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CHAPTER NINE

FOUR TEACHINGS ON

THE CHURCH DESIGNED BY JESUS

These teachings have been prepared for those in the body of Christ who have been stirred by the Holy Spirit to pursue more maturity and personal ministry than is found in the modern traditional church. You will be reading scripture as it has been written to house church gatherings back in the first century. We need to know what the Lord’s designed church is and why we have not been apart of it. Since we are 2,000 years removed from the Lord’s declaration “I will build My Church” how far have we strayed from His New Testament Church pattern? These teachings will shed much needed light on these questions and more. What we do and how we do it is very important as these scriptures indicate:

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you (Philippians 3:17).

If the Lord gave Paul only one pattern to follow, why are there 25,000 denominations today?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18)

CHURCH: The church is the physical and spiritual body of Christ on earth. It consists of all true believers under the New Covenant. Where did the word church come from? In the Greek it is ekklesia. It is a secular word, meaning a citizen’s judiciary.

CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH

Jesus Christ the Messiah, his life had been foretold by the prophets of old and matched the scriptures exactly. His birth, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection and empty tomb are proof of His claim to be the Son of the living God.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:15-20).

THE LORD MEETS US IN THREE WAYS

1. As Individuals: Jesus came to be a personal savior to any sinner wanting to repent and believe on Him:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son (John 3:16-18).

2. The Small Church (ekklesia): The gathering usually meets in someone’s home unless they had to go underground because of persecution. The ekklesia did not own property and they did not have any paid employee’s. They were the original welfare system as they took care of each other when needs did arise. A natural bonding with Jesus was able to take place in this setting unlike distant bonding with Jesus through a pastor.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:46-47).

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. (Romans16:3).

Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house (Colossians 4:15).

3. The Whole Church (ekklesia): This is the citywide church, which includes all believers residing in a geographic location. From time to time the whole church of a city gathered together to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. This was a great testimony to all that observed them. (Explain the two winged church). Denominations did not separate the body of Christ at that time. Letters in the New Testament are always sent to the whole church and not individual leaders. For example: as Paul writes to the whole church in Corinth.

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2).

THEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF THE HOUSE CHURCH

The 12 disciples and Jesus were the first church. The apostles instinctively projected this example of an intimate small group wherever they went. They knew how being in a small group, with the Lord, changed them to be mighty men of God. The image of the temple and the high priest of the Old Covenant did not rule over them. After all, the plans to kill Jesus came from within the temple. That fact, probably contributed to God destroying the temple of the Old Covenant in Jerusalem in the year AD 70. Is it any wonder that for three hundred years after Jesus death the church met in homes or if there was persecution in secret places?

The Lords meal and communion were not separated in the early church. When the church moved into buildings the Lord’s meal was eliminated and only certain holy men could serve communion.

In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22-20).

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The church was given power at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers. First and foremost this event was the Incarnation of the Holy Spirit.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Peter was given the keys and opened this event for the Lord. Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy (Acts 2:14-18).

The activities during the gatherings. Christ set the example of discussion and not the lecture method. Paul could have dominated each gathering but instructed:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:15-16).

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).

What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying (1 Corinthians 14:24-26).

The above developed 3 essentials for healthy church life:

1. Community: A body of believers having a common history living in a geographic

location.

2. Commitment: The state of being obligated to the cause of Christ.

3. Accountable: Responsible and able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations.

THE NEW CONENANT

The New Covenant must be clearly understood so that the Old and the New are not mixed together. The traditional church suffers greatly because they are mixed.

This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear (Hebrews 8:10-13).

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15-17)

After the third century the bishops took their eyes off the Lord and replaced the Holy Spirit as leader of the church. They wanted power and control. They mixed the two covenants when they erected the first building and put on the robes of the high priest (pastor) and now they were to tell the common people what God had to say. If you pour the Old Covenant into the New Covenant you have a dilution, which are commonly called: man made religion, organized religion or the traditional modern church.

The traditional modern church is dependent on paid professional leaders who are not of the local flock, to do the work of the ministry.

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:11-13).

The problem with the traditional modern church is THE SYSTEM and usually not the pastor or the congregation. 1700 more years won’t fix it.

