Is Your Church Of God Or Man?

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? 

Are You Ignorant Of God's Will?

We cannot know God's will if we are ignorant of God's Word.

Unfortunately, there are many professing 'Christians' today who say that they not only know God, but also know His will. I say unfortunately, because many do not.

Look at the religious leaders of Jesus' day that didn't know the Scriptures (Mt. 22:29; Jn. 5:39; 16:3). Even His apostles didn't always understand (Acts 1:6). 

Even some of those that handled the Word of God in the OT did not know God (Jer. 2:8; Mal. 2:8).

Even in the NT people claimed to know God and His will yet proved to be workers of iniquity (Mt. 7:21-23; Rom. 2:17-24; Titus 1:16). 

Just because one spends a lot of time in Scripture, knows a lot about Scripture, can quote a lot of Scripture, does not mean they are a genuine child of God.

Jesus said that we would know them by their fruit (Mt. 7:15-20). Are they given to drunkenness? Are the homosexuals or given over to other sexual perversions? Are they liars? Covetous? Gluttonous? I could go on (Rom. 1:26-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21). They may have a form of godliness (2 Tim. 3:5), but have not come to the knowledge of the Truth (2 Tim. 3:7). They've possibly been given over to a reprobate mind (Rom. 1:24, 26), or been given a strong delusion because they don't have a love of the Truth (2 Th. 2:10-12).

How about you? Oh, no, you don't indulge yourself in such things. Glory be to God! Yet, do you take pleasure in them on a "one-eyed monster" (TV, cell phone, tablet, etc)? Do you watch or read or listen to things that are ungodly like hatred, fornication, cursing, rebellion, disrespect to parents or others in authority, etc? If so, you are not better off than those which do them (Rom. 1:32-2:3).

Again, can we know God's will if we are ignorant of if? No. Be not deceived! (Gal. 6:7) Make sure that you are a doer of God's Word (Jam. 1:22). Check EVERYTHING that you've EVER been taught about Scripture by EVERYONE (Acts 17:11), to make sure that your ears have never been tickled (2 Tim. 4:3-4). You will have to stand before the righteous Judge one day to give an account (Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Pet. 4:5). Do you teach or preach the Word? You need to be even more careful in how you handle it (Mt. 5:19; Jam. 3:1). 

As Paul told the Thessalonians, "prove all things". (1 Th. 5:21) Grace and peace to you.

Today I ask, do you have a love for His Truth? Well of course we do Joe! What a silly question! Satan knew Scripture and quoted it to Jesus (Mt. 4:6), yet he doesn't know the full truth of the Scriptures (1 Cor. 2:8). 

Satan appears as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) and his ministers as apostles of Christ (v 13) and ministers of righteousness (v 15). 

Jesus warned that MANY would come in His name and deceive MANY (Mt. 24:5, 11). With lying signs and wonders (2 Th. 2:9) insomuch that if it were possible to deceive the elect (Mt. 24:24).

Even in the law of Moses (Dt. 13:1+), God warned saying that if a sign or wonder occurs at the hands or lips of a minister or their word comes to pass, to beware. Why? It's possible that they might be leading you astray to serve other Christs or Jesus' (2 Cor. 11:4), introducing false doctrine or gospels (2 Pet. 2:1+). 

But you say, "I'm a child of God. He won't let me be deceived." Yet, God warned us that He allowed these false teachers and prophets to be among us, to prove us, whether we truly love Him with ALL of our heart and soul. Whether we will fear Him, obey Him and serve Him (Dt. 13:3-4). 

Many do not have the love of the truth (Ps. 50:16-17; 2 Th. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:3-4), therefore God gave them over and sent them a strong delusion that they would believe lies (Rom. 1:18-32; 2 Th. 2:11).

What? Surely you haven't been deceived? Surely you don't believe lies?

I have already mentioned how these deceivers would appear to be ministers of righteousness. Jesus called them sheep in wolves clothing (Mt. 7:15). Do you honestly believe that you cannot be deceived? We see examples of God's people being deceived and led astray from cover to cover of the Bible! Paul marvelled that the Galatians were removed to another perverted gospel, which is not another (Gal. 1:6-8). Paul warned the Corinthians as noted earlier - even warned them about those who corrupt the Word of God (2 Cor. 2:17), and handle it deceitfully (2 Cor. 4:2). 

Peter even warned saying that many would follow the false teacher's destructive ways (2 Pet. 2). John also gave many warnings even telling us to put to the test those who profess to be ministers of God (1 Jn. 4:1-3).

