The Government OWNS and RUNS your Church
and its Doctrines!501c3 Tax-Exempt Organizations
Lorraine Day, M.D.
“Most churches in America have organized as ‘501c3 tax-exempt religious organizations.’ This is a fairly recent trend that has only been going on for about fifty years. Churches were only added to section 501c3 of the tax code in 1954. We can thank Senator Lyndon B. Johnson for that. Johnson was no ally of the church. As part of his political agenda, Johnson had it in mind to silence the church and eliminate the significant influence the church had always had on shaping ‘public policy.’
“Although Johnson proffered this as a ‘favor’ to churches, the favor also came with strings attached (more like shackles). One need not look far to see the devastating effects 501c3 acceptance has had to the church, and the consequent restrictions placed upon any 501c3 church. 501c3 churches are prohibited from addressing, in any tangible way, the vital issues of the day.
“For a 501c3 church to openly speak out, or organize in opposition to, anything that the government declares ‘legal,’ even if it is immoral (e.g. abortion, homosexuality, same sex marriages, etc.), that church will jeopardize its tax exempt status. The 501c3 has had a ‘chilling effect’ upon the free speech rights of the church. LBJ was a shrewd and cunning politician who seemed to well-appreciate how easily many of the clergy would sell out.” Peter Kershaw, In Ceasar’s Grip
Before we go any further with this issue, it is important to view the BIG picture. Without the LARGER view, there will only be confusion.
It was not just President Lyndon Johnson who wanted to eliminate the church’s impact on society. Lyndon Baines Johnson was Jewish, something few people knew then or know now. He was a crypto-Jew, meaning a Jew who masquerades as a “Gentile” allowing him to accomplish the Jewish agenda without being detected. The Jewish cabal known as the New World Order/ Illuminati/Zionist/Communist/One World Government has as its goal the following: the elimination of ALL religions and ALL governments. LBJ, as an international Jew and traitor to America and to his office as President, was just furthering the progress toward these sinister goals.
“Did the church ever need to seek permission from the government to be exempt from taxes? Were churches prior to 1954 taxable? No, churches have never been taxable. To be taxable a church would first need to be under the jurisdiction, and therefore under the taxing authority, of the government. The First Amendment clearly places the church outside the jurisdiction of the civil government: ‘Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’
“Religion cannot be free if you have to pay the government, through taxation, to exercise it. Since churches aren’t taxable in the first place, why do so many of them go to the IRS and seek permission to be tax-exempt? It occurs out of:
· Ignorance (“We didn’t know any better”
· Bandwagon logic (“Everyone else is doing it “)
· Professional advice (many attorneys and CPAs recommend it)
“Does the law require, or even encourage, a church to organize as a 501c3? To answer that question let’s turn to what the IRS itself has to say.
Churches Need Not Apply
In order to be considered for tax-exempt status by the IRS, an organization must fill out and submit IRS Form 1023 and 1024. However, note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557
Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include:
Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3).
Churches are “Automatically Tax-Exempt”
According to IRS Code 508(c)(1)(A):
Special rules with respect to section 501c3 organizations.
(a) New organizations must notify secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 105c3 status.
(c) Exceptions
(1) Mandatory exceptions. Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to –
(A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches.
This is referred to as the “mandatory exception” rule. Thus, we see from the IRS’ own publications, and the tax code, that it is completely unnecessary for any church to apply for tax-exempt status. In the IRS’ own words, a church “is automatically tax-exempt.”
Churches Are Automatically Tax-Deductible
And what about tax-deductibility? Doesn’t a church still need to become a 501c3 so that contributions to it can be taken as a tax deduction? The answer is No! According to IRS Publication 526:
Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible Contributions:
You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. To become a qualified organization, most organizations other than churches and governments, as described below, must apply to the IRS.
In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-deductible.”
Churches Have a Mandatory Exception To Filing Tax Returns
Not only is it completely unnecessary for any church to seek 501c3 status, to do so becomes a grant of jurisdiction to the IRS by any church that obtains that State favor. In the words of Steve Nestor, IRS Senior Revenue Officer (ret):
“I am not the only IRS employee who’s wondered why churches go to the government and seek permission to be exempted from a tax they didn’t owe to begin with, and to seek a tax deductible status that they’ve always had anyway. Many of us have marveled at how church leaders want to be regulated and controlled by an agency of government that most Americans have prayed would just get out of their lives. Churches are in an amazingly unique position, but they don’t seem to know or appreciate the implications of what it would mean to be free of government control.” From the Forward of In Caesar’s Grip, by Peter Kershaw
501c3 Problems
In Bob Jones University v. United States (461 U.S. 574), the U.S. Supreme Court noted the following about the government’s intended purpose for the 501c3:
The Court asserts that an exempt organization (one that has become a 501c3) must “demonstrably serve and be in harmony with the public interest,” must have a purpose that comports with “the common community conscience,” and must not act in a manner “affirmatively at odds with the declared position of the whole Government.” Taken together, these passages suggest that the primary function of a tax-exempt organization is to act on behalf of the Government in carrying out governmentally approved policies.
