Further to the posting I put up on 2nd Sept. re. THE CLERGY; the unnatural distinction that has evolved over the years between the clergy and the laity really has elevated certain Pastors, Reverends, Bishops and the like to a kind of worldly celebrity status, most especially in the US mega churches. The lions share of this unbiblical "them and us" system is most predominant in the US, but even here in the UK, we have our fair share of celebrity pastors, and no doubt there are many wannabes, if they could a be's!
There, is however, a tension that exists between the biblical exhortations in the Pauline writings to the brethren (1 Tim. 5.18, 1 Cor. 9.4, 7-14) that flow from the Lord's words in Matt. 10.10; the workman is worthy of his meat, (the context being payment for preaching the coming kingdom of heaven), and those paid hirelings who exist within organised Christendom. Hebrews 8.11 sheds much needed light here, as it says in no uncertain terms that; they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Also the parallel OT verse in Jeremiah 31.34, And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, Jer. 31.34. Strictly speaking, I believe these Scriptures will not have their ultimate fulfillment until the return of the Lord Jesus when He will convert the remnant of Israel as depicted in Zech. 12.10, I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, on this Day, Christ's millennial reign will be inaugurated. And His grace will no doubt be the reason to preserve those whose names are in the Lamb's book of life (Rev. 13.8) from Satan's last great deception on the nations when he shall be loosed out of his prison, see Rev. 20. 1-10. It is my understanding from God's word that this'tension' exists because we are taught by the Master Himself that the Gospel must have free course (unhindered), for when the disciples questioned Him regarding one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us, they forbad him, because he followeth not us. Mk. 9.38 (my emphasis). His reply was, Forbid him not: for there is no man that shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. Paul exhorted the Thessalonian believers (and us today!) to pray that the word of the Lord may have free course, 2 Thess. 3.1. We might see what we consider heretics quoting Scripture verses, but it is written, My sheep hear my voice, Jn. 10.27, and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10.17. If a heretic were to quote Scripture verbatim (as they do) God's Holy Spirit will convict His chosen ones if they are within earshot. Even the 'best' of us are but dust! of Paul it is written, his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible, 2 Cor. 10.10! How could this great preacher have done what he did without the power and the grace of God in Christ? The Lord said, without me ye can do nothing, Jn. 15.5!
The clergy, even those who faithfully preach the way of salvation, Acts 16.17, (wherever they are?) are hardly likely to "vote for Christmas" by telling the truth to the 'laity', are they? They have a vested interest to keep the wheels of motion on the bus as it were - for their livelihoods sake "the coin in the coffer" must keep ringing! But, why the need for organised religion/churchianity today? The predicted apostasy is well and truly upon us (2 Thess. 2.3), nevertheless those lovely old church buildings and chapels (the ones not yet converted to mosques!) still stand as a visible testimony, I think! But, what exactly is going on in these church buildings today? are not 'preachers' preaching to the converted (if indeed they are converted at all, and that goes for the 'preachers' as well!), it would seem impossible for any to hear the true gospel in today's 'cafe culture' church where a synthetic gospel (which is no gospel) is now the order of the day! So-called reformed Christian churches on this island have been infiltrated by the false neo Calvinists preaching a gospel without sin, faith and repentance! How bad things are? much to Satan's joy!
A friend e-mailed me an excellent YouTube video entitled The False "Church System" Deception, it "hits the nail on the head" on what the visible Church has degenerated into, will you pay into their coffers, or sign a direct debit to keep the show going?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EiZVY1Cgsk
Now, where is that concordance; are the words "Order of Service" to be found anywhere in my Bible?...
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