Why Modern Churches Are Carnal
Part 3
What About Church Membership In Today's Churches?
I believe this is another tradition in the churches, and has no basis at all in the Scriptures. Now remember, God does not mind tradition in the church as long as it does not become doctrinal. The question is, has "membership into the church" become a commandment of men? It sure seems like it. Most would agree that it has no Scriptural basis, that it is not all that important, so God doesn't mind. Remember again, that Jesus condemned the Pharisees for putting great importance on manmade religious inventions and passing them off as something you have to do. He condemned them for it. Fact of the matter is, you cannot be a member of most local churches unless you become a "member" and placed on their membership role by a vote of the church. Where is this in Scripture? There is no command for that. But, if you are not on their role, then you are not a member of their church. Now the whole thing sounds stupid. How could anyone ever come up with such a crazy idea and even worse, how could everyone be so naive to fall for it? I'll tell you why; because of double talk. Today, when someone gets saved they are told to "join the church." Where is that in the Bible? The Scriptures plainly teach that when a person is saved he becomes part of the church immediately, because God "joins" him to the body of Christ, or the church. "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47b. That doesn't say anything about the new convert asking the church if he could "join" their membership, nor does it say that the church voted to accept him into their membership. This is one of the problems that you get into when you say that only a local church exists, and that there is no universal church. As I said before, they both have to exist to prevent inconsistencies, and the Scriptures teach that they both do exist. You say, "Well the Lord was adding daily to that local church in Jerusalem such as should be saved." So? That's true, but God "joined" them to that local church in Jerusalem. They didn't have to be voted on to become a member of the church in Jerusalem. God made them a member.You say that it is not that important, that I am making a big deal out of nothing. Then, why won't your church accept a saved person as part of your church unless he "joins"? You are the one making a big deal out it. Jesus did not say, "Where two or three are "joined" together on a membership role, there am I in the midst of them." He said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt 18:20. Listen friend. I already belong to Jesus and I am a part of his body. I don't have to join anything. I am already "joined" to him. I was joined to him when I got saved, and God did the "joining". Alleluia. You see, the devil is a master of "double talk", deceit, hypocrisy, and developing counterfeits and imitations. All his works are designed to take away from God's works. "Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." Titus 1:14. The church is the body of Christ; it is not some kind of a club that you join. (But, then, many professing churches are probably just that, "clubs")
Now, there is probably a great deal more to what is wrong with this idea of a church membership role than what we think. For, anything that you join, you are making a pact, an agreement, or commitment to abide by certain rules, conduct, and to take on certain responsibilities. You commit yourself to follow a church constitution and a set of by-laws. It could be to bind or "monopolize" individuals into a group, taking away liberties that we have in Christ, and thus making us more of a servant to the church, and less of a servant to Him. But the Scriptures say: ".... and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty." 2Cor 3:17b. Not liberty to do what you want, but liberty to be a servant of Christ and to do what the Scriptures teach. That's why we came to this country in the first place; to have liberty to serve Christ. The devil wants to take away this liberty anyway he can, so we can't have the freedom to do what the Bible says. "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage" Gal 2:4. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal 5:1. (You say, "What bondage?") Well, as long as a person is "joined" to a group or organization by some kind of an "official" action, that person is bound to that group. But, we are supposed to be bound to Christ, and we already are if we're saved. The above verse applies to men who were trying to bring Christians under bondage by saying if you weren't circumcised, then you were not saved. And, today, you are told that if you are not on our membership role then you are not a member of our church. (Does that mean you are not saved?) (Yes, if you are not a member of the church, then you are not saved, because the church is the body of Christ, and if you are not a member of the church, then you are not a member of His body. Crazy?