Paul warned the Romans to beware of their good words and fair speeches by which they deceive our hearts (Rom. 16:18). He warned the Ephesians not to be carried away with every wind of doctrine, by these "sheep in wolves clothing", who lie in wait to deceive (Eph. 4:14). Even that men would arise among them speaking a distorted message (Acts 20:30).

And the list of warnings go on. Why? Because God is a loving Father. We warn our own children about a hot burner on the stove, or to stay away from the road, or not to run around in a parking lot. Is not God's thoughts, ways and love far greater than ours? (Is. 55:8-9; Jer. 31:3; 1 Jn. 4:10) We warn and correct as seems good to us, yet God does it that we might be partakers of His holiness (Heb. 12:9-10). 

Again I ask, do you honestly love God and the truth of His Word? We are called to rightly divide the Word of truth that we may show ourselves approved before God and not ashamed (2 Tim. 2:15). We all, individually, will have to give an account to Him one day (Ecc. 12:14; Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). And it's a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the living God! (Heb. 10:31)

Yet, I know of many who will listen to their preachers and favorite Bible teachers and not examine their message whether it is truth or not. Another sad thing I've discovered is that most don't even know how to rightly divide or study the Scriptures for themselves! 

Remember, a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Gal. 5:9). Strychnine in rat poison is deadly too!

Jesus warned the apostles to beware of the leaven/doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:11-12), the religious leaders of their day, who made disciples into twice the children of hell than themselves! (Mt. 23:15) Yet, you believe all that the preachers and teachers present you is truth? Sure, some of them even comfort you, telling you to trust them. That alone should be a warning sign! Are you like a noble Berean who searched, examined, investigated and scrutinized the apostle Paul's teachings to see if they agreed with the truth of Scripture? If a man God inspired to write much of the NT had people examining what he taught, how much more should you be scrutinizing everything you hear from all that handle the Word of God?

Will you stand approved before God for handling His Word, rightly dividing His Word, teaching His Word, receiving the Word spoken and examining it and applying it or will you be ashamed? MANY that call Him Lord are not His (Mt. 7:21-23; Lk. 6:46) Don't be deceived (Mt. 24:4; Lk. 21:8; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 6:7). Don't deceive yourself (1 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 6:3; Eph. 5:6; Jam. 1:22).

Judgment At God's House?

 As we know, "judgment MUST begin at the house of God" ( 1 Pet. 4:17). The moral fabric of this nation has declined BECAUSE of the "church" that has compromised the message of the Lord, with another message of their "new" lord, corrupting the truth of God (2 Cor. 2:17) and preaching another Jesus (2 Cor. 11:4) foreign to Scripture. 

Paul forewarned Timothy and God's faithful to come, that false teachers (1 Tim. 1:4-7; 2 Tim. 4:3-4) and deceivers (2 Tim. 3:13) would arise among them (Acts 20:29-30) corrupting the Body of Christ to the point it would look no different than the world (2 Tim. 3:1-9). 

God showed Ezekiel the spiritual condition of His people (Ez. 8). God has also exposed the lawlessness of those who claim they are God's children, but rather are abominable and disobedient and reprobate (Tit. 1:16) Sin runs unchecked in many congregations and is often times encouraged (Is. 5:20; Mal. 2:17). Whether it's homosexuality, drunkenness, gluttony, fornication, adultery, covetousness, idolatry, etc (Rom. 1:18+; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21, etc). They are not ashamed of it (Jer. 6:15), neither do they hide it (Is. 3:9). Yet, God sees (Prov. 15:3). It's an abomination to Him (Prov. 17:15) and rewards those that oppose and rebuke such behavior (Prov. 24:24-25). God calls us to cast such people out! (Dt. 17:7; Mt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:1-13). A little leaven leavens the whole lump (Ecc. 9:18; 1 Cor 5:6; Gal. 5:9).

The so-called "churches" have also sold themselves to another lord (Gen. 25:31-34; 1 K. 21:20; 2 K. 17:17; Is. 50:1), and have built their own kingdoms on this earth. They have even made a covenant with another and rejected their Lord His rightful place. They have sold themselves to Caesar and have corrupted themselves with their non-profit "corporation" status and yet ask, "how have we corrupted ourselves?" (Mic. 3:11) Yet many say they will ride this beast; milk this cow as long as they can.