When a church accepts the 501c3 status, that church:
· Waives its freedom of speech
· Waives its freedom of religion
· Waives its right to influence legislators and the legislation they craft.
· Waives its constitutionally guaranteed rights.
· Is no longer free to speak to the vital issues of the day.
· Becomes controlled by a spirit of fear that if it doesn’t toe the line with the IRS it will lose its tax-exempt status.
· Becomes a State-Church.
One need not look far to see that the church’s acceptance of the 501c3, and its significant restrictions, has had devastating consequences to not only the church, but to the entire nation.
The church in America today is, by and large, not speaking to the vital issues of the day. The church has been effectively silenced. The inevitable result is a moral downward spiral in the culture as the church stands mute.
This did not happen by accident, but by design. The front man was Senator Lyndon Johnson from Texas, with the New World Order/Zionist Jewish/Illuminati crowd operating from behind the scenes. After this same group assassinated President John F. Kennedy, with Johnson’s involvement and complicity, LBJ was rewarded with the Presidency.
One interesting note: Kennedy was assassinated NOT by one single bullet, but by FIVE shots – two of which hit him – one in his throat and the other blasted off most of the side of his head. And the shots were fired from the FRONT, NOT from the back. One shooter was stationed on the Overpass in front of the car and One shooter was stationed in a hole (covered by a man-hole cover which was elevated enough to position a rifle barrel) on the “grassy knoll.” This hole led to an underground tunnel system that originated in the Dallas Police Department.
This underground tunnel system was built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) during the Depression. It is no coincidence that the Director of that specific CCC project, was none other than Lyndon Baines Johnson!
How the IRS Controls Christian Churches
Texe Marrs of Power of Prophecy, an author and radio broadcaster, has been the focus of an extended IRS investigation because of his conservative Christian views. He has learned the IRS rules, first-hand, the hard way. They are listed on his website at www.texemarrs.com
According to the IRS, 501c3 Christian churches, ministries, and organizations may NOT do the following:
1. Expose conspiracies.
2. Criticize the New World Order
3. Say or publish anything negative about ANY politician, Republican or Democrat.
4. Criticize government agencies and bureaus – the IRS, FBI, BATF, CIA, EPA, DEA, OSHA, DOJ, etc.
5. Criticize an institution of government such as the White House, the Congress, the Federal Reserve Board (even though this is a PRIVATE corporation) or the Supreme Court.
6. Encourage citizens to call or write their congressman, senator, governor, mayor, or other public official.
7. Criticize any proposed or pending bill or legislation that would take away the rights and freedoms of the people.
8. Make disparaging remarks about, or criticize, any other faith group, cult, or religion.
9. Expose or criticize the New Age Movement.
10. Support or encourage a law-abiding citizen’s militia (even though this is constitutional).
11. Support or encourage the Second Amendment, the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
12. Discourage young women from getting an abortion, or endorse the pro-life movement.
13. Teach that abortion, especially partial birth abortion, is murder and is the killing of innocent babies.
14. Identify homosexuality as a sin and an abomination to God.
15. Express an opinion on any subject or issue.
16. Appeal to peoples’ emotions by employing an evangelization method (such as “fire and brimstone” preaching) not considered a “reasoned approach” by the IRS.
17. Discuss or identify threats to Christianity.
18. Discuss subjects or topics the IRS deems “sensationalist.”
19. Criticize well-known public figures or institutions the IRS deems “worthy,” such as the super-rich elite, international bankers, the Hollywood movie industry, etc.
20. Publish or broadcast information on any topic without giving credence to the opposing viewpoints of Christ’s enemies.
21. Publish and offer books, tapes, or products that expose the elitist plot against humanity and God.
22. Criticize the Pope or the Vatican, or contrast the New Catholic Catechism with the truths found in the Holy Bible. (Note: only liberal churches are permitted by the IRS to criticize the Catholic Church).
