| Axe To The Roots: 50 Questions To Challenge Traditional Christian Beliefs |
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
by LC
What is "church?" Where is "church?" How is "church" to be? When I was teaching at a local
"church" from scriptures, I couldn't help but wonder about Christ stating His church will become
"one." To me that would mean no separation or division. Would God gather all the
denominations together into one organization, or would God establish a governing body to rule
over all the differing denominations? Neither idea could be farther from the truth. My error was in
looking at the church as a building, or even a denomination that worshipped together on Sunday.
In fact, when I began having these ideas burst into my head, I decided to research where the
concept of church buildings, offering plates and pulpits came from. The more I looked at the
early church in the book of Acts, the more I became convinced that these things were instituted
by man to establish control. The early "church" simply did not look like what many call "church"
today. Many current christian "church" teachings did not exist then, either. Most of the
established doctrines and traditions, such as buildings and pulpits came into existence around
the time of 300AD. Today, if one believes the scores of church buildings on every street corner
to be God's ordained church, then that same person will be misled into believing and following
doctrines not taught by Jesus. It took me years to finally realize the power of this illusion.
Christ said His church is not divided but will be "one." Is what you believe the church to be today
"one" and undivided? I believe the current "church system" to be the major cause of division
amongst people and therefore rendered powerless.
So, what is the church and where is it? I can't help but feel like we have been trapped into
believing that what we call "the church" is not what Jesus had in mind. Have you ever been
afraid to ask these questions? I have. Still, I cannot help but ask, "If our understanding of
church is true, then where today is the power Jesus and His followers demonstrated almost two
thousand years ago?" I personally have seen some miracles. But, what caused those miracles
to happen?
Question Thirty Three: Did Jesus go to church every sabbath or did He go wherever he was led
by the spirit? (Luke 4:1; Rom. 8:14)
Question Thirty Four: When did the concepts of church buildings, pulpits and collection plates
come into practice? Were these practices man-made or God-ordained?
Question Thirty Five: If the exact same message Jesus taught is being preached today, then
why didn't He command all the people to come into buildings for a service every Sunday and
worship Him? Why did crowds flock around Jesus to hear His words wherever He went, but
today people are not flocking into church buildings to hear a message? (John 13:34-35)
Question Thirty Six: If Christ's church is represented by the numerous assemblies of different
denominations (e.g. Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, etc.), why are they so
divided? Didn't Jesus pray that we may all be one and will His prayer be answered? Can all
these denominations hold onto varying beliefs, separating themselves from each other and yet be
"one" in Christ? (John 17:11, 21-22)
Question Thirty Seven: Are denominations and divisions of God? How can all be "one?"
Question Thirty Eight: Today, if what we call "the church" is successful and possessing the
correct structure and message "to save the world," why are there divisions amongst so many
christians while the world is still in chaos? Why are so many churches today losing
membership, splitting or folding if they are of God?
Question Thirty Nine: What is the church to you: a building or people? Which do you think is
more important to God?
Axe To The Roots 50 Questions To Challenge Traditional Christian Beliefs (Continued)
A Non-Traditional Thought:
THE CHURCH IS NOT A CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION, ROMAN CATHOLIC, BAPTIST, PROTESTANT,
METHODIST, WESLEYAN, PRESBYTERIAN, LATTER DAY SAINTS, MORMON, CATHOLIC,
EPISCOPAL, JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, LUTHERAN, CHURCH OF CHRIST, A BUILDING, OR A
PLACE. THE CHURCH IS PEOPLE.
by LC
What is "church?" Where is "church?" How is "church" to be? When I was teaching at a local
"church" from scriptures, I couldn't help but wonder about Christ stating His church will become
"one." To me that would mean no separation or division. Would God gather all the
denominations together into one organization, or would God establish a governing body to rule
over all the differing denominations? Neither idea could be farther from the truth. My error was in
looking at the church as a building, or even a denomination that worshipped together on Sunday.
In fact, when I began having these ideas burst into my head, I decided to research where the
concept of church buildings, offering plates and pulpits came from. The more I looked at the
early church in the book of Acts, the more I became convinced that these things were instituted
by man to establish control. The early "church" simply did not look like what many call "church"
today. Many current christian "church" teachings did not exist then, either. Most of the
established doctrines and traditions, such as buildings and pulpits came into existence around
the time of 300AD. Today, if one believes the scores of church buildings on every street corner
to be God's ordained church, then that same person will be misled into believing and following
doctrines not taught by Jesus. It took me years to finally realize the power of this illusion.
Christ said His church is not divided but will be "one." Is what you believe the church to be today
"one" and undivided? I believe the current "church system" to be the major cause of division
amongst people and therefore rendered powerless.
So, what is the church and where is it? I can't help but feel like we have been trapped into
believing that what we call "the church" is not what Jesus had in mind. Have you ever been
afraid to ask these questions? I have. Still, I cannot help but ask, "If our understanding of
church is true, then where today is the power Jesus and His followers demonstrated almost two
thousand years ago?" I personally have seen some miracles. But, what caused those miracles
to happen?
Question Thirty Three: Did Jesus go to church every sabbath or did He go wherever he was led
by the spirit? (Luke 4:1; Rom. 8:14)
Question Thirty Four: When did the concepts of church buildings, pulpits and collection plates
come into practice? Were these practices man-made or God-ordained?
Question Thirty Five: If the exact same message Jesus taught is being preached today, then
why didn't He command all the people to come into buildings for a service every Sunday and
worship Him? Why did crowds flock around Jesus to hear His words wherever He went, but
today people are not flocking into church buildings to hear a message? (John 13:34-35)
Question Thirty Six: If Christ's church is represented by the numerous assemblies of different
denominations (e.g. Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, etc.), why are they so
divided? Didn't Jesus pray that we may all be one and will His prayer be answered? Can all
these denominations hold onto varying beliefs, separating themselves from each other and yet be
"one" in Christ? (John 17:11, 21-22)
Question Thirty Seven: Are denominations and divisions of God? How can all be "one?"
Question Thirty Eight: Today, if what we call "the church" is successful and possessing the
correct structure and message "to save the world," why are there divisions amongst so many
christians while the world is still in chaos? Why are so many churches today losing
membership, splitting or folding if they are of God?
Question Thirty Nine: What is the church to you: a building or people? Which do you think is
more important to God?
Axe To The Roots 50 Questions To Challenge Traditional Christian Beliefs (Continued)
A Non-Traditional Thought:
THE CHURCH IS NOT A CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION, ROMAN CATHOLIC, BAPTIST, PROTESTANT,
METHODIST, WESLEYAN, PRESBYTERIAN, LATTER DAY SAINTS, MORMON, CATHOLIC,
EPISCOPAL, JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, LUTHERAN, CHURCH OF CHRIST, A BUILDING, OR A
PLACE. THE CHURCH IS PEOPLE.
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"Not all who wander
are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien
Axe To The Roots:
Jesus: Crucifixion,
Resurrection & Return
Sin, Satan & the
Antichrist
What is Death
Hell and Heaven
Hell and Heaven (cont'd)
The Church
Truth & the Word of
God
Love, Power & Health
"Come out of her my
people." - Rev. 18:4
What is the whore in
Revelation Chapter 17 ?
are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien
Axe To The Roots:
Jesus: Crucifixion,
Resurrection & Return
Sin, Satan & the
Antichrist
What is Death
Hell and Heaven
Hell and Heaven (cont'd)
The Church
Truth & the Word of
God
Love, Power & Health
"Come out of her my
people." - Rev. 18:4
What is the whore in
Revelation Chapter 17 ?