historian Peter Brown in his 1971 book, The World of Late Antiquity,
they say:
"What the Constantinian establishment of the Catholic Church meant
was that the bishops (note that the Biblical, Presbyterian form of
church government had been abandoned by the churches before the time
of Constantine) now joined the bureaucrats to form a new governing
class in the Empire. The bishops of Italy became the heirs of the
Roman Senate, and the bishop of Rome became the Emperor's successor."
Not only was the Catholic Church modeled after the Roman Government,
its hierarchy of priests were integrated with the Roman ruling elite.
To some extent the
Reformation failed
to fully separate the Christian church from the Catholic tradition
which
integrated the church with government. Interpretations of Romans 13
played
a key role here, for Dutch and other European Reformed
interpretations of
Romans 13 tended to teach an uncritical obedience to and service
toward government. However, under John Knox, Samuel Rutherford
and other Calvinists in Scotland, Reformed doctrine was reinterpreted
to support individual freedom from government, a Calvinist doctrine which
was secularized by John Locke and later became a foundation of Jefferson's
Declaration of Independence.
So the definition of the Christian Church is first, that
congregations hold
meetings in special buildings, rather than in homes or in other small
buildings
The church building to some extent comes to be thought of as God's
building.
Yet Acts 7: 48 teaches that "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in
temples made with hands; as saith the prophet." And Acts 17: 24
says "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he
is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands."
I Corinthians 3:9 says "For we are labourers together with God: ye
are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." We are the temples of
God, we are his
"building." He wants us to be his building, not big expensive
structures that
are used only a few hours per week for Church services.
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(II Corinthians 6: 16)"
The second definition of the Christian church is that generally the
congregations are large, much larger than can fit in a single family
dwelling
for meetings as home churches.
In a meeting of several hundred or thousands of Christians, there can
be little participation by individual members.
This leads us to the third defining characteristic of the Christian
church.
Except for participation in singing, there is little or no
participation in
the regular Sunday or Saturday service, though there may be some
participation in Sunday School sessions.
But Paul in I Corinthians 14: 26 says "How is it then, brethren?
when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a
doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.
Let all things be done unto edifying."
I don't think Paul is talking about members of an assembly reciting a
psalms,
explaining a doctrine, speaking in tongues, giving a revelation or an
interpretation of Scripture in Sunday School. He is describing
participation
by Christians who met together in his home churches in Corinth.
Probably
there was preaching of doctrine by the leaders of the small home
church groups, especially by Paul's associates when they were in
town. But still,
the "preachers" seemed to allow participation by members of the small
groups. In addition, there were men of some authority within these
small
groups who could step in when necessary to correct any false
doctrines that
members might bring up to the group.
Paul goes on to say in I Corinthians 14: 29 and 31 "Let the prophets
speak
two or three, and let the other judge...For ye may all prophesy one
by one,
that all may learn, and all may be comforted." He is talking again
about
participation in home churches.
The fourth defining characteristic of the Christian church is that
its leaders rule over the congregations and on Sundays, or on weekday
prayer meetings, do all the teaching of doctrine, and allow very
little if
any participation by the members of the assembly. I know that in
some Protestant churches there are deacons or elders who have some
control over the selection of the preachers. But usually, once a
preacher
is in office, he is in control of the doctrines he teaches to the
congregation. In addition, once a false theology becomes accepted
by large numbers of church members and deacons too, the church members
develop itching ears to hear the same false doctrines.
Preachers, like Priests, have the power to spread false doctrines
among
Christians. The Old Testament prophets talked a great deal about this
problem, that the shepherds or pastors were leading God's people into
false religions and false teachings.
Isaiah 56: 10- 11, for example, says " His watchmen are blind: they
are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping,
lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can
never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand:
they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his
quarter."
Isaiah 28: 15 says "Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:"
"...we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:" Very many church Chrsitians at this point in time have have made lies their refuge and have hid themselves under falsehood. Classical dispensationalism is the most popular man made theology in the churches now, but there are several other theologies which are also full of lies.
Jeremiah 10: 21 tells us that "For the pastors are become brutish,
and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and
all their flocks shall be scattered." And again "1 Woe be unto the
pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the
LORD (Jeremiah 23: 1)."
Jeremiah 50: 6 - in one of the chapters on the Babylon of prophecy -
says
"My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to
go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have
gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace."