23. Criticize the United Nations or such globalist groups as the Council on Foreign Relations, the Bilderbergers, and the Trilateral Commission.
24. Criticize the Masonic Lodge, the Order of Skull & Bones, or other Secret societies.
25. Highlight or otherwise bring attention to immorality of public officials or corruption in government.
26. Complain of government wrongdoing or injustice, such as happened at Waco, Ruby Ridge, and elsewhere.
27. Criticize the Jewish ADL or other Jewish lobby groups.
28. Say anything positive about the “religious right” or the “patriot movement.”
29. Support home schooling, home churches, or unregistered churches.
30. Spend money on missionary projects or charitable causes not approved by the IRS.
31. Promote or encourage alternative healthcare (herbs, vitamins, etc.).
32. Expose false teachings of any kind by anyone.
33. Support or encourage persecuted Christians suffering under anti-Christian regimes in Red China, Cuba, Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and elsewhere.
34. Ordain a pastor whose training or qualifications are not approved by the IRS.
35. Advocate or teach any Bible doctrine that is politically or religiously incorrect, or is inconsistent with any “public policy” (abortion, feminism, gay rights, etc.) currently being enforced by the IRS.
Additional requirements for 501c3 churches are found in the Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Publication 1826 (9-94) Cat. no. 21096G, churches must:
36. Have a recognized creed and “IRS approved form of worship.”
37. Have “IRS approved code of doctrine and discipline”.
38. Have ordained ministers educated in “state accredited colleges.”
39. Pastor must answer to the IRS as to “daily activities of the church.”
40. The IRS must be privy to “all financial transactions” of the church.
41. Pastor must supply “names of all donors” – make books, records available.
42. Be neutral on political issues.
43. Be engaged in activities furthering exclusively public purposes.
44. Open its services to the public.
45. Submit names of all church workers; pastors, teachers, clerks, counselors, educational directors, office help, associates, and maintenance personnel.
46. Not publicly oppose licensing of church ministries.
47. Give unlimited submission to civil magistrates pertaining to all laws – federal, state, and local – including public policy.
48. May only use “IRS approved” fundraising methods.
49. Pastor will be “called to account over any stand taken against the tax system.”
50. Church “must advocate and support racial integration.” (Multiculturalism)
51. May NOT engage in activities “opposing pornography.”
52. May NOT support legislation saying “children belong to parents” rather than “the state.”
53. May NOT form a Political Action Committee nor support legislation “opposing lotteries and gambling activity.”
54. May not “oppose the public school system.”
55. May “not publicly declare” we are to “obey God rather than the government.”
56. May Not advocate support of the United States or state constitutions as the supreme law of the land. (Public policy takes precedence.)
The “Christian” Church has been gutted. It has had its “heart” and all of its inward parts removed just as completely as a slaughter-house animal on its way to being dismembered for market. The “Church” can SAY nothing and DO nothing.
Who is the Head of the Christian Church?
The Church has always maintained that “Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church.” But if this is true, can the Church enter into any form of contract with the civil authority that submits the Church to the authority of the State? If it does so, the state has every right to govern the actions, contracts, and practices of that corporation.
But it should be obvious that the church has no right to enter into a contractual relationship with the state. To enter into a relationship that requires the church to be subject to the state is a compromise to the declaration that Christ is the sole head and authority of the church.
What are the results when a church incorporates and surrenders itself to the jurisdiction of the state?
1) The Church is no longer considered a real institution, but it goes through a transformation and becomes a fictitious (state created) person or institution.
|2) The Church comes under the jurisdiction of the state and therefore surrenders its headship to the state.
3) The Church’s chief officers become official representatives of the state by virtue of their corporate charter.
4) The Church must open its books and all practices to the investigation of the state. This would include:a. Church membership roles;
b. Christian school record;
c. Regulations on all functions of the church and any of its ministries;
d. Church financial records, including all tithing records (names, addresses and amounts);
e. Ministers and churches in courts of law are considered wards of the state by virtue of their charter, including all church members (adults and children). The Transformation of the Church (From Reality to Fiction) by Kenneth Talbot, Ph.D.What is the Answer?
Many believe that all organized churches should renounce their 501c3 status and become “free-churches” – churches that remain “organized” but operate independent of, and in no way subordinate to, the civil government.
But there is a BETTER way – the way of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ NEVER wanted or endorsed an Organized Church of ANY kind. Christianity is a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ – nothing more and nothing less!