In 1 Corinthians, Chapter 5, the church was not told to vote the fornicator out of the church, but to mourn to God, and God would take care of him, the hard way if he didn't change. If a brother fails to cooperate with the church, is the church to vote him out, drop him from the membership role, and that will take care of it. No, the Scriptures teach, "but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." You follow this third step after steps one and two fail, then consider him a lost man. But there is no mention of kicking him out or dropping him from some role of church members. You treat him as lost and pray and try to get him saved. So, when you were saved, you became a "member" of His body. God "joined" you to the church of the redeemed. You became a "member" of the "general assembly and the church of the firstborn". However, when you assemble with brothers and sisters in a local area, you become a "member" of that local church. ("For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt 18:20.) If you are saved and you are there, then you are a member of that local church. Simple as that.
Interesting Note: Have you noticed that the things of God are very SIMPLE? Salvation. The church. Leadership in the church. Giving. Membership in the church. Baptism. Etc. God made it all so simple. It is man (and the Devil) that likes to make things complicated and difficult. They like to make salvation a real task. Add lots of things to it. They like to make the church difficult. They like to add lots of things to it, too. Everything is so hard. But Jesus said, "For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light." Matt 11:30. Hey, Jesus did all the hard work, and God has made things so simple, that man has trouble finding out how God works. The Lord said, "For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways , saith the LORD." Is 55:8. God has chosen to work in simple ways. "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:" WHY? WHY? WHY? The answer is in the next verse, "That no flesh should glory in his presence." 1Cor 1:27-29.
So, God has chosen to work in very simple ways, so that man will not have opportunity to glory. But, man does it his way, and makes everything difficult so he can glory anyway. Jesus said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes : even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight." "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies " "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." God has chosen to do all things in a very simple manner. Jesus was born in a stable, not a fine house. Later, when He was an adult, He said, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air [ have ] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head." (Matt. 8:20). Hey, this is God's son, and God chose to give Him a life of simplicity while on earth. God's ways are simple ways. "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." 2 Cor. 11:3. Man and the Devil have chosen to make things complicated.
God made salvation very simple.
He made the church very simple.
His ways are very simple.
Let's not complicate them."Thanks for making things so simple, that I can't take the glory, but have to give you the glory." "AMEN
Tithing:
Now, let's take a look at tithing. Is tithing for today? No, I believe that tithing is not for today's New Testament churches. It was part of the law for the nation of Israel. God said it was. He said tithing was (1) for the nation of Israel to give, (2) for the tribe of the Levites to receive, and (3) was of the Law.
(1) The tithe was instituted by God for the nation of Israel.
And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD'S: [it is] holy unto the LORD. And if a man will at all redeem [ought] of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth [part] thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. These [are] the commandments, which the LORD COMMANDED MOSES FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL in mount Sinai. Levi 27:30-34.Even the most famous verse used by people today to support tithing in churches says that tithing was for the nation of Israel. For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore YE SONS OF JACOB are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept [them]. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say. Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole NATION. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. Mal 3:6-10. "Sons of Jacob" was another term for the nation of Israel. The command for the tithe was for the people of the nation of Israel.
(2) The Tithe was for the Levites
"And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I [am] thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. 21 And, behold, I have given the CHILDREN OF LEVI ALL THE TENTH in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, [even] the service of the tabernacle of the congregation". 26 "Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the TITHES which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, [even] a tenth [part] of the tithe". Num 18:20-26. Very clear here that the tithe was for the Levites, because they did not have part of the inheritance, and it was for their service in the tabernacle and later in the temple. "And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities THE PORTIONS OF THE LAW for the PRIESTS and LEVITES." Neh 12:44 The tithe was for the priests and Levites. "And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the TITHES of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded [to be given] TO THE LEVITES, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests". (Neh 13:5). " Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the SONS OF LEVI, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a COMMANDMENT TO TAKE TITHES of the people according to the law". Heb 7: 4-5.(3) The Tithe was of the Law
The tithe was very clearly part of the Law. Even in the New Testament this is clear. "Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a COMMANDMENT to take tithes of the people ACCORDING TO THE LAW". Heb 7:4-5."And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes , to gather into them out of the fields of the cities THE PORTIONS OF THE LAW for the priests and levites...." Neh 12:44.