"Their shepherds have caused them to go astray." What could be
plainer
that that? Just as the shepherds of Old Testament times caused the
people
of God to go astray, so the preachers of today are causing Christians
to
go into false doctrines that become stumbling blocks and God may send
them
even more lies as strong delusions (II Thessalonians 2: 10-11)
Then, Ezekiel 34: 2 says "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds
of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto
the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed
themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?"
Ezekiel 34: 8 says "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my
flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the
field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search
for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock."
"Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the
goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of
Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle
(Zechariah 10: 3)."
God is calling his people out of Babylon in Revelation 18: 4, "Come
out of her,
my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, that ye receive not
of her
plagues." He is calling his people out of the influence of the
shepherds
who have taught them lies. Above all, God is calling his people out of
false theologies.
II Thessalonians 2: 10-12 says "And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the
love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness."
This is a frightening Scripture for those who have followed the
preachers
in the Christian church into believing false theologies. "That they
all might be
damned who believed not the truth..."
Matthew 24: 11-12 says "And many false prophets shall rise, and
shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of
many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
The fifth defining trait of the Christian Church is that more and more
it is joining up with government. When the tax exempt 501C(3) Internal Revenue
status was given to Christian churches by the federal government,
this was not at first a major change in the way churches regarded government.
But as time went by since 1954 when churches were added to the tax exempt
status, the government has at times enforced its rules under 501C(3)
against a few churches and ministries which persisted in
making political statements. And - at the beginning of the George
W. Bush regime in 2001 the Indianapolis Baptist temple was taken
over by the government because of alleged violations of the tax code
resulting from the church's attempt to get out from under 501C(3).
The churches have moved toward conformity to the government,
rather than independence from it.
The Christian Church is becoming more and more a copy of the world,
and especially of the government.
But you can be outside the
Christian Church and still be in false doctrines. We are called to love
the truth (II Thessalonians 2: 10-11)
and to come out of false teachings, and - because the present
day church promotes false doctrines - we are also called to come
Scripture is incredibly clear on this point. The Church is the body of Christ. All those who belong to him make up his Body or Church, (regardless of denomination ). However within this body consists two flocks that have been merged into one; Jews and Gentiles.
It is just that simple!
(Scriptures to support this will be provided upon request)
Twosparrows stated: "Scripture is incredibly clear on this point. The Church is the body of Christ. All those who belong to him make up his Body or Church, (regardless of denomination ). However within this body consists two flocks that have been merged into one; Jews and Gentiles.
It is just that simple!"
Bingo! well said. Both Jews and Gentiles are a new creation in Christ, the members are the Body of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 �Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 6:15 �For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Also there is no such thing in scripture as spiritual Israel. How could there be since God has set aside Israel until the fullness of the Gentile comes? That is the Holy Spirit will no longer dwell in believers, nor will their bodies be the the temple of God. Soon after will come the time of sorrow {Judgment}
Romans 11:15 �For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 �For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 �And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 �Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 �Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 �Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 �For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 �Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 �And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24 �For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25 �For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The Body of Christ and churches don't mean exactly the same thing. The Body of Christ includes all believers from Pentecost to the completion of the church age. Churches in scripture referrers to to believers {called out ones} in various locations. Such as the church in Rome is not the Roman Catholic church; but those believers in Rome or anywhere for that matter. A married couple in West Overshoe could technically be called the church of West Overshoe if they were the only saved people there.
Denominations, cults and sects that are past off today as the body of Christ was authored by the god of this world, not Jesus Christ.
Christ is only building one church and one faith. Eph. 4:5
What is passed off today as what Christ is building is the results of man's philosophic, sectarian doctrines.
Colossians 2:8 �Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {How much plainer can it get than that?}
Read the history of any sectarian religion from any good encyclopedia and you will find everyone of them has their roots in Catholicism. The reason I suggest using an encyclopedia to research their history: none are found in Scripture or authorized by Christ. That means their authorship can only be based on man's religions and not from God or he would have stated as such. If one does read the scriptures, one will find the Lord commands unity among believers which does not exist today and won't because we are in the last days and a falling away from the faith.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 �Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
The Lord also stated their has to be heresies so that the man or woman of God will have their faith demonstrated.
