Unity

Unity

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Is biblical unity across denominational lines a real possibility or simply a pipe dream

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    As much as I, and many others, would like it to be so, I personally believe that denominational unity is just wishful thinking -- a pipe dream. If you're wondering where the expression "pipe dream" comes from, it means "a fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe)." In other words, we're just not thinking rationally!

     I once thought that God could move the hearts of denominational pastors, but as hard as I, and others, have prayed it has became quite evident there will be no substantial change of heart. Defending doctrinal  differences seems to be  much more important than unity. 
     Oh, some well meaning pastors have tried for unity and have met with others of different denominations, but the invisible lines of separation were always subtly in place -- and no one dared cross them. This is not biblical unity  -- it's not even close.

     Unity across denominational lines will never happen because the churches will never allow it to. While it is true that the one world religious ecumenical movement will be successful to a degree through compromise; the true church of Jesus Christ will never unite beneath the torn banners of doctrinal differences. Nor will it ever meet under a banner of compromise.

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The reason is simple -- biblical unity is Spirit-based

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     True biblical unity is Spirit-based. It is called "the unity of the Spirit" (Eph 4:3; 1 Cor 12:13). The natural religious mind is incapable of grasping the intricate workings of the Holy Spirit. Jesus described the Holy Spirit this way:

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).”

     We cannot denominational-ize the Holy Spirit. He cannot, and will not, freely function in such exclusive environments. This is the very reason why the glory has all but departed from the institutional, corporate church. What typically remains in the churches is a very convincing spiritual imitation made up of psychological and emotional elements. In some churches we even find hysteria masquerading as the Spirit.      

     Thank God that the message of salvation remains somewhat in tact and souls do get saved in many of these denominational settings. I personally got saved in such a setting. The sad part is that those who do get saved in this way become corporate church slaves perpetuating the denominational thinking that created the problem of disunity in the first place.

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Unity Has nothing to do with the physical church

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• Biblical unity has absolutely  nothing to do with church structure; whether it is  traditional, denominational or contemporary. 
• Unity has absolutely nothing to do with church leadership whether it be a Pastor, Bishop, Priest, Pope or any other religious person that tries to sets up a class distinction between the "priesthood" and the "laity" (the so-called common people; or attendees). 

     Man cannot produce godly unity no matter how clever or spiritual he thinks he is. True unity comes from the Spirit of God.

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Unity is an automatic, supernatural byproduct of salvation imparted by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13)

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     Unity is simply the Holy Spirit indwelling all true believers and thereby making them one (brothers and sisters in Christ). The very same blood of Jesus Christ that runs through all born-again Christian's spiritual veins connects us closer than our own biological blood relatives. 
     If we could somehow remove divisive doctrines from off the waters of Christianity, unity would very naturally rise to the surface and the true Body of Christ would spontaneously become one.

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God absolutely loves unity

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     To God unity is "pleasant" and "precious" just like the morning dew which he places upon the earth to show us the delicate beauty that symbolizes true unity.  Psalm 133 describes this best:

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's' beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

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Will it be persecution that finally drives the church to unity?

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      Winds of persecution are already beginning to blow on the church and will increase in intensity as our society becomes more and more liberal (if that be possible). Morality will finally surrender to the filth of Sodom and Gomorrah and all hell will ultimately break loose. 
     The day will come when the true church will be forced underground. At this point the denomination you belong to and the demonic, divisive doctrines you were taught to adhere to will no longer matter. Christians will experience a genuine unity like they've never known before -- just in order to survive. 
     Don't put all your chips on an easy out either. The many different doctrines of  "the rapture of the church" are riddled with demonic reason and logic and are thereby not trustworthy. We must be wise and strengthen ourselves in Christ for what just might be a long hard, haul. We, quite frankly, really don't know.
     Christ will birth unity one way or the other -- of  this we can be sure -- and then He will return ... !

Let's Build a Church_Part 2

   Last week we presented some of the facets of the contemporary non-biblical church model. This week we'll be looking at the biblical church model as presented in the New Testament.
   It is important to note that, without the Holy Spirit's presence, no church model will ever work. If we were to simply try and copy-cat this New Testament model we would just end up with another empty form of a Christian social gathering. On the other hand to have a basic, certifiable biblical setting where the Holy Spirit feels comfortable to move and minister is a huge step in the right direction.