"And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD'S: [it is] holy unto the LORD. - 34 These [are] the COMMANDMENTS, which the LORD COMMANDED MOSES for the children of Israel in mount Sinai". Levi 27: 30-34. (Tithing was of the Law of Moses)
So, it is very clear to me that the tithe was (1) by the nation of Israel, (2) for the tribe of the Levites, and (3) part of the Law.
I have heard a good argument, that tithing is not of the Law, because it was before the giving of the Law to Moses. What about that verse just used, Hebrews 7:4-5? It says that Abraham gave tithes, and he was before the Law and before Moses, so tithing was before the Law. Jacob also tithed and he was before the Law. Thus, if tithing was before the Law then it should apply after the Law. (For our time) Well, clear verses used above clearly state that tithing was of the Law. So, now we have to explain a situation, not a verse. The Bible doesn't say that Abraham was commanded to give a tithe. (Jacob, who was before Moses and the Law, also promised to give tithes to God, but we see no command here either)
(1) According to Bible dictionaries, tithing was popular among many nations. History shows that many nations gave different percentages of their income for religious works. (The Westminister Dict. of the Bible says "The separation of a certain proportion of the products of one's industry or of the spoils of war as tribute to their gods was practiced by various nations at this time. The Lydians offered a tithe of their booty. The Phoenicians and Carthaginians sent a tithe annually to the Tyrian Hercules. These tithes might be regular or occasional, voluntary or prescribed by law. The Egyptians were required to give a 5th part of their crops to Pharaoh (Gen. 47:24) Abraham and Jacob were no doubt familiar with this principle, even though it was not yet given to them by God as a command.
(2) To answer those who say that the command of tithing was before the Law because Abraham gave tithes, violate all the Scriptures that clearly say that it was of the Law. But, let's look at a similar principle to make a parallel. It is interesting to note that circumcision was given in the Law of Moses. Nobody will argue with that. But, wait a minute. Abraham and Jacob were also circumcised. God told them to. Then, circumcision was before the Law, so then if circumcision applied before the Law then it should apply after the Law, which would be for today. But, no! The New Testament clearly says that circumcision was of the Law and not to be observed by Christians as being legal. So, just because circumcision was practiced before the Law, that does not make it right after the Law. Thus, the same would seem true for tithing.
Nowhere in the New Testament is there a command for tithing. Nowhere. You say, "Well, there is no place in the New Testament that says you shouldn't tithe, as it does with circumcision." True, but I would hate to take any doctrine of the Law given to the Jews, and make it a doctrine for a New Testament church. So, what does the New Testament teach then, if not tithing. It teaches giving, not tithing, and there is a difference. Most all churches today teach tithing, but you will not find it anywhere in the New Testament in any of the commands to the churches. You will find it mentioned in the four gospels, and Jesus commended those who tithed, but remember, that was not a church. The Temple and the Levitical priests were still there. The Levites and the law was still in affect. Jesus had not died yet, the veil of the Temple had not yet been rent, and the New Testament had not begun. He was still fulfilling the law of the Old Testament. Jesus lived on the earth during the Old Testament and under the Law. The New Testament began at Christ's death, and the church soon was established by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Besides the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, you will find tithing only mentioned in one other place in the New Testament, and that is in the book of Hebrews, written to the Jewish Christians. It is reflecting back to Abraham and it is not being used to endorse tithing, but rather Jesus as being the high priest. You will not find tithing or giving 10 percent anywhere else in the New Testament. Nowhere. You would think with all these new Gentile churches being founded by Paul and others, and the many epistles written to them regarding how to conduct themselves as Christians, that surely tithing would have been mentioned. Mentioned especially to Gentiles who were not familiar with tithing and other aspects of the Law. But it never is. Giving is mentioned several times to the churches, but never tithing.