LEADERSHIP MUST SERVE AND NOT LORD IT OVER THE CHURCH:

Elders and deacons are provided to serve the church. Peter did not say that pastors are to be hired to provided control and administrative oversight to the church, but elders are. Incidentally as Christians we all have some pastor in us.

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away (1 Peter 5:1-4).

Jesus clarifies this further:

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:23-28).

Christ provides gifts to the church through men:

If only one man does the preaching there is no need to prepare God’s people for works of service. God’s people have become merely spectators of one person’s gift. Unfortunately the two most common parts of the Lord’s body that are being used on Sunday morning are the pastor’s mouth and the congregation’s ear.

Christ became the New High Priest, replacing the human high priest of the Old Testament:

But you are not to be called `Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth `father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called `teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. {Or Messiah} The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Mat. 23:8-12).

MATURING THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD:

All the believers became the holy priesthood, replacing the hierarchy structure of the temple:

As you come to Him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1Peter 2:4-5)

There were no seminaries to prepare a special elite of the body to dominate the rest. The elders inspired by the Holy Spirit continued to disciple new believers as Jesus had. This prepared the entire body of the holy priesthood to multiply the church.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS:

¨To bring Glory to God: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-- to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11).

¨To prepare God’s people for works of service: So that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).

¨To share the wisdom of God: His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. (Ephesians 3:10-13).

¨To suffer for the Lord. Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly (Philippians 1:12-14). But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth." When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1Peter 2:20-25).

¨To prepare the ekklesia to be the bride of Christ.

THE CHURCH IS FRIST AND FOREMOST A FAMILY:

¨The church is the “household of God” Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22).

¨We are the “children of God” How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2).

¨We have been “born” into His family. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God (John 1:12-13).

¨We are to relate to each other as family. Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. (1Timothy 5:1-2), Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them (Romans 16:13-14).

¨The church will be presented as the Bride of Christ at the end of the age. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-27).

A DIVIDED KINGDOM CANNOT STAND:

House churches should not become denominational:

This is a tool of Satan to weaken the body of Christ. I appeal to you, brothers, in he name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas {That is, Peter}"; still another, "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? (1Corinthians 1:10-13).

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself

will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall (Luke 11:17).

Can you just imagine what could happen to a city if the church was united?

THE EARLY CHURCH GATHERING

Saul knew just where to go when he went about ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women. They initially made no secret about where they met. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. (Acts 8:3).

The modern traditional church gathers in specially designed buildings for the Lord’s Day meeting. Typically, the size of the building is seen as the measure of success for each church (the bigger the better). Churches with only a few dozen members sometimes rent storefronts or schools in the hope of someday having their very own “real” church building.

For the first three hundred years of its existence the church met in the homes of its members. In the early fourth century A.D. Constantine issued the Edict of Milan which tempted Christians to build temples like the heathen had. The normal meeting place for the early Christians was the home. Why did they choose this structure instead of a larger meeting place? Here is some scriptural support as to where the early church gathered:

And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved (Acts 2:46-47).

And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus [as] the Christ (Acts 5:42).

And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:19-21).

Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: and [salute] the church that is in their house (Romans 16:5). Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house (Colossians 4:15).

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: (Philemon 1:1-2).

The early church Christians met at the temple to influence and win more converts to Jesus. This lasted until the temple leaders stoned Stephen to death. Then on that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

THEOLOGICAL & PRACTICAL CONSISTERATIONS:

We often think that big is good and little is bad. Not so with the Lord, He chose only twelve disciples because he knew a larger group would take more time to disciple. He refused to let others join the twelve. Often He would have to withdraw from the large crowds that followed Him, asking for His ministry.

The early church grew by multiplying house churches. When a church became too large the elder had trained someone to oversee the new one.

Organized religion (or denominations) is man’s design. The small church is Jesus’ New Testament pattern, one body and many parts:

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable (1Corintians 12:22).

The Lord sees what you can be, not what you are:

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).

The Lord does not need church programs to expand His kingdom. Even today the underground house churches in China are growing by 20,000 every day:

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things (Acts 17:6-8).