The Biblical Church Model

•  A N.T. (New Testament) styled church was automatically birthed when a group of Christians simply, and very naturally, met in some basic location such as a home in order to celebrate Christ together.
  
• This N.T. Church did not have a name. The churches in the New Testament were known by where they met. Ex: The church that meets on Main Street at John Doe's house (not "The 5th Street Baptist Church"). The average size of a group of believers would be perhaps fifteen or so folks (not two to five hundred). It was a simple family styled church that would occasionally gather together with other such small churches to celebrate Christ together (Acts 20:20;12:12; Rom 16:5, 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Philemon 2). Note: as soon as the Church is given a name it inevitably becomes sectarian and a wall of separation (division) is established. The result of this is called denominational-ism.
  
• The N.T. church is the people and not the building.
• The biblical church is designed by God to be a spiritual church; birthed, operated and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Birthed: Acts 2:1-4 Operated: Acts 8:29; 20:28; Rom 8:14 Empowered: Acts 1:8; Rom 15:19; 1 Cor 2:4; 1 Cor 12)
  
• This biblical N.T. church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20-21).  
• The church is to be made up of living stones; you and me (not bricks and mortar): (1Pet 2:5)."
• We are all to be baptized into one body of believers. There is only one body of true believers on planet earth (1 Cor 12:13-14)."
•  The Church of the N.T. was overseen by a plurality of elders (not by the single super-hero we have come to call the "Pastor"). Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5; Jas 5:14.
• The N.T. Church was gifted with a five-fold ministry (Eph 4:11-12): "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Please note that in this verse the goal of the ministry is that all would become equipped to be ministers.
• A pastor's role in the N.T. church was not that of an office (like the president of a corporation), but rather a natural function. He was not the person that everybody idolized and placed above everyone else. The word pastor simply means shepherd, or one who has a heart for, and gently cares for the flock. Psalm 23 gives great insight into the role of this function in the church.
• There was no head elder in the N.T. church, but rather elders (plural) (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil1:1; 1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:5). These elders submitted to the Holy Spirit as to direction for the church. This eliminated the impulse leading by one person to do whatever, whenever he wants to do it.
• Each local gathering was autonomous (independent and self-governing, like a family) while at the same time connected to the whole collective church through the Holy Spirit that birthed them. Rev 1:4;  Acts 14:23
  
• The elders did not control the meeting; the Holy Spirit did through the various spiritual gifts and callings which He distributed to the believers. The elders bore  responsibility for, and gave spiritual oversight and direction to the local church (1 Pet 5:1-3).
• People participated by: "letting  the word of Christ dwell in them richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Col 3:16)." A reading of chapters 1 Cor 12-14 will give a clear sense of a N.T. meeting. Add a love feast and the Lords supper to this, as led by the Holy Spirit, and you'll never want that contemporary thing we now call "The Church" again. 
• There were little or no expenses incurred because the church met mostly in homes, with the exception of the collective gatherings which may, or may not have incurred expense. 
• Everyone shared what they had. "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need (Acts 2:44-45)."

    Well, there you have it, a quick overview of the two different church models: The one in the previous Blog  ("Let's Build a Church Part 1") is contrived (artificial; labored) by men and the one in this Blog is profoundly spiritual. We can clearly see the simple, natural beauty and potential for individual growth the N.T. model affords. It seems clear that the church the Holy Spirit birthed was to be primarily spiritual where everyone could participate!
   This is very unlike the Pastor controlled contemporary church model which we are so accustomed to. The church is not meant to be man inspired, man led, or man controlled. The church, to be effective, must be Spirit-birthed, Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered!
    Bearing all this in mind the question really becomes: are we willing to pay the price (in terms of persecution from the contemporary church) to give the reigns back to the Holy Spirit.
    I have to sadly say that, up to this point in time, the majority of contemporary Christians I have shared these biblical truths with have responded just like the picture of this ostrich. Although they agree biblically and know it's true, the weight of change is too much for them. I know first hand, for I too, knowingly, held out for many years.
   There is however a new wave of God coming and when it fully hits it will shake the contemporary church tree and many believers will fall from its branches and will be the fruit of  this new spiritual awakening. 
   Even now many younger Christians simply refuse to play church. They are tired of going to the Christian theater each week and just watching the show. They clearly see the biblical inconsistencies of the contemporary church and stand ready for change; a change based on the biblical model of the Church. Perhaps they will be used to spearhead this new revolution on planet earth.

