What is the Church?
By Mahlon Wickey  September, 2014

 

At one in our history this was a "church-driven" nation and was called a Christian nation, and it has been said that there was a church building at almost every street corner in some cities.  But during these "anti-God" and "no-God" modern times "going to church" seems to be no longer necessary as it once was.  But millions of people still want a "place" to worship God so that they can "express" HOW they worship God, and they want to "feel good" in their worship of God.  But WHY do these millions of people feel it is necessary to "go to church" to worship God?  As if God can ONLY be worshipped by attending a church service in a church building!  Most worshipping people believe that the church building ITSELF is (yes, IS) the church, and these worshipping people generally had a so-called Christian upbringing, and therefore they feel inspired to attend, belong to, or support a so-called Christian church in some way. 

 

Before I begin typing this article I want to say that if you are CONTENT to be a part of a particular church then my personal advice is to continue to be a part of that church.  A sovereign God has TOTAL authority and TOTAL control over our churches, and if people are CONTENT where they "go to church" it is simply because a sovereign God wants them to STAY with that particular church.  As we shall see, it is NOT a question IF worshipping people belong in the "right" church, but that they belong "right where they’re at" to be a PART of the divine PLAN of a sovereign God that is very ABLE to INSPIRE people to "go to church" where they would be CONTENT.

 

This English word "church" is taken from the Greek word G1577 that simply means a "calling out".  But the question is; WHO are the "called out" people and WHAT are they "called out" FROM?  I could also ask; what is the divine PURPOSE of this "calling out", and HOW is this divine "calling out" done?  This article is entitled, "What is THE church?", and my point is; it is NOT entitled, "What is A church?"  Jesus Christ explained in Matthew 16:18; "I will build my church", and as we shall see, Jesus Christ is very carefully building the ONE and ONLY church of "called out" believers to be a spiritual "house of God".  I will refer to Matthew 16:18-19 later to uncover the Greek meanings of several English translated words in these scriptures. 

 

We all know that church-going people are generally CONTENT with the churches that they happen to attend and "belong" to.  But in small "close-knit" church groups certain people can easily get offended and NOT be content, and obviously they are "hungry" and are searching for "something" that is missing in their hearts and minds.  IF this "hunger" is NOT being FED and satisfied it could cause frustration and discontentment for these certain people, and they could cause "problems" for close-knit church groups.  But potential church "problems" are only symptoms that point to a major FLAW; which is that close-knit church groups are NOT properly FED, edified, and taught.  As we know, the term, "close-knit" simply means that people "know" each other and are "knitted’ together (joined "closely" in a personal way); which is WHY certain people can easily get offended that could disrupt the peace and stability to the point that it could DIVIDE close-knit church groups. 

 

Discontented people can easily find some fault with the pastor or with others in the church group, and they could also easily find some fault with how the church group "governs" itself.  The CAUSE of potential frustration and discontentment could also be that certain people are NOT SECURE in their faith and beliefs, and they will seek the "security" from the "skilled" speaking of supposedly "secure" pastors.  "Skilled" pastors are in "demand" and they could be "hired" with a better "income" with more "benefits" by other churches, and they will depart from churches that they were very convinced that they were in the "right" church!  But sometimes departing from certain churches can be considered obedience toward the TRUE God! 

 

Discontented people that feel inspired to depart from their churches could also simply be caused by "greener pastures" that other churches offer.  At times discontented people want to "try out" these churches to see if they will "feel good" with the pastor and with the people that attend, and to see if their so-called Christian and emotional "needs" will be FED and satisfied.  These discontented people will generally go from "church to church" searching for "something" that will FEED and satisfy their "needs", but there never seems to be a LASTING fulfillment that TRULY satisfies these "needs".  Generally it is only a matter of time that these discontented people always seem to find "something" to get offended by that UPSETS their so-called Christian and emotional expectations

 

But as I mentioned before, most church-going people are CONTENT to stay "where they’re at" simply because their "needs" are generally being FED and satisfied.  It is the same principle as people driving Ford products all their lives, but then try to convince them to switch to another product other than a Ford product.  What I am saying is that church-going people generally will NOT switch religious and Christian "products" that they used all their lives, and were CONTENT with all their lives. 

 

Millions of people in our nation are involved with hundreds of churches, sects, cults, movements, etc, that all have different "ways" to FEED and satisfy the different "needs" of these millions of "hungry" people.  But these "needs" are NOT necessarily doctrinal "needs", but that people simply like the pastor, or that they feel comfortable with the people that attend, or that they like the children’s programs, or it could be that they simply like the "beautiful" church building ITSELF!  It could be a number of reasons why people feel inspired to attend or "belong" to by becoming a "member" of a particular church, and to support the "mission" of the church. 

