Congregations of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 2

First, we see that never is there any instance in the New Testament of the believers
building any house of worship. Of course, there was a Temple in existence during the
time some of the New Testament was written but this is different. First, it was a legitimate
Temple of the Lord on the designated spot for the Temple. It was also built before the
New Testament Church was begun. The Temple of course wouldn't meet the needs of
those living some days travel away from it, let alone some weeks or even months travel
time. Paul (as well as all the other Apostles) never got involved with any Church building
type project. This concept of getting the believers to pay for a building that they
themselves don't even own or control and can't even live in, is of course an unbiblical
practice.

The collection is for the Saints and the legitimate ministry workers who are of course also
Saints. Can the believers with needs go to the owners of these buildings and say we are
out of work and can't pay our bills, let us live in the building or go sell the building so we
can have our needs met? Sure they could go and make such a request but I have never
heard of any of these so called churches selling their real estate to meet the needs of it's
congregants. In the New Testament Church the believers sold their own personal real
estate to meet the needs of their brothers and sisters.

Now, the Church going to a bank or other lending institution to borrow money at a high
interest rate to build a building is even more absurd. These so called churches, use the
real estate to give themselves credibility. It's too easy for a few people who love the Lord
to start a church if the only requirement was to have a house. Satan has an incredibly
intense fear of believers meeting together, especially if they're not in sin. See Math.18:20:

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of
them."

The church building is another obstacle satan tries to put in front of those starting to meet
in houses. Many feel there is a lack of credibility to a congregation meeting in a house.
This is wrong, it is the way to meet. There were synagogues in the days of the New
Testament writings. The Apostles could've raised money to construct such synagogue or
church type buildings if they felt it was correct.

If I were to set out to do something wrong, I know the conviction that I would come
under would be uncomfortable enough to make me go to the scriptures and prayer right
away to see where I went wrong and correct my mistakes. If you are a believer you will
know exactly what I am talking about. I have no idea how anyone in God's service,
supposedly being led by the Holy Spirit, in submission to God and in charge of a
congregation, could ever go ahead and build a building with the money from the
believers and call it a Church and not even let the congregation members that paid for it,
own it or live in it. Look the meetings should be held in homes and the money saved
could be used to meet the needs of the congregants or if all their needs were met it could
be used to help another congregation meet their needs.
The Greek word for Church (ekklessia, Strong's #1577) means a congregation or a group
called out. The Greek word has nothing to do with real estate such as a building. Go out
from these so called churches.

2Pet.2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise
of you: whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not."

The making merchandise of you is getting you to pay for real estate they own and or
control. They can sell it, rent it, or mortgage it. It is a solid worldly item of bankable
value. This diverts the money from being used to meet the needs of the believers.

The meeting in homes also limits the size of the congregation. Perhaps 25-35 people
could comfortably meet in a modern day American home, perhaps even 40 or 50 with
some larger homes. The exact amount isn't important but it should be noted that groups of
several hundred or thousands won't be able to fit into homes. A small group is more
advantageous. It let's every one know everyone else. A person living in sin will have a
much harder time escaping detection in a smaller group. Think about it.

The same goes for people who won't share their worldly goods to meet the needs of those
believers in need. The restricted size will serve to keep the false believers out of the
congregation. False believers are not interested in helping the believers with their
problems financial or otherwise, they are interested in increasing and creating problems
for the believers. Remember, home groups as a function of a large church that owns real
estate, is not the same thing as congregations that meet in homes. Don't be deceived.

1 Tim.5:20 should be noted and followed and of course is easier to do in a small group:

"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."

This of course is almost never seen in the churches that own real estate. Aren't they
interested in causing the congregation to fear to sin? Have you ever seen anyone rebuked
before all for not following 1Cor.5:11, Rom.16:17, 2Jn.9-11, 2Thes.3:14, 1Tim.6:3-5, or
1Jn.5:21. Our gospel doesn't not allow for us to fellowship with any sort of character,
doing anything they want contrary to the scriptures yet at the same time holding
themselves out to be a believer.