Some are so smug saying "we are the true "church" and are not like the denominations". Yet, they are like them and run after them in their folly and have joined unto them in the same covenant with Caesar, that even the godless have joined (Jer. 3:1, 6, 8; Ez. 16: 28, 31-32), therefore being partakers of their sins and iniquities as well (1 Cor. 11: 32; 2 Jn. 1:9-11; Rev. 18:4). Their true name is "corporation of Caesar". Don't believe me? Check out the paperwork - it's in black and white. They are Caesar's corporation, not the Lord's "church". You can only have one master and lord (Mt. 6:24; Rom. 6:16).

Yet the "watchmen are blind: they are ignorant, they all are dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber." (Is. 56:10) Yet God has sent His messengers to warn (2 K. 17:13). He set true watchmen that blew the trumpet, but His people refused to listen (Jer. 6:17; Zec. 1:4; Mt. 13:14-15; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).

It's high time that the people of God awake to true righteousness and true holiness and start worshipping the Lord in spirit and truth instead of in the spirit and falsehood. Will the true watchmen step up and blow the trumpet? Will the saints (the holy ones) of God separate themselves; make a clean break from the god of this world and the children of disobedience and wrath (Eph. 2:1-7) and walk worthy of the Lord? (Col. 1:10)

Of a truth, only a few will (Mt. 7:14; 20:16; Rom. 9:27; 11:5; 1 Pet. 3:20).

Where Are Men Like John The Baptist

 Where are men like John the baptist, who came in the spirit of Elijah?

John was a man that exposed sin, and called repentance to all and salvation for all through the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29). For the common man (Mt. 3:5; Lk. 3:10-11), the tax collectors (Lk. 3:12-13), the soldiers (Lk. 3:14), the religious leaders (Mt. 3:7), and even the political rulers (Lk. 3:19). 

How many preachers are like that today? Many won't do anything about sin or false doctrine in their own congregation, let alone call out political leaders and their sins. They just tend to sugar coat and gloss over sins. 

Why? There are many reasons for this, the primary being that they were taught error from their youth, or during their studies to be a preacher, or even after they began preaching through other influential preachers or even the cry of their flock, turned them to error.

We also see that John was like the apostles, in that he was an unlearned and ignorant man (Acts 4:13), in that he didn't go to a religious school to learn. Man didn't ordain him to preach or he wouldn't have been preaching in the wilderness (Lk. 7:24-26). He stood apart, unstained and untainted from the system. He would not have been a part of the 501(c)3 system that preachers and flocks belong to today, but rather would have exposed and condemned them for what they really are.

He was a man that lived a life of self-denial. Look at his dress and diet and his abode. The world was certainly crucified to him! Look at the many preachers that some would say have the best of both worlds today, which if you are in Christ, that can't honestly be said. 

Because of his preaching against sin all men didn't speak well of him. The religious and political leaders most certainly despised him and it was eventually at the command of king Herod that he lost his head. Today, some preachers may preach against sin and receive many "amens" from the pew sitters, yet, where is the repentance from those sins preached against? They are like those in Ezekiel's day that loved to hear him preach but afterwards continued in their sins (Ez. 33:30-32).

Again, where are the preachers like John today? Making waves. Upsetting the status quo. Stirring up the hornet's nest. Setting themselves apart from the religious system of our day? Pointing all to a holy walk before the Lord.

Have you looked in the mirror lately? Are you a doer of the Word and not a hearer only? Do you relish the praise of men more than the praise of God? Have you cast aside your Head and made another man and their 501(c)3 system your head instead? Do you preach against sin, yet continue to indulge in it yourself? Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Gal. 6:7).

Arise! Stand up and go forth! Some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame (1 Cor. 15:34)

In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things love. A Look At Romans 14

 In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things love.

This seems time be the gist of what preachers and teachers use in defining Romans chapter 14. The most popular verses they like to employ are 5 and 6, especially when it comes to celebrating holidays like Christmas or Easter, for example. At face value, one can see how it's easy to read into the text something that is not there. Read the text for yourself.

 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

It would seem that Paul is giving us the liberty to treat any day the way we like. We must remove our 21 century thinking from the text and read it with the same understanding that the Romans, whom the letter was written to, had.

What is the background for the writing of this chapter? Rome, like other Christian communities throughout the empire where the gospel had been received, had Judaizers that tried to get the Gentile converts to obey the ceremonial law with circumcision, avoiding unclean foods and observing the sabbaths, new moon and other feast days found in the law of Moses. 

