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Confused
About Church?
by Rayola Kelley
One of the most misunderstood concepts we encounter
in Christianity is what constitutes the real church of Jesus Christ.
This misunderstanding has caused its share of abuses, accusations and
debates about the word, "church". I know that in my own particular
case I use the word "church" to describe three distinct entities.
Because of my past usage of this word, I have been accused of being
anti-church which is presumptuous and far from the truth. One individual,
who doesn’t even know me, concluded that I must have been hurt by
a church because of how he perceived my presentation of church in some
of my on Site articles. Such speculation makes it necessary for me to
share with readers my perception of church.
There are three popular usages of the word "church."
Sadly, for lack of a better vocabulary, this word is interchanged to put
a name and face on these different entities. "Church" is almost
a catchall word but people form different pictures in their mind upon
hearing this word, which causes confusion or debate.
My approach to this word is simple, I believe that those who have
a correct understanding of the word "church" will properly discern
my usage and if a person is confused or possesses a limited or incorrect
concept, he or she will be challenged or, in some cases, insulted.
The first definition of the word "church" is in reference
to the religious system. This is the religious system that is superior
in attitude. This system was invented by man, organized by man, is man-centered
and man operated. Ultimately it exalts man’s work or leadership as
supreme ruler.
This system is a kingdom in and of itself. It conditions man to
see it as the solution rather than Jesus Christ. It encourages man to
maintain its authority and supremacy in his life.
When I speak about problems in the church, I am often referring
to the religious system. It is very worldly and hinders God’s work
by replacing Jesus with personal righteousness. It robs valuable resources
to promote its own agendas.
In spite of its worldly and idolatrous methods God has used this
system to bring people to Himself. Jesus has godly leaders and committed
sheep that are working within this system. In fact, I have benefited from
this system to some degree but eventually I recognized this system has
its limitations and thwarts any work of God that is not done under its
auspices. A servant of God can only go so far in it and until eventually
he or she will become frustrated, stagnant or discouraged. Some servants
have even walked away from service to Him because of the system.
Jesus encountered this system. He showed no real tolerance for
it and rebuked it because it was surface, demanded misdirected loyalty
and kept people from entering the kingdom of heaven. (See Matthew 15
& 23.)
We see in Hebrews 13:12 that Jesus suffered outside the
gate. To me this gate symbolizes the religious system. Jesus accomplished
His mission outside of the system and we at GSM realize that God called
us outside of this system six years ago. Jesus’ example revealed
to us we must sometimes step outside of the system to effectively do God’s
bidding.
I believe the real challenge for many struggling Christians is to determine
if they have fallen prey to this system’s worldly and idolatrous
ways. If so, maybe they need to do what the Apostle Paul declared in
2 Corinthians 6:17: "Wherefore come out from among them and
be ye separate, saith the Lord."
The second definition of "church" is in relationship
to edifices or buildings. These edifices vary in size and appearance but
their real differences are often defined by denominational preferences.
They are often considered beacons of the community in which they stand.
When asked for testimonies from those who see their identity in relationship
to these edifices, you will hear a testimony about their "church"
or in this case building or denomination. In such times I just want to
boldly declare, "Your church didn’t die for you!"
It is important to point out I have sat in many buildings. I have
learned there is only one thing that distinguishes one edifice from another
and that is the presence of God, not the building or denomination. I also
know that the godliness of the leaders and the love of the congregation
determine whether the presence of God is in the building.
When I encounter people whose hope is wrapped up within the confines
of a building, I realize they are probably ignorant of church history.
Most Christians have huge gaps in their understanding of history.
The first church that ever came together met in various places
such as in private homes. Eventually Christians were forced to meet in
the catacombs. There were not great edifices to mark their identity. In
fact, there were no such edifices until around 300 AD when Constantine
erected buildings where he combined pagan rituals with Christian beliefs.
This combination weakened Christianity but Constantine’s goal was
not to maintain pure Christian doctrine but to bring people into one place
where they could be properly controlled and conditioned into one religion.
Sadly, he accomplished this ungodly goal. The buildings contained religious
mixture that undermined real faith and subtly replaced the real Jesus.
It was after this ungodly mixture took place that the real church had
to step outside of it to return to purity. This separation brought a lot
of persecution on those who refused to submit to the rule of the great
edifices that are usually nothing more than monuments to man. It is here
that the religious system came into being.
I have nothing against edifices as long as people realize that
Jesus did not die for buildings but for people.
This brings us to the real church of Jesus Christ. According to
Scripture, it is not made of an unfeeling religious system or a bunch
of buildings but of people (Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18;1 Corinthians
12:12-14). It is a living body that has one head, Jesus Christ, and
is bound together by one Spirit, one calling, one Lord, one faith and
one baptism (Ephesians 4:4-5). This church not only makes up a
living mobile building but a lively priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9). This
church is in the world but not part of it.
Because of the makeup of the church it is universal. You can find
it functioning within the religious system, within all different types
of edifices as well as in prisons, work or labor camps, home meetings
and elsewhere, often under intense persecution. This church can’t
be limited by a system or controlled by a building.
What sets this church apart is not a powerful system but a powerful
message called the Gospel that saves souls. It is not set apart by a beautiful
building or denominational preference but by the presence of the Holy
Spirit.
This church is not established by man’s initiative but by
the blood of Jesus. Its symbol is not that of worldly greatness but of
an unattractive, insignificant old rugged cross.
People often ask Jeannette and me what church we go to. They are
shocked and appalled when we tell them, "We are the church."
If our reply doesn’t silence them, they immediately run behind Hebrews
10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together."
I
believe this instruction has two goals—preaching of the Word and
fellowship. My past experiences of attending church have exposed me to
the preaching of the Word but I have encountered little, if any, real
fellowship in such meetings.
Few people truly fellowship in churches. Fellowship in most churches
is limited and cliquish and the result is many lost souls are falling
through the cracks.
For those who are concerned about whether or not we at GSM are
forsaking the assembling together, let me assure you that your concerns
are unwarranted. We assemble ourselves with other believers at least three
times a week. In such times we partake of the word, pray, cry and care
for each other. There is love, compassion and hope. In fact, it is a spiritual
family that is aware of one another’s burdens and challenges. Now
to me this is what Hebrews 10:25 is really talking about.
As I consider the three definitions of church, let me share with
you what will happen to these different institutions. The church system
will eventually unite with all other religious systems ushering in the
one world religious antichrist system mentioned in Revelation. These religious
systems will demand all local, independent churches to come under its
auspices. Those churches that refuse to cooperate will be disbanded and
persecuted. When this happens many edifices will be closed or destroyed
and denominational differences will be lost in the midst of the false
unity and persecution.
This brings us to the real church. If Jesus should tarry, the real
church will go through a refining process as each member must chose whom
they will serve. This entity will be driven underground. But in spite
of the adversity, this body will emerge as Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego,
set free from all bondage and spiritually untouched because the great
bridegroom will ultimately deliver His bride (Daniel 3).
The question is how do you define the church? Regardless of whether
you are part of the system or working within an edifice, make sure you
are part of the true church of Jesus Christ. The only requirement is that
Jesus is truly your Lord and Savior.
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