Why the Majority of Today’s Assemblies
are not Following God’s Blueprint for the
Scriptural Operation of the
Grace Church
by Pastor George D. Cutler
Part One
Grace Gospel Ministry
It is a fact that the majority of today’s assemblies are not functioning according to God’s directives for the Church in the Grace Dispensation. The documentation of the scriptural assessment of this observation compels one to consider two questions: how should and how shouldn’t they be functioning? The Word of God prophetically addresses this and thus it comes as no great surprise to realize that these trends and traits are all characteristically of the end times. In Paul’s epistle to the church at Thessalonica, he warns that in the last days, there would be a great falling away, as it states, " let not any one deceive you in any manner, because -- if the falling away may not come first …….." (II Thessalonians 2:3). In Paul’s epistle to Timothy, he states, “and know this, that in the last days there shall come perilous times" (II Timothy 3:1). Elsewhere Paul states, “for the time will come when they will not support sound teaching but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, itching their ears; and they will turn away (their) ears from the truth and they will be turned aside to the myths " (II Timothy 4:3-4). Hence while that which is so prevalently occurring is no great surprise yet it is no less reprehensible.
According to the Scripture’s prophesy, what are today’s Churches falling away from? The answer is: from the Truth, i.e., the Word of God. This can be easily seen by looking at the curriculums and agendas of the majority of ministries in Christendom. Unfortunately, there seems to be very few churches today that hew closely to the directives of Paul’s epistles to the Body of Christ. The fact is, most do their own thing in embracing humanly accommodated doctrines, which forfeits God’s purpose in lieu of pacifying the whims of depraved flesh. Major truths, such as the eternal doctrines of salvation are forsaken as their pews have become filled with uninformed members. But even some of the salvation inspired doctrinal churches have forsaken the eternal aspect of this truth to some degree and have also filled their auditoriums with carnal (earth centered) constituents; hence churches are predominately carnal-minded in these last days according to the Word of God. From scriptural documentation, it is clear that God has distinct designs for the Grace Church, which unmistakably delineates the prioritizing of everlasting and unseen aspects, in their application for daily living. Thus, neither modernism nor orthodoxy should dictate the order and rule of Church functionality where such are traditionally based on the commandments of men; as this does not constitute the guidelines as to what God’s local assemblies should be focusing on.
Here unscriptural centered pragmatism will contest: 1). “Well, that's the way it's always been done down through history, 2). everybody today does it that way" or 3). "Well, that may be the way the original church was but today’s churches have to be different in order to relate to modern times." The guidelines for the present age were firmly established in Paul’s writings, which are unchallengeable as they are God’s instructions for the goals, agenda and functionality of those whom He purchased with His blood. God is eternal and therefore does not change, i.e., He is the same in the past, today and will be the same in the future concerning those things that He decreed for His beloved. It is exclusively God’s word that determines how His Church ought to function during any time. Thus, the only relevant question is: has God changed His mind and given new orders? The Scriptural adduce is: No, His Word is unalterable. As a matter of fact, depraved mankind is the only one who changes.
Some mega-assemblies today have more money, resources, programs and trained people than ever before yet they are not functioning in conformity to the directives that have been conveyed by the Scriptures for the Grace Church’s functioning. Their self imagined success is their exclusive gauge as to whether God is actually “moving in their ministry”…….. so they boast. They may be even having a great social impact on society today but the more important question is ………. are their functions mirrored in identification to the assemblies of the Body of Christ? In this sense, the most relevant question is ……. are they following the Word of God? This is the genuine test as to whether a ministry is spiritual or carnal. Here the term “carnal” is not necessarily referencing immorality, even though such is normally concomitant with the characteristics of such. But of course that which qualifies as sin before God far exceeds what mankind construes as immoral. In fact all functioning that transpires as the results of not following God's Word is unscriptural regardless of today’s societal endorsements. Hence, while the accomplishments of these congregations might be enthusiastically applauded by their communities, such operations are far removed from God’s instructions, in that they lightly esteem highlighting Jesus Christ and the eternal doctrines of salvation.
As God’s people are assembled together in preferential consideration of the eternal doctrines of salvation, i.e., in amplitude of the faithfulness of Christ through His grace and not of works; their activities are reflective of their hope of everlasting existence in the Heavenlies. Scripturally informed churches are primarily influenced by things that are eternal and unseen (II Corinthians 4:18) as the carnal (worldly related) operations are basically secondary. Hence spiritually educated churches are not predominantly being influenced by the physically seen things around them as they are more focused on God’s plan and purpose for their eternal positioned life in the Body of Christ. Most ministries are not operating in this vein because they are more interested in pleasing themselves and they value the honor of humans more than the honor of God, which focuses away from the flesh. Also, acclamations, recognitions and notorieties from society are viewed by them as genuine assessments of successful ministering rather than the Scripture’s exemplification, i.e., “as being unknown and yet being well-known” (II Corinthians 6:9). Corroboration of this is in the Kingdom Gospel, wherein Jesus states, “how are you able -- you -- to believe, glory from one another receiving and the glory from God alone you seek not? (John 5:44).
In today’s climate of so-called “prestigious churches,” the accolades of mankind are prominently sought after in denominations and sects while the true thrust for genuine service, i.e., glorifying the eternal accomplishments of God for the establishment of His elect in the Body of Christ is almost entirely glossed over. Here three questions may be posed: 1). what is the church? 2). what is its meaningful purpose? 3). what is meant by the word "church?" The English word "church" comes from the Greek word "ehk•klee•see•ah," which means "called out ones" or "assembly". Hence it actually means “any assembly” but the reference in the subject’s case is, God’s assembly that meets together to worship the Lord. Sadly, in prevailing mindsets, many of God’s people today think that the church is the building or an organization comprised of programs and systems of social operations. However, the Lord Jesus Christ did not die for a building, program or an organization; He died for His elect!
Properly informed people of God will be interested only in God's honor and are mostly inclined to do those things that will Glorify Him only. While it is certainly scripturally appropriate to function and serve in the most suitable facilities that are available and be thoroughly organized, this alone does not constitute the proper operation of the Church that was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. One should abide in the knowledge of what the Church actually engenders. Many are being deceived in flawed perceptions and assessments of what the church’s basic functioning should be but it is God’s elect, the Body of Christ, that comprise the church and thus its primarily focus and goal must be the edification of Christ and His Body (I Corinthians 1:2; 6:19; Ephesians 4:12).
Numerous times we hear common language jargon in expressions: "come visit my church", "may I come to your church?" or "this is our church" but the question is: what is the explication basis for these conveyances? The Greek word "ehk•klee•see•ah” rendered "church," is mentioned some 80 times and "churches" 36 times in the Bible; all in the Kingdom and Grace Covenant writings. It is profitable to note that not one time are the pronouns "your," "my" or "our" affixed in correlation to humans as possessors or owners in the identification of God’s Church. In this light, it is clear that the Body of Christ is not “yours, mine or ours,” even through these expressions are freely utilized in describing ones association with a local assembly. In essence, it is Christ’s Church because He died for it ……. purchased it with His blood and it is His Body. Ephesians 1:22-23 states, “… and gave him head over all to the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One filling all in all."
Note that not one time do personal pronouns precede "church" and "churches" in the Scriptures except in Matthew 16:18 wherein Jesus states, "upon this rock I will build MY church," obviously referencing the Lord’s ownership. Hence whenever the word "church" is mentioned it is: “my” church (only once referring to Jesus), “the” church, “every” church, “whole” church, “glorious” church, “no” church, “the” churches, “of” churches, “all” churches, “other” churches, “seven” churches, etc. Thus in no instance in the 115 verses is it identifying those called into His body with: "your" church, "my" church or "our" church, simply because it is exclusively HIS church and HIS body. All adjectives or prepositional phrases expressing ownership indicate that it belongs to God, as it is very consistent in recognizing its owner. God’s people should be forever cognizant of this very important distinction.
