Ruach Broadcasting your Spiritual Home
The word used in the B'rit Chadasheh (New Testament) for church is the Greek word ekklesia which literally means a "gathering" or an "assembly" of believers. It is the means and the vehicle that Elohim (The Father) has chosen to fill all things with the glory and pre-eminence of His Son. The saints (set apart ones) gather together in order to manifest Y'shua the Mashiyach and to encourage and build up one another in Him. Each member manifests a measure of Mashiyach thus bringing fullness to the Body of Y'shua Ephesians 4:13-16
Y'shua said in Matthew 18:20 that "where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in their midst." This could take place anywhere: in a home, on a boat, in a park, in a field, and yes, even in a "church" building. When two or three (or more) saints gather and sing together, or pray together, or exhort one another; then yes they have fulfilled the Y'shua's meaning of ekklesia. In other words, the Father's true gathering/assembly is not a building, but it's "people".
I often tell people, "I don't go to what others call church". (By the way? the word "church" comes from Romanism which is Babylon) My belief is we function as the Body of Y'shua and there is a very big difference between the two. Going to church is done once or twice a week. Being the ekklesia is a daily lifestyle (Torah Observant). Some have accused me of forsaking the assembling of believers because I do not go to a "church building" or meet the way they think we should meet. The B'rit Chadasheh (which is really Y'shua's fulfillment His Tanach) does not tell us how to study/worship, it simply tells us to do it regularly. Just because I do not worship the way the majority of believers do today, that does not mean I have forsaken the assembling of myself with fellow believers. Intimate fellowship with brothers and sisters in Y'shua HaMashiyach is very precious to me – and very important. When I refer to the term "organized church", I am referring to that system of denominationalism that says "worship must be conducted in this manner" or "you must believe this particular way." And while churches won't actually say it, most believe that their way of worship or their belief system is the best. I reject this deceptive spirit and hopefully by the end of this testimony, you will better understand and perhaps even appreciate my viewpoint. Please give me time to explain and continue to read on.
I have been a follower of Y'shua (our Savours name ) now for almost 22years. I have been to many different denominations within and outside the assemblies of g_d. I have been to churches with a broad range of theological beliefs. I have been an Armeanist, a Calvinist, a dispensationalist, a fundamentalist, and a pre and post-tribulationalist and the "lists" go on (if you don't know what these terms mean, don't worry—you're not missing anything… and WOW! you can see why I was so confused) are you?. I have also studied systematic theology and have an Advanced Diploma in Ministries and Theological Studies in which I have been recommended to be a pastor within the assemblies of g_d church. I also hold a Bachelors degree in counseling which is International. oh but the way I'm a Pan trib now lol!!! It will pan out...
However, through a series of very difficult circumstances in my life, Elohim began to shake the very foundations of my beliefs. My belief system over the years was based on fallible men and systems, and changed as frequently as I changed churches. I had book knowledge of the Father, but my understanding of His character was theologically, not experientially based on walking Torah and coming along side Y'shua His Son. Of course, this is not to say that the study of the scriptures is not important. However, when intellectualism takes the place of spirituality, then study has become futile.
Denominationalism/Organized manmade religion (Religiously) had clouded my vision and given me a skewed perspective of Elohim's love and the purpose for my life. What the Father had done in my life (and continues to do so) is to take a very prideful, arrogant, self-righteous man and strip him of self-achievement and self-exaltation. I began to see all my theology crumble before my eyes.
I saw that much of the knowledge I had accumulated was simply the "traditions of men". yes I'll say it again that traditions of men took me away from the central truth of the Father in me and the hope of glory. Through the brokenness of the Cross, I no longer wanted to impress men with my so-called knowledge of the scriptures. I was like Moses when crossing the desert when cast out of Egypt without food, water and the knowledge of Elohim. My Maker was ready to put His hammer to the anvil to mould me and change my life forever.
Elohim was revealing to me the glorious revelation of Y'shua HaMashiyach being all. I saw that I had become a very religious man – a believer but a religious one at that. My focus was on ministry, opportunities in preaching and teaching or even worship itself had become meaningless. I had left the simplicity of the Father's love in my life, and Y'shua was not my focus. Ministry duties had become more important, being about my business instead of allowing to be led by Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) back into the Father's arms. Almost instantly, the Father had set me free from denominationalism, (if you think non-denominationalism is different, you're misled) it is all the same just systemized. With this revelation, I began to see denominations as hurtful divisions in the Body of Y'shua.
