I recently came upon a "Christian" news site that features a number of popular names in Christendom. What drew me there was an article by their editor Breanna Claussen concerning Jack Hibbs' and his "bold," in the face move against the agreement he and the nonprofit organization (Chino Hills Church, which he leads), voluntarily made with the government to be a nonprofit organization. [1]
I guess now they have decided they don't want to obey the rules they agreed to by signing on the dotted line to take advantage of the privileges they have received from the government through their partnership with them via their tax exempt status. Not only have they decided to not abide by certain rules of their partnership, Jack is encouraging other "Christian" nonprofit corporations AKA "churches" and ministries, to follow suit, claiming that they will not suffer blowback from the government.
Therefore, I reached out to Breanna in hope that she might dissuade Harbinger's "trusted minister" Jack Hibbs, from this foolish course of action. "Trusted minister" is a very deceptive title as I will reveal in this article.
I reached out to them because it is written: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Gal. 6:1) "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (Jam. 5:19-20) "And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." (Jude 1:22-23)
Yes, I cared about their soul and the souls of them they are leading in err. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." (Heb. 12:12-12) And according to the character of our Lord. "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment." (Ez 34:16)
Therefore, I reached out to them to edify and strengthen, and to build them up because of the foolish course Jack is pursuing. Why is it foolish? For one, being a nonprofit corporation is according to an unbiblical worldview. It's seeking out the world to conform to it's ways in operating the Body of Christ. The only source we should use to operate the Body of Christ are the Scriptures. To do otherwise is spiritual adultery and idolatry and rebellion towards God to say the least as I have pointed out in my last blog article.
I have talked many times on my blog of the dangers of evil associations, partnerships, alliances, etc,. Of which Scripture clearly warns followers of Christ to avoid, like 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 for example. Yet, Jack Hibbs has a propensity to partner with numerous false teachers (as seen at the event Freedom Sunday he hosted at Chino Hills on October 11, 2020), like Che Ahn and others of the NAR and TBN, as Jack has been on TBN recently with Kirk Cameron. Not surprising that his buddies also do, like Charlie Kirk, who promotes TBN, Bethel Music and Sean Feucht as well as Paula White-Cain and the entire Catholic church. Much like another good friend of Jack's, Tony Perkins of the FRC. It is nothing short of amazing that so many "trusted ministers" among Christendom openly affiliate with false teachers and even refer to them as friends. Just because someone believes the 1st Amendment like you do doesn't make them a brother in Christ to have sweet fellowship with! Have we lost all discernment? Even the likes of John MacArthur has joined Jack and his cronies. John, who openly condemns false teachers and TBN and tells people not to associate with them, only to play the hypocrite himself by going against his own teachings. But its okay, John has his worldly grounded excuses to make him feel good. For instance, John had it pointed out to him during a question and answer session at a Shepherd's conference in 2019 concerning his friends that were guilty of the very errors that he has denounced, He replied, "Um, these are my friends. These are the men I love. I'll fight error, but I don't fight my friends. Why would I do that? I don't want to become an island." This response by a man who said: "False teachers are not to be dealt with lightly, not if you understand their error..." John who once said: "I generally avoid the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). For many years TBN has been dominated by faith-healers, full-time fund-raisers, and self-proclaimed prophets spewing heresy....Recently, however, while recovering from knee-replacement surgery, I decided to sample some of the current fare on TBN...But it left me outraged and frustrated—and eager to challenge the misperceptions in the minds of millions of unbelievers who see these false teachers masquerading as ministers of Christ on TBN." [2]
Yes, "trusted ministers" have a plethora of excuses for their association with false teachers. With the like who don't hold or practice their biblical worldview. As Jeremiah warned the people: "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." (17:5) Jack Hibbs and these other "trusted ministers" have trusted and partnered with false teachers, thus trusting in their human alliances rather than God.