The next matter that needs clarification is whether the “Church is local or universal? Here it is necessary to comprehend the irrelevancy of debating whether it is local or universal. There are verses that support each and thus both are true when expressed in their proper applications, e.g., a congregation of believers in a certain locale is referred to as a “local church” whereas the entire assembly of all who were placed in the Body of Christ in eternity are identified in nomenclature of “called out ones,” as a whole (universal). In I Corinthians 1:2, the Apostle Paul addresses both references in conjunctive usages: first, in the former identity he states, “to the assembly of God that is in Corinth” and in subsequent latter identifications he states, “to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all those calling upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place -- both theirs and ours.”
Ephesians 5:25 refers to the church as a whole as it states, “…… even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it" wherein the word “Church” is a collective noun, which covers all the elect. Also Ephesians 4:4 indicates that the church is one body, not several, as it states, “one body and one Spirit, according as also you were called in one hope of your calling," hence there are a plethora of verses that refer either or both to a local group in a specific location or the Body of Christ as a unified entity. The church referred to in the Gospel of Grace is in its very nature the Body of Christ. Its identification is in essence indicative of the reflective pronoun “His,” connoting the possessive meaning that “this” church is a spiritual body, which belongs to Christ. All references to the term "local church" are basically earthly manifestations of specified ones exercising their service to God through local assemblies. Hence it is apparently the directive of the Grace Gospel to collectively serve and worship God through local assembling although it is not just limited to that. It is scripturally documented that the Church that Jesus Christ purchased in eternity, as depicted on the cross approximately 2000 years ago, is indeed His body of “called out ones” that were positioned in His glorious Body; comprising “we the many are one Body in Christ” (Romans 12:5) and “all the members of the body being many are one Body” (I Corinthians 12:12).
It is of the utmost importance for God’s elect to comprehend what His Scriptural plan is for the operation of Grace Assemblies in the present dispensation. As Church functions are scripturally perceived, this casts great light upon ones understanding why so many of today’s assemblies are carnally operant. Here one thing must be clearly stated …... not everyone that uses the word "Church" in their organizations understands what the true composition of God’s Church is. Yes, it is true that as far as the definition of the word "church" dictates, any assembly can rightly be called a church. But when one is referencing the identity of those whom Christ died for; most are not functioning according to the Grace Dispensation’s blueprint. The Church’s functions define its goals and when they are entrenched in unscriptural doctrines, i.e., in various assortments of works, which are foreign to grace ………… yes, they are still a church but not according to the directives of the Grace Testament. They are just operating like religious people that meet together; having only what the world has conjured, i.e., “appearances” of Christ outwardly but they are by their carnal activity portraying, “having denied the power of it (II Timothy 3:5).
Scripturally based assemblies are those that teach the Grace doctrines of salvation. They are mostly comprised of God’s people that assemble together for the expressed purpose of studying and learning the doctrines of salvation and their eternal relations in the Body of Christ. This usually precludes them from espousing activities drenched the rites, dogmas and social/political agendas of sectarianism and denominations because they for the most part prioritize teaching the doctrines of salvation. Here it is not being asserted that these are not God’s people (only God knows those who are His) but it can be stated that these assemblies are not functioning according to His directives for the operation of HIS church. Hence if the question is posed: are they scripturally directed churches? The answer is No! It is very unfortunate but most assemblies today are not meeting scripturally and if they don't assemble scripturally, then they are carnal (worldly) churches. Even though many in these assemblies are undoubtedly saved, they are not in obedience to the Scriptures and when even saved people follow along with the traditions, commandments and earthly agendas of men rather than the directives and instructions of God, they are carnal.
Are they God’s elect? Yes but they are carnal Saints in the Laodicean age ……...... with Jesus standing outside the parameters of their affections. The underlying reason why most congregations today are carnal is because they follow traditions and commandments of men in prioritizing the temporary “seen” things of this world rather than the eternal “unseen” things of God (II Corinthians 4:18). They also want honor from men rather than that which comes from God or they want both. In this case, their desires are paradoxically affixed to contrasting agendas so they can't have it both ways (I Corinthians 2:5; 3:21; 4:6). In corroboration, Jesus said that we should want that honor that comes from God only and God honors us as we obey His word and trust in Him. This is in essence the epitome of walking in the Spirit but these are indeed the last days as the scriptures prophesied: that there would be a great falling away from the truth, so the difficulty follows in identifying assemblies that are meeting Scripturally (I Timothy 4:1).
A Scriptural assembly is one that distinctly follows God's plan and is comprised of those who simply obey Scriptural directives. The Scriptures (the Gospel of Grace) state that we should walk spiritually in believing and trusting God while militating against all carnality. Paul preached and rebuked carnality in the churches of Corinth, Galatia, Colossians, etc. and these same rebukes and instructions are apropos for today’s assembling. What are foisted as worshipping God are actually traditions and methods of men. This has unfortunately become the norm and because of this, the Scriptural way seems to be odd, peculiar and even weird to those who are exposed and brought up in a society that predominantly affords activities that are affected and permeated with traditions and commandments of men (Colossians 2:22; Titus 1:14).
One of the most distinct characterizations observed when scrutinizing modern day human-accommodations churches; is that they appear to be functioning more in line with the operation of businesses and clubs than the Church that Christ died for. This lies in the fact that their membership roles are comprised of contributors based on the donors’ perceived return of physical and social benefits to them. Their constitution and by-laws are skewed to accommodate their prioritized interest, i.e., “what am I going to received as a result of my association with this group” or “what’s in this for me?” In this sense, their primary functions facilitate a prescribed detailed course of customary proceedings in which they put their greatest emphasis on social, political and economic activities and programs. In facilitating this, they likewise have agendas that exude nonprofit organizations, which operate similar to secular organizations that are incorporated by federal, state and local governments.
Now some may pose the question, “what’s wrong with the church facilitating services to the community?” The answer is nothing and everything! ……nothing is wrong when the facilitation is incidental to its primary operation but everything is wrong when said facilitation constitutes the primary function of its operations. Generally speaking, the idea of a corporation engenders the formation of a body of persons acting under a legal charter as a distinct entity with privileges and liabilities. In this sense, local assemblies are correctly organized like any other business but this is where the similarity should end. Churches are designated as Ecclesiastical Corporations to protect individual members from incurring personal liabilities of the corporation from lawsuits. Also, in order to be exempted from taxes, it must be done this way, i.e., legally set up like a business. However, it is not God's design for His churches to be operated like businesses or clubs.
God’s Word clearly describes how Grace Assemblies should assemble and conduct themselves in the Grace Dispensation. The Scriptural agenda of edifying the Body of Christ does not accommodate the common practice of assembling however and for whatever men want. In the Apostle Paul’s day, the agendas of church meetings for the most part were very simple and in stark contrast to the business and club-like assemblies of today. During that time, God’s people came together in the name of the Lord Jesus to fellowship, worship and exhort one another and these prioritized functions have not changed. The scriptural itinerary for congregating is such that men cannot glory in themselves. I Corinthians 1:27-29 states, "but the foolish things of the world did God choose that the wise He may put to shame; and the weak things of the world did God choose that He may put to shame the strong; and the base things of the world, and the things (having been and are) despised did God choose, and the things that are not, that the things that are He might make (having made) useless -- that no flesh may glory (having gloried) in the presence of God."
