A. Amos Love

CLC

This is how I’m seeing it now. I do reserve the right to be wrong.
I’ve changed my mind a few times after I knew I really knew it all. ;o)

We are warned that some will preach another Jesus.
Do you think some preach another ekklesia?
A false ekklesia, where man is in control and not Jesus in control?

Isn’t Jesus is the head of the body the church?

Didn’t Jesus tell his disciples not to be called Rabbi/teacher?
And do not be called master/leader for you have one leader the Christ.
Matthew 23:1-10

1st Samuel chapter 8 is about God’s people rejecting God’s leadership
for that of a man, A King, to be like the other people.
God was not happy but he gave them what they wanted and said to Samuel;

“they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me,
that “I should not reign over them.”

God’s people did not want God to “reign” over them?

Can you see or think of any differences between
“The Church of God,”
The ekklesia, the called out ones, the people of God.
“and they shall all be taught of God” John 6:45
“ye need not that any man teach you” 1 John 2:27
and
“The Church of Baptist?” (or any institutional corporation called church.)
Steeple Corporation, brick and mortar, institution,
pastors in pulpits preaching to people in pews.

Can you see or think of any differences between
The Kingdom of “God;”
The rule, the “reign,’ the dominion of “God” ruling in a man’s heart.
and
The Kingdom of “Baptist;” (or any institutional corporation that rules.)
The rule, “reign,” dominion of “Baptist” ruling a man?

Didn’t Jesus say, “You can’t serve two masters?”

1-“The Church of God,” (the ekklesia, us,) is purchased with His blood.

1-“The Church of Baptist” (or what ever name) (Church of Man, Lutheran, etc)
purchases us with things that are of the world. Fear, flattery, security, friends,
sense of belonging, etc. Those things that feed the flesh.
Power, profit, prestige, salary, retirement, flattery, invitations to speak, titles, etc.

2-“The Church of God” is built and added to by Jesus. It’s His body.
I will build my church… Matthew 16:18
And the Lord added to the church daily those who should be saved. Acts 2:47

2-“The Church of Baptist” is built by man.
With programs, seminaries, conventions, crusades, tithes and offerings sermons,
guilt and commitment sermons, bring your neighbor to church sermons,
submission to authority sermons, etc.

3-“The kingdom of God” comes not with observation, it is “within” hidden.
It is the rule, the “reign,” the dominion, the goverment of God in one’s heart.
This government shall be upon Jesus’ shoulders.

3- “The kingdom of Baptist” is “without,” names on church buildings,
schools, credentials, diplomas, business cards, phone books, websites
written “I believes,” rules and regulations, how to dress, how to speak,
where it can be “seen.”

“…let us build us a city and a tower,
whose top may reach unto heaven;
and let us make us a name…” Gen 11:9

It is the rule, the “reign,” the dominion, the goverment of Baptists.
This government shall be upon Southern Baptists Conventions shoulders.

4- In “The Church of God” you serve one master, Jesus, and we are one, bretheran.
The Lord is our shephered and we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
None call themselves leader or shepherd. All are one in Christ, bretheran.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice;
and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:16

There is, One Voice – One Fold – One Shepherd.

4- In “The Church of Baptist” you serve many masters,
some more equal than others.
You have hierarchy, local leaders, youth leaders, church leaders,
board leaders, district leaders, denominational leaders.
You have, leaders – followers, clergy – laity, shepherds – sheep,
And you have separation. You have some lording it over others.
You have the beginning of spiritual abuse.

There are many voices – many shepherds – many leaders.

5- When “the Church of God” comes together, meets,
everyone can participate. And is expected to participate.
Everyone is needed to participate for the building up of the body.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together,
every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine,
hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.
Let all things be done unto edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:26

5- When “The Church of Baptist” meets,
only a few participate. Pastors, elders, “so called” leaders,
choirs, ushers, sunday school teachers, etc.
Most in this meeting are spectators, pew sitters,
expected to pay, pray and obey.

Have they rejected God, that God should not “reign” over them?

For “the leaders” of this people cause thee to err;
and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Isaiah 9:16

O my people, “they which lead thee” cause thee to err,
and destroy the way of thy paths.
Isaiah 3:12

My people hath been lost sheep:
“their shepherds” have caused them to go astray…
Jeremiah 50:6

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person,
neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
For I know not to give flattering titles…
Job 32:21

Do titles become idols
and pastors become masters?