 

My point is that many people are NOT looking for CORRECT doctrines and teachings about the TRUE God, but doctrines could be what "attracts" certain people to "come out of the woodwork" to join and "help" certain church groups.  But generally people only have emotional "needs", and want to "feel good" with the pastor and with the people that attend. 

 

There are indeed enough churches to "go around" for everyone to "shop for", and to choose the "right" church that is especially SUITED to satisfy the "needs" of every "shopper".  These people all seem to be INSPIRED to worship God in "someway", and they generally believe that the CORRECT way to worship and honor God HAS to be in (yes, IN) a church building! 

 

Even on a daily basis there are ADDED more "new" churches, sects, cults, and "Christian" and religious movements.  Yes, what a divided "mess" of churches and a divided "mess" of doctrines and beliefs we have in today’s divided "Christian" and religious worshipping world!  This FACT alone should tell anyone with any spiritual common sense that all these many divisions of churches and religions with all their OPPOSING doctrines and beliefs DO NOT HONOR the TRUE God! 

 

But I want to make this major point; "ALL things" directly or indirectly are of (yes, OF) God….

 

2Corinthians 5:18 (KJV) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

 

This biblical phrase, "all thinks are of God" simply means that God is sovereign; which means that God has TOTAL authority and TOTAL control over "all things" of an evil deceived world/age; which would INCLUDE all churches and all religions. 

 

But please understand; "all things" are NOT necessary GODLY "things", or that they REFLECT the true nature and character of the TRUE God.  But the TRUE God is sovereign and has TOTAL authority and TOTAL control, and He will create EVIL and darkness (deception) for His (yes, HIS) divine PURPOSE! 

 

Carefully read, study, and BELIEVE Isaiah 45:7….

 

(KJV) I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. 

 

But Isaiah ALSO says that the LORD forms the "light" (TRUTH) and makes peace; which could be called a divine BALANCE for truth, deception, peace, and evil to be experienced by sinful mankind.  Evil and darkness (deception) is created through this EVIL world/age of deception, but ALSO through divided churches and religions with their various beliefs and doctrines!  But we all know that the TRUE God is NOT evil and has NO evil INTENT!  I believe that evil and deception are necessary (but only temporary) to fulfill this evil temporary world/age. 

 

Carnal minded people will declare that evil and deception can ONLY come from sinful man, and NOT from the TRUE God.  Sinful man has inherited evil and deceptive SPIRITS, but as we shall see, ALL spirits are under the TOTAL authority and TOTAL control of a sovereign God.  This is why it is biblically accurate to say that "all things are of God", and since "all things are of God", therefore ALL churches and ALL religions are in the TOTAL authority and TOTAL control "of God".  But again I mention; ALL churches and ALL religions are NOT necessarily GODLY, but they are all necessary to fulfill this temporary (yes, temporary) evil world/age of deception

 

This means that there is a divine PLAN being "worked out" in a temporary evil deceived world/age with ALL churches, sects, cults, religions, and movements with ALL their various beliefs and doctrines!  Division, confusion, and unrest we sometimes see in certain modern churches is simply because they are NOT secure in their "faith" simply because this insecure "faith" is FLAWED by spiritual deceptions!  Spiritual deceptions about the TRUE God are the REAL enemies and adversaries that our modern churches should "man-up" and acknowledge!  A sovereign God creates evil and darkness (deception) by USING these enemies and adversaries; which again, are all necessary to fulfill this evil world/age of deception

 

The divine purpose of these necessary spiritual enemies and adversaries is that it creates the "iron sharpens iron" concept that is designed to sharpen our spiritual perception to recognize TRUTH from LIES!  It also sharpens us to recognize WHY "hungry" people will believe anything as being "truth" IF it "touches" the heart and is "skillfully" explained by pastors!  These adversaries and enemies are simply SPIRITS that are INHERITED from Adam’s sin; they are NOT REAL personal "devils" and "unclean spirits" from the OUTSIDE that somehow have the ability to take CONTROL of our hearts and minds! 

 

Sinful mankind is controlled by the invisible realm of good and evil SPIRITS (G4151); which means a current of air (breath).  This breathing AIR makes ALIVE sinful man’s "fleshly" vital principle and mental disposition (G4151) that INSPIRES the "fleshly" thoughts of sinful man, which in turn INSPIRES the spoken words and actions of sinful man.  Sinful man inherited a mixture of good and evil SPIRITS, and has a "fleshly" tendency to belong to "something" that will satisfy sinful man’s "fleshly" vital principle and mental disposition. 

 

When "fleshly" sinful man is among friends in discussing the "things of God" it is discovered that their good and evil SPIRITS are generally in agreement about the "things of God".  So please understand; this is HOW and WHY church groups "form" with others that have the SAME "fleshly" vital principle and mental disposition as DEFINED by their good and evil SPIRITS!  The TRUE God is called the "Father of spirits" (Heb 12:9), and the TRUE God is also called the "God of the spirits of ALL flesh". 