Being ensnared to be under the law (our schoolmaster Gal. 3:1-6; 24-25; 5:1) that God had ordained to be observed to serve and worship Him until the seed of promise came (Gal. 3:19) This is quite different than taking pagan worship of other gods and practicing them (Lev. 20:24, 26; Dt. 11:16). The difference is night and day. Though neither of them produce good results. How we serve, follow and worship God is an essential that requires unity.

Therefore, knowing this, it not only makes verses 5 and 6 better to understand, but in reality, the entire chapter.

That pagan holidays where not mentioned in this chapter is evident. Gentile believers generally cast away their former worship of idols (1 Th. 1:9) and dark arts (Acts 19:18-20), though those in Corinth being an exception, which caused Paul to warn them about their fleshly and worldly behavior. Nevertheless, false teachers did bring in foreign religions and philosophies corrupting sound doctrine (Col. 2:8, 18; 1 Tim. 1:4; 6:20; 2 Pet. 2:1-3, etc)

As history reveals, the celebration of Christmas and Easter came centuries later. A syncretizing, a mixing of "Christian" elements in with the pagan festivals as supposedly an "evangelistic' tool, is how these holidays originated. Which goes against the Word of God (Dt. 29:10-21; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, etc). Today we would call this an unhealthy compromise in that we are compromising our core values and beliefs and standards of our faith and become spiritually and morally bankrupt. Don’t be deceived. Stepping away from God’s truth always begins with what appears to be a harmless thought or act. But the end result is deep regret, sorrow, bondage, and separation from God. (Heb. 12:15-17)

We see an example of this in king Solomon's life as recorded in 1 Kings chapter 11 where his heart was turned away from fully following the Lord, to also following other gods, which the Lord commanded not to do (v10; Dt. 13:2; 28:14; etc). As noted by Albert Barnes, "He (Solomon) thus became the author of a syncretism, which sought to blend together the worship of Yahweh and the worship of idols." As reading 1 Kings chapter 11 reveals that God was not pleased with this.

Even Paul asked the Corinthians, "what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God as God hath said..." (2 Cor. 6:16).

Paul also told the Corinthians - "the things the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils (idols, v28), and not to God; and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do you provoke the Lord to jealousy?" (1 Cor. 10:20-22)

Just verses before this, Paul exhorted them with an example of when the children of Israel made a golden calf after the manner of the Egyptians from whom they came out from with the words, "neither be ye idolaters, as we're some of them (v 7). In chapter 6, Paul mentioned that some of the Corinthians had been idolaters (v 9), but have been sanctified, and set apart from that now, or as he said to the Thessalonians, "ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Th. 1:9).  

He continued to exhort them in verse 12 saying, "Let him that standeth take heed, lest he fall (back into their old ways)". Then again reminded them in verse 14 to "flee from idolatry". 

I brought this up to show again that the early Christians left their former manner of worship to serve the living and true God. Therefore, Paul was not telling the Romans it was okay to worship God as they worshipped their former gods. As Jesus said, "ye cannot serve both God and mammon" (Mt. 6:24). Again, Solomon's life teaches us that! Yet, to worship the one true God after the law of Moses was a snare to the Gentiles by the believing Jews (Acts 15:1-2; Gal. 4:10-11; Col. 2:16-17; etc)

Paul did teach that an idol is nothing (1 Cor. 8:4; 10:19). That we are not under the ceremonial law and that there is no unclean food to us (Rom. 14:14; 1 Cor. 10:25; 1 Tim. 4:4). Though at the first Jerusalem counsel to determine whether the Gentile converts needed to observe the law of Moses (Acts 15) it was determined that the Gentiles eat not food sacrificed to idols (Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25). Eating foods sacrificed to idols is considered a stumbling block (Rom. 14:13; 1 Cor. 8:9; Rev. 2:14; 20).

Now, returning to the 21 century mindset of preachers and teachers. They often consider those who will not celebrate Christmas, Easter, etc, as the weak believers, yet consider themselves as the strong (Rom. 14:1-2). If this is the case, how should the stronger believers treat those whose consciousnesses are weak on such things?