Not only had Y'shua begun showing me that Elohim was not pre-eminent in my own life, but that He did not have the first place in the churches. Y'shua Himself had lost the pre-eminence in peoples own assemblies, and just like the early church of Ephesus, the modern church has lost its first love. Revelation 2:4 What (or whom) has replaced Him?
Well, activities for one and ministries for another; and even gifted men have replaced the Father. We are so busy for Y'shua that we have forgotten that to be with Him is the better thing. Even so called self appointed writers giving thier own interpretations about what Elohim was saying in scripture, instead of relying on Y'shua's teaching to be led of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) who will guide us all into the truth. Remember the story of Mary and Martha? Martha was so busy serving our Messiah that she forgot that Mary, who was sitting at the feet of Y'shua, had the better thing. Y'shua never condemned Martha for being a server. Service is important – but only when that service flows from our intimacy with Y'shua. Anything less is idolatry. We have made our ministries and our activities into little idols. Like Abraham when offering Isaac up before Elohim, we too have little Isaac's in our hearts that we need to sacrifice and we have to repent and walk accordingly to Torah.
There does seem to be an increasing number of people in the denominational organizations known as the church suffering as a consequence of unfair treatment e.g. when they question the church leadership and motives or the interpretation of the scriptures. There appears to be very few alternatives open to those people if the mechanisms within those organizations fail to deliver fulfillment of the truth they are looking for.
In most cases it has actually been the so called senior leadership i.e. pastors, priest's bishops and the like of religious organizations who have been the perpetrators of damaging actions towards others. Some of which have left life long wounds on individuals and even whole families. In many cases like this, no avenues of appeal exist because of the entrenched power of those individuals who have caused such injury.
I myself have known of genuine believers who, as a result of being victims of abuse, felt that they can no longer attend these religious organizations and who have been driven to the edge of desperation and to the brink of suicide. Occasionally such people do manage to find willing mediators to help facilitate discussion and try and work towards reconciliation, and to come to some sort of settlement and restitution. But in my experience these positive outcomes are very rare, and far too infrequent. Often when disputes arise, many people run for cover wanting to avoid all controversy, or close ranks and fail to talk at all to the victims. In this kind of situation many lies and false accusations go unchallenged and continue their cancerous effects for years.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "But understand this: That in the latter days hard of times of difficulty will come: and men will be lovers of themselves and lovers of money, boasters, proud, revilers, unyielding towards their own people, deniers of grace, wicked, unloving addicted to irreconcilable malicious gossips, ferocious, haters of the good, treacherous, rash, inflated, attached to pleasure more than the love of Elohim (The Father), having the appearance of godliness, but denying the power of Elohim. To them who are such, repel them from you". When I stepped away from organized religion, I received overwhelming support……it can be a lonely walk not connected to a denomination but I'm still walking!
In conclusion, my intent in writing this short article is to answer some of my friends and family who are concerned because I am not going to the church. I will not question any person's choice of where they worship. That is between them and the Adonai. While I strongly believe that denominations divide the Body and are not Elohim's best, Adonai surely uses them in the lives of people.
If you feel that you are one of "the called out ones" from any form of denominationalism, do what you believe the Father is leading you to do. But for me, I cannot participate in a system that I feel has left the spirit of the assembly. This does not mean that I will never step foot inside a church building again, and it certainly doesn't mean that I will reject those who choose to fellowship in these denominations. It simply means that I will not become a member or a pawn or give my energies to further any denominational system, or propagate the ministry of one man. YHWH uses us wherever we are, and it is true that He has used the denominational system to accomplish His great purpose, but just because YHWH uses something in our lives, that doesn't mean that He wishes us to stay there.
There comes a time when we should move from milk to strong meat (From religion to Torah) we all should be growing and progressing in our walk with the Y'shua. Sometimes that means taking a stance and risk being labeled different. I was in the denominational system for over seventeen years before the Ruach (spirit) called me out. I know many believers who have felt the same urging by the Spirit and they too have suffered the same label as I have. One day, however, Yah will call ALL of us out of man-made religion (denominationalism) and into the perfect unity of Ruach HaKodesh. Until that day, may all of us learn to love one another and maintain the bond of Shalom (peace), and be set free in denominationalism? just one last thing after being set free from manmade religion...I could not have been happyier being finally on the holy highway.
Ye'varecheha Adonai v'yishmerrcha, Ya'er Adonai panav eleicha vihuneca ; Yisah Adonia panav eleicha v'yasem, I'cha shalom… May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.