 

Carefully read, study, and BELIEVE these two scriptures….

 

Numbers 16:22 (KJV) And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

 

Numbers 27:16 (KJV) Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

 

This is WHY I believe this very plainly means that the sovereign God has TOTAL authority and TOTAL control over ALL good and evil inherited spirits that CONTROLS the flesh (yes, the FLESH) of ALL mankind.  These inherited SPIRITS makes ALIVE the "fleshly" vital principle and mental disposition of EVERY soul born of sinful mankind!  Deceptions about the TRUE God are caused by deceptive SPIRITS that are ALREADY in the hearts of ALL mankind, and these SPIRITS are designed to INSPIRE theological confusion, deception, and division!  Carefully read the links, "Angels", "Satan", and "Devils" on my website. 

 

The epistles (letters) of the New Testament were written to the early churches to spiritually instruct and teach ONLY the early churches.  I believe certain instructions were NOT intended for today’s modern churches since we are NOT living in the social environment at that time in history.  Therefore in a general sense the written instructions to the early churches were simply a RECORD of history, and NOT necessarily spiritual instructions for our modern churches two thousand years later! 

 

Our modern churches generally want to do what is "right" and want to "follow" the KJ Bible as accurately as possible.  This is WHY they are INSPIRED to "copy" and "apply" instructions that were intended for ONLY the social environment at that time in history; especially during what is known as the "Last Supper", and during the events in the book of Acts.  Carefully read the links, "Communion" and "Baptism" on my website. 

 

Certain saints were "called out" (already determined by God) to INSPIRE and to guide them to BUILD what is called THE church (these "called out" saints).  The word, church(es) is found 115 times in the KJ New Testament, and there were WARNINGS written to these many churches (that assembled in many HOMES) of the DANGER of spiritual deceptions!  Today we are told to "respect" other gods (small "g"), and generally we are NOT told of the DANGER of deceptions FROM "small g" gods!  But some modern churches do "caution" people to NOT believe FALSE doctrines, but the dilemma and IRONY is that these modern churches generally DEFINE and explain WHAT false doctrines ARE; which by carefully studying and believing the original inspired scriptures might NOT be false doctrines! 

 

Today’s church-going people are taught all that is necessary for salvation is to believe on Jesus Christ.  That statement is indeed very TRUE!  But generally they are NOT taught of the divine PURPOSE of the New Testament warnings that they NEED to be warned about!  These WARNINGS were to spiritually prepare "called out" saints as "firstfruits" (James 1:18 and Rev 14:4) for the divine PURPOSE so that they will be qualified for the FIRST resurrection (Rev 20:5-6). 

 

But in spite of these WARNINGS to the early believers their salvation was still secure, and I want to say that the salvation of today’s believers is also SECURE!  But only a very FEW believers are spiritually prepared during this PRESENT evil AGE as "firstfruits" to be SAVED for the FIRST resurrection, but that does NOT EXCLUDE all unbelievers to ALSO be saved in separate resurrections in FUTURE ages! 

 

Notice what Paul instructed Timothy to COMMAND and TEACH….

 

1Timothy 4:10-11 KJV For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (11) These things command and teach. 

 

The word "specially" is the Greek word (G3122) that simply means "in the greatest degree".  "These things" that Paul told Timothy to command and teach INCLUDED the BELIEF in the living God as being the "Saviour of ALL MEN".  The term, "ALL men" would indeed INCLUDE unbelievers along WITH the believers, but the unbelievers are destined to be saved in a "lesser degree" by the saviour of ALL men (yes, ALL men)! 

 

But the "called out" believers of Timothy’s day were to be "specially" saved since they were to be saved "in the greatest degree".  If (yes, IF) we are HONEST with 1Timothy 4:10 then the theological premise of G3122 translated as "specially" simply means that unbelievers will be SAVED as well as BELIEVERS by the saviour of ALL men (yes, ALL men)! 

 

The term, "command" means that Timothy was to give a direct ORDER as a WARNING to the "called out" believers of his day to spiritually PREPARE them as "firstfruits" to be "specially" SAVED "in the greatest degree" for the FIRST resurrection.  Since this command was a WARNING it was MUCH MORE than just confessing a belief on Jesus Christ!  Of course, the belief on Jesus Christ will indeed SAVE, but millions of today’s so-called believers generally IGNORE the New Testament warnings, and therefore they will be SAVED in a "lesser degree", and NOT SAVED with a "special" salvation "in the greatest degree"! 

 

Jesus Christ gave another very serious WARNING to believers….