Jesus came to show us how to live, to show us how to have a Personal Relationship with God. Christianity is a relationship between a Father and His son or His daughter. There is nothing wrong with Christian friends meeting in homes or along the river bank, as was done in the time of the apostles, to worship the Lord, but buildings and organizations were never to be a part of the worship of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ lives in US – not in buildings. “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Cor 6:19 Buildings were built by the pagans – NOT Christians - to honor their many gods. The Pantheon in Rome is a perfect example.
Buildings to honor their gods is a totally pagan institution. Jesus wanted none of that. But that idea was so ingrained in the culture of the time, and had already been endorsed by the murderers of Christ – the Pharisees and the Sadducees and their followers – that the synagogue system was melded with paganism to produce Church buildings and Cathedrals – with a hierarchical structure in which the “leaders” told the followers what to believe and how to relate to God.
The Bible tells us, “One is your Teacher, the Christ.” Matt. 23:8 He is all we need. But ever since the episode at Sinai when the Israelites refused to allow God to run their lives directly, man has preferred to be led by “man” rather than by God.
So, within a hundred years after Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, Organized Churches, buildings and the hierarchical structure of Priests, Pastors, or Rabbis were set up, and the whole “Christian” world got on board.
The evil empire composed of the Jewish Zionist/ Illuminati/One World Government now has the means to control ALL the “Christian” churches, their doctrines and their practices, and use them for their own diabolic purposes.
Churches are a pagan institution.
God NEVER wanted an “Organized Church” with buildings and a hierarchical structure.
Then just how did the “Christian” Churches begin?
Church: Who Started It?
Who Came Up With the Idea of a “Church” - with an organization - and a building - where people sit down - and hear a sermon?
It certainly WASN’T God!
The goal of this Bible study is:
1) to show that Christianity is not a religion. It is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!
2) to show that God never gave any directions for, never endorsed, and never intended that His followers would form government-approved and licensed corporations, with membership, payment of “dues”, with self-appointed leaders hired and paid for by these organizations, to teach the members a specific set of doctrines acceptable to the specific organization, a set of doctrines endorsed by a human committee.
3) to show that Jesus, during His entire ministry on earth, including the time right before He was going to be crucified, never made any preparations for the setting up of an “Organized Church.” In fact, everything He did and said indicated that He did not want an “Organized Church” in any shape or form.
4) to show that His disciples were constantly trying to get Jesus to form an “Organized Church” as they were continually arguing about “who would be the greatest in His Kingdom” (Mark 9:34) and “who would sit on His right hand and His left.” (Mark 10:35-38) But Jesus would have nothing to do with that. He said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 8:36)
5) to show that God said, “I just want to be your God and I want you to be my people.” (Hebrews 8:10) (NO middlemen!)
The Israelites in the Wilderness
When the Israelites were brought out of Egypt by God, with Moses as God’s representative, there was no building where people came to assemble to hear a sermon.
In Exodus, Chapter 19, God told Moses that He wanted to meet with the people and talk to them directly. God appeared in fire and smoke on Mt. Sinai while the people were gathered, outdoors, at the foot of Mt. Sinai.
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify (consecrate) them today and tomorrow and let them wash their clothes
“And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.” Exodus 19:10,11
“And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that were in the camp trembled in awe.
And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
“And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered Him by a voice.
Then God spoke the Ten Commandments, as given in Exodus 20:1-17. But Exodus 20:18,19 describe how the people reacted.
“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, ‘Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let NOT God speak with us, lest we die!
We want a Middleman!
The people were afraid of God and did not want Him to talk to them directly. They wanted a human intermediary, Moses, to talk to God and then Moses would talk to the people. In this way, the people refused to have a personal relationship with God.
The Exodus from Egypt occurred at Passover. The Ten Commandments were given to the people at the time of Pentecost, fifty days after the Exodus, the time when God wanted to begin putting His Spirit, His disposition, into each of the Israelites. But they refused to deal with God directly.
(So, Pentecost – with the outpouring of God’s “Spirit” – God’s disposition placed in the heart - had to wait for another 2,000 years – until after Jesus was crucified and resurrected and the disciples of Christ were in the Upper Room. Finally, Christ’s followers were willing to allow Christ to put His Spirit in them, to begin changing them into His image.)
Because the Israelites in the wilderness wanted an intermediary between them and God, God set up the Sanctuary, the Sanctuary service, and the system of Priests, who were designated to be the intermediaries between the Israelites and God (between man and God). But we must clearly see that this was not God’s original intention. His original intention was to speak with the individual Israelites directly, not through an intermediary!
