This was a Facebook post I just finished after a conversation with a friend regarding Corporate Christianity
Corporate Christianity. Is the “church” experience that we all think of as Normal Christianity, really anything like First Century Christianity?
Below are some responses I gave to a conversation in another post regarding New Testament giving and lies taught as First Century Christianity.
Re: New Testament giving and support of the clergy.
The gift of the church at Philippi was just that. A gift, a free will offering. Nothing wrong with a free will or love offering as that is a New Testament form of giving.
As to the earthly things that the Apostles were entitled to, Ive yet to see any scripture where the Apostles utilized this “power” for themselves or for their own consumption. In fact the passage you’re referring to in 1 Cor 9 specifically states that they have not used this power, neither have they written that it should be done. 2 Cor 12:17 states that even the people that Paul sent had not utilized this “power”. Beyond that, Paul associates this “power” as an Apostle level power. IF none exist today then this is a “power” or authority that doesnt exist.
The other mentions of a gift of this sort was associated with the church of Macedonia and Achaia. This gift was freely given, was a collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem who were experiencing a terrible famine and Paul used their liberal contribution to encourage other assemblies to contribute a free will gift also. Nothing coerced and not for his own personal use or maintenance. Paul was a dispensary, not a beneficiary. Even at that, Paul characterized this as robbing other churches for Jerusalem’s benefit and said it was an experiment in 2 Cor 9:13
In contrast, Corporate Christianity today operates on a doctrine of Baalim model which was specifically hated by all the Apostles and condemned in every instance noted. Paul goes so far as to note in 2 Thess 3:6-14 that he has never walked disorderly and defines that as eating any mans bread for naught. They worked night and day so that they wouldn’t be a burden on anyone, not because they didnt have the power, but because they were making an example that everyone with or without this Apostolic authority should operate the same way. Even an apostle had to work with his own hands to provide his own bread instead of mooching off of the flock. Verse 11 states that there were some walking disorderly among them, working not at all but are busybodies. (This is the exact justification thats given today for the “vocation” of the minister). Paul then reiterates that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. If anyone in the assembly doesnt obey this word, then that man is to be noted and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Corporate Christianity has made a status symbol out of something Paul said they should be ashamed of.
This same concept is repeated throughout the New Testament in familiar passages like Pauls letters to Timothy and Titus qualifying bishops and elders as ones not greedy of filthy lucre (someone else’s money by devious means). 1 Thess 2:5-6 where he talks about not using flattering words and a cloak of coveteousness so that they weren’t a burden on the flock there, 1 Thess 4:11 work with your own hands so that you may walk honestly, 1 Peter 5:2 and 2 Peter 2:3 making merchandise of the flock through coveteousness, 2 Peter 2:15 these men have gone astray from the right way and following the way of Balaam who loved the wages of unrighteousness (for his religious service) 3John 1:7 they went forth taking nothing of the Gentiles. Jude 1:11 ran greedily after the error of Balaam for a reward
As to truths that are being avoided, or lies that are being taught, I’ll start with some easy ones.
Tithe. Tithe (as translated) is specifically the inheritance of the Levites because they served as an intermediary to offer sacrifices. No need for an intermediary today and no sacrifices needed but this is taught as a doctrine today without any New Testament scriptural support or early church historical backing. “Pastors” today use the flock as merchandise utilizing the idea of tenthing and are just repeating what the Levites did by becoming ravening wolves. It served its purpose under the Old Covenant but is one of the primary changes to the law due to a reestablished Melchizedek style priesthood. Every man is king and priest over his own household. What need does he have for someone to offer for him? He has direct access to the High Priest.
Drinking Alcohol. The lie that says that believers aren’t supposed to partake of alcoholic beverages is one of the easiest to disprove. Drunkenness is the sin (except in a couple of notable exceptions). Not drinking. Ive personally sat in a meeting with a pastor and deacons where they actually admitted that drinking isn’t a sin but they cant tell that publicly because someone might abuse it. Hmmm.
The Lords supper. Everybody freaks out if the unleavened bread is deviated from in the slightest, but since prohibition in the 1920’s its politically incorrect to offer wine with the observance. But its been handed down by “faithful” men so.. . . The wafers that are passed around are based on the Roman Catholic example. Nobody actually uses ma’atza. There’s a world of difference just between those two. Bottom line is we offer a bastardized Lords supper as an example of a “New Testament” assembly.
Ordination. New Testament ordination was not convening a “college” of cardinals. Yet in the vast majority of IBF thats exactly what’s done. RCC ordination! Biblical ordination was always performed by the members and elders of the local assembly or personally by an apostle.
Substitutionary Priesthood. Most denominations and pastors will give lip service to the idea of the priesthood of the believer under the New Covenant, however their clergy/laity structure, their overbearing, unbiblical “authority” by fiat (compared to authority by influence) the liturgy and face forward mentality (as compared to a biblical example of liturgy 1 Cor 14:26&29 and corroborated by primitive church believers into the 15 &1600s) and their expectation to be supported by a Levitical ordinance show the truth behind what they actually believe about the priesthood of the believer and their role as vicar of Christ on earth.