In Romans 14 starting in verse 14 Paul says that "nothing is unclean of itself", but to him that esteemeth anything unclean, to him it is unclean". I think we understand this. Yet, Paul continues in verse 15, "But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably". Paul is saying that if you know it's okay to eat "bacon", for example, and you continue to eat it in front of your weaker brother, or even talk about eating it in front of your weaker brother, or even post such things on social media for your weaker brother to see, who believes it's not something a follower of Christ should do, then you are not walking in the love of Christ towards them! (1 Cor. 10:24; 28-29; 13:5; Eph. 4:1-3; Php. 2:4; 21, etc) In fact, Paul continues in the verse saying, "Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died". Would you be willing to walk in love and give up your "bacon" for a weaker brother?

In verses 19 and 20 Paul says, "follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God...it is evil for that man who eateth with offence".

Paul writes something similar to the Corinthians in chapter 8 of the first letter. In verse 9 he tells them to "take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak". That, "through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died". (v 11) Paul also refers to it as a stumblingblock in Romans 14:13.

In verse 12 Paul continues, "but when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ". Meditate on that for a minute. So if we continue with our "bacon" and doing our own thing (1Cor. 10:24; Php. 2:4), walking after our own covetousness (Jer. 6:13; Ez. 14:3; 33:31; Col. 3:5), we not only wound our weaker brother's conscience and possibly cause him to perish. Paul also calls it a sin against that weaker brother and Christ! 

What does Paul suggest to the stronger believer? "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother offend." So Paul says don't do it! Don't touch that "bacon"!

Jesus Himself also warned about offending one who believes in Him, saying, "it were better for him (the offender) that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and be cast into the sea (Mt. 18:6), than that he should offend one who believes in Him". (Lk. 17:2) So eating your "bacon" and offending, wounding, and destroying a weaker believer is quite serious indeed!

While I have been using "bacon" as an example. When we look back to Romans 14 and foods and days, the 21 century preacher and teacher should apply a similar approach to holidays such as Christmas and Easter. If a weaker brother is offended or wounded by your celebrating such holidays, then you, as the stronger believer, should say something along the lines of Paul - "if Christmas offends my weaker brother, I will have nothing to do with Christmas while the earth remains, lest I offend my brother". Yet, when have you heard a preacher or teacher say this, let alone practice it? Typically what is said and taught is, "I'll celebrate Christmas even though I know it offends you." What a display of Christian love! Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (Jn. 13:35)

Therefore, would you conclude that the 21 century preacher or teacher is teaching the truth of God's Word and walking in love towards weaker believers by doing as they please without consideration of offending them? Certainly not! 

I hope you have learned a number of things through this brief article, primarily: 1) what Paul was truly writing about to the Romans in chapter 14 - speaking of the feast days, sabbaths, etc of the law of Moses and not pagan festivals of the like where Christmas and Easter have derived from; and 2) if the 21 century preachers and teachers instruct that it's okay to celebrate Christmas as long as it's to the Lord, yet offend and destroy the weaker brother who Christ died for, and sin against both them and Christ, because the weaker believer thinks it's wrong to celebrate - then how is their celebrating in honor of Christ? How is it "not seeking your own, but another's profit?" Is such a person loving in a Christ honoring way? Something for you to consider and take to heart and practice. Remember that "we are not to follow a multitude to do evil (bad)". (Ex. 23:2)

Again, I hope this article has been beneficial to you and that you may bear much fruit through it to the glory of God.

κυριακός What? More Greek?

Last time we looked briefly at the Greek word ekklesia as this is the word that is erroneously translated/substituted as 'church' in English translations of the Bible. 

I mentioned that the word 'church' didn't even appear until the mid-fourteenth century. 

So now I will look at how we came to the origin of the word 'church'.

'Church' has it's origin in an entirely different Greek word than ekklesia. The word being kuriakos. Kuriakos is only found two times in the NT (1 Cor. 11:20; Rev. 1:10), and a few times in the writings of the 'early church fathers', and not at all in the LXX. So it is difficult to develop an understanding of what the word means, yet it seems to apply a certain quality of belonging to a lord or master. This is an entirely different topic that I'll get into some time later.

Now over time, the place where believers met was called 'the Lord's house' using the Greek word kuriakon, which derives from kuriakos.

This word eventually became known as 'kirche' in German, 'circe' in Anglo Saxon, 'kirk' in Scotish/Norse, 'chereche, chiriche, chirche, churche, cherche, etc' in Middle English and 'cirice, circe' in Old English.

When Luther translated the NT into German in 1534, he did not use the word 'kirche' to translate ekklesia, but rather chose the German word 'gemeinde', which is similar to the English word community.

When John Wycliffe translated the first Bible into English in 1382 from the Latin, he translated the Latin word ecclesiam into "chirche". What led Wycliffe to do this?