Isaiah said it this way:
"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion." (30:1-3)
Isaiah also said of them:
"The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed." (9:15-16)
Certain is an accurate description of these "trusted ministers." Ezekiel said of the people:
" Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;" (14:3-10)
Notice how God gave them over to their foolishness (Ps. 81:11-12; Rom. 1:24) and answered them according to their foolishness much like Ahab and the 450 prophets of Baal that led Ahab to his destruction (2 Chr. 22) Afterward God sent Jehu to king Jehoshaphat and rebuked him saying: "Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD." (2 Chr. 19:2) Yet these "trusted ministers" are like king Jehoshaphat who had said to king Ahab: "I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war." (2 Chr. 18:3) Is this not what these "trusted ministers" are doing with the false prophet and teachers today? It certainly is! It's also worth noting that king Jehoshaphat followed after his own father Asa's poor example of trusting in Syria instead of the Lord to his own hurt. (2 Chr. 16) Yet, we see at king Jehoshaphat that he continued to make evil alliances that did not please the Lord. (2 Chr. 20:35-37) Take heed! Evil associations corrupt good morals. (1 Cor. 15:33) A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (1 Cor. 5:6) Do be deceived!
What have preachers of times past that these very "trusted ministers" I'm mentioning hold in high esteem said about evil associations and ecuminism?
Like Charles Spurgeon for instance:
“Complicity with error will take from the best of men the power to enter any successful protest against it … Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin … As soon as I saw, or thought I saw, that error had become firmly established, I did not deliberate, but quitted the body at once. Since then my counsel has been ‘Come out from among them.’ I have felt that no protest could be equal to that of distinct separation from known evil … That I might not stultify my testimony I have cut myself clear of those who err from the faith, and even from those who associate with them.” — C.H.Spurgeon., The Sword and the Trowel.–“”For Christians to be linked in association with ministries who do not preach the gospel of Christ is to incur moral guilt… to remain in a denominational alignment which condones error is to support schism.” — C.H.S., The Forgotten Spurgeon, pp. 164-165.“To be very plain, we are unable to call these things Christian Unions; they begin to look like Confederacies in Evil … It is our solemn conviction that where there can be no real spiritual communion there should be no pretense of fellowship. Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin.” — C.H.S., The Sword and the Trowel, November 1887.
Or John Gill, who preceded Spurgeon in the same pulpit said:
“he has fellowship with him, instead of reproving or shunning him, as he ought; he is an abettor of him in his principles, and so far joins in the propagation of them, and helps to spread them, and gives too much reason to think he is one with him in them.”
Then there's Arthur Pink who said:
“No excuse whatever is there for failing to understand the terms of this exhortation, and the reason with which it is supported. “Fellowship, communion, concord, part, agreement” are so plain they require no interpreter. All unions, alliances, partnerships, entanglements, with unbelievers are expressly forbidden to the Christian. It is impossible to find within the whole range of Holy Scripture plainer language on any subject than we have here. “Righteousness, unrighteousness; light, darkness; Christ, Belial”—what have they in common? What bond is there between them?”
Lastly, J Vernon McGee said:
“One who supports a false teacher is a partner in his error. Should not you and I be more careful today?”
Yet, Jack Hibbs and others continue to associate, and partner with false teachers.
For another reason, Jack should not be teaching rebellion to regulations he and those who formed the nonprofit corporation, "church" or ministry, initially agreed to follow, whether honestly or not. Rather they should eradicate, disannul this partnership and alliance with this heathen, worldly institution and return to a biblical worldview on how the Body of Christ is to operate and function in the world and encourage others in this pursuit.
Though I have reached out to Breanna and wrote to her about these things, briefly showing her why no part of the Body of Christ should be or become a 501c3 as I have written in this blog numerous times. To date, I have neither heard from her nor seen or heard any fruit from either party that they are even looking into removing themselves from this ungodly world system they have corrupted themselves with.