The next point regarding meeting in houses is perhaps one of the most important. As the
congregations of the Lord Jesus Christ start to act in one accord and cling to all of the
Doctrines of Jesus and the Apostles, the body of Christ will become more and more
empowered. This means that a persecution could be a possibility. How can a real estate
holding Church that has hundreds or thousands of people meeting together in one
building, get through any serious persecution? The enemy knows they're all in one place
on Sunday morning which would make it very convenient for the enemy. If the property
was to be confiscated or destroyed what would the people do ? Where would they meet ?
They're too attached to the real estate, or in other words the things of this world. They'd
go into confusion and have to start organizing meetings in houses during the onset of a
persecution. The false believers would be relatively unknown since the church was so
large. They would probably have a real hard time of things, learning their lesson the hard
way in the middle of a persecution. Most importantly, at a time when many would need to
draw on the strength and faith of others, these others would be running around trying to
put the pieces together under most adverse conditions. Their effectiveness in a time of
great need would be greatly diminished. You want to know who is tested and tried to be
faithful in the little things before you have to rely on them for the big things.

Lk.16:10 " He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that
is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."

A cluster of house congregations is harder to confuse and defeat. They can go

underground very easily just changing houses, or meeting outdoors when necessary.
Think about it. Satan wants the believers easy to defeat. With a lot of smaller house
churches instead of one big church, there are numerous leaders in place in each
congregation with people holding higher offices overseeing the groups. If a leader of a
congregation meeting in a certain house is taken out of the picture, it is a simple matter
for one of the other leaders to step in.

Bear in mind the New Testament Church according to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ, has five offices. Everything does not rest on a person called the Pastor.

Eph.4:11 " And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and
some pastors and teachers. "

A Church functioning with only the office of pastor or perhaps teacher filled, is of course
not doctrinally correct which means they are preaching another gospel. They are saying
their church doesn't have five offices, but we know the Bible calls for five offices and of
course God will fill these office but only in his church. For the Church to be empowered
and function correctly these offices must be filled. Correct doctrine calls for these other
offices to be filled. Pray for true congregations to emerge with all the offices filled, and
soon. Nowhere does the New Testament indicate that any of these offices are to be done
away with at this point in time. Nowhere!

The Church of The Lord Jesus Christ operates according to him, he is the head of it.

Eph.5:23 - 24 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the
church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so
let their wives be to their husbands in everything."

You see the true Church of The Lord Jesus Christ will be listening to him as the head and
following his doctrines, which are contained in the New Testament. When you see these
doctrines not being followed there is a big problem because that church is not operating
with the Lord Jesus Christ as it's head. Read Math.12:30:
 " He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth
abroad."

Now that you read it, believe it and walk in it. The Lord Jesus Christ doesn't have some
churches operating differently than others. It's always the same in every one of his
churches. There is only one set of doctrines and they are conveniently written down for
you in your Bible.

Go back and read about Annanias and Saphira (Acts chapt.5). The church didn't go and
reach out to them and smother them with warm fellowship after their lies were
discovered. In Acts 5:9 Peter prophesied Saphira's death to her before she literally
dropped dead. By the standards they teach in these so called churches today, Peter would
be considered harsh, cruel and ungodly, wouldn't he? Theirs is another Gospel. Read
about Paul calling blindness down on a guy interfering with his witnessing (Acts 13:11).
Read about Paul delivering people over to Satan (1Cor.5:5).What would this so called
church say about Paul's behavior? You know what he'd be accused of: being harsh, cruel,
lacking love, controlling etc. What would satan say about Peter and Paul? Do you think
what satan would say sounds like what the so called church today would say? The true
gospel is one of power, strength and glory but requires obedience. Our Bible heroes didn't
fool around, did they ? Satan hates to see power operating in the body of believers.

Next, let's consider the subject of the cross. Nowhere in the New Testament do we see
anyone wearing a cross on their neck or anywhere else. We don't see the body of
believers making the sign of the cross, we don't read of crosses on houses or buildings or
pulpits. We also don't read of any other sign like that of a fish, etc. being used by the
Apostles. The cross is spoken about figuratively. We are never told to go out and get
crucified literally. Nor are we told to go get a large wooden cross (or a not so large cross)
and drag it around with us or wear it all day long. When you put up a cross on a pulpit or
a building you have made it into an idol. Have you never heard them call for people to
come to the cross and this is usually done with a cross in place, in the front at an altar of
some sort. Folks this is cleverly but intentionally devised idolatry.

