Who Do You Serve?

This long article is mostly a letter I sent to a preacher I know several years ago, who felt like the weeping prophet Jeremiah observing the sins of the "church" and nation. In my letter I shared with him what I thought was a big part of the spiritual decline, namely the "church" seeking out the government to voluntarily submit itself to it's headship through the 501(c)3 non-profit tax exempt status for worldly benefits. I have written on this topic before, so you can search my blog to glean more on this subject.

This letter is still quite appropriate today. I made some modifications in the article, and my hope and prayer is that it will help educate you, cause you to pause and ponder and hopefully make the changes I believe are required to purify Christ's bride that she may be without spot or blemish when He returns.

It's starts with his quote:

I wanted to be Joshua, Gideon, David or Nehemiah but I'm Jeremiah! cry emoticon ‪#‎weepingprophet‬

You spoke about being like unto the prophet Jeremiah. I know you, I understand that. Yet there is another prophet that come to my mind when thinking of the "churches" spiritual condition and it may come as a surprise to you. That prophet is none other than Balaam!

You know the story how Moab tried to get Balaam to curse God's people, yet all he ever did was bless them! Yet, Balaam was greedy for gain (though popularity and applause could have been part of the reward he sought), and came up with a plan for the king to get God's people to sin through idolatry and fornication - through marriage to the Moabite women - to defile themselves before God, Who called them to holiness or separation. 

 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (KJV) Rev. 2:14

Yet, the "church" and her preachers have committed spiritual adultery with the world and has befriended the world and cast a stumblingblock before His flock, that are purchased with His precious blood (Acts 20:28) by joining herself with a wicked multitude, according to the arrangement and order of the government in the form of a 501(c)3. You weep over the sins of the "church" and wonder why she is so sick. Have you honestly examined it's love affair and harlotry to the world with it voluntary seeking out of it's affection in the loving arms(?) of the 501(c)3 corporation?

 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (KJV) James 4:4

Jesus told his brothers that "The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." (Jn. 7:7) When His Body has decided it wants a new worldly head and make a league with the world by enslaving itself to be a worldly corporation, how can it testify to the world that it's works are evil when she looks more like the harlot of Babylon than the pristine bride of Christ? Has His children, the salt of the earth, lost their savour? How can we influence the world if we have compromised with it ourselves? 

Do you realize that by being a 501(c)3 you have joined yourself to all kinds of wickedness? Look at the list of others that are also 501(c)3's. All kinds of false religions! Not to mention organizations like Planned Parenthood. Are we to be unequally yoked with them? Are we to have communion (joint participation) with them? Are we not called to be separate from them?

 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

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

 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

  7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (KJV) 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1

Yet, I am reminded of other passages of Scripture where we are told to beware that we are not lead away from the truth unto something other than we learned from Christ. Remember the slogan "All things Bible"?

 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (KJV) Col. 2:8

I'm sure you remember the time Jesus was telling His disciples how He would suffer many things and be killed and raised the third day and Peter rebuked Him saying, "be it far from thee, Lord this shall not be unto thee." (Mt. 16:21-22)

Then Jesus said to Peter, "Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offense to me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (v. 23) In essence Jesus told him he was "carried away by human views of the way of setting up Christ's kingdom, quite contrary to those of God." (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) Interestingly in the next verse Jesus said, "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

In Luke 16 Jesus told a story about riches and how you cannot serve both God and mammon. (v. 13) When the covetous Pharisees heard it they derided Him. (v. 14) Then Jesus told them that "they justify themselves before men; but God knoweth the hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." (v. 15) I believe the same thing can be said of His people looking to profit from their covenant with the government for nonprofit incorporation status.

In Isaiah 30, God called Israel "rebellious children, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering not of my spirit, that they may add sin unto sin. That walk to go down to Egypt...therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion." (vs. 1-3) Sounds similar to His people running to the government to make an agreement to do their bidding for financial, worldly gain with a 501(c)3 status.

Do you know the difference between what is lawful and was is legal? That which is lawful comes from God. That which is legal originates from man. Therefore the whole 501(c)3 is not lawful, but rather legal! Remember that Jesus told Pilate that His "kingdom is not of this world"? (Jn. 18:36) Jesus also told the Father that those He had given them are "not of the world, even as He is not of the world." (Jn. 17:14)

Speaking of legal, let me ask you some questions.

1. Where in Scripture do you see the "church" going to Caesar to start a "church"? I don't remember Paul doing this on his missionary journeys. 

2. Where in Scripture to we see that the giving of the saints, some refer to it as tithing, doesn't belong to the "church", rather the government, which is it's head?

3. Where do we find that the preacher needs to be licensed (ordained) by the government to be able to conduct business?

Question number one - I think I found the answer in the book of 2 Acts 1:3 - as Paul entered every community and preached the gospel; many believed. So Paul sought out a lawyer, to fill out government business forms, so this group of believers could legally reap the benefits of Caesar and the world and build "church" buildings. Ok, you won't find that in Scripture, yet you, who stands up before the flock telling them that you follow the pattern shown in NT Scripture and the first century "church" are lying to them. Deceiving them. Maybe ignorantly, though its the truth. Don't play the hypocrite! "All things Bible?" Really? 

Now we know, or at least I hope you know, that man was created by God in His image and was granted certain "unalienable rights" that are protected by the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. That our Founding Fathers totally understood that the Church is under the sovereign and sole jurisdiction of the Lord Jesus Christ and that civil authorities should not dare attempt to encroach upon that authority. It was so important to clarify and authenticate their respect for the Church, the very first sentence of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution reads:

"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

"...or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black stated, "The establishment clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither the State nor the Federal Government can set up a church." - Emerson vs. Board of Education, 1947. (Church In Chains, pgs 35-36).

Remember that the "church" of the Lord Jesus Christ is tax immune. Why would anyone of a sound mind choose to go to the government and submit to them and their policies and regulations to form a tax exempted corporation? Again, where do we see Paul using this approach in the book of Acts? 

Question two - Now if people are bringing all their tithe into the storehouse (Mal. 3:10), where do we find in Scripture that they get some of their tithe back every year? If you are a 501(c)3 state "church" you get a portion of your tithe back every year! Remember "All things Bible"! So because they are bringing all their tithe into the storehouse and not robing God, the government rewards their faithfulness by giving some of it back?! How does not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Mt. 6:3) apply, since all contributions are recorded, and that record is given back to them so they can prove to the government that they gave to a certain corporation ("church") that they may get some of it back? Do they have to do this? No! But most do for the money and, or on account of their ignorance on this matter. Remember, "All things Bible!"

I also like what former IRS commissioner Roscoe Edgar said:

"The IRS for many years has had the right to examine church records, because churches have been collecting taxes for many years for the government; the churches therefore hold in trust that which belongs to the government. We have a right to examine church records to see if the churches are handling funds properly."

Well, how about that. I am quite sure the former commissioner knows what he's talking about. That also reminds me of something else. Why is it that so many "church" buildings are used for government elections? Could it be that they have a license from the government to conduct business? Hmm.

Question three - Where in Scripture do we find that a preacher or the school of their education is licensed or state accredited? I "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so". (Acts 17:11) Truly, it's our Lord that gives us gifts to minister (Rom. 12, 1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4). Yet, for example, by whose authority do you marry a couple? By God's or by man? Do you sign, seal, a government marriage license? By whose authority do you join that couple together by? By man's of course! 

 23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. (KJV) Mt. 21:23-27

The following are some requirements for 501(c)3's that can be found in the Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Publication 1826 (9-94) Cat. no. 21096G, that a 501(c)3 must observe:

1.  Have a recognized creed and “IRS approved form of worship.”

2.  Have “IRS approved code of doctrine and discipline”.

3.  Have ordained ministers educated in “state accredited colleges.”

4.  Pastor must answer to the IRS as to “daily activities of the church.”

5. The IRS must be privy to “all financial transactions” of the church.

6.  Pastor must supply “names of all donors” – make books, records available.

7. Be neutral on political issues.

8. Be engaged in activities furthering exclusively public purposes.

9. Open its services to the public.

10. Submit names of all church workers; pastors, teachers, clerks, counselors, educational directors, office help, associates, and maintenance personnel.

11. Not publicly oppose licensing of church ministries.

12. Give unlimited submission to civil magistrates pertaining to all laws – federal, state, and local – including public policy.

13.  May only use “IRS approved” fundraising methods.

14.  Pastor will be “called to account over any stand taken against the tax system.”

"All things Bible" - right? So by whose authority do you choose to function by? If you are a 501(c)3, or a licensed preacher, or have an approved degree from an state accredited institution; then your authority is by your sovereign, the state and not Jesus Christ! You may say that Jesus is the head of the body you belong to, but that doesn't make it so. You chose to leave Jesus as your head and chose the state to be your head instead.

Also, if you are a child of God, walking in the light, speaking the truth and having honest dealings with all - why would you voluntarily submit yourself and the Body of Christ to a contract that you have no plans to honor in it's entirety, but like Thomas Jefferson, cut out the parts you don't agree with. Just because Thomas Jefferson refused to accept parts of God's Word, it didn't that mean they were disannulled. Likewise, you go to the government seeking their benefits package agreeing to play by their rules, yet the entire time are being deceitful in that you only intend to pick and choose, as if these non-negotiable requirements of your contractual agreement are optional? Do you honestly think God is pleased with this money making scheme?

Back in colonial times there were preachers like Isaac Backus and John Leland who had a significant impact on the matters of Church and State relations. Leland for example believed that the "Government has no more to do with religious opinions of men than it has with principles of mathematics". 

In 1785, a bill came up in the Virginia Legislature to tax the people to pay pastors. The Hanover Presbyterians opposed the bill in a memorial.