 

Luke 12:46 (KJV)  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

 

Please understand; BELIEVERS can be "cut asunder" (G1371); which means to "bisect" and to "flog severely" when they will be appointed their "portion" with the UNBELIEVERS!  This warning means that there is a DANGER that believers could be spiritually "whipped" (flogged severely) by being judged and chastised by "fire" WITH the UNBELIEVERS!  This DANGER is not only on MORAL issues, but the DANGER of the POWER of spiritual DECEPTIONS about the TRUE God

 

Yes, spiritual deceptions are LIES about the TRUE God, and these LIES have the POWER to INSPIRE believers (yes, BELIEVERS) to REJECT the precious TRUTHS and the divine PLAN of the TRUE God, which will classify believers as being unbelievers!  But good morals are important and will indeed "follow" a TRUE converted believer, but good morals will NOT SAVE anyone!  The major point is this; it is much more crucial to reject LIES about the TRUE God than it is to do the "works" of good morals. 

 

Now we need to read Matthew 16:18-19, but as we shall see; verse 19 in the KJ Bible is NOT entirely accurate….

 

KJV (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven

 

First of all, the name "Peter" (G4074) means a "piece of rock", or a small "stone", but the term, "this rock" (G4073) means a "mass of rock", or a massive rock.  Peter was only a "piece of THE rock", or only a small "stone" of this "massive rock".  The term, "the rock" (yes, THE rock) is referred to several times in the Old Testament as God being the symbolic "rock of salvation".  So by this premise, Jesus Christ is building HIS church UPON this symbolic massive "rock of salvation", and the "gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (verse 18). 

 

This "hell" (G86) is the "unseen" (imperceptible) state of death for every (yes, EVERY) soul when they DIE, and therefore the church that Jesus Christ is very carefully building WILL NOT DIE!  So please understand; the "gates" of the G86 "hell" is NOT an "entrance" to a "place" of terrible sufferings of mental torment for ALL ETERNITY!  It is also NOT the "gehenna hell-fire" (G1067) that EVERYONE will be "salted" with....

 

Mark 9:47-49 (KJV) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell (G1067) fire: (48) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (49) For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

 

The symbolic "Gehenna hell-fire" is a "fire" that will spiritually cleanse and purify everyone (yes, EVERYONE) since they will ALL be symbolically "salted" ("preserved" and "seasoned") for their eventual SALVATION when they shall be SAVED "yet so as by FIRE" ("Gehenna hell-fire"). 

 

Notice 1Corinthians 3:15…. 

 

(KJV) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

 

BOTH the G86 and G1067 "hells" are not (yes, NOT) the most dreaded and terrifying ETERNAL "hell-fire" as believed and taught today in many modern churches!  Carefully read the links, "Gehenna", "Death", and "Salvation" on my website. 

 

Peter was to be ONLY a small "stone" or ONLY a "piece" of the massive rock in the very CAREFUL spiritual process of building Christ’s church; which HAS to do with to "bind" and to "loose", as Jesus Christ explained in Matthew 16:19. 

 

The "called out" believers ARE Christ’s church, and therefore it is Christ’s responsibility (NOT man’s) to properly care for, and to properly build HIS OWN church!  This simply means that Peter, or ANY apostle had NO authority and power to BUILD what ONLY Jesus Christ could build!  Sure, Peter was given the "keys of the kingdom" (Matt 16:19), and "keys" would mean CORRECT knowledge that will open or close the "entrance" to the kingdom, and Peter was also told to "bind and loose" on EARTH (symbolic for "earthy" man).  But the problem is; our beloved KJ Bibles "seem" to say that Peter was given authority to bind and loose on earth BEFORE it was bound and loosed in the heavens.  But Jesus Christ did NOT say that! 

 

Carefully read, study, and BELIEVE the CORRECT wording of Matthew 16:19 in the Concordant Literal version ….

 

(CLV) I will be giving you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatsoever you should be binding on the earth shall be those things having been bound in the heavens, and whatsoever you should be loosing on the earth, shall be those having been loosed in the heavens." 

 

"Having been" means in the PAST tense; which means that Peter was only to "bind and loose" what has ALREADY been "bound and loosed" in the heavens (symbolic for "heavenly" man).  This TRUTH would mean that Peter did NOT have the authority or the power to "bind and loose" the "earthy" man unless (yes, UNLESS) Jesus Christ revealed to Peter what was ALREADY "bound and loosed" about the "heavenly" man!  So from this theological premise this "binding and loosing" has to be done "in the heavens" (symbolic for BUILDING the "heavenly" man) BEFORE he could be BUILT on "earth".  Yes, this special authority was ONLY given to Peter, and NOT to any other apostle. 

 

The problem we have in today’s "mess" of divided churches, and theological "mess" of doctrines and beliefs is that certain pastors and "men of God" assume (yes, ASSUME) that Christ gives them this special authority to "bind and loose" (whatever that means).  There HAD to be something special about Peter to be given authority to "bind and loose" what was ALREADY done in the "heavens".  But there ALSO had to be something special about this "binding and loosing" so as to carefully BUILD the "heavenly" man!  Names have meanings! 

