Congregations of the Lord Jesus Christ

Moshe | 08.05.2009 | 23:46:29 | Views: 4428

Biblically Correct Churches

Remember the earliest church members were Messianic Jews and they had the first Messianic Congregations. These were the people that either sat at the feet of the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ or had teachers that did so. Today we see a Church System operating that is quite different from the Church system operating in the New Testament.

Heb.13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day and for ever."

and the beginning of Heb.13:9 reads

" Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrine."

One must bear in mind that the translators put in the verse and paragraph breaks and by doing so one could distort the true meaning and flavor of the text. What I am saying is that nothing has changed. Jesus Christ, Salvation, Baptism, and all the other Doctrines have stayed the same. Do not buy into any other doctrines or teachings other than what Jesus and the Apostles taught. The Bible tells us what they taught clearly and precisely. If we choose to discount the teachings of the Bible and not follow and preach them, and/or add to them we have become carried about with strange and divers doctrines. Everyone agreed, right.

Eph.4:14 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."

My Greek Interlinear (Interlinear Greek-English New Testament numerically coded to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance with a Greek-English Lexicon by George Berry and Strong's Greek Dictionary, published by Baker Book House, ISBN: 0-8010-5034-0) translates this passage as follows:

"that no longer we may be infants, being tossed and carried about by every wind of the teaching. in the sleight of men, in craftiness with a view to the systematizing of error."

Right here we have it all laid out for us, the systematizing of error. We are taught the ways of the false church system to such an extent we don't even know what a true biblical church operates like. Go slow, read on.

2Cor.11:13 - 15 " For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Understand that satan comes to believers as a worker of the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan will come as a false disciple of Christ to deceive a Christian. True some cult leaders hold themselves out to be serving the Lord Jesus Christ but that doesn't fool the believers. To deceive the believers satan's workers come as Christian ministers preaching out of Bibles. Note, I didn't say they preach and/or follow the Word of God, I said they preach out of Bibles. They say they are Christian workers serving the Lord. With people that aren't believers he'll operate differently but this isn't our focus in this study.

1Tim.4:16 " Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."

Folks correct doctrine is extremely important, note the words "save thyself and those that hear thee." These are strong words. The Lord Jesus Christ has only one set of rules. All of his churches follow them the same way.

Eph.5:23 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."

The church is supposed to be subject to Christ in everything just like a wife to her husband.

John 14:21 " He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

And go to Eph.5: 27:

" That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

Look at it this way. The believers are subject to the rules that the Lord has set forth for us in the scriptures. These are contained in teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles and are to be found in what we call the New Testament. If you see a person clearly breaking those rules on a steady, ongoing, long term basis, you have to consider that person as being not saved, even though that person may continually confess to being a Christian. Example: a person has homosexual sex on a steady basis. Now, a believer can't sit down with the Lord and say look Lord I want to have homosexual sex, it's not fair. I want to serve you and love you but you're just gonna have to let me be an actively practicing homosexual Christian. This doesn't work.

Let's take another example. A person likes praying to satan and worshipping satan and other unclean spirits. This person soon realizes after having demons cast from him or her that the Bible is true and gets worried about going to the lake of fire for eternity, yet is afraid of getting the unclean spirits mad. Let's for a minute also assume that satan didn't get this person to commit the unforgivable sin, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (see Mark 3:29). I personally believe satan has his highly placed workers commit this sin as a protection for satan, which make me look very doubtfully on all those that testify they were satanic high priests/priestesses and so forth. This hypothetical person then says well I'll just worship the unclean spirits and the Lord at the same time, that way I'll have no enemies. The person then expresses his or her intents to the Lord and continues to worship the unclean spirits and the Lord Jesus Christ. The person says he or she is saved, said the sinners prayer, and worships and prays to the Lord Jesus Christ on a daily basis, etc. The Lord of course has guidelines and precepts that all believers must follow and if one doesn't, they aren't serving the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord even said if you love him you'll keep his commandments. It is the same for the churches. The difference is the church isn't an individual. We all know there are loads of people walking around saying they are believers and they aren't. Some think they are believers and some secretly worship satan and the unclean spirits which makes them false believers and false workers. God allows this to go on and he has his reasons.

At this point I have touched on the subject of eternal security unavoidably) and need to spend a minute on this subject, quoting scriptures of course. What the theologians say is of no importance to me, I go by the word of God.