According to the Ebenezer Cobham Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable of 1898 concerning the word "church" it says:

"The etymology of this word is generally assumed to be from the Greek, Kuriou oikos (house of God); but this is most improbable, as the word existed in all the Celtic dialects long before the introduction of Greek. No doubt the word means "a circle." The places of worship among the German and Celtic nations were always circular. (Welsh, cyrch, French, cirque; Scotch, kirk; Greek, kirk-os, etc.) Compare Anglo-Saxon circe, a church, with circol, a circle." 

In England, the Druids would gather in stone circles, like Stonehenge, to worship their pagan gods. Many of the first Catholic houses of worship were located at these sites or were built with the stones from these sites. Therefore, the people attached the words "chirche", "cirice", or "kirk" to these buildings in error, as we learned in a previous blog post, ekklesia has no connection with a building, but rather a called out gathering of citizens, namely Christians.

When Tyndale translated the NT into English in 1536, he also did not use the word 'church' for ekklesia, but rather chose the word congregation. The Great Bible (1539) and the Bishop’s Bible (1568) also did the same.
In Wycliffe’s first translation of the Latin Vulgate into English in 1395, he used chirche for ekklesia. The Geneva (1557), Rheims-Douay (1582), and King James (1611) for some reason followed the approach taken by Wycliffe, rendering this “church” as have most English translations since then, simply because the KJV was the common translation for so many years.

It's interesting to note that in some modern languages, the true definition of ekklesia was used, like, in French (église) and Spanish (iglesia), rather than their word for 'church'.

As we have seen looking at the words ekklesia and kuriakos that the word 'church' did not originate from ekklesia nor from the concept of ekklesia. Ekklesia has an entirely different meaning than kuriakos. As you can see, there is a major problem here. We are not to add to or take away from God's Word (Dt. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6). Yet, the translators inserted the word 'church' in the English versions for ekklesia. They were not translating the word ekklesia in the text as one might expect. Rather, they were substituting an entirely different word, kuriakos, instead. This is wrong!

The word 'church' could be an acceptable translation for kuriakos seeing it derives from that word. However, the word 'church' is not an acceptable translation for ekklesia. Consider this carefully. The Word of God is Truth (Jn. 17:17). Yet, the word 'church' should never be used for ekklesia - a called out assembly. What will you do the next time you read and see the word 'church'? What should you do the next time you read and see the word 'church'? Is what you are reading or saying true? We'll be judged for every idle word we speak (Mt. 12:36). If we are to call Bible things by Bible names, as a popular slogan goes, then how can we honestly think that we can use the word 'church' instead of called out assembly or congregation as the word ekklesia is genuinely defined? Calling a tree a rock doesn't make it so, no matter how many times we refer to it as such. Or how about calling an apple a banana? The same can be applied to referring to ekklesia as 'church' instead of a called out assembly or congregation. Just because we do, doesn't make it so.

Let me put it another way to show the seriousness of applying a word with a different meaning to another word. I'll use two Greek words this time you should be familiar with - christos and antichristos. Would substituting or swopping the meaning of either word make a difference? Most certainly! It's honestly no different with the word ekklesia. 

There are believers which profess that they belong to the true and biblical 'church' because it's name can be found in Scripture (maybe) and they will vehemently stand by it's name and vehemently condemn your assembly if it cannot be found in their English Bible. False teachers do the same with their doctrines of devil's (1 Tim. 4:1) because they use Bible names for them and deceive many (Mt. 4:6; 24:4-5, 11, 24; 2 Tim. 3:13). 

Now the believers of the true and biblical 'church' will say that 'church' of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; etc) and 'church' of Christ (which this one is sad because the phrase does not appear in Scripture! Check it out. How deceived can one be? Though you will find 'churches' of Christ once - Rom. 16:16) are biblical because they are found in their English translation of the Bible (except as noted above), which I have shown to be faulty. Though I have pointed this out to some of them, they just brush it off and continue on as if I never mentioned it. Is their doctrine more important than the truth? The apostle John said he has no greater joy than to hear that his children walk in truth (3 Jn. 1:4). Would John be pleased with them? Do they enjoy speaking and teaching lies (Rev. 21:27; 22:15)? Jesus told the Jews that they where of their father the devil. That he was a liar from the beginning and the father of lies. (Jn. 8:44) How are these believers different than the false teachers I mentioned early? 

Take time and reflect and decide what you will do with the English word 'church' in your Bible.