PRESSING THE ISSUE

In Paul's day, Israel's religion had long been a part of the Roman religious system. It was a legitimately recognized religion by the government. It had official licentia (license) from Rome.

Did it ever occur to you why Paul, a Roman born citizen, had legal battles and ended up executed by Rome?

When Paul started his ministry he was undoubtedly recognized under the licentia of Judaism. But he received progressive "revelations" (II Corinthians 12:1) from the Lord concerning "the mystery" (Ephesians 3:3). And the more truth he received and taught, the more he distanced himself and the church from Israel. The more clearly and strongly he taught "rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 3:15), the more he was saying in essence, "This, is not that." "The church the body of Christ is not Israel." And from town to town, and speech by speech he was pounding nails in his own coffin. He was identifying the church, the body of Christ as being outside of the religious system. He operated without licentia. But this was his intent! And one that he would lay down his life for!

Paul's ministry and life with the body of Christ had no markings of a religious system. He had:

- No creeds, confessions, articles of faith, or doctrinal statements (other
than Scripture)
- No schools, colleges, Bible institutes, or seminaries
- No clergy or reverends
- No boards or business meetings
- No church buildings, facilities, or plants
- No organizations, or clubs

How about you?

Are you a part of any man-made organization that professes to "represent God," "serve God," "minister for God," or the like?

Are you a part of any man-made religious organization that has it's own legal existence?

Have you, or must you fill out government forms for your man-made religious organization?

Does your man-made religious organization bear a name? (denominationalism)
Do you go "to church"?

Do you give or receive "tax deductible receipts" for your religious donations?

Does your "church" or religious organization depend upon government funds (i.e., money that's tax-exempt)?

Are you a joint-participant with every other "non-profit" religious organization in government recognition and tax-exemption? If so, you have a common-ground relationship with the "Christian"-cults (such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons), "non-Chrsitain" religions (such as Buddhists and Islam), and occult organizations (such as "Satanic churches")?

Do you not find this entire mess a mockery to God's present purpose with the church, the body of Christ? Isn't it a sad a grievous condition?

Paul ministered simply and freely to the body of Christ. He did not build machines or monuments. He built people. He build spiritually. He built eternally. How are we building?

"He builds too low who builds beneath the skies." Anon.

Paul gives us a solemn warning:

". . . Let every man take heed how he buildeth . . ." (I Corinthians 3:10)

Clyde Pilkington

Gladstone, VA

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Visit Clyde's web site at http://www.pilkingtonandsons.com


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