.   Who's up for a Spirit-led, New Testament style Reformation? 
Are you?

    As always, I welcome your comments ...

Let's Build a Church _ Part 1

There are basically two different types of Christian church models in the earth today:

• The biblical church model  that God builds ... if we allow Him to.
• The non-biblical church model that man has traditionally built, and continues to build.

Let's take a look at both of these models. I think you will be amazed with the potential and simplicity of the biblical model and, at the same time, surprised at what we now call "The Church." Part 1 is going to be a presentation of  the "Non-biblical Church" and next week, in Part 2, we'll look at the "Biblical Church" model. I want to save the best for last.

The Contemporary Church Model:

• First of all we must think of a suitable name for the church building. This will help to distinguish us from the other churches.
  
• Find and purchase a nice location; an attractive setting is everything if you want to attract people.
• Hire an architect to design it and the various construction crews to build and finish it. It must be perfect in order to glorify God. Spare no expense to make it a total teaching and worship facility. Plan for two to five hundred attendees per service. (One of our churches in America has had 47,000 people in attendance}.
  
• Special attention must be given to the sanctuary such that the audience (the believers) will be comfortable. 
• Set up a large elevated platform with a pulpit facing the audience.
• Equip the sanctuary with the latest high tech sound, projection and lighting equipment to insure a total worship experience.
• Hire a multifaceted pastor to preach, teach and organize all the various outreaches and programs for the church with an emphasis on the youth. 
• Choose or hire a youth leader, and perhaps a board of elders to make sure the pastor's wishes are carried out.
• Choose, or hire, a gifted, charismatic worship leader to lead the audience (the believers) into the presence of God.
• And last but not least set up a predictable order for the service to follow so that everyone will know what to expect next.

   These are some of the facets that make up the non-biblical church model. What's that? ... you thought that this was the biblical church model? This model is not even close. Truth be known, this "corporate church" model was designed in hell so that the church would stay connected to and tolerated by the world, and enjoy its benefits such as a nice tax exempt status.
    The most devastating part of this model is that it spends inordinate sums of money to perpetuate itself; money that should be used to meet the needs of the believers as it once was in the N.T. (Acts 4:32-37).

Just take a look at the interior of these mega-churches. The question becomes does this really glorify God or does it rather bring fame and fortune to the ones who designed and those who lead them? Do you think that God needs a crystal cathedral (left), or a highly styled sanctuary (right) in which to be properly worshiped?
I personally have trouble finding this type of extravagant Christianity in the Bible. I heard a poem many years ago that made a lasting impact on my thinking:

I thought I heard the voice of God,

And so I climbed the highest steeple,

But God said, "No, come down again,

I dwell among the people."

   When 3000 souls got saved on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:41) they didn't stop and build a physical church. Neither did they do so when 5000 souls got saved on another day (Acts 4:4). They simply did what was natural; they met in small homes and large public open places. The emphasis was not on the packaging of Christianity into neat little isolated empires where men, and not God are exalted. Since the days of Constantine (in approx. A.D. 300) carnal thinking men, out of ego-necessity, took control of the church and have continued to draw attention to themselves and their position in the church. Beloved, these things simply ought not to be so.
   Jesus' disciples were simple men just like everyone else. They were taught by Jesus to remain simple men; men full of the Holy Spirit's power. In this way God received all the glory. These men did not seek out fame, fortune or position. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees (the religious leaders of his day) for this very thing. He said,

   " They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Matt 23:5-12)."
   If we use our imaginations we don't have to work very hard to relate to the modern day pharisees who clearly exalt themselves above their congregations, standing piously behind their altars and podiums, talking down to those who hold them in high esteem. Jesus had a real problem with this type of leadership and called them "Nicolaitans" (Those who lord it over the people of God [Rev 2:15-16] ).