God’s directives to His elect for assembling are exclusively and distinctly spelled out throughout the Scriptures. In this light, God’s choice of His elect does not placate the greatest physical things on the earth, which accommodate and glorify the flesh. It is strictly in this sense that His election exudes those who were the least and the base things; in testimony to confound the mighty. The scriptural compliance of assembling militates against accommodating the whims of prioritizing operations predicated upon the social/political advancements of today’s complex society. God’s greatest work was manifested on Earth approximately 2000 years ago and the prioritized activity on Earth of its recipients and benefactors must be reflective in testimony of His eternal accomplishments. Thus, the underlying purpose of God’s designed plan, program and methodology is exemplified through the assembling of the saints on the Earth.
It is so very important to comprehend how Grace Churches should function in their assemblies and it is to this end that certain passages in the Apostle Paul’s epistles distinctly address this issue. In the inception of the establishment of each assembly, instructions were immediately provided to guide how to conduct themselves in their assembling together. Paul periodically sent helpers such as Timothy, Titus as well as others to observe their mode of functioning and also to aid in further establishing them as scripturally operating churches. Here it must be absolutely understood that Paul's instructions were more than just advice, in that they are God’s Words and actually God's regulations of how Scriptural churches should operate. There are numerous accounts of corrective instructions in both of the Corinthians’ Epistles. In I Corinthians chapter 14, their meetings were completely out of order so it became necessary in that Paul had to correct them concerning numerous things. He ended the chapter by stating that all the directives given were God's commandments and if anyone thought himself spiritual, to acknowledge them as such (I Corinthians 14:37).
From the enlightenment of these Scriptures, as well as many others, there are a plethora of instructions outlaying the proper outline of how the Grace Church should be conducted in assembling and operating and as such, there is more than ample guidance for today. On the first day of the week, God’s people should assembled together only in the name of and for the exclusive purpose of worshipping and praising the Lord Jesus Christ. Many local churches of Paul’s day started out in private homes and as their numbers grew, accommodations were facilitated in proportion to their increase of attendees. Hence, such facilitations must always be viewed strictly as buildings to assemble in. In this sense, architectural structures within themselves do not nor should not dominate conceptions of worship through their forms and identifications of names or titles of expressions of themselves. In other words, designated assembly structures should be most comfortable and also as accommodative as possible but focusing on the decorative embellishment of them with stained glass windows, padded pews, etc. and the conducting of services and functions not primarily espoused in the essence of Jesus Christ; renders such as functioning solely for the aggrandizements of depraved mankind. This practice is un-dubitably influenced by concepts that have been un-mistakenly drawn from directives given in the Mosaic Covenant for the Old Testament Temple and Israel’s "house of God," which Scriptures indicate and stress ordinances of deification in expressions of sanctification and holiness that were typified by their institutional emphasis on holy days, places, buildings, etc.
It must be ascertained that God’s directives for assembling and functioning in the present dispensation are distinctly spelled out and should be exclusively followed according to the Grace Testament Scriptures. When the Holy Spirit leads, the results are testimonies exclusively comprised of what God has accomplished in Christ before creation. Now this may be expressed by song, hymn or even someone’s personal testimony but primarily it is depicted through teaching and/or preaching of the Gospel of the Grace of God. Hence, all functions and meetings are spiritually enhanced as they are concomitantly tied to the magnification of Christ and the edification of His Body, the Church. In this sense, there should be continuously present the infusion of songs or testimonies of the eternal message, through lessons and words of Scriptural exhortation, etc. These are the specific orders that were delineated in Paul’s instructions to the infant Grace Assemblies, in that they were neither to rely upon nor utilize Jewish traditions and practices for guidance in their functioning and operating. Hence songs, testimonies, lessons, exhortations, messages, etc., were all structured from guidelines given by God and liberty was given within these guidelines. Now liberty does not mean doing whatever depraved mankind wants but being allowed or having the freedom to do whatever God had commanded in His Word. Thus, there will be no confusion in the operations and functions of the Grace Church when everything is done decently and in order. Notice that those specifically charged with carrying out these commands are the ELDERS, i.e., the older (experienced) men and women in the assembly.
The directives from the Scriptures concerning assembling and functioning are very clear, i.e., the operations of the Body of Christ are primarily organized to adorn the eternal workings of God in fashioning it. It is strictly in this sense that the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 3:17 states, "……… the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord (is), (there is) liberty." Hence the Spirit’s liberty in the church is according to the order of His workings. Now some may pose the question, "Well doesn’t this liberty mean that the Spirit shouldn’t be hindered from His workings in getting others involved in doing His biddings?" Here the answer is emphatically YES but the greater issue is ones scriptural comprehension of what the Spirit’s workings actually entail. The allowance of liberty does not lend itself to giving leeway to the humanistic infusion of mankind’s imaginative doings nor should it. Here it must be absolutely understood whose liberty is referenced and what are its extents.
Does liberty denotes the relinquishing of control over the church to the whims of mankind or does the Spirit of God dictate whether an activity, function or operation is permissible? Scripturally speaking, "liberty" means the condition of being free from control, confinement and servitude to unrighteousness while the opposite of this liberty is bondage. In this sense, bondage is when the Scriptures are not being freely obeyed and practiced. This is expressively compared in the epistle to the Galatians, as Paul addressed those that had tried to put others in bondage (Galatians 2:4); wherein he states, "and on account of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped to spy out our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus that they might bring us under bondage." Hence, liberty in the church is manifestly compared to what the directives of God are rather than what human conceptualizations are. Corroboratively, II Peter 2:19 states, "while they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."
Hence liberty is granted by the Lord, in that He has already given His elect liberty to do what He said according to the Word of God. God gives directives, as to what is to be done and He gives us liberty to do it according to His Word. The underlying point is that liberty in true ministering is from God ……… not man, as human ways are the opposite and a hindrance from following God's Word. The Holy Spirit is in charge of the liberty or freedom to obey God's commands and as He grants or withholds them, such are expressed in their implementations. It is from this viewpoint that enlightened ones are to be dutiful in serving God according to the Scriptures. Paul expresses this with the statements, “Christ has freed us to freedom; stand therefore and do not again be held under the yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1) and again " the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord (is), (there is) liberty" (II Corinthians 3:17). Hence, where there is liberty, there is the Spirit of the Lord and when the Spirit of the Lord directs the church then there is liberty for God’s people to truly serve Him. If there is no liberty in the church, it is only because it is operating contrary to God’s directives in His Word.
God’s elect should be enlightened in order to participate in the church according to the guidelines of Scripture. Here some will say, "oh but we can't do that exactly as it is stated for there must be adjustments made in consideration of the way things are being done today.” In some taking this position, it is assumed that things will not get out of hand and that certain innovations can be employed without things getting out from under control. The only adduce to genuineness of liberty in the church is when its focus and functions are aligned with Christ as the Head; with informed elders leading and having authority accordingly, as it is explicitly outlaid in those instructions and directives in the Scriptures. Then and only then will there be no chaos for those who are trusting in the Lord, as it is evidenced that strictly following the dictates of the Spirit is the only plausible coarse for a Scriptural church.
Unfortunately, most assessments of the authenticity of assembly functioning are gleaned from traditions and are thus void of Scriptural directives. Just because a thing may appear to be proper according to the norm or even to the perception of practicality; does not necessarily certify such as being correct. Familiarity in assembly functioning is mostly relied upon to determine what is endorsed as approved operations in the Church but the plumb line for gauging what is correct must be exclusively drawn from the Word of God. Genuine directives that are extracted from the Scriptures are in most instances challenged and erroneously perceived as radically abnormal because the majority of religious establishments have never “heard or seen anything like it before and no one else believes or does it this way so it must be wrong.” The gauge of genuineness should never be based on what fits in with the normalcy of the present age, as the Word of God plainly teaches that in latter times, some will manifestly fall away from the faith ((I Timothy 4:1).
