(It is interesting to note there is nowhere found extant in any Greek scrolls a word that can be correctly translated "church" -- the word "ekklesia" was so rendered [church] by the translators under King James, who was the Head of the Church of England. The translators lavished great honor on King James as they said: "And now at last, by the mercy of God, and the continuance of our labours, it being brought unto such a conclusion, as that we have great hopes that the Church of England shall reap good fruit thereby; we hold it our duty to offer it to Your Majesty, not only as to our King and Sovereign, but as to the principal Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of Your most Sacred Majesty, that since things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures of illmeaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince as Your Highness is..." Therefore, they could ill have translated the word as most modern scholars agree it should be translated, i.e., "the called out, the called out ones, the assembly, the group, or any group or assembly called out for some purpose".)

The truth of the matter is this: God set in place, through Jesus Christ, from the beginning of the last days (early New Testament times) what He wanted. Jesus blessed this arrangement from heaven and sent (after His ascension) the Holy Spirit to earth. The Holy Spirit has borne witness to the Son, confirmed the word through miracles, been the Comforter, and been Resident in the believer's heart. In the New Testament writings, believers were issued stern warnings of coming false teachers, false teaching (doctrine), false apostles and false (anti) Christs. Imposters, the scriptures warn, would come and continue to become worse and worse. It is so. Religionists since that time (modern-day included) have exchanged one set of laws (under Moses) for another set of laws (under Christ they say). Jesus and the apostolic writers all affirm that Jesus came to fulfill, complete and take the old law (which was against us and contrary to us) out of the way, nailing it to the cross. Jesus bought our freedom from bondage (with His blood) and the only law He brought in is the "law of liberty" which is the "law of love". Quite a different thing than the Law of Moses, isn't it?

However, most theological schools fail to see (give in to) the law of love, the law of liberty, the freedom we should enjoy in Christ. Why? It would mean giving all control (authority) to Jesus Christ who reigns from His Heavenly Throne. Jesus made the statement: "All power/authority in heaven and in earth has been given to me. (Matt. 28:18) Since Jesus has ALL AUTHORITY, that doesn't leave any authority for you or me (any men/women), does it? All subjects loyal to King Jesus must be SERVANTS, since a servant isn't above his Master.

Is something wrong with the picture yet? In the illustrations above, you should be able to see the old mixed with the new. That's not what God had in mind at all. It's not what the Bible teaches. There were no "special buildings" for saints to meet in until after 300 A.D. and that was only after Emperor Constantine had made Christianity the official state religion. Abuses begun earlier were given license; pagan beliefs were admitted and pagan practices were being practiced (concessions were made to gain everyone regardless of their idolatrous beliefs and practices). The majority in the universal (catholic) body gave way to abominations which, ultimately, plunged the world into spiritual darkness (approximately a thousand years known as the dark ages). A system (like unto the Old Testament) was laid over the New Testament which wreaked havoc of "the faith once for all given to the saints". Now there were tabernacles (cathedrals), priests and high priests (bishops & archbishops -- so-called), holy places (so-called), and the "new altar" (sacraments) which only the "clergy" could administer to the "laity" (separate classes of God's servants now). All this doesn't include the "religious language" that sprung up; i.e., the religious mumbo-jumbo only the clergy could understand (further separation between God's servants). The picture is still pretty fuzzy today; the trappings of all "organized" religions are with us and still going strong.

Did someone say unity? There is no hodge-podge, mish-mash, mixture of religious organizations (600+ and growing) hardly anywhere on earth as there is in the United States. In one of Jesus' last prayers, he fervently prayed that "they all might be one". Unite the more than 600+ denominated sects in our country? Where is an honest seeker of truth to turn? Which group is right? How can we know which ones are the real disciples of Jesus? Does it make any difference?

We read the plain statement of Jesus Himself that says: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." [Jn. 13:35] This is the litmus test: to love one another. Is that the one defining feature of your group? Is Jesus' name exalted in? Does your group meet under the Headship and by the authority of Jesus alone? The faithful disciples of our Lord were not presumptuous or self-willed. They were humble people with a simple message: Christ and Him crucified. Is that the "theme" of your group? Do people support and care for one another? Do they build one another up? Or is there no opportunity for one-on-one, face-to-face exchange? Do you get the feeling "someone" is in charge and running the show? Or do you have the distinct feeling that the Holy Spirit is in charge and all the servants are equals? Is there opportunity for everyone to speak, sing, pray, read scripture, or otherwise have input or make a contribution (not in the plate either)? Or does everything seem to be well-orchestrated, timed and controlled, a wonderful production of a religious theme? Is your religion traditional and satisfying? Are you truly "free" in Christ?

I'm not criticizing, please understand this. There are many people who are completely satisfied and have no qualms about their present religious affiliations and circumstances. To this I say a hearty "amen". God is able to use His servants wherever He puts them. However, there are many all across our land (and the world) whom God has set free from denominated, sectarian religion. They are now free indeed -- free in Christ -- some for the first time ever. They are free because Christ, the Son of God, has made them free. (Jn. 8:36) They are not shackled by institutionalized "religious machinery" any more. Some continue to meet in traditional church buildings; some meet in rented buildings, many in their homes and/or in the homes of others. They meet without clergy or pulpit ministers (no separate clergy or laity) and personal growth of each member of the body is the outcome; they don't take collections (unless someone has a need); they don't have to pay for a "building" (they are the building in which God is most interested -- the true temple); they emphasize building up the living stones, instead of the building fund.

In short, many today are meeting in much the same way God's people met in New Testament times almost 2,000 years ago. Back then, many served "outside the camp". (Heb. 13:10-14) Jesus said "where two or three are gathered together in My name, there will I be in the midst of them also." Man is much more interested in numbers than is God. Numbers (attendance and money) is of the world; it is a human thing. Who despises the day of small things? (Zech. 4:10) God always delights in using underdogs. Today, many have changed their focus; many more are in the process. It is a wonderful thing God is doing in our day in that many are no longer content with "religion". They want the real thing. They want to know Jesus and Him crucified! To know Jesus is to know God. He doesn't dwell in temples made with hands -- He dwells in these "living stones" who have the Word written in "hearts of flesh". They are the "ekklesia" or "the called out" and are meeting in homes (house churches) across the country and around the world! Our God is building up a "holy temple, an house not made with hands". Men and women are standing "outside the camp" today where Jesus stood 2,000 years ago. Amen.

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