In the email I wrote to Breanna, I also brought up a recent article "pulpit problems" by another Harbinger "trusted minister", Ken Ham (the CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis ministry is also a government sanctioned nonprofit, who also frequents and promotes and helps fundraise for TBN, like the beloved Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, to keep their false doctrines available for the masses, yet he is a "trusted minister" ???), where he was writing about another "trusted minister", George Barna's (who also "makes the rounds" and associates with the numerous false teachers like NAR, FRC, TBN, CBN, Catholics, etc.) recent survey, that it seems everyone is talking about. In this article Ken wrote:
Sadly, I’m not shocked by the results of this study. Anyone who has heard me speak over the past few decades knows I’ve been calling the church to repent of compromise with the world’s thinking and get back to God’s Word. If we don’t take God’s Word as the ultimate and final authority, from its very first verse, compromise and syncretism are direct consequences. Truth becomes a “pick and choose” buffet instead of a commitment to God’s Word.We need a new reformation in the church—a return to the authority of God’s Word from the very first verse. Pastors need to repent of compromise and get back to first believing and then teaching God’s Word accurately, instead of adding the world’s opinions into Scripture.
Ken's words are spot on! Though he is not specifically talking about the 501c3 status of so-called Christian ministries, and churches, nor the licensing of ministers, Ken is talking about why these are failing in our culture. Yet, he never once mentioned an obvious factor: the Body of Christ's compromising and syncretizing and adultery and idolatry with the world through its alliance and partnership in choosing the government's sovereignty via the tax exempt status.
Are we not called to be ambassadors, emissaries, ministers and agents for the Kingdom of God to the world we were called out of? An ambassador is someone who is sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative. We cannot serve two masters. We are not called to be double agents. Yet, that is basically what a licensed minister is. Who are they honestly representing? God's Kingdom, or man?
Now Ken, like Breanna, Jack, George, and others need to take heed to Ken's own words: "I’ve been calling the church to repent of compromise with the world’s thinking and get back to God’s Word. If we don’t take God’s Word as the ultimate and final authority, from its very first verse, compromise and syncretism are direct consequences. Truth becomes a “pick and choose” buffet instead of a commitment to God’s Word. We need a new reformation in the church—a return to the authority of God’s Word from the very first verse. Pastors need to repent of compromise and get back to first believing and then teaching God’s Word accurately, instead of adding the world’s opinions into Scripture."
So when will you Ken and others "...repent of compromise with the world’s thinking and get back to God’s Word?" Or do you see it as a light thing when you preach to others to "...return to the authority of God’s Word...a return to the authority of God’s Word from the very first verse. Pastors need to repent of compromise and get back to first believing and then teaching God’s Word accurately, instead of adding the world’s opinions into Scripture." Could it be you are deceiving yourself, playing the hypocrite - do as I say, not as I do?
We were bought with a price (the blood of Christ! Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20), to do God's will and not our own or the will of our "good 'ol buddies" that we share our unbiblical worldview with! Yet, these "trusted ministers" appear to be willingly counting the blood of the covenant as an unholy, common, or ordinary thing bringing insult to the Spirit of grace! (Heb. 10:26-29) The writer of Hebrews also warned asking how can we escape if we neglect, or make light of so great a salvation (2:3) purchased by Christ's blood? His point being that we can't! Are these "trusted ministers" failing of the grace of God since they are insulting it? (Heb. 12:15) Remember, it's His grace that teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, that we should live discreetly, righteously, and godly in this present world. (Titus 2:11-12) Yet, these "trusted ministers" have not separated themselves from their evil associations.
I'll continue more on this topic next time, though I'll be looking at some other "trusted ministers" of Harbingers Daily.
I'll leave off by sharing my email that I sent to Breanna.
Greetings Breanna,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I'm writing to you today because I came across the article you had authored mentioned in the title of this email. I apologize that my email is not as concise as I had hoped it would be.
I understand what Jack Hibbs (and Josiah O’Neil) is doing. The unfortunate thing is they are going about it the wrong way. By the "wrong way" I'm referring to his partnership that he made years ago with his sovereign to do its bidding to receive the privileges granted him because of this union, namely to be a state ordained emissary. What exactly am I talking about? Namely his voluntarily seeking and obtaining licensing from the state to serve in his role, as well as his congregation voluntarily going to the state for establishment and privileges.