It is of note that this prophesy was not expressed concerning the world falling from the truth (of which it has never been in possession) but it is specifically a prognostication of the church. Speaking to this church age (the present one), the Apostle Paul states, "having the form of godliness but having denied the power of it; also turn away from these” (II Timothy 3:5). This conveyance gives description to the apparent institutionalized practices so prevalent in assemblies today. Here the verb participle ehkh·on·dehs rendered “having” conveys the act of holding or possessing. The noun mor·pho·seen rendered “form” denotes the physicality of externally shaping, fashioning and foisting humanly perceived appearances of godliness, which engenders the exercise of performing rituals and trappings associated with orthodoxies of religious systems. This also exudes the flawed teaching that “godliness is a way of physical gain,” which is in actuality only the empty illusion of formality (I Timothy 6:5).
The statement “having denied the power of it,” denotes those having denied the power or truthfulness of the Gospel of Christ as outlaid in the Gospel of Grace. Hence the conveyance implies that in these days, there are numerous professing religious practitioners that are void of the power of God, which denial of such activity is scripturally evinced. Unfortunately, this is expressive of the anemic, powerless churches of today. Oh yes, they have all kinds of buildings, money, programs and methods yet they are not functioning according to the directives of God, as their frivolous prioritizing of worldly values are in continuous conflict with God’s commands of instructions to the Church. There does not seem to be much confidence in the suitability or durability of the truth, void of human ingressions. Sadly the popular trend is to ignore these precious truths, suppress or explain them away and maintain the status quo.
God’s people will never be able to escape from these truths as long as they are guided by His Word. We believe that none can walk honestly before God and have peace in their souls while they are entrenched in organized activities that exude the conflictual nature of the carnal mind, as such “is enmity against God" (Romans 8:7). In essence, the only thing that one can receive from a carnal church is its tendency to exuberate carnality. In other words, a carnal (worldly focused) assembly will only promote carnality. To this some may inquire, "well, how can one know what is the correct forum for assembling?” The answer is ……… one must look in God's Word and observe the operations of certain assemblies in the Scriptures. Here one will note explicit directives as to what should and shouldn’t transpire in the house of God.
The majority of Christendom simply views the Church in the traditional sense or idea of those who assembly under the caption of Jesus Christ. There were many examples in the Scriptures wherein God’s people assembled for the purpose of group worship but it is of particular note that their primary focus and attention were the most part, exclusively on and in the essence of Christ. In the greater sense, the prioritized purpose of their gatherings were to learn the messages of the Mystery that were revealed to the Apostle Paul, as he spent at least 3 years alone with Jesus in receiving the Gospel of the Grace of God. Hence, the lion’s share of all assembling in the name of the Lord must be occasioned by studying and gleaning from the Word of God. The Scriptural approach to assembling and worshipping do not engender customs or traditional habits; as the manner of some exude socialization or even polarization as their primary reasons of coming together. Assembling together should not ever be geared to placate the desires and pleasures of the service’s attendees in that this is absolutely the wrong reason for fellowshipping.
Unfortunately, there are some who have joined in groups for the express purpose of fulfilling agendas that are antithetical to the directives that were outlaid to the Church of God (Ephesians 4:11-12). God’s people must be diligent to first seek to enhance their spiritual relationship in identification with their placement in the Body of Christ, as this above all else must be their motivation for the allegiances of bonding together. In other words, Jesus must be the foundational reason of groupings and meetings and by all means, He must be the prioritized agenda item. Yes, it is God's will for His elect to be part of a local assembly but only for the edification of the Church that Jesus Christ died for. In this light, compromise is not an option. Any deviation from the agenda that the Scriptures have set for the Church of God is not only bad but the entire system is wrong and God’s enlightened servants must without any reservations; take a concerted and non-negotiable stand against all such practices.
Sadly, unscriptural agendas have been institutionalized in religious systems from the point that these operations commenced soon after the early churches were founded. Many assemblies have become a part of this façade in these last days, of which the Scriptures stated that there would be a great falling away. Hence, it is of note that though this is not new, it is no less an affront to the grace of our Lord’s redemption of those so undeserving of His eternal sacrifice. Unscriptural agendas commenced their course with the initial conceptualization of universality based upon the prioritization of earthly contrived solutions to the depraved plight of mankind. These investitures were coupled with flawed doctrines of salvation, which cascaded into the emergence of denominationalisms. There have from this arisen the symbolizing and schematizing of worldly establishments of religious titles for men, denominational identifications, religious schools and hospitals, tithing, membership roles, teaching of traditions and commandments of men as doctrine, church constitutions, bi-laws and creeds that are adhered to in lieu of Scriptural directives.
Now there is no intention herein to assert that these organizations are void of any truth or even some correct doctrines of salvation; yet it is evident that they have fallen prey to the allure of false religious systems, which have rendered today’s organized assemblies spiritually powerless. The main issue is their quest for so-called success, for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:42-43). But what about those who have been truly enlightened, what they should they do? (1) Suppress these truths and be silent so as not to offend anyone or (2) Speak out as Jesus, Paul and others have and did and risk the stigma of being ostracized or (3) overtly operate separately from such practices and take a stand for the Truth? The only conscientiously honorable alternative available, is to speak out against such from without the boundaries of this system rather than from within it.
God has richly blessed those who have been scripturally enlightened concerning His agenda for the manifestation of the Church on Earth. In the sphere of time, He has provided clear documentation in delineating the goals and functions of godly approved ministering. Correct fellowshipping in the Body of Christ is to be pursued above everything else and it can be honestly stated that the approval of God, though not prioritized by the world, is certainly more valuable than the approval of men. In this sense, studying God’s word and comprehending the truth of His eternal workings of salvation, are to be treasured beyond all other activities. The noblest accomplishment in ministering is realized by those assembled together as a group for the ultimate purpose of living and functioning according to the directives from God and pleasing to God (Galatians 1:10; Colossians 1:10; I Thessalonians 2:4).
Everything that has been written as directives for assembling and functioning is true in the Word of God. It is very important for God’s people to comprehend that truth is not correctly assessed by what is trendy or popular or even what has been traditional ingrained into the majority of mindsets. Many have down through the centuries believed and practiced most things according to what have been certified by religious systems rather that what is documented in the Scriptures. Hence, very few in this present day spirit of competitiveness of ministry assemble strictly as God has commanded, even though their creeds attest that they do. Those that are committed to the Word of God must hold firm to sound doctrines and insist upon being convinced solely by the testimonies of the Scriptures; in lieu of being swayed by the majority’s tendencies of relying upon traditions, the commandments of men and prevalent religious systems today. The consciences of those who are strictly bound by the Scriptures are only captive to the Word of God and will not retract from anything in it, even if it is considered unpopular or impolite to militate against things that are contrary to it.
The most effective course for taking a stand against these wide scale practices of unscriptural assembling and functioning, requires dedicated spiritual examples of leadership from those who are charged to lead God’s flock (Philippians 3:16-17). It begins with the scriptural position of the pastor. It is the awesome yet humble calling of those enabled of God. This is certified in I Timothy 1:12, which states, “I thank Him who has enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, that He counted me faithful, having placed me into a ministry.” Note the first part of this verse is very literally translated khah•reen ehkh•o to ehn•thee•nahm•o•sahn•dee rendered “I have thanks (gratitude) to the one who has given me inner power.” Here the Greek participle ehn•thee•nahm•o•sahn•dee rendered “enabled me,” is derived from two Greek words and means power within, inner power, strength within, etc. The identity of this source of inner power and strength is Jesus Christ, our Lord. The informed servant of God fully relies upon the power of Christ (Philippians 4:13; II Timothy 4:17).
