Our Only Incorporation is the Body of Christ. Free Christians and Churches.
Incorporating the Body of Christ
Jesus has given us the opportunity to be members in His body. He warned us not to use the organizational structures provided by the state such as incorporation, but instead to become and remain free as believers in Him. As we consider how congregations of believers can operate and collaborate to build His kingdom here on earth, we must remember that this is not our church, but His body. We can't own it, we shouldn't seek to universally control it, but we can rejoice in the freedom it grants us and those we reach in the name of the one and only God, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eli Echols on -
Steve, I would like to study the warnings Jesus gave against using the organizational structures provided by the state. Could you point me in the right direction?
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Simons on -
Sure! A good place to start is to read the four Gospels and highlight every directive that Jesus gives to His disciples and every conversation Jesus has with the leaders of the church. Look for patterns in this teaching that indicate what His core concerns and values are, what His vision is for the future of the Christian movement, and where He sees the chief threats to its success coming from.
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Permalink Reply by Eli Echols on
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Alright, I'm game . . .
Stephen Simons said:Sure! A good place to start is to read the four Gospels and highlight every directive that Jesus gives to His disciples and every conversation Jesus has with the leaders of the church. Look for patterns in this teaching that indicate what His core concerns and values are, what His vision is for the future of the Christian movement, and where He sees the chief threats to its success coming from.
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Permalink Reply by Clark Echols on -
Are you two up for a weekly conference call to discuss what we discovered in that week's reading? Maybe an hour to discuss what we found in a hour's worth of reading during the week? We could read, beginning with Matthew 1, and ask a simple question or two as we go. I am having trouble coming up with the question. Something about what Jesus wants His church to look like, physically. Or, what are the key values He wants us to find ways to express as an organization. So, any interest and suggested question(s)?
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