 

Again, the NAME "Peter" means a "piece of rock" or a small "stone", which was directly connected to this "binding and loosing" in carefully building Christ’s church.  It was Peter that preached the FIRST sermon on the day of Pentecost, and it was Peter that was the FIRST apostle to go to the FIRST "gentile" known as Cornelius; who was a devout man that feared God, gave alms, and prayed to God always (Act 10:1-2).  Yes, Cornelius prayed ALWAYS to the God of ISRAEL, and since Peter KNEW that Cornelius was an "unclean" (divorced from God) Israelite he had to be shown in a VISION (Acts 10:15-17, and 28) that God had NOW "cleansed" this "unclean" Israelite!  Peter KNEW that this vision was not (yes, NOT) about "cleansing" all manner of "unclean" four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air (Acts 10:12).  

 

Jesus Christ INSPIRED Peter to include Israelite "Gentiles" to be a part of HIS church, and Peter instructed these Israelite "Gentiles" that were "scattered", and also known as "strangers" (1Peter 1:1).  The term, "strangers" (G3927) means "an alien alongside", therefore these "scattered" Israelites were alienated (estranged or separated) from the promised covenant that was "alongside" them all the time.  James also wrote to the twelve tribes (of Israel) that were "scattered abroad" (James 1:1). 

 

Yes, even today there are millions of "Gentile" Israelites that are also "scattered abroad" in ALL nations, including our OWN nation, and by TRUE history their genetic ancestry can be traced back to ancient Israel.  But they are blinded as to WHO they TRULY are!  These modern-day Israelites with their God-given creative and inventive abilities have built our nation into the greatest industrial giant, the most prosperous, and the most blessed nation that this world has ever known!  But these millions of BLINDED and deceived "Gentile" Israelites throughout history also caused the DIVIDED "mess" of all our modern churches along with the theological "mess" of beliefs and doctrines that are TAUGHT today in our modern churches! 

 

The church that Jesus Christ is very carefully building is called the "house of God", and the "pillar and ground of the truth"….

 

1Tim 3:15 KJV But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  

 

I have my own theory on this special "binding and loosing"; which could simply mean the very careful spiritual PROCESS of preparing the "called out" believers to be spiritually SUITED for the "house of God" to be a spiritual "habitation of God"….

 

Ephesians 2:22 (KJV) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

 

ONLY Jesus Christ (NOT man) knows how to "BIND" the evil SPIRITS in the hearts of believers that HINDER the building of the "house of God", and Jesus Christ also KNOWS how to "LOOSEN" the good SPIRITS of believers that Jesus Christ can use to carefully BUILD the "house of God".  A TRUE converted believer KNOWS the evil SPIRITS in his heart that HINDER his spiritual growth, and he also KNOWS the good SPIRITS in his heart that Christ can USE to carefully BUILD His church! 

 

Yes, it is Jesus Christ that HAS to INSPIRE this necessary "binding and loosing" of the good and evil SPIRITS in the hearts of TRUE believers to INSPIRE them to respond accordingly.  The major point is that this correct response is NOT inspired by the so-called "free will" of believers to choose (on their OWN) this special "binding and loosing" of their good and evil SPIRITS! 

 

Speaking of "free will", I truly believe this is the MOST "cleverly devised" and deceptive doctrine ever "invented" by deceived so-called Christian men!  This doctrine teaches that man is FREE from any CAUSE that would otherwise "force" his choices in life!  It is impossible for the "will of man" to be FREE from the "unseen forces" of the God-controlled SPIRITS that cause, regulate, and INSPIRE the thoughts, choices, and actions of sinful man.  Carefully read the link, "Freewill" on my website. 

 

This false doctrine teaches that sinful man is in the "driver’s seat" in somehow having the incredible POWER to "freely" choose (on his OWN ability) IF he is to be SAVED or IF he is NOT to be SAVED!  This incredible false doctrine can be theologically traced by what the apostle Paul explained about the "man of sin" that believes he is his OWN GOD since he has a RIGHT to live and make choices FREE from his God-controlled SPIRITS, therefore "showing" that he IS GOD (2Thes 2:4).  The major point is that this "man of sin" sits in the "temple of God" and that is where he can "show" that he IS GOD, but Paul said that we (yes, WE) are the "temple of God" (1Cor 3:16-17). 

 

Sinful man is (yes, IS) the "man of sin", but he MUST be destroyed by the "brightness" of Christ’s COMING (2Thes 2:8).  It is by the "coming of Christ" in (yes, IN) the hearts of "called out" believers that will destroy the POWER of sin; which plays a major ROLE in the careful and meticulous PROCESS known as "binding and loosing" in building the "house of God". 