In this sense, spiritual comprehensiveness extracts internalization of those things that are unseen and eternally scoped beyond the physically manifested trappings of creation and time, which factors the dynamics, that Christ implants true living through the Holy Spirit. Here the statement ot•ee pees•ton eey•ee•sah•to theh•meh•nos ees thee•ahk•on•ee•ahn when carefully interpreted from the Greek is literally “that he counted me faithful, having placed me into a ministry.” It can be clearly gleaned from the aorist participle theh•meh•nos rendered “having put or “placed” ………. that it was Christ who composed the make-up and placement into His ministry. In regards to the Body of Christ, the Greek word thee•ahk•on•ee•ahn translated “ministry,” conveys the idea of service and work strictly related to the Gospel of Grace. In eternity, Jesus Christ sovereignly saved and put certain elected ones into the ministry of the Gospel of the Mystery (Acts 9:15-16; II Timothy 1:11). Hence, those who had been sovereignly placed into the ministry are to prioritize and make known the truth of the Body of Christ, the Church. These are the ones that the Lord has truly eey•ee•sah•to rendered “counted,” considered and evaluated as being faithful, which is the only assessment that really counts. No doubt, many of God’s servants have started out in the right vein but have fallen into the snare of ministering in worldly unscriptural positions.
In Ephesians 4:11, the Greek word pee•mehn•ahs rendered “pastor,” means to "feed" or to "shepherd". According to the context of the text in Ephesians chapter 4, "pastoring" is a spiritual gift that is effectuated through the position or calling. Other common words used in the Scriptures expressing this role of leadership in the churches were "elders" (which means older) and "bishops" (which means overseer). "Elder" and "bishop" were frequently mentioned for the same office, as they both are interchangeable. In the historical accounts of Acts chapter 20, the elders were also "overseers." In verse 28, the Apostle Paul states, “Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the Assembly of God that He acquired through His own blood.” Here he references the elders’ ministry as ehp•ees•kop•oos rendered "overseers". Note carefully that this Greek noun is the very same word translated "bishop" Hence he is calling these leaders of the church "elders" in verse 17 and "bishops" (overseers) in verse 28.
The pastors and elders that God has placed over His Assembly as overseers (bishops); are to guard that all its functioning adheres to the directives of the Scriptures in faithfully executing their job to "oversee" His church. This refutes any idea that the pastor bishop and other mature leaders in the church are to conform to the whims of popularity and modern day trends in the prioritized expansion of ministries to the flock beyond those outlaid in Paul’s epistles. Hence, pastors, elders and other mature spiritual men (and women) are to be dedicated leaders in service and work strictly related to the Gospel of Grace. In eternity, God sovereignly placed such elected ones into the ministry expressly for this reason (Ephesians 4: 1-16).
There are numerous examples of spiritual leadership in the scriptures wherein the exclusive focus was in the eternal Heavenlies in Christ. It is in this sense that reference is made to the Philippians saint’s “…………..fellowship in furthering the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:5). Here it is very important to comprehend that their prioritized focus of fellowshipping was on advancing the Gospel of Grace. Hence the prioritized functionary goal of assembling exudes expressing the conceptualization of identification with Christ. This embraces ones eternal position and all that such possesses in Christ, which gives testimony of having been placed into Christ. In this view, spiritual fellowshipping evinces an all in Christ purpose for assembling. Such Christ focused functionary assembling in fellowship requires informed leadership and the love of God as the exclusive motivational cause in coming together.
Spiritual leadership is of the uttermost important in guiding the directives for the scripturally assembling of God’s people. I Thessalonians 5:12-13 states, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake". Here the Apostle Paul is speaking to the church of Thessalonica exhorting them to "know and esteem (those among) them” for "their work's sake." He is speaking of the elders in the church, i.e., they were to esteem or appreciate those that were dedicated to and espoused the word of God without wavering, as such were to be commended very highly but exclusively in love for their work's sake. Hence, scriptural positions of operations in the church must occupy the place of preeminence. Some modern day pastors are more concerned about social and political gains as they seek to establish a secular power base and view such as God’s plan for accomplishing the goals of the church.
This concept couldn’t possibly be further from the truth, for even noble secular agendas (and there are many) should never be prioritized over that which has been conveyed by the Scriptures. Mankind’s agendas systematically run counter to God’s eternal plan, will and purpose, hence prioritizing the implementation of humane ventures, which do not translate into implementing His Divine workings as such, are ultimately driven by the preeminent of fleshly motives. Some secular operations may be good yet some are really non-productive even in the societal sense, but none of these type functioning should serve as the guiding force for assembling together the constituents of the Body of Christ. Most semblances of secular agendas automatically put such in the place of preeminence. Now the question is, "Should there be more than one center of focus in the local church?" The scriptural answer to that is absolutely not! Everything from the beginning was and is by Him, about Him, for Him and to Him (Colossians 1:16-17), hence the Grace Testament Scriptures teach that it is wrong to prioritize any agenda other than what is found in their directives to the church.
There is no instance in the accounts of the Gospel of Grace wherein the church’s focus should abide in solving worldly issues nor utilize its primary energy in the arena of such activity. The agenda for the Body of Christ is clearly defined and set for the churches by the Holy Spirit. The eternal purpose of God was ordained by Him and the qualifications for the guidance of the church must align with the dictates of His directives, hence there is no endorsement which allows any exercise to the contrary of what has been decreed by Him. Historically, clerical and priestly assumptions have evolved as the correct order of the church has disappeared. The Apostle Paul addressed this issue in many of his epistles to the faithful in the church such that their focus would always reside in the eternal and unmovable things that truly exude the comfort and encouragement of those who are standing firm fast in the faith.
Some assess what the focus of assembling should be through polling what the operations of the so-called successful big named ministries entail. Sadly this is an extremely misleading assessment in that the diversities of their activities for the most part exude glaring contradictions to the directives for the functionality of the Grace Church. In fact some of their exercises actually border on the brink of blasphemy. Philippians 1:27 states, “Only worthily of the gospel of Christ conduct yourselves that whether having come and having seen you or whether being absent that I may hear of your affairs; that you stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel.” In the antecedent context, the Philippians needed Paul’s continued ministry of the Word, which emphasizes the importance of spiritual leadership in the house of God. This is absolutely necessary in the progression of understanding the truth of the Gospel as well as experiencing the joy it can impart to its recipients.
Even though the assembly at Philippi was a model Grace Testament Church, it still had its problems………… one of which was disunity, which hampered the ministry’s quest in aggressively striving for the faith of the Gospel. The activities of at least some factions were not in conformity to the Gospel of the Grace of God. This was the basis for the statement, “only live worthily of the gospel of Christ.” Here the Greek adverb mon·on rendered “only” focuses on one thing…… activities worthy of (in conformity to) the Gospel. The Greek adverb ahx·ee·os rendered “worthily” denotes functioning in a manner worthy of or in keeping with that which conforms to the directives of the gospel. The Greek verb pol·eet·ehv·ehs·theh translated “conduct” basically refers to the reflection of ones activity in the knowledge of ones Heavenly citizenship in the Body of Christ (Philippians 3:20).
The most important functioning of the assembly is the training of its constituents in knowing the stipulations and commands of the Gospel of Grace. This is why there is such a great need for scripturally teaching more completely the contents of the Gospel and to exhort God’s people to comprehend the special revelation of the Truth given to the Apostle Paul (I Thessalonians 2:13; Galatians 1:12). When one is established in the Truth for the Grace Assembly (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:2-9) ………… regardless of the circumstances, such postulates the situational process concerning them that “stand fast in one spirit.” Note that the Greek verb stee·keh·teh rendered “stand fast” denotes to stand firm, persevere and not move or budge from a position of spiritual oneness (Ephesians 4:3-6). Here the Greek phrase ehn·ee pnehv·mah·tee translated “one spirit” may be used collectively to include all the members of the Body of Christ; who are to stand firm, united and one in spiritually assembling. This implies that the common denominator is the common Body of Truth, which is the Grace Gospel message that must be understood by all of God’s elect (Ephesians 4:5).
Also the “one spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4) who is the one that distributes Truth to members of the Body of Christ according to the sovereign will of God, in maintaining the unity of oneness in the Spirit. The only one who can amalgamate the minds of believers…………. is the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:13). The Holy Spirit has as an accomplished fact, produced unity and peace in the Body of Christ through the revelation of truth, which in turn God’s people are to maintain in assembling. Furthermore, those that walk in this vein are “with one soul striving for the faith of the Gospel.” Here the Greek noun psee·khee rendered “soul” means breath, breath of life or the vital force of physical life. The Greek participle seen·ahth·loon·dehs rendered “striving,” basically means to strive with, contend with; hence it is the exhibition of those that are jointly, collectively and co-operatively striving together for the faith of the Gospel. The phrase tee pees·tee too ehv·ahy·yehl·ee·oo rendered “the faith of the gospel,” refers to that which is believed, which is guided by the contents of the truth of the Gospel. Those who are lead by the Scriptures are united in thinking and joined together in soul to promote and defend the truth of the Gospel vigorously. Those that are properly assembling and functioning according to the directives given to the Grace Church, are exhibiting conduct worthily of the Gospel, which entails being of one mind in the Spirit and collectively striving together with one soul in its proclamation and defense.
Qualified spiritually mature assembling exudes authoritative scriptural directives that position and rule prioritized functioning in the church. All activities that run counter to these directives are in fact distortions of the truth. It may not be that such functioning is wrong in itself but conclusively, the prioritization of such functioning, i.e., the positioning of worldly agendas as the primary focus and time engagement is clearly wrong. Hence it is the prioritization of assembly focusing and the consumption in time on scripturally non-supportive agendas that renders such wrong. Comprehension of God’s directives tends to gradually gain more and more authority and exact scriptural responsibilities, as God’s people become more accountable to Him and non-accountable to worldly traditions. There is always safety in spiritually positioning assembly functioning according to the Grace Gospel directives, in that the adherence to them does not require the twisting of Scriptures to make such activity preeminent in the church.
Assembly functional operations must become more accountable to the directives of God to the Grace Church and non responsive to the traditions and whims of popular consensus. Theme-wise, the dominant force is the presence of Christ according to the Scriptures but traditional human ideas have transformed into prevailing secular agendas. This has unfortunately shaped primary functioning on the decisively separate level of aggrandizing the precepts of mankind instead of prioritizing God’s presence. From this has developed the practice of championing earthly goals over Heavenly expressed hopes in the Scriptures; in effect seeking to channel the hopes of God’s people in the social, economic and political arenas. The Scriptures explicitly state that Jesus is to have preeminence in the Grace Church in all things because He alone is the Head. Only Christ should be in that position and responsible assembling is exclusively geared to focus on His Headship. Service, ministering and worship should flow from fellowship in the essence of our eternal relationship in Christ.
Close scrutiny of the subject of scripturally assembling casts enlightenment on the preeminence or “prioritized position” that automatically places the unseen eternal things of God first and foremost in regards to the chief concerns of the House of God. Focusing on earthly seen things is not wrong or incorrect in its proper place but it is the prioritization of them that renders such as unscriptural. The priority of eternally focusing is essential for God’s people such that their center of attention is continually on what can be reliably hoped for. In this regard, Colossians 1:5 states, “because of the hope that is laid up for you in the Heavens, which you previously heard in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Here the Apostle Paul is thanking God that our effective hope is in that which is reserved for us in the heavens. Note that the Greek word ehl·pee·thah translated “hope,” conveys the idea of projection beyond ones present abode, which engenders an expectation, a looking forward to and a longing for something in manifestation of a futuristic certainty.
Unfortunately, many of God’s people have not spiritually internalized the basic truths about the coming of the Lord for His Church and the realistic impact of their eternal union in the Body of Christ (I Thessalonians 4:17). This verse explicates the certainty of hope, which is presently unseen yet is so secure that it exudes a reliable stimulus for increased faith in Christ; resulting in a greater love for Him in the expression of effectively produced genuine spirituality! Hence while some may consider this strictly as futuristic, this prophetic hope is so authentic when comprehended. This makes a bona fide impact on daily living priority-wise, as attention must be continually drawn to and emphasis placed on learning about this hope. In focusing on this hope, Paul states, “which you previously heard in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Here the Greek word pro·eek·oo·sah·teh rendered “previously heard,” speaks of that which the ones he was addressing had heard before or heard prior to Paul’s writing of this epistle.
On the basis of this available information, total confidence in the sufficiency of the Gospel of Grace to provide applicable directives to the Grace Church; moves to the prioritized position of what should be taught and exercised in the ministry. Hence, main-line teaching concerning Heavenly Hope serves as the driving force of assembling. Continually hearing about this Heavenly Hope corresponds to information about ones only hope, i.e., ones future in the “Heavenlies in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Here the Greek phrase to log·o tees ahl·ee·thee·ahs too ehv·ahy·yehl·ee·oo rendered “the word of the truth of the gospel” can also be correctly interpreted “the message of truth, which belongs to the Gospel,” denoting that this message of truth is the contents of the Gospel for the Grace Church. This form is an apposition relationship, i.e., the message of truth is the Gospel and the Gospel is the message of truth; deeming unnecessary the insertion of other conveyances as substitutes. The most important thing to note is that the Gospel is constituted of perpetual truth…………………the crux of which conveys prophesy of the prioritized fact that one day, God’s people will be manifested with Christ in glorified form (Colossians 3:4; Philippians 3:20-21).
It is important for all to comprehend the value of assembling according to the directives of the truth of our gospel. Therein assembly functional operations are exclusively ascertainable, which mitigates the prioritized diversity of functions in the church. With this knowledge in hand, God’s people will not be so easily tempted to embrace the functioning of assembling according to the dictates of economic, social and political agendas. The Scriptures clearly state that Jesus Christ is the head of His Church and that it is not to be dominated by a foray of humanly inspired projects. Primarily, the focus and goal of assembling is to worship God according to the internalization of the manifested purchased redemption of His elect. Hence, spiritual assembling indwells prioritized focus, which is centered in the eternal Heavenly sphere. In too many of today’s ministries, assembling agendas engender distorted functioning, which operate predominately in the secular vein but there is no foundation for such activity in the Scriptures.
Political, social and economic platforms are not prioritized in the directives to the Body of Christ nor should their scripts be prevailing in assembly conveyances today. One would be hard pressed to cite even one example in the epistles of Paul wherein the purpose of the context is to endorse, encourage or advocate secular activities as the ultimate course in rectifying the ills of depraved mankind ……….. no, not one! However, in a limited scope, the Scriptures are very clear that the ministry should support the poor and contribute to meet the requirements of those in genuine need (Second Corinthians chapters eight and nine). Indeed, even the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ also entailed enterprises of temporary works (physical healings and deliverance) while He was on Earth but the non-prioritized position of these undertakings was specifically stated (Mark 1:37-38; Luke 4:42-43; John 17:4). The Apostle Paul worked in and supported temporary earthly ministering in certain instances, i.e., aiding the poor saints of Jerusalem, etc. along with those who were recruited to assist him but he always considered the implementation of them secondarily (Colossians 3:1-2). Hence, the Scriptures specifically state that gifts of financial aid and other services should be given to the poor and disadvantaged but that does not mean that such activity should become the primary functioning of assembling.
Today’s churches are infused with professionally trained pastors, ministers and missionaries who are very adept with skills geared to service the physical needs of humanity. This is of course proper in a limited sense in accordance with what the Scriptures teach concerning those who minister in providing social and financial help to the needy but there is no doctrinal basis for the prioritized allocation of such services to the Body of Christ. Spiritual ministering is never classified in the like-same category as physical ministering, as the provisions energized in dispensing them are conveyed in antithetical spheres. The idea of a servant in the Grace Assembly is foreign to one void of dispensing services that exude eternal benefits. Corroboratively, in the Old Testament Scriptures, only the Levites (priestly tribe) were excluded from receiving any physical inheritances in Israel because their services were in the spiritual realm. Hence, on a prioritized basis, God's servants should be professionally trained or educated specifically for the spiritual unseen ministry.
It must be thoroughly understood that assembly functioning is not foremost for the edification of the people but for the Body of Christ. Directives in the Gospel of Grace exclusively set forth instructions for assembly functions, which denote that they must never be compromised to accommodate rationales of humanity. Every assembly that operates solely for the humanistic pleasure of “the people,” is by and large merely an organization that is directed by humanly inspired edicts. While such may render services that are perceived to fulfill social, political and economic goals, they are void of the terminus, which engenders internalization of eternal relations in Christ Jesus. Needless to say, there is no Scripture for this methodology of functioning. In focusing on the other end of the pendulum, some may contend that it is neglectful not to prioritize the crippling circumstances of this life; in citing passages from scriptures such as James 2:15-16, which states “…………. And if a brother or sister may be naked, and may be destitute of the daily food, and any one of you may say to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed, and be filled and may not give to them the things needful for the body, what is the profit?” Without even dealing with the fact that this statement is in reference to the Kingdom Gospel, its priority is mitigated in light of several statement of Jesus, i.e., “or the poor always you have with you, and Me you have not always; for she has put this ointment on My body -- for My burial she did it. Verily I say to you, wherever this good news may be proclaimed in the whole world, what this one did shall also be spoken of -- for a memorial of her.”
The directives for assembly functioning have not been instituted by the rationale of perceived human needs but by the Lord Jesus in both the Kingdom and Grace Gospels. That is the proper way it should be because He is the Head and it is for and to Him that the assembly must function. In this light, most assemblies are not functioning according to the Scriptures. When the perceived needs of men are the prioritized function, the eternal essence of Christ Jesus is actually positioned as the secondary agenda item or even not at all. The directives to the church of this age of the Grace Dispensation are very clearly defined, which dictate that the doctrines pertaining to prioritizing eternal unseen things should be strictly adhered to. The Scriptures indicate that all guidance for functioning must be according to what the Holy Spirit has appointed. Prioritized commissions of assembly functioning are not geared to assimilate "professional humanities" and are not defined by humanity but ministries have been raised up chiefly in service to spiritual matters. The elevated position of eternal heavenly issues over all others establishes the prioritized place of Christ. Many assemblies claim to have a special "calling" or “anointing” to perform God’s “Earthly will” but it is odd that they talk so much about a special calling that is antithetical to the directives of the Scriptures.
Many of today’s assemblies attempt to assimilate their operations to that of the congregation of the children of Israel and others in the Old Testament, as they claim to be the “assembly of God's covenant people today.” The problem is that the majority of assemblies don’t comprehend what covenant they are actually auspicated under today. They say "we are anointed to do the Lord’s work" yet they have not grasped what God has outlaid for the Body of Christ in the Grace Dispensation. In many instances, their favorite verses in the Scriptures do not even apply to the saints of this church age. Hence, their alleged “directives, oracles and instructions” that they claim to evince a special calling from God to lead the church in the present generation are in fact nowhere found in the Apostle Paul’s Epistles for assembly functioning. The exclusive prioritized arena of the Grace Gospel exudes its abode in the eternal unseen nonphysical sphere. Those claiming the Old Testament Kingdom Gospel Scriptures as their rule for guidance have unwittingly affixed themselves to instructions conveyed to the Commonwealth of Israel………… not to the Body of Christ! (Ephesians 3:1-9).
In Colossians 2:22, Paul assesses the non eternal value of physicality in stating, “all which things are perishing with the using, according to the commandments and teachings of men.” Here the Greek preposition ees rendered “with” is in the accusative case, thus denoting that all these (physical) things are moving unto the end of phthor·ahn rendered “perishing,” corruption, decay or utter ruin. Hence, the resulting state of all physicality is decay as such is ahp·okh·ree·see rendered “use,” the process of usage or consummation. It is strictly in this sense that Paul states that the Kingdom of God (as distinguished from the Kingdom of Heaven) is not “food and drink” (Romans 14:17; Colossians 2:16), which is associated with feasts, special days, religious rites and other human priorities that are all consumable. Note that the Greek noun ahp·okh·ree·see (denoting that which is consumed) is not inferring that such is unnecessary in the course of this present life but that the status of its usage is of a temporary mode.
The context of the verse’s conveyance is referencing the admixture of Judaism and Gnosticism as well as all other religiosities wherein physicality is prioritized. This is the mindset that is imposed upon those assembled under the influence of prioritizing physical things over spiritual, which are the things that are “according to the commandments and teachings of men.” Note that the Greek word ehn·dahl·mah·tah rendered “commandments” denotes precepts, ordinances or that which one is charged to do. Also, the Greek word theeth·ahs·kahl·ee·ahs is literally translated “teachings” not doctrines as some translations have rendered it. All members of the Body of Christ have been spiritually placed according to God’s Sovereign chose and manifested impartment of faith. Assemblies that pursue the course of prioritizing physicality are functioning according to human commands and teachings because physical trappings not a part of the truth for the Grace Church!
As afore-stated, many elements of Judaism, as taken out of the Old Testament, are being utilized as directives to Grace Assemblies with their emphases on eternal Earthly values as opposed to the spiritual unseen non-physical essence of that which is resident in Christ. Unfortunately, this has become institutionalized and indoctrinated as proper operations in today’s congregations but these were precepts and ordinances that had been given by God to His people Israel under the Mosaic and New Covenants. They were the ordinances and teachings of God for those particular times and dispensations, i.e., for those legal economies. No doubt, the Law having been done away with at the cross, with all its physical ordinances, is no longer God’s message for today (Mark 15:38; Galatians 3:19). Neither are the directives in the futuristic Kingdom to be construed as applicable to Grace Assemblies, with their physical rites of Kingdom-Law on the Church today, as this is also the commandments and teachings of men according to Paul’s statement in this verse.
The priority of assembly functioning today is directed by the message of spiritual wisdom. All things indeed that primarily focus on physicality exude mitigation of things of spirituality. Prioritized physically focused functioning doesn’t accord safeguards against indulgences of the flesh. Well trained manipulators of the human mind only perpetrate those who think of themselves as being wise and intelligent in the thing of the world, which engenders a humanistic type of worship in which the will and misperceived ability of depraved mankind is magnified. In stark contrast, the directives in the Gospel of Grace primary focus of assembling assume the role of couching the message that humans are totally ignorant and must received of the Holy Spirit that abides within and thus have need not that any man has the ability to the teach thing that are only spiritually discerned (I Corinthians 2:14). In this light, all assembly functioning is directed by teachings derived from instructions received from the epistles to the Grace Dispensation and Covenant assemblies. These are all qualifications for God’s people today to recognize true worship and functioning according to the applicable Scriptures.
It is a pointedly observation that many assemblies are excessively impressed by the explosive numerical growth of the so-called “mega-ministries. As the results of this influence, many are endeavoring to emulate their practices and modes of functioning. In their quests to be popular in today’s religious ministering circles, they have forfeited the opportunity to be relevant Grace Testament Ministries. What many assemblies have failed to comprehend is that genuine qualifications for worship and ministering exude the testimony of God “having foreordained us to the adoption of sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He did make us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:5-6). Hence, what is actually missing in many circles today are those that thoroughly comprehend and appreciate the basic aim and focus of what the ministry is really about, i.e., the essence of what the Body of Christ entails.
Unfortunately, the prioritized focal point of assembling and worshipping has been completely compromised, as flesh focused operations have become the norm in today’s assemblies; even though not many of them would admit that they are primarily “accommodators of the flesh.” No, they're smarter than that but their behavioral activities do in fact classify them as such. They have couched their accommodations of humanistic agendas with the guise that by “serving people,” they are actually “serving God” ……….not ascertaining the fact that scripturally correct “service unto God” engenders primarily focusing on Spiritual Eternal Deistic Agendas. They erroneously construe authentication of prioritized secular functioning and direction of their operations with the insertion of the phraseology “serving God through services to men" but regardless of how it is phrased, their prioritized focus is on humanistic agendas.
The Scriptures are the sole guide and agenda for functioning and worshipping in even modern day Grace Testament Assemblies so there is no need to evoke trend setting directives especially when they are vehemently antithetical to the instructions outlaid in Paul’s epistles. I Timothy 3:13, states, “for those who have ministered well gain a good standing for themselves and much boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” In this verse Paul identifies two things that are accrued to those who have and do minister well……. which is correctly gauged according to the ministrant’s adherence to the Scriptures. Aside from the fact that such ministering obtains a good standing (before God) for the minister, the experience acquired in ministering according to the Scriptures interjects much confidence in the faith (contents of God’s Word). These are spiritually positive results that the Holy Spirit deemed worth mentioning as valuable attainments of assembly functioning.
This is a testimony of God’s people in a Grace Assembly that have kahl·os thee·ahk·on·ees·ahn·dehs rendered “ministered well.” Here the Greek adverb kahl·os rendered “well,” may also be translated “rightly or “correctly,” which denotes functioning satisfactorily with respect to conduct or action in the local assembly. Note that the Greek noun thee·ahk·on·ee rendered “minister,” was and is specifically applicable to those spiritually ministering in local assemblies. This emphasizes that these ministerial operations were and are not separate, independent or para-assembly functions, as spiritually ministering is on behalf of the spiritual edification of the local assembly. This was and is also true in the establishment of new assemblies (Acts 16:13-14, 40), which requires sound teachers (Colossians 1:28) as well as correctors of errors among God’s people (I Timothy 1:3-7).
God’s directives in regards to functional operations in today’s Grace Testament Assemblies distinctly mirror the Scriptures in Paul’s epistles. Hence God’s people must not rely upon human persuasions; no matter how socially or politically correct or even how such may seem to enhance the ministry. The priority of ministering must at all cost follow the guidelines instituted in the Scriptures, which are foremost for the edifying of the Body of Christ. Ministerial functioning must be strictly executed according to obedience to the Scriptures. II Timothy 4:3-4 states, "For the time will come when they will not give patience (attention) to sound teaching but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers -- itching in the hearing; and they will turn away hearing from the truth and they will be turned aside to the myths." God’s elect must be diligent in pointing out Scriptures in lieu of popular trends. Informed servants of God attitude will not be "follow trendy functions" but "follow the Lord" and focus on Jesus who is the Head of the Grace Assembly. He is the Head of the body, His church, which is lead and taught by the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit) for genuine growth and fellowship. This is corroboratively stated in the Old Testament, i.e., "(it is) better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man" (Psalms 118:8).
Some assert that the term “ministry,” as applied to assembly functioning is broad enough to include every aspects of human ministering in local assemblies that is reaching out to the service of mankind in general. Unfortunately, it is conceived in this cogitation that every social and political cause is fair game. Then these causes are automatically annexed as the ministries that should be directly associated with assembly functioning in lieu of involving them in forums of separate lowered tiered operations. It is only in this sense and order that such activities should be pursued if they are even pursued at all; seeing that the allotment of time for congregational functioning is for the most part very limited. Very bluntly stated……. if the object of all these causes become the basis for attracting individuals by espousing organizations of these activities as the basis of establishing and building-up local assemblies; such methodology is absolutely antithetical to the directives given in the Grace Contract!
Directly or indirectly, the ultimate object of bona fide “ministry functioning” must be the spiritual edification and strengthening of the Body of Christ. Scriptural comprehension of what actually abides under the assembly’s “ministry” umbrella is essential in considering what is truly spiritually rewarding for the congregation. I Timothy 3:13 states that those who have ministered well pehr·ee·pee·oon·deh rendered “gain,” earn, acquire or obtain a good vahth·mon rendered “standing.” Here the basic idea is of a step or a stairway, hence, to reach a given stage, grade or rank, which clear meaning is that those who have ministered well move up to a good standing and a respectable rank before God rather than before men. Another result of one spiritually ministering well is that such gains much pahr·ree·see·ahn rendered “boldness,” openness, freedom and liberty in strict scriptural conformity. Hence, the spiritual experience of ministering produces proficiency, which in turn exudes greater liberty in boldly speaking forth the faith, i.e., the Gospel of the Mystery (Ephesians 6:19-20; Colossians 4:3-4). The more time ministering is spend in teaching the truth for the Church, the more confidence will be instilled in God’s people, which is the primary purpose of ministerial functioning!
Thus in the ministering of assembly functioning, one must be sure the Scriptures are strictly being followed. Better yet, the directives of the Scriptures specifically state that the underlined purpose of assembly functioning is exclusively defined by recognizing that the focal point is strictly Jesus Christ, who is its Head and Authority. In this sense, assembly functioning is dictated solely by the Word of God, i.e., follow Jesus simply means following His Scriptures. Here some may abjectly complain that to follow this course is to abandon the dire needs of mankind. This type reviling is responded to through comprehension of the prioritized mission as well as the Scriptural demands of the ministry. In essence, assembly functioning in today’s era of ministering demands more in the sphere of the knowledge of the eternal spiritual unseen that resides from the impartation of the volume truth that has been revealed in the Grace Gospel. This knowledge demands and expects obedience to the scriptural blueprint and guidelines for ministering. In this regard, I Corinthians 11:1-2 states, "Be imitators of me, even as I also of Christ. And I praise you brethren that in all things you remember and according as I delivered to you, keep these deliverances." Notice that the directives were to obey the commands that Paul had had given them, as certified from that which was conveyed directly to him by God.
ll the directives for assembly functioning originate from God and then flow to the ministry……… to the congregation. Regardless of what may seem to be trendy or even workable in today’s assemblies, the qualification of what is correct is exclusively dependant upon the source from where such information originated. No Earthly centered dominated agendas have been appointed to take the place of that which has been ordained by the Holy Spirit to comprise assembly functioning. Although there are no Scriptural principles for militating against activities that espouse giving some attention to social and even some political undertakings, such must never become the basis of assembly ministering. The Scriptures emphatically certify spiritual (non-worldly) focusing as the primary function in the church thus it should be the prioritized operation therein. Foremost, ministering services are only correctly functional when they are according to God’s directives. It is conducive to human nature to focus on things that are construed to be important to mankind but such is the opposite of what God has prioritized for assembly functioning. A minister of God belongs to God and cannot exercise authority over what the ministering entails for the Body of Christ. Those called into service to God are servant of God……...called as a servant to do the Lord’s biddings, which are clearly outlined in the epistle’s directives to the Grace Assembly. One truly serves and is greatest (closest to the Lord), as such one submits and learns the eternal spiritual things of God. God’s people are only as close to the Lord (as Paul and his associates were), in proportion to their submission in learning more about their eternal relationship in Christ Jesus. Hence, the majority of Grace Testament assembly functioning must be primarily focused on the essence of Christ, not the issues of men!