If you hear me mention half the name of
your church as you read on, then you can complete the rest for me, otherwise,
no church is in focus as I hit the keys on my keyboard. Just what every other
person has noticed but might not want to say, write or query. And that might be
because of lack of opportunity to express such views or the criticism it might
bring.
The church as I had always known is
basically culled from a Greek word which means called out or called out ones.
In essence, it has no physical attribution to things such as buildings. But for
the smooth gathering of the called out people for "Fellowship",
"Braking of Bread" and "Prayers", there has been need for
physical place of gathering.
In a sense, you are not been called out
from where you were to start loafing about, no. There is a place that the most
High has put his name and there, you must gather to receive commands on your
lines of action.
After Christ left earth, the disciples
decided to build themselves another country, a separated place where they will
just stay and hide from what is going on in the world. The people that have
lands, quickly sold the lands, those that have occultist materials burnt them.
They brought all they have to the place of gathering and 'laid' what they've
brought before the Apostles feet. From here, foods were bought and was cooked,
served equally. Dedicated men were set aside for this mission of whom Stephen
was among.
Later, they were found wanting. They have
left preaching and were serving tables. Persecution came, they were dispersed.
Every man preached where he found himself.
First lesson, they were not meant to acquire
any form of colony for themselves to live in since they are not to just stay at
a particular place.
At the mount of transfiguration, Jesus
took three men with him and these were from the inner circle. After the
incident that shook them, Peter made a statement, "Master, it is good for us to be here" (In his heart, he has alienated the other
nine. Maybe to him, they weren't holy enough since Jesus didn't bother bringing
them to witness his transfiguration), "... Let us make three tabernacles
here, (He
was already trying to settle at the mount without the others) one for you, one for Moses and the other for Elijah". The Master never consented since that wasn’t in the
plans.
We are having a real issue in our churches
today. Firstly, it is a matter of doctrine. Everyone thinks he is the right
man, speaking directly the mind of God. He might decide to focus on whatsoever
theme he pleases. Be it Prosperity, Righteousness, Holiness, Heaven, love or
whatever he believes is his 'calling'. But maybe that's not the issue here.
What's the issue then?
Our churches today have alienated
themselves from the world in every sense. They have gone back to 'before the persecution'.
They build cathedrals; people sell their
land or give it up to 'churches', sell their cars and bring in the money to the
church.
They are 'inside the churches now'
(staying), braking bread daily, they are having internal fellowships daily,
they are having prayers daily. Is that not what happened before the persecution
came and they were all scattered?
In our beloved country, time is coming and
every denomination is going to be a country of its own. How do I mean?
They have their own 'named cathedrals',
they have their own schools and hospitals, they have their own transport
systems, their markets and economics systems are streamlined to suit their
members and none members find them uncomfortable, they won't have any option
than to back off. Are Christians of the twenty first century not calling for
another round of persecution?