Heb.6:4-6 " For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

Let's also read 1Cor.9:27:

" But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

I don't want to get sidetracked here with a lengthily debate on eternal security. The Bible doesn't support a position of your salvation will never be taken from you regardless of what sins you commit. Paul also came out and said he could become a castaway, and he wrote much of the New Testament. If Paul thought he could become a castaway so should you! A Christian can commit a sin and ask forgiveness in Jesus name and repent and that is the end of it. We don't have a license to go into a life of repeated willful sin at will and still retain our salvation. It is a doctrine of devils to say that a Christian can go around sinning at will and never lose his or her salvation.

There are churches that say they are Christian but are not. Again God allows this to go on. I will tell you this, it is sinful for us to fellowship with those who say they are Christians and behave contrary to the scriptures. See 1Cor.5:11:

" But now I have written unto you not to keep company, If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat"

and 1Tim 6:3-5 which focuses more on those teaching contrary to the word of God:

" If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."

Folks please note we are told by the Word of God to withdraw from such that teach in opposition to the Word of God, not to place ourselves under them as our spiritual leaders. Please also note this applies to all doctrines and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, not just to those teaching financial prosperity doctrines.

We also have read that a Christian who sins gets chastened by the Lord in 1Cor.11:32:

" But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."

Is it not sin that will bring about a chastening from the Lord. We also know that when we sin we are subject to satan's attacks. See 1Jn.5:18:

" We all know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

And also see Rom.6:16:

" Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey , his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness".

Speaking for myself I don't want to yield myself to sin and death, do you? If you want to open yourself up to attacks from satan, receive chastenings from the Lord and serve death just keep on sinning and sin is sin including the scriptural prohibitions concerning fellowshipping with those who hold themselves out to be believers but behave wrong. This also applies if they are leading a so called church teaching and practicing in opposition to God's word. The sin of not withdrawing from those the Bible says to withdraw from and the sin of lying or stealing etc. are all still sins. Sin is sin.

As we go on I will develop these themes with a lot of scriptures showing you that satan has set up churches systematizing error to such an extent most of us don't even know how a true church should be operating, and thus keeping many believers in sin by them not withdrawing from those that they are told to withdraw from in the Bible. When we start to take teachings and practices of man and use them to cancel out the Bible or portions of it, we are in big trouble. Hear me out and let the scriptures speak.

Most of you always suspected something is amiss in these so called churches, so let the word of God speak and illuminate the errors and hopefully the oohs and aahhs will flow, God willing. Pray now, by yourself is great, for the truth regarding the church. Pray the Lord would remove all the camouflage of the enemy in every area of your life. Pray the Lord would remove all false doctrines from you. Pray the Lord would reveal to you the things you need to do to make yourself more pleasing to him. Pray the Lord would give you the strength and ability to deal with all these revelations. Fasten your seat belts, let's go do some spiritual cruisin and give satan a bruisin.

Correct Church Operation

First, we see that never is there any instance in the New Testament of the believers building any house of worship. Of course, there was a Temple in existence during the time some of the New Testament was written but this is different. First, it was a legitimate Temple of the Lord on the designated spot for the Temple. It was also built before the New Testament Church was begun. The Temple of course wouldn't meet the needs of those living some days travel away from it, let alone some weeks or even months travel time. Paul (as well as all the other Apostles) never got involved with any Church building type project. This concept of getting the believers to pay for a building that they themselves don't even own or control and can't even live in, is of course an unbiblical practice.

The collection is for the Saints and the legitimate ministry workers who are of course also Saints. Can the believers with needs go to the owners of these buildings and say we are out of work and can't pay our bills, let us live in the building or go sell the building so we can have our needs met? Sure they could go and make such a request but I have never heard of any of these so called churches selling their real estate to meet the needs of it's congregants. In the New Testament Church the believers sold their own personal real estate to meet the needs of their brothers and sisters.

Now, the Church going to a bank or other lending institution to borrow money at a high interest rate to build a building is even more absurd. These so called churches, use the real estate to give themselves credibility. It's too easy for a few people who love the Lord to start a church if the only requirement was to have a house. Satan has an incredibly intense fear of believers meeting together, especially if they're not in sin. See Math.18:20:

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

The church building is another obstacle satan tries to put in front of those starting to meet in houses. Many feel there is a lack of credibility to a congregation meeting in a house. This is wrong, it is the way to meet. There were synagogues in the days of the New Testament writings. The Apostles could've raised money to construct such synagogue or church type buildings if they felt it was correct.