We want a King just like all the other nations!

   This need in man to be controlled and led by "special" men has been the norm ever since the days of Samuel (the last judge of Israel). At this time Israel rejected God as their King and wanted a "real" king like all the other nations (1 Sam 8:1-7).
   Many years later, (approx 1400 years) after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, God (the Holy Spirit) once again began to lead his people (the New Testament Church). It was an awesome church led by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by many signs and wonders (just like Jesus' ministry).
   History shows us that it didn't take long for man to once again grab the reins away from Him and begin to run Christianity into the ground. Out of these spiritual ruins the wicked Roman Catholic Church emerged and controlled all of Christianity until the Protestant Reformation took a big slice out of its religious pie. It was the protestant church and its control over the people that has led to the office of the modern-day "Pastor". These men, for the most part, are the reason the church is divided and fractured into so many isolated  and defensive pieces rather than united in the unity of the Holy Spirit that Jesus prayed for in John 17:21.
   This is not God's plan; it is man's plan; and it's wrong! I know that this comment about pastors will upset many who love their pastors and their churches, but we must put the word of God first and not sentimentality. The Bible must be our frame of reference or else we will end up with a powerless and divided church ... just like the one we now have.

   Well, in contrast to all of this, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the biblical model we will be looking at in our next Blog entitled, "Let's Build a Church! Part 2".
   I look forward to your comments ... 

Exploring the New Testament Model, Part 6 "Overseers in the Local Church"

We want a King! We want a King!

      God has always wanted to remain the only King of Israel, but the elders of Israel wanted something more. They wanted a king that they could touch, and be physically led by, just like all the other nations round about them. When Samuel, the last Judge of Israel was old the elders of Israel came to him with this request: 

    "Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them (1 Sam 8:4-7)."

"They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me"

     Can you feel God's pain? God has known rejection from His covenant people throughout Bible times. Nothing has really changed from then to now either. Man still wants a physical king to follow and a palace to house him, just like all the other religions. They have once again rejected God who desires to lead His people through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus hated what overlords did to His church in the New Testament, and I'm quite certain He feels the same way now.

     It took less than sixty years for the church to become infected by dominating overlords. The Bible records the word "hate" proceeding from Jesus lips only twice; both times when referring to the letters to the churches in the second chapter of the book of Revelation. Both times this word was directed to the doctrine of the same group of people. This group was known as the Nicolaitans. This is what Jesus said to the church of Ephesus, "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate (Rev 2:6)." And then to the compromising church of Pergamos Jesus said, "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate (Rev 2:15)."

     Now if Jesus hated the doctrine of this group known as the Nicolaitans, shouldn't we try and understand what it was about this group that he so hated? In order to do this we must dissect the word "Nicolaitan". 

     This word Nicolaitan is made up from the combining of two words: Nicholaus and the word laity. The word Nicholaus (according to the flow of the Greek in Strong's Concordance beginning at #G-3531) means to conquer or to triumph over one’s own group of people. The word laity as defined by the Webster Dictionary refers to: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergy. On the surface this all seems like what we're used to, but not so with Jesus. He hated it! The only one who is to rule the church is Jesus Christ himself through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Just look at this verse:

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (1 Pet 5;2-4)."

     A good illustration of this godly oversight might be that of a shepherd and a flock of sheep. A good shepherd would typically lead the sheep in his care to a green pasture, beside still waters (i.e. Psalm 23) and guard them as they grazed. He did not go from sheep to sheep stuffing grass in their mouth. He allowed them to pasture. This is what God desires from the elders the Holy Spirit sets up in local church settings. For the most part overseer’s are invisible in a gathering unless something go wrong, and then they exercise their responsibility to correct and/or to protect.

There was to be no class distinction in the Body of Christ

     All of us make up the Body with Christ as our head. This ministry is to be carried out by the Holy Spirit working through the spiritual gifts of men and women. God has set overseers, called elders, bishops or presbyters (not overlords), to bear responsibility for the spiritual church as it functions through the leading of the Holy Spirit. The word elder is interchangeable with bishop or presbyter, however it’s interesting to note that the term “elder” indicates the maturity, spiritual experience and understanding of those so described; the term “bishop” or “overseer,” indicates the character of the work undertaken. The use of the term “bishop or presbyter” is not very common nowadays.