 

Building the "house of God" is ALREADY planned according to the divine "blue print" in the heavens!  This "blue print" calls for every "called out" believer to be very carefully and meticulously "fitted" into this spiritual house as "lively stones" (1Pet 2:5), with Jesus Christ as the HEAD and chief "corner" (stone) of this spiritual "house of God" (1Pet 2:7 and Eph 2:20). 

 

The term, "head" (G2776) means "seizing" or "taken hold of", therefore it was NOT Peter, or ANY apostle, or ANY "man of God", or ANY pastor that can RIGHTFULLY seize or take hold of (control) ANY of the "called out" believers!  Peter as a SMALL "lively stone" was NOT the HEAD of the corner, nor was ANY apostle, nor is ANY "man of God", nor is ANY pastor the HEAD in building the spiritual "house of God".  It is Jesus Christ and HIM ONLY that is the HEAD of his (yes, HIS) church (Eph 5:23), but just as important, Jesus Christ is ALSO the head of every (yes, EVERY) man (1Cor 11:3)!  Therefore NO pastor or "man of God" can rightfully seize, take hold of (control) ANY man! 

 

It is "built into" the heart of EVERY man the potential of having Jesus Christ seize, take hold of, and control his inherited spirits (thoughts).  Jesus Christ is very ABLE to "bind and loose" the good and evil SPIRITS of ANY man to be a potential "lively stone" in the very careful and meticulous building of spiritually "fitting" the "lively stones" in the "house of God"! 

 

Most church-going people today are taught to make SURE that they believe that NOW is the ONLY accepted time, and that NOW is the ONLY day of salvation.  As I mentioned before; most modern churches want to do what is "right" by following the KJ Bible as accurately as possible, and therefore they believe exactly what is explained in 2Cor 6:2….

 

(KJV) For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

 

But 2Cor 6:2 was NOT correctly translated!  The KJ translators obviously believed that NOW is the ONLY accepted time, and that NOW is the ONLY day of salvation; so they ADDED the word, "now", and the word, "the".  Since our modern "spiritually-enlightened" churches generally TRUST and BELIEVE the English translated words in their beloved KJ Bibles that is WHY they believe and teach exactly what 2Cor 6:2 says!  But the corresponding Old Testament scripture of 2Cor 6:2 does NOT use the word, "now", and the word, "the".  Carefully read, study, and BELIEVE what Isaiah 49:8 is truly saying….

 

(KJV) Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

 

Notice that Isaiah says; in "AN accepted time" and in "A day of salvation" that God will "preserve thee" ("SALTED" by gehenna fire).  That does NOT MEAN that NOW is "the" ONLY accepted time and day of salvation.  Of course, NOW is "an" accepted time, and NOW is "a" day of salvation, but it is NOT "the" (only) accepted time and NOT "the" (only) day of salvation!  There will indeed be OTHER accepted times and days of salvation when the "savior of all men" will indeed SAVE all men when they are resurrected, judged, chastised, and corrected in FUTURE ages. 

 

I now want to explain the purpose and theme of this article.  I truly believe that the church Jesus Christ is very carefully and meticulously building has NOTHING whatsoever to do with ANY of today’s modern churches!  As we previously read in 1Tim 3:15; the church that Jesus Christ is building is called the "house of God", but it is ALSO called, "the pillar and ground of THE TRUTH".  So what is "the" truth?  This does NOT mean "a" truth, or truths (plural), but ONLY what is called "THE TRUTH".  The terms, "pillar" and "ground" are G4769 and G1477 that could be explained to "stiffen" as a "post" to SUPPORT what is known as "THE TRUTH".  There is indeed a scripture that DEFINES what "the truth" IS, and Jesus Christ very plainly explained WHAT "the truth" IS! 

 

Notice John 14:6….

 

KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me

 

"the truth" is (yes, IS) the PERSON of Jesus Christ!  The PERSON of Jesus Christ is DEFINED by His TRUE nature, character, mind, will, and INTENT.  It could be explained that the church Jesus Christ is very carefully building is (yes, IS) the "stiff post" that "supports" the PERSON of Jesus Christ.  This is WHY the intimate and precious TRUTH of the PERSON of Jesus Christ CANNOT be SHARED to build and function with today’s modern churches, simply because of the potential division, unrest, and theological "mess" of all their beliefs and doctrines! 

 

But THE TRUTH of the PERSON of Jesus Christ CAN be SHARED to build and function in the hearts of individual believers if (yes, IF) these believers are "called out" of ALL our modern churches!  To be "called out" means that believers are "called out" (yes, OUT) of all the false deceptive ways of this evil world/age, and out (yes, OUT) of the theological "mess" of beliefs, doctrines, and divisions of ALL our modern churches. 

 

Now I want to address the phrase, "knowledge of the truth" found in 1Tim 2:4, 2Tim 3:7, and Heb 10:26.  It is to "KNOW" the true nature, character, mind, will, and INTENT of the PERSON of Jesus Christ (THE TRUTH) in an intimate and personal WAY!  This is SPIRITUAL knowledge, and NOT the knowledge that is taught in our schools and colleges, and also NOT the knowledge that "explains" physical laws and how things "work" in a physical creation. 