In Exodus, Chapter 21, God gave the Israelites a whole list of civil laws to follow. However, these were only given after the Israelites had refused to be ruled individually – and directly - by God. They, instead, wanted to be led by man, in this instance – Moses.
If the Israelites had allowed God to put His Spirit, His disposition, into them individually, God could have, at that time, written the Law – the Ten Commandments – on their hearts, so they would Do Right because it Is Right, not just because they were afraid of God and His “punishments.”
Ten Commandments on Stone – Not in the Heart!
But because they refused His offer to deal with them individually and directly by writing the Law on their hearts, God had to write the Ten Commandments on Tables of Stone, to show the Israelites that when the Ten Commandments are on Stone and not in their hearts, they would have no power to do what is right. They, instead, would become hopelessly rebellious and keep turning away from God. They would repeatedly become involved in Pagan and Satanic religious practices.
So God set up the Sanctuary and the Sanctuary Service to give the Israelites what they wanted – a human intermediary between God and man.
Please note that this is an illustration of God’s “wrath” – God giving people what they want, when they want to do it their way, rather than God’s way.
Paul, in Romans 1:18,24,26,28 defines God’s wrath as “giving us over” to our earthly lusts and desires, to eventually reap what we have sown.
But also note that the Sanctuary in the wilderness was just a small tent. It had no place for the people to come in and sit down and hear a sermon. Furthermore, only the priests were allowed to go inside the Sanctuary, not the common people!
In the entire Old Testament, God made no provision for any type of religious service in which people would assemble into a building, or even a regular weekly assembly outdoors, to hear a sermon or any other religious service.
Neither the word “church” nor the word “synagogue” appear anywhere in the Old Testament.
So, for 4,000 years, God made no provision for people to assemble together for a man, a human being (priest, rabbi, or minister), to tell them about God!
God’s presence was visible to the Israelites as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. And later, God’s presence resided in the Most Holy Place in the Sanctuary, where no one but the High Priest could enter, and even then, he could enter only once a year.
In the Old Testament, God spoke of His followers as the “Chosen” people, “Chosen” to exhibit His character to the other nations, a job given them at which they failed miserably!
The word “church” never appears in the Old Testament. In addition, the word “synagogue” never appears in the Old Testament - - - - except for one time that it has been improperly and inaccurately translated (more precisely - “written in!”) by the translators. And that is in Psalm 74:8.
King James Version:
“They said in their hearts, Let us destroy (margin says: oppress) them together; they have burned up all the synagogues (margin says: meeting places) in the land.”
The word mistranslated “synagogues” is the word Hebrew mowadah which means: an appointed time, or a feast, not a meeting place or a synagogue. It refers to a “time” or “event”, not a place! Indeed, the Septuagint, which is the Hebrew Old Testament translated into Greek, translates this Hebrew word mowadah as “feasts.”
Septuagint Version:
“They have said in their heart, even all their kindred together, Come, let us abolish the feasts of the Lord from the earth.”
The New Testament:
The word “synagogue” and the word “church” appear in the Bible only in the New Testament. The first time the word “synagogue” is used in the New Testament is in Matthew 12:9
The Intertestamental period, the period between the Old Testament and the New Testament, was approximately 400 years in length. No books of the Bible were written during that time. It was apparently during this time that the tradition was instituted of people coming together weekly, in a building, to sit down, and listen to a sermon or a teaching by a human being telling people about God.
Nowhere in the Bible is there any indication that God wanted, or approved of, an “Organized Church.”
No “Church” in the Bible
First, the word “church” does not appear in the Bible – even in the New Testament! The word consistently mistranslated as “church” in Greek is ecclesia. It does not mean “church.” It means the “Called ones” or the “Called-out ones.” It has essentially the same meaning as the “Chosen people” in the Old Testament and the “Elect” in the New Testament.
King James ordered the translators to improperly translate the word ecclesia as “church” for political reasons – because HE was going to be the Head of the “church.” The word ecclesia has no hierarchical implications. It just means an assembly of “believers” with no suggestion of buildings, memberships, leaders or any organizational structure.
God’s Presence was in the Temple – Not in the Synagogues
In the New Testament, the Temple in Jerusalem contained a Most Holy Place where the presence of God resided, above the cover of the Ark that contained the Ten Commandments.