If I were to set out to do something wrong, I know the conviction that I would come under would be uncomfortable enough to make me go to the scriptures and prayer right away to see where I went wrong and correct my mistakes. If you are a believer you will know exactly what I am talking about. I have no idea how anyone in God's service, supposedly being led by the Holy Spirit, in submission to God and in charge of a congregation, could ever go ahead and build a building with the money from the believers and call it a Church and not even let the congregation members that paid for it, own it or live in it. Look the meetings should be held in homes and the money saved could be used to meet the needs of the congregants or if all their needs were met it could be used to help another congregation meet their needs.

The Greek word for Church (ekklessia, Strong's #1577) means a congregation or a group called out. The Greek word has nothing to do with real estate such as a building. Go out from these so called churches.

2Pet.2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

The making merchandise of you is getting you to pay for real estate they own and or control. They can sell it, rent it, or mortgage it. It is a solid worldly item of bankable value. This diverts the money from being used to meet the needs of the believers.

The meeting in homes also limits the size of the congregation. Perhaps 25-35 people could comfortably meet in a modern day American home, perhaps even 40 or 50 with some larger homes. The exact amount isn't important but it should be noted that groups of several hundred or thousands won't be able to fit into homes. A small group is more advantageous. It let's every one know everyone else. A person living in sin will have a much harder time escaping detection in a smaller group. Think about it.

The same goes for people who won't share their worldly goods to meet the needs of those believers in need. The restricted size will serve to keep the false believers out of the congregation. False believers are not interested in helping the believers with their problems financial or otherwise, they are interested in increasing and creating problems for the believers. Remember, home groups as a function of a large church that owns real estate, is not the same thing as congregations that meet in homes. Don't be deceived.

1 Tim.5:20 should be noted and followed and of course is easier to do in a small group:

"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."

This of course is almost never seen in the churches that own real estate. Aren't they interested in causing the congregation to fear to sin? Have you ever seen anyone rebuked before all for not following 1Cor.5:11, Rom.16:17, 2Jn.9-11, 2Thes.3:14, 1Tim.6:3-5, or 1Jn.5:21. Our gospel doesn't not allow for us to fellowship with any sort of character, doing anything they want contrary to the scriptures yet at the same time holding themselves out to be a believer.

The next point regarding meeting in houses is perhaps one of the most important. As the congregations of the Lord Jesus Christ start to act in one accord and cling to all of the Doctrines of Jesus and the Apostles, the body of Christ will become more and more empowered. This means that a persecution could be a possibility. How can a real estate holding Church that has hundreds or thousands of people meeting together in one building, get through any serious persecution? The enemy knows they're all in one place on Sunday morning which would make it very convenient for the enemy. If the property was to be confiscated or destroyed what would the people do ? Where would they meet ? They're too attached to the real estate, or in other words the things of this world. They'd go into confusion and have to start organizing meetings in houses during the onset of a persecution. The false believers would be relatively unknown since the church was so large. They would probably have a real hard time of things, learning their lesson the hard way in the middle of a persecution. Most importantly, at a time when many would need to draw on the strength and faith of others, these others would be running around trying to put the pieces together under most adverse conditions. Their effectiveness in a time of great need would be greatly diminished. You want to know who is tested and tried to be faithful in the little things before you have to rely on them for the big things.

Lk.16:10 " He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."

A cluster of house congregations is harder to confuse and defeat. They can go underground very easily just changing houses, or meeting outdoors when necessary. Think about it. Satan wants the believers easy to defeat. With a lot of smaller house churches instead of one big church, there are numerous leaders in place in each congregation with people holding higher offices overseeing the groups. If a leader of a congregation meeting in a certain house is taken out of the picture, it is a simple matter for one of the other leaders to step in.

Bear in mind the New Testament Church according to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, has five offices. Everything does not rest on a person called the Pastor.

Eph.4:11 " And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. "

A Church functioning with only the office of pastor or perhaps teacher filled, is of course not doctrinally correct which means they are preaching another gospel. They are saying their church doesn't have five offices, but we know the Bible calls for five offices and of course God will fill these office but only in his church. For the Church to be empowered and function correctly these offices must be filled. Correct doctrine calls for these other offices to be filled. Pray for true congregations to emerge with all the offices filled, and soon. Nowhere does the New Testament indicate that any of these offices are to be done away with at this point in time. Nowhere!

The Church of The Lord Jesus Christ operates according to him, he is the head of it.