 

I like to define the term, "knowledge" as to KNOW on a "ledge" (know-"ledge"), and as we know, a ledge is simply a "narrow way".  I remind you that John 14:6 ALSO says that the PERSON of Jesus Christ is "THE WAY" (the narrow way)!  We must STAY on this imaginary "ledge" and not "fall off" or "FALL AWAY" (a biblical term) from this "ledge" of spiritual knowledge; which is the "narrow way" that LEADS to the MIND, WILL, and INTENT of the PERSON of Jesus Christ who is "supported" as a "stiff post" by HIS "called out" church of TRUE converted believers!  Please do NOT let any believer tell you that spiritual knowledge is NOT all that important! 

 

Spiritual knowledge that comes from the STUDY of the original scriptures has everything to do with STAYING on the "narrow way" (ledge) that LEADS to the CORRECT will and INTENT of the PERSON of Jesus Christ!  We are told in Hosea 4:6 that the lack of knowledge (lack of spiritual knowledge) has the power to destroy (or cause to PERISH) the people of God if (yes, IF) spiritual knowledge is REJECTED!  So open your Bibles to Hosea 4:6, and let us all "man-up" and "fess-up" to what Hosea 4:6 is truly saying! 

 

Of course, 1Cor 8:1 says that knowledge "puffeth up" (G5448); which means to "inflate" or to "make proud".  Sure, certain knowledge can indeed INFLATE and make PROUD, but ONLY the self-ego and self-glory of the carnal sinful heart!  The carnal sinful heart is NOT designed of KNOWING and staying on a "ledge" that LEADS to the TRUE will and INTENT of the PERSON of Jesus Christ!  This special knowledge HAS to be revealed by the "coming of Christ" in the hearts of believers that are "called out" (yes, OUT) of the theological "mess" of ALL the beliefs and doctrines of ALL our modern divided churches. 

 

There is also what is called, "the LOVE of the truth" (2Thes 2:10).  It is simply a true heart-felt love of the intimate and precious PERSON of Jesus Christ!  But this type of love is NOT "natural", so therefore it HAS to be INSPIRED by the PERSON of Jesus Christ by "His coming" in the HEARTS of "called out" believers for them to truly FEEL this precious heart-felt love! 

 

Most modern churches teach that the ONLY "coming of Christ" is the FUTURE "return" or the "second coming" of Christ, but the PERSON of Christ ("the truth") can "come" in the heart at ANY time!  Carefully read the link, "Coming" on my website. 

 

Notice these very important and revealing scriptures….

 

John 6:44 KJV No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

 

John 12:32 KJV And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.   

 

During this evil deceived world/AGE the Father is "drawing" only a very FEW souls to "come to Christ", but in future AGES the resurrected (lifted up) Jesus Christ will eventually "draw" all (yes, ALL) men unto himself.  The English translated word "draw" is the Greek word G1670 that simply means to "drag". 

 

The Father is "dragging" only a very few souls, not only OUT of this evil world’s false deceptive ways, but also OUT of ALL our modern divided churches so that they can "come to Christ"!  The Father HAS to "drag" and "pull" believers AGAINST their so-called "free will" OUT of their stubborn self-will, self-beliefs, self-ego, self-glory, and everything else about their SELF!  This is WHY believers sometimes will "kick and scream" when they are "dragged" and "pulled" OUT of their fleshly SELF, but that is HOW they can TRULY "come to Christ"!  Carnal believers DO NOT want to be confronted to truly look at themselves as they REALLY are; which is WHY the Father HAS to "drag" and "pull" them to Jesus Christ against their so-called "free will"; which INSTEAD is their "self-will"! 

 

There are "unexplained" circumstances that changes their hearts and "self-will", and they find themselves INSPIRED (or "dragged") to NOT be a "part" of this evil deceived world, and also NOT be a "part" of ANY modern church!  Please understand why the Father HAS to "drag" and "pull" souls OUT of ALL "Christian" beliefs and doctrines and OUT of ALL religions that they at one time LOVED and BELIEVED in; which will qualify them to CORRECT ALL "Christian" beliefs and doctrines, and ALL religions! 

 

Carefully read, study, and BELIEVE Acts 13:48….

 

KJV And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 

 

HOLD ON!  Did we read that right?  Acts 13:48 implies that some "Gentiles" were ALREADY ordained to eternal life before (yes, BEFORE) they believed!  Please tell me, how is this possible?  Our modern "spiritually-enlightened’ churches always tell us that we MUST believe FIRST by a "free will" choice BEFORE "eternal life" is ordained (assigned) to ANYONE!  But God has ALREADY determined who was ordained to eternal life (G166); or the "Life of the Ages" (Weymouth).  Yes, the PERSON of Jesus Christ is also "THE LIFE" (John 14:6); which is the "Life of the Ages" that HAS "come" IN the hearts, and is LIVED in the hearts of "called out" believers DURING the AGES! 