At the beginning of Christ’s ministry, He visited the Temple and found that it had become a business, with the selling of animals for sacrifices. He drove the moneychangers out of the temple with their hordes of animals and said, “Make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise.” (John 2:16)
Clearly, Jesus was stating that God’s presence was in the Temple.
God’s Presence was not in the Synagogues
The synagogues apparently were places where the Israelites assembled to sit down and hear religious teachings.
It is true that when Jesus was growing up He attended the synagogues with His parents – who obviously didn’t know any better and were just going along with their peers. But when Jesus started His ministry He did NOT become part of the synagogue religion. He separated from the synagogue doctrines and vehemently spoke out against them.
He taught in the synagogues because that was where the people gathered, but He never endorsed that system nor their doctrines.
Often, the New Testament speaks of Jesus going into “their” synagogues, clearly implying that the synagogues did not belong to Jesus or His Father!
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues . . . Matt 4:23
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues . . . Matt 9:35
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. . .Matt 10:17
And He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee. . . Mark 1:39
And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. Luke 4:15
Never does the Bible say, or even intimate, that God’s presence was in the synagogues. God’s presence could not have been in the synagogues. God’s presence was in the Temple!
Again, please note that the Temple during Christ’s time was NOT a place for the people to come together in an assembly. Only the Priests were allowed in the Temple – NOT the people.
THAT is undoubtedly why the Pharisees and the Sadducees set up the synagogue system, so they could totally control the doctrines and the practices of the people.
The Leaders of the Organized Church of Jesus’ time were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They were continually making plans to kill Jesus because He did not support the Organized Church.
Jesus abhorred the Organized Church of His day. This is what He said about the Organized Church and their Religious Leaders, the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes, in Matthew, Chapter 23:
“They bind heavy burdens that are heavy to bear and lay them on men’s shoulders: but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
And they love the places of honor at feasts, and the chief place in the synagogues, and greetings in the marketplaces and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Jesus knew that if “men” started ruling over “men” in religious matters, they would become hopelessly corrupt. That’s why He said that He alone would be their teacher! Verse 8:
But you should not be called Rabbi: for One is your Teacher, even Christ; and you are all brethren.
Here Jesus, Himself, is saying that He alone is the Teacher of all His followers, and human beings are all brethren, none is above another. They are all the same. They should not be religious “leaders” of the people. That is the job of Jesus. ALL human beings are equal! None should be leading the other. Jesus Christ is our only “leader.”
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be lifted up.
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither do you allow them that are entering to go in.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses (possessions), and for a pretense make long prayers: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation (judging).
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell (gehenna) than yourselves.
Woe unto you, you blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is obligated to perform it.
You fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing: but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is obliged to perform it.
You fools and blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? . . .
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not left the other undone.
You blind guides, you strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you make the outside of the cup and saucer clean, but the insides are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
You blind Pharisees, cleanse first that which is inside the cup and saucer, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, that indeed appear beautiful outward, but, inside, are full of dead men’s bones, and all uncleanness.
Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (lawlessness).
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the tombs of the righteous, and say, If we had been alive in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood (killing) of the prophets.
Wherefore, you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of them that killed the prophets. You are filled up with the measure of guilt of your fathers.
You serpents, you brood of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell? (judging of gehenna)
This is what Jesus had to say about the Organized Church of His day! He did not make it difficult to understand! His feelings are quite clear!
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them you shall kill and crucify: and some of them you shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city; that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slew between the temple and the altar.
Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets, and you who stone them that are sent to you, how often would I have gathered you children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!
Then Jesus gave the death knell to the Organized Church! He said, regarding the Temple, in vs 38:
Behold, your house is left unto you desolate!
Remember that at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when He cleansed the Temple, He said:
“Make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise.” John 2:16
But at the end of His ministry, he no longer called the Temple “My Father’s house.” Instead, as He was speaking to the people and their religious leaders, He referred to the Temple as “your house” and He told them “your house” is now left to you desolate.” God’s presence was no longer there. Jesus was leaving the Temple for the last time. The Temple would now be “desolate!”
God’s Presence Is No Longer In Buildings!
God’s Presence is NOT in churches!
Howbeit the most High dwells NOT in temples made with hands.” Acts 7:48
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells NOT in temples made with hands.” Acts 17:24
Now WE are God’s Temple! God dwells in US!
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the God’s spirit of holiness which is in you, which ye have of God, and you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them]. Ezekiel 36:27
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
Behold the day comes, saith the Lord, when I will make a NEW Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued NOT in My covenant, and I disregarded them, saith the Lord.
For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people. Hebrews 8:8-10
The Crucifixion:
The Leaders of the Organized Church, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the scribes were the ones who wanted Jesus dead. It was the Organized Church, both the leaders and members, who yelled. “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
When Jesus was crucified on the Cross, the Temple curtain was rent in two from top to bottom, signifying that it was rent supernaturally by God. Tradition says that the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was 16 inches thick. The Temple curtain was rent from top to bottom, exposing the Most Holy Place to human eyes, because no longer did it contain the presence of God. It was “desolate!”
But Jesus’ followers were not a part of the synagogue. The leaders of the synagogues not only plotted to kill Jesus, but they actually accomplished the dastardly act. Then, apparently they were plotting to kill His followers as well, because we are told that the disciples, after the crucifixion, were hiding in the Upper Room “for fear of the Jews!” (John 20:19)
Jesus’ followers had left the Organized Church in order to follow Jesus.
The Out-pouring of the Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit):
The Holy Spirit of God (the Pentecostal “early rain”) was given only to those who were outside of the Organized Church, those disciples of Christ who were in the Upper Room hiding from the leaders of the Organized Church who apparently wanted to kill them for being followers of Jesus.
In addition, the Holy Spirit was given only to those who were not only outside of the Organized Church, but it was given to those who were being hounded and persecuted by that same Organized Church.
The Holy Spirit did NOT fall on ANY who were inside the Organized Church!
But Didn’t Paul Set Up An Organized Church?
Wasn’t THAT God’s Will?
Some may argue that after Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven, the apostle Paul was given the job of setting up the “Organized Church.”
The words “bishop”, “minister”, “deacons”, and “elders” are often used by supporters of an “Organized Church” to imply that these terms denote an organizational structure that God endorsed.
However, the English word “deacon” is a variation of the Greek word diakoneo which means an attendant (such as a waiter who waits on tables) or a servant or slave. The definition does not, in any way, imply a “leader.”
This same word, meaning servant, is sometimes arbitrarily translated “minister.”
The word “elder”, presbuteros in Greek, just means an older (in age) or senior person. It does not denote a “leader” in an organizational structure.
The following Bible passage, 1 Timothy 3:1-15, is often used to suggest that God endorses an “Organized Church” hierarchical structure.
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity’
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth.
Now, let’s look at the literal translation of this passage and be amazed and saddened at the license that the translators have taken!
Faithful is the saying: ‘If anyone is craving the vision, he is desiring ideal work.’
The inspector (or one looking after or caring for), then, must be irreprehensible, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, well-ordered, hospitable, apt at teaching,
not a drinker, not a contentious one, not greedy of ill gain, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not loving money:
controlling his own household ideally, having his children in subjection with all respect
- now if anyone is not aware how to control his own household, how will he care for the ecclesia of God? –
no novice, lest, being conceited, he should be falling into the judgment of the Adversary.
Yet he must have a good witness also from those outside, that he should not be falling into the reproach and trap of the Adversary.
Likewise, servants are to be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy of ill gain,
having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience.
Now let these also first be tested: thereafter let them be serving, being without reproach.
The wives, similarly, are to be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Let servants be the husbands of one wife, controlling children and their own households ideally,
for those having served well for themselves gain a good grade for themselves and much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
These things I am writing to you, though expecting to come to you more quickly,
yet if I delay, that you may know how one must behave in God’s house, which is the ecclesia of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
The word “Bishop” is episkopos in Greek, #1985 in Strong’s Concordance.
It means “inspector” or one who diligently looks after another individual or group - an overseer. There were those, like Stephen, whose job it was to watch out for the widows and other unfortunates, to make sure they had food, etc.
Let’s read the origin of this arrangement among the early Christians as found in Acts 6:1-5:
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration (food distribution).
Please note: the Hellenists (the Gentiles or NON-“Jews”) were complaining that the Hebrews (the “Jews”) were taking all the food for the “Jew” widows and not giving any to the “Gentile” widows. This (the problem between the “Jews” and “Gentiles”) is the entire reason for setting up a system of “food distribution” and “serving at tables.”
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God (stop preaching in order to serve food), and serve tables.
Wherefore, brethren, seek ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Spirit of holiness and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (of serving tables!).
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Not to organizing a “church.”)
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of God’s Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nivanor, and Timon and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.
Please notice that there are two groups of people mentioned here:
Group I was to take care of distributing food to the widows and waiting on tables;
Group II was to give themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Nothing is said here about organizing a “church” hierarchical structure with an administrative hierarchy, members, dues, and buildings.
Doesn’t the Bible speak of these supposed “Church leaders” being “ordained”?
What does it mean “to ordain”?
The English word “ordain” is a translation of at least twelve different Greek words! Again, the translators seem to have no rules for their translation. When they arbitrarily translate twelve different Greek words as one English word, their translation becomes capricious and meaningless. One certainly cannot make a doctrine out of such careless translations.
(Please note the following list of Greek words translated “ordain” or “ordained” from Strong’s Concordance.)
In Conclusion:
Jesus made No preparations for the setting up of an Organized Church. In fact, EVERYTHING He did was AGAINST the setting up of an Organized Church.
* Even as Jesus’ death by crucifixion was drawing near, He made no move to set up an Organized Church, nor did He instruct any of His disciples to do so.
* At the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter suggested building tabernacles (churches?) for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. (Mark 9:4,5) Jesus just ignored Peter’s suggestion.
* When James and John came to Jesus to ask Him if they could sit on His left and right (which was essentially to set up a hierarchy), Jesus said, “No.” (Mark 10:35-38)
* And when that didn’t work, James and John asked their !mother! to ask Jesus for the same thing. Jesus again said, “No.” (Matt 20:20-24)
* The disciples were repeatedly arguing about “who would be the greatest in Christ’s kingdom.” (Mark 9:34)
* Repeatedly Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world!” (John 8:36)
* Right after Jesus told James and John that they could NOT sit on His right and left (because His kingdom was NOT of this world), He said, , “You know that they which are considered the rulers of the Unbelievers (mistranslated “the Gentiles”) lord it over each other; and exercise authority over them. But it shall NOT be that way among you. But whosoever desires to be great among you, shall be your servant. And whosoever of you desires to be first, shall be the servant of all. Mark 10:42-44”
* When Jesus healed the man born blind, only after the man had been thrown out of the Organized Church (synagogue) did Jesus come back to him and reveal to the man that Jesus was the Messiah. He did not reveal this to the healed man until he had been thrown out of the Organized Church. (John 9:35-38)
* After Jesus ascended to heaven, Peter, in the Upper Room, decided that HE (Peter) had to start leading the “church” by picking the twelfth disciple to take the place of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Christ and then committed suicide.
Peter, arrogantly picked two people, then asked God to bless his (Peter’s) choices. Mathias was chosen by casting lots. (Acts 1:15-26) The Bible never again speaks of Mathias.
However, the Bible does tell us that when the time was right, Jesus, Himself, picked HIS OWN twelfth disciple. And that was Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul. And Jesus picked Paul personally, on the Road to Damascus.
Saul of Tarsus (Paul) was not even on Peter’s “short list” of candidates for the disciple slot, because at the time of Peter’s “taking charge” Saul was busy imprisoning and killing Christians.
Peter was totally out of line in what he had done. Jesus was perfectly capable of running things, whether He was on earth or in heaven. He didn’t need Peter to “help Him out” with the task of picking His disciples, just as we DON’T need a “church hierarchy” to tell us what to believe. Jesus is our Teacher!
Jesus picked Paul, and Paul was arguably the greatest of Jesus’ disciples, as well as the author of the majority of the New Testament.
* After Jesus was crucified, resurrected and ascended to heaven, the Bible tells us that now “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” – not some building!
Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit? (1 Cor 6:19)
* The Bible tells us that Christ no longer dwells in buildings made with hands:
“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.” Hebrews 9:11
“Howbeit the Most High dwells NOT in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet.” Acts 7:48
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells NOT in temples made with hands.” Acts 17:24
God does NOT dwell in the “Organized Church”!
God has always said, “I just want to be your God, and you be my people.” (Leviticus 26:12)
God wants NO middlemen!
The Organized Church has blasphemously taken the place of God!
God has never commanded nor endorsed an Organized Church of ANY kind!
God wants to run our lives, directly and personally, with no one in between!
Here is Jesus’ final word on the subject! (Matthew 20:25-28)
Jesus said to His disciples, You know that the princes of the Unbelievers (mistranslated “Gentiles”) lord it over one another, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant; And whosoever will be first among you, let him be your slave;
Even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for (the) many.
Christianity is NOT a religion. It is a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ!
© Lorraine Day, M.D. 2006. All Rights Reserved.
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