Eph.5:23 - 24 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let their wives be to their husbands in everything."

You see the true Church of The Lord Jesus Christ will be listening to him as the head and following his doctrines, which are contained in the New Testament. When you see these doctrines not being followed there is a big problem because that church is not operating with the Lord Jesus Christ as it's head. Read Math.12:30:

" He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."

Now that you read it, believe it and walk in it. The Lord Jesus Christ doesn't have some churches operating differently than others. It's always the same in every one of his churches. There is only one set of doctrines and they are conveniently written down for you in your Bible.

Go back and read about Annanias and Saphira (Acts chapt.5). The church didn't go and reach out to them and smother them with warm fellowship after their lies were discovered. In Acts 5:9 Peter prophesied Saphira's death to her before she literally dropped dead. By the standards they teach in these so called churches today, Peter would be considered harsh, cruel and ungodly, wouldn't he? Theirs is another Gospel. Read about Paul calling blindness down on a guy interfering with his witnessing (Acts 13:11). Read about Paul delivering people over to Satan (1Cor.5:5).What would this so called church say about Paul's behavior? You know what he'd be accused of: being harsh, cruel, lacking love, controlling etc. What would satan say about Peter and Paul? Do you think what satan would say sounds like what the so called church today would say? The true gospel is one of power, strength and glory but requires obedience. Our Bible heroes didn't fool around, did they ? Satan hates to see power operating in the body of believers.

Next, let's consider the subject of the cross. Nowhere in the New Testament do we see anyone wearing a cross on their neck or anywhere else. We don't see the body of believers making the sign of the cross, we don't read of crosses on houses or buildings or pulpits. We also don't read of any other sign like that of a fish, etc. being used by the Apostles. The cross is spoken about figuratively. We are never told to go out and get crucified literally. Nor are we told to go get a large wooden cross (or a not so large cross) and drag it around with us or wear it all day long. When you put up a cross on a pulpit or a building you have made it into an idol. Have you never heard them call for people to come to the cross and this is usually done with a cross in place, in the front at an altar of some sort. Folks this is cleverly but intentionally devised idolatry.

What about songs focusing on the cross instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. What's that one called that they sing "I will cherish that old rugged cross." You come to God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and for prayer, not to a cross. A piece of wood shaped like a cross will not save you, and if you turn it into an idol it can certainly be harmful. Look the New Testament Church didn't build altars (with or without crosses) in the houses they met in and they didn't wear crosses. Read Rom. 10: 9:

" That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that god hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Just because Jesus died on a cross and it is spoken of in the Bible, it doesn't mean it can't be made into an idol. Of course we all know that the Roman Catholics use statues (they also use crosses) in their places of gathering. Question yourself as to how they can scripturally do this in the face of the prohibition against idols:

1Jn.5:21 "Little children keep yourselves from idols."

They can't. They will say that the statue (idol) reminds them of who they are praying to, compared to a person who prays directly to the statues or idols. This is of course nonsense and both types of behavior concerning statues and idols are to be avoided as sinful. What the Devil has done is turned the cross into an idol, deceiving the believers into accepting it since a statue of some ancient demon idol would be much harder to sell them on. The cross on the roof of the church, or anywhere else is a sign of idolatry and avoid such places.

If someone knows you to be a man or woman that is God fearing and loving and sees you go in such a place they may be snared to do so also. There is also a prohibition against eating food sacrificed to idols, see Acts 21:25. Read Paul talking to believers about eating food sacrificed to idols. I'll quote part of it,

Acts 8:10-11 " If any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died."

These churches have a different gospel, they just use the real Bible to develop their gospel. Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Scientists), Joseph Smith (Mormons), and the jehovah witnesses use the real Bible to develop their gospel as well. Please note they don't practice what the Bible calls for and they don't preach according to the Bible, but they use it even preaching out of it. Don't be deceived. And please remember 1 Thes.5:22:

" Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Stay out of these Churches. Don't wear crosses or have them. Believers don't make the sign of a cross with their fingers on their body when praying. This too is idolatry. Don't put those fish medallions on your car. If you want to advertise the fact that you're a believer put a scripture verse on your car or in your window.

Now, there are some so called churches that are in a Denomination. What is a denomination anyway? Is it in the Bible? Sure, the concept is in the Bible but it's treated as a sin! Let's read about it.

1Cor.1:12-13 " Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul."

1 Cor.3:3-4 " For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?"

You see denominations are sinful divisions designed to divide up the body of Christ. Read Math.12:25:

" And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every Kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."