What about songs focusing on the cross instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. What's that one
called that they sing "I will cherish that old rugged cross." You come to God in the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and for prayer, not to a cross. A piece of wood
shaped like a cross will not save you, and if you turn it into an idol it can certainly be
harmful. Look the New Testament Church didn't build altars (with or without crosses) in
the houses they met in and they didn't wear crosses. Read Rom. 10: 9:

" That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that god hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Just because Jesus died on a cross and it is spoken of in the Bible, it doesn't mean it can't
be made into an idol. Of course we all know that the Roman Catholics use statues (they
also use crosses) in their places of gathering. Question yourself as to how they can
scripturally do this in the face of the prohibition against idols:

1Jn.5:21 "Little children keep yourselves from idols."

They can't. They will say that the statue (idol) reminds them of who they are praying to,
compared to a person who prays directly to the statues or idols. This is of course
nonsense and both types of behavior concerning statues and idols are to be avoided as
sinful. What the Devil has done is turned the cross into an idol, deceiving the believers
into accepting it since a statue of some ancient demon idol would be much harder to sell
them on. The cross on the roof of the church, or anywhere else is a sign of idolatry and
avoid such places.

If someone knows you to be a man or woman that is God fearing and loving and sees you
go in such a place they may be snared to do so also. There is also a prohibition against
eating food sacrificed to idols, see Acts 21:25. Read Paul talking to believers about eating
food sacrificed to idols. I'll quote part of it,

Acts 8:10-11 " If any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's
temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things
which are offered to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for
whom Christ died."

These churches have a different gospel, they just use the real Bible to develop their
gospel. Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Scientists), Joseph Smith (Mormons), and the
jehovah witnesses use the real Bible to develop their gospel as well. Please note they
don't practice what the Bible calls for and they don't preach according to the Bible, but
they use it even preaching out of it. Don't be deceived. And please remember 1 Thes.5:22:

" Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Stay out of these Churches. Don't wear crosses or have them. Believers don't make the
sign of a cross with their fingers on their body when praying. This too is idolatry. Don't
put those fish medallions on your car. If you want to advertise the fact that you're a
believer put a scripture verse on your car or in your window.

Now, there are some so called churches that are in a Denomination. What is a
denomination anyway? Is it in the Bible? Sure, the concept is in the Bible but it's treated
as a sin! Let's read about it.

1Cor.1:12-13 " Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul; and I of
Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you?
or were you baptized in the name of Paul."

1 Cor.3:3-4 " For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife,
and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and
another I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?"
You see denominations are sinful divisions designed to divide up the body of Christ.
Read Math.12:25:

" And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every Kingdom divided against
itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not
stand."

This is the goal of satan, to have the believers divided. Each denomination is subtly, but
firmly holding itself out to be better than and separate from the believers outside of their
denomination. Read Rom.16:17:

" Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary
to the doctrine which ye have learned: and avoid them."

We are told to avoid those causing divisions. This means in plain English stay away from
any church that calls itself a member of any denomination. Remember what Paul said
regarding those who say they are of Apollos or Cephas. The equivalent of this today is
when a believer says I'm a Baptist, or a Lutheran, an AG man or woman, etc. The word in
the King James "offenses" (referencing Rom.16:17 quoted a few lines up) is not
translated as accurately as it should be. It is Strong's #4625 and it means a snare, a
stumbling block, or a cause of sin or error.

You see the making of divisions and the setting up of snares goes together as our Bible
teaches us. We read of the Church at Corinth, Rome, Ephesus, etc. It is the same Church
always, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of which he is the head and he is not
interested in having his body divided against itself. Avoid denominations. Don't believe
they 're not divisions. How could they get any more divided. Read Gal.5:19-21 from my
interlinear New Testament and pay attention to the words divisions and sects:

" Now manifest are the works of the flesh, which are adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strifes, jealousies, indignations,
contentions, divisions (Strongs # 1370), sects (Strongs # 139), envyings, murders,
drunkenness, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you beforehand you, and
even as also I said before, that they who such things do kingdom God's shall not inherit."