     The five-fold ministry spoken of in Ephesians 4:11-13  is not speaking of a group of overlords, but rather of those more mature gifted believers who help to equip the saints to be all that Jesus has called them to be, so that they can one day do the same. The biblical role of a pastor is clearly not that of "the Office of Pastor," but rather the function of a pastor who may or may not even be an elder. Perhaps this will help clarify:

• Apostles have a passion to expand and establish the Body of Christ. Their ministry was biblically accompanied by signs and wonders (and should still be today).
• Prophets have a passion to speak forth the mind of God in the first person.
• Evangelists have a passion to win souls.
• Pastors have a unique burden to, one on one, (spiritually) care for believers that make up the local body of believers.
• Teachers have a passion to drive home the teachings that come forth through the Spirit.

     This five-fold ministry may, or may not, be the overseers of the local church. The Holy Spirit is the one who should be allowed to distribute these functions amidst the church; not men. 

Exploring The New Testament Model; Part 5 "A New Testament style Meeting"

A Backdrop of Worship

     One of the most important elements in a believers’ meeting is the element of worship. Worship is the backdrop for all that the Holy Spirit desires to do in the midst of His people. Worship ushers in the anointing (the very presence of the Holy Spirit) and sensitizes the believers to His gifts and enablements such that they begin to operate. This then allows the Holy Spirit full expression through which he can speak and move in the midst of his people as He sets forth revelation, correction, direction, healing, miracles, etc. I am including a symbolic diagram of what a typical church meeting might be like (see figure 1). 

A Pattern for a Typical Believer's Meeting

 

     Allow me to explain the diagram: As the praise begins, it’s like a powered airplane beginning to climb skyward. Behind the plane is attached a glider which represents the believers which are present. The worship team (the powered plane) lifts the believers to new heights as the anointing begins to build. When this powered plane has reached a suitable height the glider is released to soar into realms of worship upon the wind currents (the Holy Spirit). The glider begins spiraling its way slowly back to earth; occasionally catching an updraft (air current). As the glider of worship is freely soaring, the spiritual gifts (i.e., the gifts of prophecy or a combination of tongues and interpretation) begin to manifest themselves.

     When these gifts of the Spirit are through being manifested, those gifted in preaching or teaching (depending on the nature of the information manifested) begin to tie together all that the Spirit has just revealed into a cohesive revelation of the purpose and plan of God for that specific meeting. The teaching, at this point, could be fortified by testimonies, revelations, scripture readings, or by other gifts of the Spirit (i.e., word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc). All this would lead to new levels of commitment by those in attendance. In conjunction with this move of the Holy Spirit there is a spiritual checks and balances system in operation, using the gift of discerning of spirits in order to distinguish the move of the Holy Spirit from the move and deceptions of the enemy. Remember, spiritual warfare is always raging. The prophets also have a checks and balances system. All prophecy is judged and evaluated by those other prophets in attendance.

     When all is said and done, the plane lands and this is the end of that portion of the meeting. At this point some of the other gifts of the Spirit (i.e., the gift of faith, the gifts of healing, or the gift of working of miracles) could begin to function. Communion (the Lord’s supper) might be in order, or a continuation of worship might bring the meeting to a close. 

     This pattern for a spiritual meeting (which all meetings should be) is very general because the Holy Spirit desires to be creative; however, the pattern elements that make it up are basically the same. Pretty exciting, huh? This is what Christianity is supposed to be--alive, life changing, and exciting.

The Key Ingredient -- the Holy Spirit

     You may be asking yourself just how all this can come to be; how can we have meetings like these? First of all, we must remember that the church is primarily spiritual and that without the help of the Holy Spirit the best we can hope for is a form of religion with little or no real anointing or power. The genuine gifts come from God through the ministry and application of the Holy Spirit. To their own chagrin many churches try to mimic these gifts.