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem". 1Cor 16:1-3. (Tithing or giving ten percent is not mentioned or implied here. Giving is commanded in this verse, and to give as God has prospered us, putting money aside to be given and sent to the poor saints at Jerusalem.) God does want us to give, and to give from the heart. "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver". 2Cor 9: 7 (Tithing not mentioned or implied here, but giving. Notice, he says not of necessity. Tithing would be of necessity. It was of the Law. Giving from a cheerful heart is because you love God, not because you have to. And you are to give as you purpose in your heart. No 10 percent mentioned here. The more a person loves God the more he will want to give) Yes, we are to give. God wants us to. He commands us to give, but that we should give willingly, cheerfully, and liberally. 2 Cor 8:13 "For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality": (liberal giving is taught here)
Now, these are just a few of many verses on Christian giving. But, tithing is never, never mentioned to any of the New Testament churches. There are many that feel if tithing is not taught today, then no one would give anything. That may be true for some, but I believe that real Christians will be led of the Holy Spirit to give and to give all, if necessary for God's work and to help other saints in need.
It seems to me that most churches today have gotten themselves in this mess because most operate as businesses, and when they do, they must have a source of revenue in order to operate the business, and must have an executive or businessman to run the business. But, early churches did not operate as businesses, because God did not set them up to run that way. Now, in the Old Testament, you had a different situation. You had a building and properties (Temple) and a priesthood and tithing was a command of God for the nation of Israel to give this ten percent (almost like a tax) for their upkeep. God promised to bless all those who did. However, the New Testament Christians were to give as they purposed in their heart from a heart of love. Many gave all they had in the first early churches. They sold their properties and gave it all, even though there was no command to do so. The Scriptures plainly teach that Christians serve and give their all from the heart because they love the Lord. Just because you don't believe they will, doesn't mean that you have to invoke a Law to make sure they do.
You may feel that there is no difference in tithing and giving, that it is just a difference in terminology. But, it appears that the teaching of tithing could be very detrimental to the New Testament Christian. "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty." 2 Cor 3:17 Tithing is not "giving" and not of the Law of Liberty but of the Law of Moses. Tithing is of the Law and would therefore place the Christian under the Law in one respect. We are clearly taught that we are not to put ourselves under the Law in any respect. Paul rebuked those in that day for trying to get Christians to be circumcised by the Law. He would also rebuke those who put themselves under the Law of tithing. Give, yes. Tithe, no.
You say they are really the same. No, friend, they are not. It is very dangerous to teach that God wants tithing in New Testament churches today, when He nowhere said in His word that He does. We should obey God and not men. Men today command tithing, but God has nowhere commanded New Testament churches to tithe. "...let God be true , but every man a liar;..." Rom 3:4. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for teaching that you can't do anything on the Sabbath, even good things. They twisted this Law to be a burden to others. They made it appear as God's word and Jesus said, no, you are "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition," Mk 7:13. It seems that tithing has also become a tradition or commandment of men in today's churches. "Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." Titus 1:14. This verse says that when you follow commandments of men rather than what God says, that you will turn from the truth. More and more, you will turn from the truth. Tithing today, what tomorrow?
I tell people that I give a lot more than 10 percent of my income to the Lord, but I do not believe in tithing. I still get persecuted. You see, fact of the matter is, they probably don't really care how much you give. They just want you to be under their law of tithing. They don't want you to have liberty. "But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:" Gal 2:3-4. (You see, here Paul is saying that their real purpose was not to get Titus circumcised, but to put him in bondage.) (So, it is likewise with tithing. They don't care how much you give as long as you are under their bondage of tithing.) Why? Maybe so they can glory in your flesh. "For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh ." Gal 6:13 But, the Bible teaches that we "Stand fast, therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal 5:1. We are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free, so do not put yourself under bondage in any way, shape, or form. We are to be the Lord's bondman. We are to do what He says to do. And nowhere does He say that we are to tithe in the church.