I could say more but that’ll give you something to think about.
Corporate Christianity. Is the “church” experience that we all think of as Normal Christianity, really anything like First Century Christianity?
Below are some responses I gave to a conversation in another post regarding New Testament giving and lies taught as First Century Christianity.
Re: New Testament giving and support of the clergy.
The gift of the church at Philippi was just that. A gift, a free will offering. Nothing wrong with a free will or love offering as that is a New Testament form of giving.
As to the earthly things that the Apostles were entitled to, Ive yet to see any scripture where the Apostles utilized this “power” for themselves or for their own consumption. In fact the passage you’re referring to in 1 Cor 9 specifically states that they have not used this power, neither have they written that it should be done. 2 Cor 12:17 states that even the people that Paul sent had not utilized this “power”. Beyond that, Paul associates this “power” as an Apostle level power. IF none exist today then this is a “power” or authority that doesnt exist.
The other mentions of a gift of this sort was associated with the church of Macedonia and Achaia. This gift was freely given, was a collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem who were experiencing a terrible famine and Paul used their liberal contribution to encourage other assemblies to contribute a free will gift also. Nothing coerced and not for his own personal use or maintenance. Paul was a dispensary, not a beneficiary. Even at that, Paul characterized this as robbing other churches for Jerusalem’s benefit and said it was an experiment in 2 Cor 9:13
In contrast, Corporate Christianity today operates on a doctrine of Baalim model which was specifically hated by all the Apostles and condemned in every instance noted. Paul goes so far as to note in 2 Thess 3:6-14 that he has never walked disorderly and defines that as eating any mans bread for naught. They worked night and day so that they wouldn’t be a burden on anyone, not because they didnt have the power, but because they were making an example that everyone with or without this Apostolic authority should operate the same way. Even an apostle had to work with his own hands to provide his own bread instead of mooching off of the flock. Verse 11 states that there were some walking disorderly among them, working not at all but are busybodies. (This is the exact justification thats given today for the “vocation” of the minister). Paul then reiterates that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. If anyone in the assembly doesnt obey this word, then that man is to be noted and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Corporate Christianity has made a status symbol out of something Paul said they should be ashamed of.
This same concept is repeated throughout the New Testament in familiar passages like Pauls letters to Timothy and Titus qualifying bishops and elders as ones not greedy of filthy lucre (someone else’s money by devious means). 1 Thess 2:5-6 where he talks about not using flattering words and a cloak of coveteousness so that they weren’t a burden on the flock there, 1 Thess 4:11 work with your own hands so that you may walk honestly, 1 Peter 5:2 and 2 Peter 2:3 making merchandise of the flock through coveteousness, 2 Peter 2:15 these men have gone astray from the right way and following the way of Balaam who loved the wages of unrighteousness (for his religious service) 3John 1:7 they went forth taking nothing of the Gentiles. Jude 1:11 ran greedily after the error of Balaam for a reward
As to truths that are being avoided, or lies that are being taught, I’ll start with some easy ones.
Tithe. Tithe (as translated) is specifically the inheritance of the Levites because they served as an intermediary to offer sacrifices. No need for an intermediary today and no sacrifices needed but this is taught as a doctrine today without any New Testament scriptural support or early church historical backing. “Pastors” today use the flock as merchandise utilizing the idea of tenthing and are just repeating what the Levites did by becoming ravening wolves. It served its purpose under the Old Covenant but is one of the primary changes to the law due to a reestablished Melchizedek style priesthood. Every man is king and priest over his own household. What need does he have for someone to offer for him? He has direct access to the High Priest.
Drinking Alcohol. The lie that says that believers aren’t supposed to partake of alcoholic beverages is one of the easiest to disprove. Drunkenness is the sin (except in a couple of notable exceptions). Not drinking. Ive personally sat in a meeting with a pastor and deacons where they actually admitted that drinking isn’t a sin but they cant tell that publicly because someone might abuse it. Hmmm.
The Lords supper. Everybody freaks out if the unleavened bread is deviated from in the slightest, but since prohibition in the 1920’s its politically incorrect to offer wine with the observance. But its been handed down by “faithful” men so.. . . The wafers that are passed around are based on the Roman Catholic example. Nobody actually uses ma’atza. There’s a world of difference just between those two. Bottom line is we offer a bastardized Lords supper as an example of a “New Testament” assembly.
Ordination. New Testament ordination was not convening a “college” of cardinals. Yet in the vast majority of IBF thats exactly what’s done. RCC ordination! Biblical ordination was always performed by the members and elders of the local assembly or personally by an apostle.
Substitutionary Priesthood. Most denominations and pastors will give lip service to the idea of the priesthood of the believer under the New Covenant, however their clergy/laity structure, their overbearing, unbiblical “authority” by fiat (compared to authority by influence) the liturgy and face forward mentality (as compared to a biblical example of liturgy 1 Cor 14:26&29 and corroborated by primitive church believers into the 15 &1600s) and their expectation to be supported by a Levitical ordinance show the truth behind what they actually believe about the priesthood of the believer and their role as vicar of Christ on earth.
I could say more but that’ll give you something to think about.