     There’s only one way to have a truly spiritual meeting. We must humble ourselves and call on the name of the Lord with all our hearts until these types of meetings are restored from heaven. A group of believers desiring this type of an outpouring might have to come together for an extended time in praise, worship, prayer, and possibly even fasting; doing those things that invite the move of God but not doing those things that substitute it. The following scriptures seem applicable:

Jer. 29:11-14 (KJV); Matt. 5:6 (KJV) 

      It’s interesting to note that the first scripture, in its context, is referring to Israel’s captivity and because of this one might not think this scripture fits our application very well. But I ask you, are we not a spiritual Israel (grafted into Israel’s branch [Rom. 11:17-18])? Have we not been in captivity from the deep things of God? Is it not God who has (because of our stiff necks of unsound biblical logic, reason and tradition) driven us away from the true life of the church?

     God desperately desires to restore His body of believers to New Testament Church life if we will just return to and follow the instructions (patterns) He has given.

     The beauty of this type of a meeting is that it maximizes our spiritual potential (as we are led by the Holy Spirit) and minimizes the control elements that men are so accustomed to initiating. Why would we want anything less than a spiritual meeting--a divine encounter with God in the midst of His people?

     Yes, beloved, if we want what God has prepared for us, we have to purpose a new vision, and then we must walk in it by faith waiting on God to supply. God must do the rest…

     

Exploring the New Testament Model; Part 4 "What's in a Name?"

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NKJV)

 ¹ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Reflections:

There is a great challenge before us and that is to keep the church united, as one, all over Planet Earth. The Bible tells us that the church is the people and not the building. She (the Church – the Body of Christ – the Bride of Christ) is made up of living stones (people) (1Pet 2:5; Eph 2:20-22).

One very simplistic, but profound way to keep the church as one is not to name it! The church will automatically take on its own identity from the location where it is meeting. For example, if the saints (us, the redeemed ones) are meeting at John and Betty’s house on Wildwood Ave, its identity might be “the church that meets on Wildwood Ave, or the church that meets at John and Betty’s. If it shifts to Bill and Nancy’s house on Plymouth Street next week, it would take on a different identity. If a collection of small churches met occasionally in a certain city, let’s say Boston, it could be called the church that meets at, for instance, the Civic center in Boston.

The problem with assigning a name to a group of believers is that it sets up a unique identity establishing an invisible wall of distinction. This sets it apart from the whole. The next logical step in its digression would be to set up a checking account with the churches name on the account. Next would come the building fund and the name above the door or on a marquee along with a tax exempt status. Before long it could become a totally isolated entity, or even worse -- another denomination!

When we look at the church we should see only the saints that make her up. We must “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3).” One simple way is “not to name it!” …

Exploring the New Testament Model; Part 2: The INVISIBLE/visible Church

1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV)

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Reflections:

In our last Blog we biblically established the role, and extreme importance, of the Holy Spirit’s moving in our midst. The Holy Spirit is He who makes the church a “living church.” Without His life manifested in our midst we are left with a dry form religion. One that has to be “pumped up” with a theater–like approach substituting spirit-life for performance and “pastoral” charisma. 

Let’s be honest; truth be known, all eyes are on the Pastor, are they not? What in fact should happen is that all eyes should be on “one another” as each saint brings forth life as they are led through the ministry and gifting of the Holy Spirit.

The church is not that building down the street made up of brick and mortar with a cross on it. It's not! The church in the Greek is the "ekklesia" "the called out ones." Those born-again believers, the "living stones" who come together to celebrate Jesus Christ as one.

Whether or not they meet in a home , an open field, or some building. The church remains the people who make it up. The church is world wide in its presence, and local in its expression of worship. There is only one church and we must no longer let man-made walls of doctrinal division keep her apart.

The church:

• Was established initially through Peter: Matt 16:17-19; Acts 2:1-47
• Made up of living stones: 1 Pet 2:5
• Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone: Matt 21:42; Acts 4:11;1 Pet 2:6
• The foundation: 1 Cor 3:10-12; Eph 2:19-20
• Becomes the Temple of God through the Spirit: Eph 2:21-22
• We are God’s building: 1 Cor 3:9
• Exhortation about how to build: 1 Cor 3:10-15
• We are individually the temple of God: 1 Cor 3:16-17 
• In its simplest form: Matt 18:20

It is high time for the church to RISE UP AND BE ONE!!!