1 Corinthians 11:19 �For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Also heresies, cults and sects with their traditions, holy days and ceremonies are held in much esteem by man, in what is referred to as Christianity; not found in scripture.
Luke 16:15 �And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
1 Corinthians 1:10 �Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
All the above is what I believe is God's order within the Body of Christ.
Halfback;In 1st Corinthians 11-14 these chapters tell the Ekklesia-Those called out of the world unto Yeshua-The Church-Body-Saints of God,etc.How they are to be meeting.
In these chapters there is no mention of any Pastors,
Deacons,there is no band or choir.
Just Yeshua and His people...
The Church is not any building,but the people which Yeshua laid His life down for.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Where then does the Church meet with Yeshua and one another.
Wal-Mart.
Local Diner
Someones house
Laundry mat.......Where?
ANYWHERE!!!!!!
Agape' and Charis:
St.George
Maybe the local morgue,this would be a good place for the dead churches to meet..
Oh my goth! :) That would be awesome -- meeting in a morgue. But think about how creepy/cool/spiritual/sobering it was for the church 1st century AD to meet in the catacombs.
PJ,i am under a Pastor,his name Is Yeshua-Ha-Meshiach.
King of kings,Lord of lords.
The Lord is my shepherd writes David;this Hebrew word for shepherd is what word,hmmmm let me see could the Word be Pastor.
Yes that is the word Pastor.
Psa 23:1 A PsalmH4210 of David.H1732 The LORDH3068 is my shepherd;H7462 I shall notH3808 want.H2637
Hebrew7462
רעה
râ‛âh
raw-aw'
A primitive root; to tend a flock, that is, pasture it; intransitively to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension to associate with (as a friend): - X break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep [sheep] (-er), pastor, + shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.
Now let us look at the English word Pastor to see if this is the same word and meaning in English.
You are so on the point. I really like it when you come out speaking things that are based on scripture and are idrect and to the point of the matter.
For it is written in Ephesians chapter 4, that GOD gave some (speaking about the church) apostles, and someprophets, and someevangelists, and some PASTORS, AND TEACHERS, for the perfecting (equiping or training) of the saints, for the works of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Till we (CHristian believers) ALL come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect person, to the measure (likeness or equal ) of the statue on the fullness of Christ. So that we will therefore, no longer be like children, tossed to and fro, and carried about(away)with EVERY WIND(FALSE) DOCTRINE, by the tsleight(trickery) of men, and their cunning craftness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. These were given to speak the truth in love, so that we may grown into GOD in ALL THINGS, which is the head, even in Christ.
THE CHURCH, IS THE SPIRIAUL BODY OF CHRIST, AND THE BUILDING (PHYSICAL LOCAL CHURCH) , just as the temple Solomon built, Abraham, Ezra and Nehehiah, and Cornelious built for the people to worship GOD therein.
The CHURCH BUILDING IS THE PLACE THAT CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS HAVE CHOSEN TO DEDICATE, NAME AND MEET TO WORSHIP GOD OUR FATHER AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, INSTAED OF MEETING IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT, OR IN A NIGHT CLUB, OR A SMOKE HOUSE.
WE, THE BODY OF CHRIST WHO ARE CALLED CHRISTIANS BY THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HAVE CHOSEN TO CALL OUR MEETING PLACE THE CHURCH...
Trucker you don't consider yourself a Christian therefore, I can see why you wouldn't know the purpose or the reason for a sancturary building in honor of our Lord...
uh, excuse me, But, I think I hear Ray Charles, sssshhh, yeah, that's him... he's asking for a drink of water...y'all excsue me while I get him a drink:Mug:...:yay::zzzz::excited:
The Body of Christ...which is Yall an me to�either Inside or Outside a Building which is called by most Christians a Church...which is a Congregation of Fellow Christians that come together to Fellowship, Be Taught an Learn Scripture an also Worship our Awesome GOD with Praise an Music�Some Folks here Don�t agree with this�So be it�no one is forcing anyone to do as we do�It�s a Free Will Choice�an one that is based on Scripture�
Is it in Scripture ? Absolutely its in Scripture !!!�How Yall interpret those Scriptures an Apply them in your daily life an walk with the LORD Jesus* is entirely up to Yall�So�there Yall have my Two Bits�Yippy Yi Ya Yi Yoooo�.xo