This is the goal of satan, to have the believers divided. Each denomination is subtly, but firmly holding itself out to be better than and separate from the believers outside of their denomination. Read Rom.16:17:

" Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned: and avoid them."

We are told to avoid those causing divisions. This means in plain English stay away from any church that calls itself a member of any denomination. Remember what Paul said regarding those who say they are of Apollos or Cephas. The equivalent of this today is when a believer says I'm a Baptist, or a Lutheran, an AG man or woman, etc. The word in the King James "offenses" (referencing Rom.16:17 quoted a few lines up) is not translated as accurately as it should be. It is Strong's #4625 and it means a snare, a stumbling block, or a cause of sin or error.

You see the making of divisions and the setting up of snares goes together as our Bible teaches us. We read of the Church at Corinth, Rome, Ephesus, etc. It is the same Church always, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of which he is the head and he is not interested in having his body divided against itself. Avoid denominations. Don't believe they 're not divisions. How could they get any more divided. Read Gal.5:19-21 from my interlinear New Testament and pay attention to the words divisions and sects:

" Now manifest are the works of the flesh, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strifes, jealousies, indignations, contentions, divisions (Strongs # 1370), sects (Strongs # 139), envyings, murders, drunkenness, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you beforehand you, and even as also I said before, that they who such things do kingdom God's shall not inherit."

This is a literal translation and thus a bit choppy. The KJV translates divisions as seditions, and sects as heresies but the underlying Greek words open it up to us. God considers divisions and sects to be a serious offense, serious enough to keep a person out of heaven. So according to the Word of God divisions and offenses can eternally damage a person as much as murder, adultery, fornication and so forth. Hmmmmm. It is not okay for us to go and fellowship in any old church irrespective of what they teach and practice is it? If you want to go and put yourself spiritually under those committing such sins all I can do is point out the scriptures but as for me and my house we'll serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 1:1 " Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."

Some of you will want to E-mail me and argue how a denomination can exist without being a division or a sect. It's impossible. By definition a denomination is a division or a sect, why have them if they weren't. Remember Paul's discourse regarding Apollos and Cephas. They both had correct doctrine and served the Lord Jesus Christ, yet Paul still admonished this behavior as being divisive. They didn't even call themselves apollonians or cepallians and Paul still admonished them. Don't be deceived.

Let's look at how women are to behave in the Congregation according to the Word of God.

1Cor.14:34 - 37 " Let your women keep silence in the Churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of god out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."

Please note Paul said the things that he writes are the commandments of the Lord, not just this thing. And we'll also read 1Tim.2:11 - 12:

" Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

You can't take out what you don't like from the Bible and keep what is comfortable. This is how one can create another gospel using the Bible to do it. Women must be silent during the meetings of the congregation. They sit in silence. It's real black and white. This is Apostolic Doctrine that must be followed. The women don't make the announcements, they don't lead the worship, they don't preach or teach, they're not in charge of ministries or functions, they stay silent during the formal meetings. Simple. I'm not going to go into this in great depth. It is a simple concept that is not followed very much today. Women can minister to other women, women can own and maintain houses in which meetings take place, women can minister to those holding a church office such as helping with their daily needs, women can do the daycare, women can work on the refreshments. Women can't break the scriptures as to how they should behave in regards to the church. There are no women Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists. The same for Elders, Deacons and Bishops.

The gifts of the spirit are for women as well as for men but this is not the same thing as holding a ministry office. A woman can have the gift of prophecy, see 1Cor.12:10, but this doesn't designate her as holding the office of a Prophet. A man can have the gift of the working of miracles but that doesn't mean he is an Apostle and doing the signs of an Apostle, see 2Cor.12:12. We have no such women role models in the New Testament holding these offices.

People will sometimes find mention of someone in the New Testament and say that is a female name and she is holding an office in the church. Even though these people are grasping at air to support their position I checked into some of these names and found that some of these names were used by members of both sexes. For example today men and women use the name Robin.

A woman can't hold a ministry office in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Women do not usurp authority over the man in a New Testament Church. If a woman held a ministry office she'd be usurping authority over the men. What happened with the Israelites before the New Testament was given cannot be used to cancel the New Testament prohibitions against women holding positions of authority in the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you must dwell on some of the women God used in the Old Testament Days, also recall that the priesthood had no provision for women priests and the High Priests were always men.