Pastor's

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,


Reflections:
It’s really hard to speak to this issues of, denominational, corporate church pastors. I know firsthand the dedication and passion some of these godly men have towards their churches. We have no reason at all to look down at, or to have anything personal against these men. They are performing what they have been taught to do in their denominations, and in most cases, they do it with all their heart as unto the Lord, be it right or wrong biblically.

The Church is a Mess!

Having said that, the church is a mess! Where to begin? Even the very meaning of the word “church” has been twisted beyond biblical recognition. The word church, in the Greek, is “ekklesia” and refers to those people called out from the world and set apart for Christ’s salvation, and use in the earth. It does not refer to a building. The true church is architecturally invisible; made up of living stones (we born-again believers) (1 Pet 2:5) who assemble together. The gathering could be a home or other building; even an open field. None of these physical places is the church. The church is God’s collective people (Matt 18:20)! We don’t go to church, we are the church wherever we gather.

The Format is Spiritually Corrupt!

Even the format of the traditional church service is all wrong. The church we have inherited follows a “Basilica” style pattern for its format. A Basilica style architecture is where you have a platform with a podium higher that of the people who are seated in rows below facing the platform; like in a theater or auditorium. The only person who dictates order, and has opportunity to function, is the pastor, while everyone else simply sits and listens, or participates occasionally at his behest. 

Is One Person Better that Another?

This sets up a class distinction between the pastor and the body of believers. This is why everybody drools accolades, and dotes over a pastor after a typical “church” service. We as the church are guilty of following the worlds corporate structure as our model, which is based on class distinction. This thinking was instituted into the church approximately 320 A.D. by Emperor Constantine. After having an experience, with who he believed was Christ, he mandated that his entire kingdom would be Christian, like it or not!

The New Testament Pattern

This is in clear contrast to the New Testament pattern where everyone is at the same level, and without class distinctions. We may all be called to function somewhat differently, as the Holy Spirit leads, but that certainly doesn’t set one above another. We’re all simply sinners saved by grace. Those that willingly take on, and bear, more responsibility are clearly worthy of double honor simply because they labor hard in the area God is using them. However, those that would desire the greater callings are to be all the more the servants of all in heart, and in actions.

How About We all Share?

I like to think of the church in terms of a round table gathering where everyone has opportunity to share and to bring forth their spiritual endowments as led by the Holy Spirit, for the express purpose of building up one another in God's love (Gal 5:13;Col3:16).

A Pastor: One Who Simply Serves

The biblical pastor is not a corporate position to be desired, but rather a “function” of service. A pastor (or shepherd) is the one who has been “gifted” with a heart of compassion to see that all God’s sheep stay spiritually well and remain so (Ps 100:3).

A New Season

 Psalm 126:1-3 (KJV)

 ¹When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. ²Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. ³The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Reflections:

This verse is speaking specifically of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and how ecstatic they were to be in their homeland again. They had undergone a severe national trial of their own making through neglect of God, and the things of God. They were punished, and now it was over.  A new day and a new hope had dawned.

These verses surely apply prophetically to the Church, the Body of Christ, today. The church (the one that God established on the day of Pentecost [Acts 2]) was a spiritual community of believers made up of “living stones (1 Pet 2:5)” united, and empowered, by the Holy Spirit (Lk 24:49). There was to be only one church whose walls were made of Salvation, and her gates made up of Praise. She was to be invisible in terms of specific architecture, she was to be beautiful, and she was to be one (John 17:21).

The devil has seen to it that she has become visible, not so beautiful, and clearly not one. She is in spiritual exile because of neglect of the word, and purposes of God in the earth. This is evident by the lack of genuine Holy Spirit power in the church. The glory has all but departed and we have been left with a powerless corporate substitute of what once was.

But, take heart, God is about to turn her captivity and to restore her to her former biblical glory. The Holy Spirit is, in this generation, opening the eyes and ears of zealous Christians all over the earth. These Christians will be used to reconnect the true living stones; spiritually networking them together as one. Make no mistake about it, there is “one” spiritual church rising and no man will be able to stop her. The true spiritual church’s exile is over, and God has already begun the work of restoration.

It won’t be long before we will be like them that dream, our mouth will be filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then the heathen will say, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad…