What is a non-profit or a 501(c)3? You've probably heard of it, yet do you understand what it is and what it means if your "church" is one? What are the spiritual implications if you are a member of one?
My hope in this article is to help educate others to an extent, to open their eyes which have been blinded due to ignorance and association and to the fact that no one has ever talked with them about this topic and they have just excepted that this is the way it is.
Again, this is a brief overview. There's a lot that could be shared on this, and if the Lord will permit me in time to further expound the legal documentation I will.
To begin, a non-profit, 501(c)3 is a corporation. To incorporate is to create a corporation...the union of one domain to another. [Black's Law Dictionary] To put it another way, the verb "incorporate" means that the thing did not exist, but is brought into existence and united with it's creator. [How The Church Fell From Grace, p2]
Now a corporation is an artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state. An association of persons created by statue as a legal entity...Such an entity subsist as a body politic under a special denomination, which is regarded in law as having a personality and existence distinct from that of several members... [Black's Law Dictionary] Notice - a corporation is under a special denomination, a legal designation. Does your "church" make a claim that it's not a denomination? Well, if it's a non-profit 501(c)3 one cannot honestly make that claim. A 501(c)3 is a business, and not the "church".
"A corporation is a creature of the state. It is presumed to be incorporated for the benefit of the public. It receives special privileges and franchises and holds them subject to the laws of the state and the limitations of its charter. There is a reserved right in the legislature to investigate its contracts and ascertain if it has exceeded its powers." - Hale vs. Henkel, 201 U.S. 43.
The corporation is born on the day and at the time the Secretary of State stamps the Articles of Incorporation for filing. The state creates this corporation pursuant to the statues of the state according to the authority of the Constitution of the state. (General Corporation Law) People often talk about what year their "church" or denomination was founded. Some even say it as established in 30 or 33 AD. Yet, as I have just shown, a 501(c)3 did not exist until the Secretary of State puts their stamp of approval for its establishment. So, if you are a 501(c)3, just look at your Articles of Incorporation and you will know the date. If your "church" is not a 501(c)3, then you may be a part of the "church" Christ established in the first century.
In the eyes of the government, a non-profit 501(c)3 "church" or ministry is just another business and will be held accountable as any another business. Even it's minister(s) are classified as "employees" engaged in a ministerial trade or business. The Bible calls such "hirelings" - a man employed to take care of the sheep, to whom wages is paid. As he does not own the sheep, and guards them merely for pay. (Barnes Jn. 10:12)
A corporation derives its existence and all of its power from the state and only has the power conferred to it by the state. For instance, a preacher has obtained the authority from the state to administer a marriage union between two parties which have obtained a state license to do so, not that it's required, but to gain the special privileges granted unto them for this corporate union - but that's another topic. Therefore, this should be clear to even the most simple minded of people that the preacher is an agent of the state and receives their authority from the state. If they want to be able to "marry" someone in a different state, they would need to file with that particular state to be granted such authority, like getting a real estate license in a different state - its all business.
Sadly, the typical Christian perceives that a non-profit 501(c)3 "church" or ministry are legitimate of what Christ established, but in truth, these "churches" have removed themselves from the very Head of the Body of Christ and have voluntarily sought out another sovereign to be their head - man, or the government if you prefer. The "church" was founded by Jesus Christ - He is the Head of the "church". (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) In contrast, a non-profit 501(c)3 "church" is founded by the state. It's as different as night and day! Either Christ is your head or He is not. If you're a 501(c)3 "church", then your head is the state, not Christ. Don't deceive yourself. A "church" and a corporation are two separate entities. Talk about having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, we are told to turn away from, to shun, avoid such (2 Tim. 3:5).
A 501(c)3 abides according to the charter of its Articles of Incorporation with the state. Therefore, it is to uphold whatever the state desires is "politically correct". Remember, the state created it for public interest. So the 501(c)3 "church" put itself in the hands of it's master, the state, to abide by it's philosophies, vain deceits, the traditions of man and the world. It does not have the authority to proclaim the Truth, IF it goes against state policies. If they do, the state has every right to come against them.
Yet, I've talked with preachers, even presidents of seminaries about this. Many confirm that they are in it for the financial privileges it provides and that when the winds of change come to the point that the state comes after them for violating their contract (which of a truth, some Christians that go to the state to form a 501(c)3 never plans to be true to their part of the arrangement from the start because, for instance, they do not condone abortion. Therefore, they are liars and deceivers for the sake of filthy lucre). So they will "ride the beast" and "milk the cow" as long as they are able.
I ask you again to ponder by whose authority is the 501(c)3 "church" birthed by? Man or God? (Mt. 21:23-27)
God has called us out of the world. (Jn. 15:19) He has called us to be holy, set apart from the world to be entirely His. (1 Pet. 1:15-16; 2:9) God said not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? What association has light with darkness? What harmony does Christ have with Satan? What portion has a believer with an unbeliever? None of course! (2 Cor. 6:14-16)
The bottom line is - who is your Head? God or man?
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