Throughout James Madison's life he fought against taxing people to support pastors and against "church" incorporation. In the debate on the infamous "Religious Assessments Bill" he noted a list of the evils that would follow assessments and "church" incorporation. He believed that:

1. Regulation of religion is not within civil power,

2. Religion needs no 'artifical props'.

3. History proves religious Establishments were detrimental, and

4. These benefits would 'entangle the state' in determining which were Christian and which were heretical.

So even in Colonial America there was a push to have "churches" incorporate, yet many resisted the temptation. Why today are people so comfortable in their 501(c)3's? Knowing that it's not necessary for any "church" to go to the government to come under the umbrella of it's favors with a 501(c)3 status? So why would Jesus' disciples want to grant their jurisdiction to the IRS?  In the words of a former IRS Senior Revenue Officer, Steve Nestor:

“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)

I wondered that too! Yet, I also wonder why would a "church" want to remain in Caesar's grip. Remember, "all things Bible!" Who are you a slave, a servant to? God? Or rather to the dictates of man? Do you honestly believe that God is pleased that you sought out someone else to be your head. A way to conduct business (the Lord's work) in a manner or pattern that you have not learned of Him from the Scriptures? Do you acknowledge God in all your ways? (Prov. 3:6)

I have talked with a number of preachers, professors and even a founder of a seminary about this and they all pretty much acknowledge what I say is true, yet their typical answer to me is: "Not now, only when we are forced to. Only when push comes to shove. It's still profitable for us in getting our the gospel and making disciples of all nations." Funny how Paul and the first century "church" didn't need such props. "All things Bible, right?"

Yet these same preachers that benefit from an ungodly, unholy and unscriptural alliance and syncretizing with the government corrupting themselves and parading around as a corporation (or is it more like a sheep in wolves clothing?), such as Church of Christ Inc. condemning others that call themselves Christians for the way they do "church"  business and operation by syncretizing with the world and it's ways, oops, or do you prefer the better religious sounding titles of advancement of the gospel, service and worship? What hypocrites! Blind leaders of the blind! (Mt. 15:14) Ignorant! (Is. 56:10) Who have made the outside of the cup clean, but within are full of extortion and excess. (Mt. 23:25) White walled sepulchers filled with dead men's bones and all uncleanness! That appear righteous and beautiful in the outside but inside are filled full of hypocrisy and iniquity! (Mt. 23:27-28)

Choosing to establish, and set up a "church" through the government as shown above is like taking a devil's food cake and adding to it the white vanilla frosting of Christianity to make it appear as something it is not. The frosting will not change the cake, only give it a different taste to those that eat it. In a similar way adding some Christianity to something worldly will not make it Christian. Calling it by a "Bible name", doesn't "magically" "Christianize" it, just like frosting the devil's food cake doesn't make it a strawberry cake.

We need more men of faith like Moses to rise up and make a stand. Will you be one of them? When Moses became mature he refused, rejected, denied the rights and privileges he had through Egypt and Pharaoh's daughter - types of the world and it's system. (Heb. 11:24) 

Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures (S# 2192 - external things such as property, or riches, or goods; being joined to any bond of friendship, duty, or law, or companionship) - of sin (S# 266 - to miss the mark, to err, be mistaken; miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong) - for a season, temporarily (as some preachers have admittedly told me they will do - milking the cow as long as they can profit from it without repercussions). (Heb. 11:25-26)

Again I ask, will you be one like Moses? Do you think he would have sought out Pharaoh for 501(c)3 benefits? No! He told Pharaoh to let God's people go! (Ex. 5:1; 7:16; 8:20; etc) Moses was faithful in all his house (Heb. 3:2, 5). Are you striving to be a faithful servant (Mt. 24:45; 25:21, 23; Lk. 12:42; 16:10-12) like Moses? 

Consider our Apostle and High Priest Jesus, Who called us to a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1) (in contrast to a worldly calling which He called us to come out of - Jn. 15:19; 17:16). When Jesus began his ministry in Galilee (Mt. 4:14-17), did he go to the local authorities seeking financial benefits for His ministry? I know, sounds absurd doesn't it? Jesus said that "the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has no where to lay His head. " (Mt. 8:20) Did Jesus try to build a house of worship or instruct His disciples to do so? No! He was not impressed with the temple like they were (Mk. 13:1-2) which took 46 years to build! (Jn. 2:20) Christ is building a spiritual house! (Heb. 3:3-6; 1 Pet. 2:5; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Eph. 2:20-22) Are you following Christ's pattern of building an eternal spiritual house and kingdom or man's pattern of a temporary worldly building and kingdom?

Did Paul ever in the book of Acts try to build a house of worship or commission one to be built? Did he ever place importance on a "church" building? Never! Then why do you? In Paul's "pastoral epistles" not once was a physical building a priority in his instructions to Timothy and Titus. Paul's concern was in building a spiritual house on the Chief Cornerstone Jesus Christ! So again I ask, why is a "church" building so important? We didn't learn it from Christ and the apostles.

You may be wondering why it seemed I switched my topic from the 501(c)3 status to a "church" building? If you are a wise and discerning person you know they are related! (If you haven't read last week's blog, "Is The Church Building An Idol?", you may want to read it as well.)

Now I close as I began this article, with an address to the preacher in my letter. 

You are one who weeps over the sins of the nation and the Lord's "church", yet you will not separate yourself from the wickedness of the 501(c)3? Examine yourself. (2 Cor. 13:5) Will you, or will you not come out? It is my duty to share. What you do, is your choice.