This is a literal translation and thus a bit choppy. The KJV translates divisions as
seditions, and sects as heresies but the underlying Greek words open it up to us. God
considers divisions and sects to be a serious offense, serious enough to keep a person out
of heaven. So according to the Word of God divisions and offenses can eternally damage
a person as much as murder, adultery, fornication and so forth. Hmmmmm. It is not okay
for us to go and fellowship in any old church irrespective of what they teach and practice
is it? If you want to go and put yourself spiritually under those committing such sins all I
can do is point out the scriptures but as for me and my house we'll serve the Lord Jesus
Christ.
 Psalm 1:1 " Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."

Some of you will want to E-mail me and argue how a denomination can exist without
being a division or a sect. It's impossible. By definition a denomination is a division or a
sect, why have them if they weren't. Remember Paul's discourse regarding Apollos and
Cephas. They both had correct doctrine and served the Lord Jesus Christ, yet Paul still
admonished this behavior as being divisive. They didn't even call themselves apollonians
or cepallians and Paul still admonished them. Don't be deceived.

Let's look at how women are to behave in the Congregation according to the Word of
God.

1Cor.14:34 - 37 " Let your women keep silence in the Churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for
women to speak in the church. What? came the word of god out from you? or came it
unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."

Please note Paul said the things that he writes are the commandments of the Lord, not just
this thing. And we'll also read 1Tim.2:11 - 12:

" Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach,
nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

You can't take out what you don't like from the Bible and keep what is comfortable. This
is how one can create another gospel using the Bible to do it. Women must be silent
during the meetings of the congregation. They sit in silence. It's real black and white.
This is Apostolic Doctrine that must be followed. The women don't make the
announcements, they don't lead the worship, they don't preach or teach, they're not in
charge of ministries or functions, they stay silent during the formal meetings. Simple. I'm
not going to go into this in great depth. It is a simple concept that is not followed very
much today. Women can minister to other women, women can own and maintain houses
in which meetings take place, women can minister to those holding a church office such
as helping with their daily needs, women can do the daycare, women can work on the
refreshments. Women can't break the scriptures as to how they should behave in regards
to the church. There are no women Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists.
The same for Elders, Deacons and Bishops.

The gifts of the spirit are for women as well as for men but this is not the same thing as
holding a ministry office. A woman can have the gift of prophecy, see 1Cor.12:10, but
this doesn't designate her as holding the office of a Prophet. A man can have the gift of
the working of miracles but that doesn't mean he is an Apostle and doing the signs of an
Apostle, see 2Cor.12:12. We have no such women role models in the New Testament
holding these offices.
People will sometimes find mention of someone in the New Testament and say that is a
female name and she is holding an office in the church. Even though these people are
grasping at air to support their position I checked into some of these names and found
that some of these names were used by members of both sexes. For example today men
and women use the name Robin.

A woman can't hold a ministry office in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Women do
not usurp authority over the man in a New Testament Church. If a woman held a ministry
office she'd be usurping authority over the men. What happened with the Israelites before
the New Testament was given cannot be used to cancel the New Testament prohibitions
against women holding positions of authority in the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you must dwell on some of the women God used in the Old Testament Days, also recall
that the priesthood had no provision for women priests and the High Priests were always
men.

Once again, God will use women. The gifts of the spirit (see1Cor.12:4-12) will operate
through women. Women play a very vital and important role in the church and in the
family. They support the husband, they are domestic engineers par excellence, they take a
vital role in raising the children, they can and should be prayer warriors, and they can
function in a business role (read Prov.31). God loves them and they should be treated as
loved by God, as part of his body of believers.

Men should tremble at the thought of mistreating a God fearing woman who might cry
out to God against him. Women should also be submissive to the Lord and his
commandments as to how they should behave in regards to the church, their husbands
and their families. I'd also like to point out that it is fine for a woman or a man to remain
single and not have a family or a husband. One should never routinely encourage all
single believers to marry. Read Paul on the subject, see 1Cor.7:25-40.

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