Allow me to put it another way. Where do you see Jesus or the apostles teaching in every city to go to Caesar to create an artificial, fictitious person, a legal entity, that derives its existence and all of its powers from the state and therefore, has only such powers as the state has conferred upon it. Whose existence is a privilege granted by Caesar, it's sovereign upon compliance with specified conditions? You don't!
A tax exempt nonprofit corporation is considered an artificial, fictitious person, a legal entity. It derives its existence and all of its powers from the state and therefore, has only such powers as the state has conferred upon it. It's existence is a privilege granted by the sovereign upon compliance with specified conditions.
Remember that the "church" of the Lord Jesus Christ is tax immune. Why would any born again, blood bought, child of God with a sound mind choose to go to the government and submit to them and their policies and regulations to form a tax exempted corporation to be conformed after the image, likeness and pattern of the world? Where do we see Paul using this approach in the book of Acts, or even instructing Timothy or Titus to do so? You don't!
When the Pharisees tried to ensnare Jesus concerning taxes to Caesar He asked to see a coin and enquired whose likeness and name or title is on it? Caesar's they said. Jesus replied to give to Caesar the things that belong to him and give to God the things that belong to Him. (Mt. 22:15-21) This question may sound absurd, but is the "church" Caesar's or God's? Well, God's of course! So why have the people of God given what belongs to God to Caesar by going to their government to grant their existence? They have a contractual agreement with Uncle Sam that bears his likeness, name and title, and grants them his privileges and benefits, rather than God's. If you are a 501(c)3 you do not belong to God! You have sold yourself to another master. (Gen. 25:29-34; Neh. 5:7, 8; 1 K. 21:20-21; 2 K. 17:17)
In regards to rendering unto Caesar the things that belong to him. I 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.
Remember, you can't serve two masters (Mt. 6:24) Who are you serving? Christ or the state? You cannot serve both! (Dt. 11:16) How can we have friendship or alliance or partnership with the world when we have been called out of it? (Jn. 15:18-19)
A sovereign is a supreme ruler. Therefore, if a group of believers in Christ go to another sovereign or supreme ruler other than Christ, Who alone is the Head or Sovereign over His body, seeking this other sovereign to grant them the privilege to exist, they have rejected Christ as their Sovereign completely. A kingdom or house divided against itself can not stand (Mk. 3:24-25). Jesus also said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Mt. 12:30)
It would be good that I remind you what an "accredited" minister is. In order to be an "accredited" or "licensed" minister, one obviously needs to attend an "accredited" religious institution of instruction.
Accreditation provides further assurance that certain programs adequately prepare students for "licensure" requirements. Such an institution has the government's stamp of approval. "Accredited" or "licensed" ministers are responsible for conducting the worship ceremonies in Christian congregations. Such individuals are typically recognized by the state as being qualified to carry out marriages, baptisms, funerals, and other rituals that may have legal implications as well as religious significance.
I'm sure you've heard ministers say at a wedding, "by the power vested to me by God and the state of..." Without such state licensing a minister has no authority to grant a marriage union that the state will accept. Therefore a "licensed" minister is a state emissary. Little wonder many ministers today are covid vaccine emissaries spouting the state's "politically correct" mantra.
What does it mean to be state approved? To register and operate under the government. Yes, that is what it means to be a nonprofit organization. The state owns you, not Christ! You are in bondage and servitude to the worldly state instead of Jesus Christ. Let that sink in for a moment. Little wonder that Barna's recent report has shown the lack of ministers with a biblical worldview.
Even Ken Ham has mentioned this report in his recent "pulpit problems" article you published. As Ken said:
Their prevailing worldview is best described as Syncretism, the blending of ideas and applications from a variety of holistic worldviews into a unique but inconsistent combination that represents their personal preferences.
