let me emphasize this again that the CHURCH is a people called out or better said people called into the LITERAL BODY OF CHRIST, by the work and will of GOD! It is impossible for humans to own, divide, or define the CHURCH and furthermore it is impossible to construct a building and call it the CHURCH! Why? Because the CHURCH is the LITERAL BODY OF CHRIST!

Those called out are no longer children of Adam, but are now born again to a new life, a new creation, as the Children of God, who share his oneness. ALL by the plan and will of GOD!

The truth of those who are in CHRIST is FAR GREATER
than any religious brick and mortar substitute

It is vitally important that we erase our religious concept of Church that we may live in the LITERAL BODY OF JESUS CHRIST.

_______________________________________________________________

(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, hereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Rom 8:14-17 KJV

(23)For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the HEAD OF THE CHURCH, and he is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands... (30) for we are all members of HIS BODY, OF HIS FLESH, and of HIS BONES. Eph5:23-24;30

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Eph 3:4-6;9-11)

Comment: Paul is telling us that from the foundations of the world that God's plan was hidden in himself and intends that the redemption mankind is the mystery of adding the called out ones to the Body of Christ in testimony to demonic realms of the will and purpose of God for mankind.

(13) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (14) And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (15) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" Matt 16:13-18

Comment: Jesus was not saying that Peter was the rock upon which Jesus would build his ekklesia, but what Peter said (Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God) was what the ekklesia was built upon, and that the gates of hell could not prevail against the Body of Christ i.e. ekklesia.

(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church : and he is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (28) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (29) For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (30) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (31) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Eph. 5:23-32)

Comment: The ekklesia is like a husband and wife becoming one flesh i.e. one body! For literally the Church is the BODY OF CHRIST!

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 1Co 10:16-17

(12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (14) For the body is not one member, but many. (15) If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (16) And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (17) If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? (18) But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
(19) And if they were all one member, where were the body? (20) But now are they many members, yet but one body. (21) And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (22) Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
(23) And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. (24) For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: (25) That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. (26) And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. (27) .1Co 12:12-27

22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things for the Church, which is His body, the fullness of him who fills all things. (Eph 1:22-23 WEB)

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Eph 2:16

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph 4:12

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Col 1:18

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particularwhich is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Col 1:24

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Col 3:15

SUMMARY

Understanding that the Church means the (called out ones) are literally the Body of Christ, clarifies so many biblical teachings such as "how we are saved, how we are born again, how we are a new creation in Christ, how our sins are forgiven and nailed to the cross, how we are sanctified and justified in him, how we have healing in his body, how we have eternal life, how we are heirs with Christ, sonship of God, how the Holy Spirit lives in us, and how we truly assemble together in unity" by knowing the GREAT HIDDEN MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH.

WHY IS this so it so important? This TRUTH of the MYSTERY of the CHURCH is so important, because whoever is “in” in the person of Christ (the Church), God sees them and treats in the same manner in which He sees and treats Christ! The reality of the Church is the reality of ATONEMENT (being at one with GOD). This means a joining to GOD - through JESUS! IT is all about the true AT-ONE-MENT with GOD. Being ONE with GOD, for all of the glory and righteousness attributed to JESUS will also be given to his BODY, for how could GOD separate JESUS.

The reality of the EKKLESIA IS;
WE are IN Jesus, Jesus is IN us, WE are ONE with GOD!

(21) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:... (22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;... (26) And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. Joh 17:21-23;26 KJV

HOW is this accomplished? By being IN the BODY of JESUS, God will relate to US, even as he relates to JESUS. When he sees us, HE sees CHRIST! PRAISE GOD for this MYSTERY of his predestined plan for mankind. Praise GOD that the CHURCH is more than a building, more than a human denomination, more than a religion or government institution!