All the instructions given by the apostles were given with house churches in mind. They were geared to work in a small intimate group setting, not in a large group setting. Some of those instructions are as follows:

1.) There was mutual participation in church gatherings and no one was lording it over others.

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church (1 Corinthians 14:26).

2.) Jesus gifts the church through His Spirit. Church gatherings are not to be boring with stoic human church order. Liturgies replaced the spontaneous moving of the Holy Spirit through us.

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully (Romans 12: 6-8).

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:11-16).

3.) Ambition and attitude must be pure and not secular:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:3-11).

4.) Affection is a must when building community in the small church.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also (2 Corinthians. 6:11-13).

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:22-23).

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:20-23). Also read Romans12:9-13.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35).

5.) Partaking of the Lord’s meal, which includes the bread and wine of the New Covenant at the end of the meal.

Did you know? Martin Luther initially wanted to reestablish house churches out of the Protestant Reformation, but abandoned the idea because of its association with the Radical Reformation Anabaptists who were doing so.

CHURCH GIVING

Modern traditional churches today could not survive without the financial support of their members for such expenses as the mortgage and upkeep of the building, grounds maintenance, utility bills, staff salaries and custodians. Ironically, none of these things is found in the New Testament. In fact, a very small percentage of available traditional church funds go to anything actually sanctioned by the New Testament. In order to support these dubious practices, most churches erroneously impose a tithe on their members, even though tithing is not a New Covenant practice.

Tithing is an Old Covenant practice not taught under the New Covenant:

Its purpose was to financially support a theocratic government where the officials were Levitical priests.

The church is not under an earthly theocracy, but human, secular government.

Paul tells us in essence to “tithe” to our form of government by paying taxes. This is the same sort of support that Israel gave to their government, the Levitical priesthood, in the form of tithes.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor (Romans 13:6-7).

The tithe of the Old Covenant was nothing more than a tax to support a theocratic government.

Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, "Why haven't you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?" A proclamation was then issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they should bring to the LORD the tax that Moses the servant of God had required of Israel in the desert (2 Chronicles 24:6, 9).

With no buildings to upkeep or professionals to pay, the early church had no reason to take a collection every week.

If you belong to a traditional modern church, you are not exempt from the tithe; you are a part of the old covenant, and you are obliged to obey it. Like any organization, the membership must sustain it or it will fold. Being a member, you have consented to hire a pastor and possibly a staff, to perform various duties for the membership. As a member, you have also consented to contribute to the upkeep of a building and grounds. As a part of a traditional church, I believe you are robbing God if you don't support it.

It is clear there are only two reasons found in the New Testament for collecting money

from the church. They are (1) to help other believers who are in need, and (2) to help

apostles plant new churches and reach their destinations so that they can proclaim the

gospel and wean newly formed churches. Here is some scriptural support for these two items:

Item (1). Assisting other believers:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:27-30).

Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me (1 Corinthians. 16:1-4).

Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints (2 Corinthians 8:1-4).

Item (2). Apostles are the only deserving paid church leaders:

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:14-19).

The New Testament associates the word “send” (Greek, propempo) with financially supporting an apostle:

I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while (Romans 15:24).

Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go (1 Corinthians 16:6).

If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me (1 Corinthians 16:10-11).

I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. (2 Corinthians 1:16).

The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad (Acts 15:3).

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth (3 John 5-8).

Although Paul had the right as an apostle to receive financial assistance from the church (1 Corinthians 9:1-14), these verses do not refer to pastors, elders or any other leader normally associated with today’s church. Instead it refers to “apostles” roughly equivalent today’s missionary.

The idea is to give the apostle a lump sum to get to his destination. There he would work if he had to, never taking money from the church he was planting. He would establish churches, wean them, and then move on, being “sent” on his way by those churches he established. On his way to new destinations, he might stop at existing churches to have his needs met, and then again to be “sent” along.

Don’t look for a motel but a worthy person:

Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town (Mat. 10:11-14).

Paul had accepted financial assistance from churches he previously established:

The most abused Scripture that pastors use to support their paycheck is;

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," "The worker deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18).

Double honor is due the elders that serves well, not double pay. The writer is saying that an elder's wages come as honor. The ox deserves to eat because of its work; his wag