Ken also said:
Rather than building their thinking on God’s Word, the majority of pastors are basing their beliefs on “personal preferences.” In other words, it’s like I’ve been saying for years: many in the church, including its leaders, have set themselves up as the authority over God and his Word. It’s a devastating disease and it’s infecting both pulpits and pews!
Lastly, Ken concluded with:
Sadly, I’m not shocked by the results of this study. Anyone who has heard me speak over the past few decades knows I’ve been calling the church to repent of compromise with the world’s thinking and get back to God’s Word. If we don’t take God’s Word as the ultimate and final authority, from its very first verse, compromise and syncretism are direct consequences. Truth becomes a “pick and choose” buffet instead of a commitment to God’s Word.We need a new reformation in the church—a return to the authority of God’s Word from the very first verse. Pastors need to repent of compromise and get back to first believing and then teaching God’s Word accurately, instead of adding the world’s opinions into Scripture.
This is basically the same concept with licensed ministers and nonprofit tax exempt so-called "churches" and "ministries". Like Ken I've been preaching that the "church" and it's ministers repent of their compromise, partnership, alliance with the state. They need to accurately discern and allocate God's Word and teach it and do it, instead of being conformed into the world's mold via their partnership with the state.
Amos 3:3 enlightens us that two cannot walk together except they are in agreement. In other words, two cannot have continual union, communion, fellowship, or partnership unless they are in agreement. Thus, the agreement with Caesar, the government, through their nonprofit tax exempt status. Also remember that God's assembly is already tax immune. There's no reason to submit to the state except that it be for worldly gains!
Where do you see this nonprofit tax exempt corporation practiced or even hinted at in the Scriptures? Remember, God never changes! (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8; Jam. 1:17) If it's not in the Bible, it's not of God, but rather a creation of man! Be a noble Berean (Ac. 17:11). Search the Scriptures diligently that you may show yourself worthy of God, correctly and accurately allocating and apportioning and dividing the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), and see if you can find anything about His congregation functioning as a tax exempt corporation. You need to be honest with yourself before God, as you alone will have to answer to Him. Where is the Scriptural backing behind a minister or congregation serving a sovereign state head for earthly benefits and privileges? The apostles didn't do this to promote the gospel? Even early church history reveals this and how the so-called "church" became ensnared into the state's image. I say "so-called" because history also reports how there was a faithful remnant who did not follow the path of statism, but after the pattern manifested in the Scriptures.
I've tried to reveal in a different light how a congregation's partnership with the state through a tax exempt nonprofit is like iron mixed with clay; like oil and water; like light and darkness; like righteousness with unrighteousness; like bitter and sweet; or like good and evil. God's kingdom and Satan's kingdom do not mix. Either you are in one or the other. Either Jesus is your Sovereign, or Satan, the god of this world is your sovereign. You can not have more than one head as Alan Smith's piece below shows.
On a hotel-provided shower cap in a box: “Fits one head.”Some of those warning labels conjure up some humorous images. Like the last one -- can you imagine trying to fit a shower cap onto two heads at once?
Ridiculous, huh? Almost as ridiculous as taking the body of Christ and suggesting it has more than one head. There is one body (Eph. 4:4), and it has only one head. Fortunately, that head is no earthly person or group of people. It is none other than the Son of God himself. Talk about hitting the nail on the head! Either your Head is Christ, or you've rejected Him and played the harlot, and have made a person, or group of people, the state, your head.
Now back to Jack Hibbs. Instead of encouraging rebellion against the sovereign he signed a legal document saying he would follow. The agreement never changed, yet Jack's opinions towards it changed. What Jack should be doing is calling all Christians to come out from their state sovereign and reject their tax exempt status and commit themselves to the Sovereign of the church according to His Word. What Jack is doing or attempting to do is silly in light of the big picture as I have attempted to depict. It's almost laughable, except there's nothing funny about it.
My hope is that you will take the time and research this out for yourself and pass it along to Jack Hibbs that he can have a greater influence on helping the church in America "wake up" and set itself apart from the world as a light and salt.
Thank you for your time and work.
Grace and peace,
Joe [Last name omitted from blog]
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