Once again, God will use women. The gifts of the spirit (see1Cor.12:4-12) will operate through women. Women play a very vital and important role in the church and in the family. They support the husband, they are domestic engineers par excellence, they take a vital role in raising the children, they can and should be prayer warriors, and they can function in a business role (read Prov.31). God loves them and they should be treated as loved by God, as part of his body of believers.

Men should tremble at the thought of mistreating a God fearing woman who might cry out to God against him. Women should also be submissive to the Lord and his commandments as to how they should behave in regards to the church, their husbands and their families. I'd also like to point out that it is fine for a woman or a man to remain single and not have a family or a husband. One should never routinely encourage all single believers to marry. Read Paul on the subject, see 1Cor.7:25-40.

Congregation Attributes

A list of things (biblically speaking) that one should look for in their congregation:

Ministry Offices - Are these offices filled: Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher and Evangelist.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; - Ephesians 4:11

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. - 1 Corinthians 12:28

The congregation should be under an apostle, directly or through others who are under an apostle.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. - Acts 15:41

The office of apostle has not been eliminated, no office has. To say so implies directly that the Church has been eliminated. I understand that at this point in time I know not of any apostle turning the world rightside up see Acts 17:6:

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Bear in mind an apostle will do the works of an apostle:

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. - 2 Corinthians 12:12

God confirms his word with signs and wonders following. When you do not see the signs and wonders real quick ask yourself if the word is being preached correctly or if something else is amiss.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. - Mark 16:20

Anyone can say hey I'm an apostle. The mormon church has a bunch who hold themselves out as such. It is the signs and wonders that say he is of the Heavenly Father.

An apostle can hold more than one ministry office:

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. - 1 Timothy 2:7

We can continue this discourse through each and every ministry office but I will save that for a follow-up work.

The true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ does not have churches with just one office - that of the pastor. The offices holders will also operate with power including signs and wonders. When Is say signs and wonders I mean those of biblical proportions. In the New Testament the signs and wonders were not inconclusive. Now many of you are just coming out of the false church and are not yet in a congregation. You are perhaps meeting with a small group of other believers and seeking the Lord. This is fine. There is no formal congregation operating at this time, hence no ministry offices are filled. Don't be discouraged. Not everyone is called to hold a ministry office:

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? - 1 Corinthians 12:29

Keep praying and God will raise up the ones he has called to hold the various ministry offices.

2 Timothy 2:19-21 - Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

So get out of the false church. Break all ties with it for starters.

Love and Sharing - This needs to not only be taught but practiced !

In one paragraph we find many keys as to how the believers should operate.

Acts 2:42 - And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

They continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine. Does your church do this ?

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Are the apostles and signs and wonders lacking in your church ?

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

The believers had all things in common ! Folks this is serious business. Let me remind you as to what goes on at the judgement and pay attention to helping other believers out with material goods.

Matthew 25:31 - When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Acts2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Also see this passage:

Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Acts 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Does this happen in your church ?
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Please note they were in agreement. No divisions or denominations here. And how did God respond to this behavior:

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So know you know how to get where you want to be.

Look most of you have been fellowshipping in churches that not only do not share, they extract money from the congregation which does not go towards meeting the needs of the congregants or members of other congregations. Instead it goes towards purchasing real estate and building buildings which the people don't even own or control. In many instances this money collected from the congregants has 10% taken from it and tithed to the denomination (denomination = sinful division). The apostles had the people sell real estate to meet the needs of the people. They never had the people let others needs go unmet to purchase real estate. This is another gospel you've been experiencing. It lacks love for the brethren. These leaders are wolves in sheep clothing.

Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Acts 20:29

This is how satan operates to deceive believers.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Remember their fruit is rotten. They do not preach nor do they practice the Word of God. The false believer counter arguments will usually run along the lines of the following:

"Well we are imperfect and so our churches are imperfect just being a reflection of us." Nonsense. If you want to submit your self to following a leader who doesn't follow the scriptures I feel sorry for you. I can lead you to the water but I can't make you drink. If we give this person every possible bit of benefit of doubt we have a leader who is blinded to the scriptures:

Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

There is no good excuse for fellowshipping in a church that doesn't not follow the word of God.

Conclusion

The work covers many other points. I just hit on a few here in this section. If you work through the entire work you will see many more things which indicate a false church.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2 Corinthians 6:17

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:14

Please note it says few will find the way. So cut off your ties with the false church. Be on guard for fellowship with those you shouldn't be fellowshipping with. And be careful about who you meet with early on. Pray much.

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