It almost appears that instead of New Testament churches today, we seem to have instead Old Testament temples. (Paul had a great deal of trouble trying to keep the Jewish legalizers away from the churches of his day, especially in the churches of Galacia. There have always been people around who don't like other people having democracy, freedom, or liberty, to serve God. Satan wants to bring Christians into bondage. It has always been that way, and it is that way today.) They have really had their effects on today's churches. Instead of a church, we have more what resembles a temple (they call it the "house of God") They make it like a sanctuary and even call it that. The building is called the church. But, Jesus said our body is the temple of God. Saved people are the church. We have also gone back to the Old Testament, and pulled out a position and called it the office of the pastor, but it is more like that of an Old Testament priest than a Scriptural New Testament elder. It was the priest's job to run the house of God, and to be the mediator between God and man. Now, the pastor is hired to run the church building and organization, and he also tries to be the mediator between God and man. And, now we have gone back and pulled out tithing from the Law and imposed it on the New Testament churches, and said that it is the same principle, when the Bible clearly states otherwise. So, don't tell me it is only terminology. It's probably much worse than you think.
In conclusion, tithing was clearly (1) for Israel to give, (2) for the Levites to receive, (3) and commanded by the Law. It is not for today's New Testament churches or God would have informed us in His Word. Furthermore, in summary, tithing is not for today because: (1) it is clear that tithing is of the law, and Jesus fulfilled the law, (2) there is no command in the New Testament for tithing, (3) there is no example of a New Testament church tithing, (4) there is no example in the New Testament of a Christian tithing, and 5) tithing is not for Christians, because the New Testament does give specific directions on how Christians are to give and tithing is not included.
I hope you now have a better idea of what God's plan is for a New Testament Scriptural church. I also hope that you understand why so many of the churches today are carnal. Now, I want to make one thing very clear. As I have said earlier, not everyone that uses the word "Church" in their name is a church. Oh, yes, as far as the definition of the word "church" goes, any assembly can rightly be called a church. But, most of them are not Christian churches, because most of the people in them are not saved. (if they believe in the unscriptural doctrines they teach concerning salvation, that of works and not of grace) Yes, they are a church, but not a Christian church. They are just religious people that meet together, having only an outward appearance of Christianity, but denying the power thereof.
But, what about the churches that do teach true Biblical doctrines of salvation? Are they churches? Yes. Christian churches? Yes. If they are mostly saved people that assemble together and teach true doctrines of the Bible, especially salvation, then, they are true Christian churches. This no doubt includes many, many Baptist and some other denominational churches, because they do for the most part teach true doctrines of salvation, and other major doctrines of the Bible. Yes, they are Christian churches.
But are they Scriptural Christian churches? No. Most Christian churches today are not meeting Scripturally. If they don't assemble Scripturally, then the Bible says they are carnal churches. Even though many in the church are saved, if they do not obey the Scriptures, then they are carnal. As I have mentioned before, when even saved people begin to follow men, along with his traditions and commandments, rather than God, his Word and His commandments, then they are carnal. Christians? Yes, but carnal Christians. (Laodicean age, with Jesus standing outside the church) And that is why most true churches today are carnal, because they follow tradition and commandments of men rather than God and His Word. They also want honor from men rather than that which comes from God. Or, they want both. But, we can't have it both ways. Jesus said that we should want that honor that comes from God only. God in turn honors us when we obey His word and trust in Him. This is walking in the Spirit. But, we are living in the last days, and the Bible said that there would be a great falling away from the truth, so it will be very difficult to find a group of saved people who are meeting Scripturally. "for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first". 2 The 2:3. However, it doesn't have to be this way. We can have a Scriptural church if we follow God's plan. A Scriptural church is made up of people who obey Scripture. It's that simple. The Bible says that we should walk spiritually. Walking spiritually is obeying God and believing and trusting in what He says. The early churches were Scriptural in the beginning, but even they had to fight against becoming carnal. (Paul preached and rebuked the carnality in the churches of Corinth, Galatia, Colossians, etc.) We also have the same rebukes and instructions for us today that they had, and they are in the Bible.
As time went on, and especially after Christianity was legalized, churches became increasingly more carnal, being run by tradition and methods of men. This became the norm, even unto modern times. Because of this, the Scriptural way seems to be odd, peculiar, and even weird to those who were exposed and brought up in a society that offered churches affected and permeated with traditions and commandments of men.
When one observes the modern day manmade church, it appears to be more like a club than it does a church. Like a club, both have a membership role of which members pay dues. They both have officers, and use a constitution and a set of by-laws. They both have a prescribed detailed course of customary proceedings, and they put a lot of emphasis on activities and programs. They likewise have names they promote and they both are organized as nonprofit organizations. Furthermore, most churches are also similar to businesses in that they are incorporated by the state. Corporation means to form a body of persons acting under a legal charter as a separate entity with privileges and liabilities. As far as the state is concerned, it looks upon a church as being like any business. In order to be exempted from lawsuits and taxes, it must be done this way, set up like a business. However, it is not God's design for churches to be like businesses or clubs.
His Word clearly describes how a church should assemble and conduct themselves. He doesn't just leave it up to us to meet however we want. For the most part, the early church meetings were very simple. They were not like the business churches or club-like churches we have today. Christians came together in the name of the Lord Jesus, to fellowship, worship, and to exhort one another. God has always worked in simple ways and He has not changed. He works in simple ways so that man cannot glory in himself. "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;" " And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (WHY?) "That no flesh should glory in his presence." 1 Cor 1:27. God has always worked in simple ways throughout the Scriptures. Jesus was born in a stable and raised by a common carpenter. He had no home as an adult. And, this was God's only son, whom He loved. He told Gideon to trim down the number of men he had, in order for God to defeat the enemy. God said He chose Israel not because they were the greatest on the earth, but because they were the least. He always chose the weak and base things to confound the mighty. So, don't you think that God would want his churches to operate just as simply even in our advanced and complex society today? He set them up to be simple 2000 years ago and He worked mightily through them, and He will today if we follow His plan. When men seek for a better plan, program, or method, then God will seek for better men.
Is it important how a church functions when it assembles? Yes. Paul laid down the rules for how the early church was to meet. With the beginning of each church, he stayed for awhile and helped them to know how to conduct themselves in their meetings. Later, he periodically sent helpers such as Timothy or Titus to check up on them and to give help in further establishing them as a Scriptural church. Paul's words were more than just advice. They were the Words of God. They were God's commandments of how a Scriptural church ought to be. You can find most of these in 1 and 2 Corinthians, especially chapter 14. Their meetings were getting somewhat out of hand and so Paul had to correct them over many things. He ended the chapter by saying they were God's commandments, and if any man thought himself spiritual, to acknowledge such. Based on these Scriptures, the following is how I believe a typical church meeting was conducted. Everything was again very simple. On Sunday, the first day of the week, people assembled together only in the name of the Lord Jesus. Like most churches of that day, they probably started out in someone's home, and as the number grew, they either built a building or rented one. But, it was just a building that the church met in. They did not give it a name or title, (or themselves one), nor did they decorate and fashion it into a sanctuary with stained glass windows, padded pews, an altar, etc, and then conduct formal services. We no doubt got into this mess influenced by the Catholics. It also may be an attempt to make it like the Old Testament Temple or the "house of God" as you hear many church buildings called today. I'm not against making a place where the church meets comfortable. I'm not saying that. I'm saying that Scriptures indicate and stress that Christians are the church and that they are to be sanctified and holy, and they are not to put the emphasis on holy days, places, buildings, etc.
When it was time for the meeting, everyone sat and quietly prayed for the Holy Spirit to lead in the service. (There was no one up front running everything) The Holy Spirit would then begin to move upon the men. Someone might feel led to testify of some good thing that God had done for him during the week. Someone else might feel led to lead the group in a song, hymn, or the reading of a psalm. One of the elders, being led by the Spirit, would then get up and preach a message that the Spirit laid on his heart. When finished, other songs or testimonies could be given or another elder could get up and give what the Spirit wanted him to say, whether another message, lesson, word or exhortation, etc. (Bible seems to limit these to no more than 3, maybe for the sake of time or not to wear everybody out.) There would be no specific order of events, but the Lord would have liberty to lead in any order: songs, testimonies, lessons, exhortations, messages, etc, and who would be doing such. Now, there were guidelines given by God, and liberty was given within these guidelines. (For example, He said that women were to be silent in the church.) Liberty does not mean doing whatever you want, but being allowed or having the freedom to do whatever God has commanded us to do according to His Word. He said there was not to be confusion, and everything was to be done decently and in order. Who was to make sure these commands were carried out in the church? The elders. The older Christian men in that assembly.
So, you see, the service seemed to be very simple, but organized to allow the Holy Spirit liberty to operate during the meeting. "... and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty ." 2 Cor 3:17. The Spirit must have liberty in the church in order for Him to work. I have heard some say, "Well, our pastor allows liberty. He doesn't hinder the Spirit from working, or others from getting involved." But, who is the pastor to "allow liberty". It is not his to give. Or, it shouldn't be, unless he is a lord. For a pastor to allow liberty means that he has control over the church, that he is the head. He decides whether to give permission to do something. "Liberty" means the condition of being free from control, confinement, and servitude. The opposite of liberty is bondage. Bondage is when the Scriptures do not have freedom to be obeyed and practiced. Now, surely a pastor doesn't want to be compared to those in Galatians 2:4, that tried to put others in bondage. "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:" So, the pastor can allow liberty in the church? Does he want to be compared to those men in 2 Peter 2:19? "While they promise them liberty , they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." For, you see, liberty is not given by the pastor. It is given by the Lord! God has already given us liberty to do what He said according to the Word of God. God says to do it, and He gives us liberty to do according to His Word. My point here is, that liberty is from God, not man. But, man is the one who will try to hinder you from following God's Word. And if he is in charge of the liberty or freedom to obey God's commands, then he can also take it away. But, we are to never allow any man to keep us from serving God according to the Scriptures. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal. 5:1 "and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty ." 2Cor 3:17. Where there is liberty, you will find the Spirit of the Lord. If you want the Lord in the church, then there must be liberty for people to serve Him. If there is no liberty in the church, then it is because someone has taken it away. Everyone should be free to participate in the church according to the guidelines of Scripture. "Oh, but we can't do that. Things will get out of hand. You've got to have one man in charge in order to keep things under control. If you had that kind of liberty in the church with Christ as the Head, and elders leading and having equal authority, then there would be chaos." But, hey, you are not trusting in the Lord. I would not want to cause problems in a right kind of church. I would be afraid to. Just ask Ananias and Sapphira what happened to them when they caused trouble in the early church. If Christ is the Head of the church, He will take care of troublemakers, if the others are trying their best to follow Him and have a Scriptural church.
In conclusion, I would like to say that it may appear to you that this booklet is a little radical. You may even think it is very radical. You may say that you have never heard or seen anything like it before, and that no one else believes it this way, so it must be wrong. But, friend, we are in the last days, and the Word of God plainly teaches that there will be a great falling away from the truth. Not only is the world falling from the truth, but so are the churches. Speaking to the last church age (the one we are in) Jesus said to the Laodicean church, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me". This is a picture of the anemic, powerless, churches of our day. Yes, they have all kinds of buildings, money, programs, and methods, but they do not have God. He says they make him sick, to the point He could vomit. He commands them to repent and to follow Him.
What about you personally? If you know that the things that you have read in this book are true, then you will do one of two things. You will either repent of the mess that you are in and then get out of it. Or you will suppress these truths or explain them away and stay like you are. But, you will never be able to escape these truths if you are saved. You will never be able to be honest before God and therefore will not have peace in your soul. Why? "Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God:" Rom 8:7. My suggestion to you would be to get out of a carnal church. It will only make you carnal. You say, "Well, I would not know where to go. This is the best I can find." It would be better for you not to go at all, than to go to a carnal church. Read your Bible, pray, and worship at home. Then, pray and ask God to start a church in your home. That's the way the early churches got started. "But, I can't just not go to church. That would be wrong." Look in God's Word and you will find several churches that started in and continued in homes, until the group became too large. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church , entering into every house, and hauling men and women, committed [them] to prison. Acts 8:3. "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus…" " Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house" . Rom 16:3
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house . 1Cor 16:19
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. Col 4:15
And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Phl 1:2.
But, what about the verse "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]"? Heb 10: 25. This is a famous verse that many use to hold over people's heads that you can't miss any church services at all. But, this was a verse written to Jewish Christians who, because of fear of persecution, did not assemble at all. "I will be persecuted if I don't go to some church." (Ironic, these early Christians were persecuted because they did assemble together, and we will be persecuted if we don't.) Again, you are thinking of church in the traditional since. I'm opposed to the idea of never assembling at all, as the verse says. But, did you know there were many examples in the Bible where men temporarily did not go to group worship. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, John the Baptist came out of the wilderness, Paul spent at least 3 years alone in the desert, etc. So, if you have to assemble just with your family for awhile, you are not violating this Scripture. This should be temporary, and not a habit (manner of some is) or an excuse just to miss assembling together. It should be your desire that God join others with your group, or to help you find another group to meet with, but by all means, don't just go out and join a church just because you think that is what you have to do. Yes, it is God's will for you to be part of a church, but the right kind of church. If there aren't any, then don't compromise and become a part of a bad one. If the whole system today is wrong, and I sincerely believe it is, then we should come out of it, and take a stand. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor 6:17-18. Yes, it is all part of man's religious system. Most all churches have become a part of this false religious system of our last days, in which the Bible says there will be a great falling away. However, the Devil started this system soon after the first early churches were founded. They soon became known as the Catholic Church, and later all other denominational churches have been influenced by her false, adulterous ways. (Clergy, religious titles for men, denominational and church names, religious schools and hospitals, tithing, membership roles, teaching of tradition and commandments of men as doctrine, having a church constitution, bi-laws, a creed to follow, building church sanctuaries, owning properties, etc., etc.) Now, there are a few denominations that have some truth and some correct doctrines on salvation or other major doctrines, but they still have been prey to this false religious system that has effected the church and made it powerless. When Jesus spoke the truth in the synagogues, it infuriated the religious crowd and they wanted to kill him. However, some believed on him, but they were afraid to speak out for fear of being put out of the synagogue. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [him], lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:42,43. What about you? What will you do? (1) Suppress these truths and be silent so as not to offend the religious crowd, and continue to gain honor from men rather than God? (2) Speak out as Jesus and others did and be run off? Or (3) separate yourself now and take a stand for Christ and the Truth. I can't tell you which to do, although I know God will not bless you if you choose the first one. I tried that one for a long time, and I was miserable. With number 2 you will be greatly persecuted before you are run off. For me, I chose number 3, to get entirely out of the system, and to speak out against it from without rather than within. Since then, God has richly blessed me and my family, and He has become a Father to us and we have indeed become his sons and daughters. Our fellowship with Him has been great. I can honestly say that I love the praise of God more than the praise of man. We are now praying, studying our Bible, and worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth in our home. We are witnessing and trying to get others saved, by giving the plan of salvation to every family in our town. We are now waiting upon God to bring together a group of people who want to live and to please Him in the way He has told us.
I strongly believe that everything I have written in this booklet is true to the Word of God. I further believe that many Christians down through the centuries have believed and practiced these things, and were persecuted by the religious system. Furthermore, I believe that there are Christians today in this country that meet as God has commanded, even though I am not aware of them.
I want to say, as others have said in the past, that "unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures, (for I do not trust in either tradition or the commandments of men, and the system that prevails today) I am bound by the Scriptures that I have quoted. My conscience is captive to the Word of God, and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against them." Amen!
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