 

Carefully read, study, and BELIEVE Acts 2:39….

 

KJV For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

 

Sure, this promise was ONLY for Israelites, their children, and the "afar off" Israelites.  But "even as many" could indeed mean that God will "call" OTHER people besides RACIAL Israelites!  Certain people today believe that God "calls" ONLY and exclusively a people of PURE BLOOD that genetically came from RACIAL Israel.  But understand; the name "Israel" is very significant, and is found over 2500 times in the Bible!  "Israel" (H3478) does indeed mean "he will rule as God", and a people called "Israel" will indeed "rule as God" by the covenant promised to Abraham to be a BLESSING to ALL families of the earth (Gen 12:3 and 28:14).  But does this special "Israel" HAVE to be of PURE BLOOD of an "unmixed" physical seed-line going back to a man called Israel?  That is the question! 

 

There is the "corruptible seed" (sperm) that of course produced corruptible physical RACIAL Israel.  But there HAS to be an INCORRUPTIBLE "Israel" to be able (yes, ABLE) to "rule as God" that must be BORN (again) of an "incorruptible seed" by the "word of God" (1Pet 1:23).  This spiritual REBIRTH is NOT by "blood", or by the "will of the flesh" (sexual drive) or by the "will of man" (John 1:13).  There is another "Israel" that is spiritually conceived in the HEART (NOT in the womb) from the "incorruptible seed" of God by the heavenly Jerusalem above; "the MOTHER of us all" (Gal 4:26).  Carefully read the link, "Israel" on my website. 

 

Jesus Christ said, "many are called but few are chosen" (Matt 22:14).  But the phrase, "many are called" does NOT say "many are called out" (yes, OUT)!  Of course, many are called (invited) to be a part of Christ’s church, but ONLY a very FEW are actually CHOSEN for Christ’s church!  Keep in mind, it was NOT a question IF the "called" will eventually be SAVED, but it is a question IF they are CHOSEN as "lively stones" in the very careful and meticulous building of the "house of God"! 

 

Sure, the early believers had carnal FLAWS but they were STILL "called" OUT of ALL "Jewish" and "Gentile" religions, and the FLAWED believers TODAY are ALSO "called" OUT of ALL modern churches and ALL religions!  It could be that many of today’s "called out" believers NEVER attended ANY modern church, or were NEVER a confessed so-called Christian, but they could still be CHOSEN to be a part of Christ’s church, or maybe even CHOSEN as a "firstfruit" to be a part of the first resurrection!  Oh, but they most certainly believed in a sovereign God, and were also GIFTED to "see through" all the fallacies of this evil deceived world, and all the fallacies of our "political" world, and ALSO all the fallacies of our deceived church world!  Again, "called out" means OUT of all the false ways of this evil world, and OUT of the divided "mess" of all our modern churches! 

 

Suppose you happen to "belong" to a close-knit church group, and you no longer believe what is generally taught, and you no longer are CONTENT, and you sense that "something" is WRONG, and you feel INSPIRED to depart from your church.  It could be that the Father is simply "calling" and "dragging" you OUT of your close-knit church group!  But the carnal side of you "strongly" OBJECTS to what is "wrong" with your group, and it is determined that you are "unruly", "sowing discord", and in rebellion!  The PROPER leadership then has to figure out how to "discipline" you, and you might get "expelled" since you are willingly "deceived", and are a "danger" to others in the group. 

 

So if you "rebel" from a close-knit church group do NOT be concerned about seeking for the "right" church since the Father has "called" you to PEACE and FREEDOM, and by prayer and faith you will KNOW what to do.  It is NOT wrong to attend ANY church (but NOT "belong" to or become a "member"), and it is NOT wrong to fellowship "on common ground" with others of ANY church.  After all, every Sabbath day Jesus Christ attended synagogues that He KNEW would KILL HIM if He caused "trouble"!  So it is not a question if you belong to the "right" church, but IT IS a question IF you are chosen for Christ’s church, and IF you will be chosen for the first resurrection. 

 

In conclusion; to be INSPIRED by the Holy Spirit is to respond to your God-given CONSCIENCE ("let your conscience be your GUIDE").  So if (yes, IF) you respond to the "calling" of God then let your conscience GUIDE you to "bind and loose" the good and evil SPIRITS of your carnal heart.  Then you could very well be chosen to be a "lively stone" in the very careful and meticulous building of the "house of God", and you could indeed be CHOSEN as a "firstfruit", and also qualify to be CHOSEN for the glorious FIRST resurrection!  

 

By Mahlon Wickey  September, 2014


 

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