| I couldn't keep this to myself! |
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| Why do we gather as a Church.... |
This was a reply to a friend that sent me a kind note concerning the importance of the not tithing, giving offerings or have a building for the Church to Gather in. I just couldn't keep it to myself.
Enjoy!
The church is the Body of Christ and many people have confused the issue between "The Church" (the people of God) and "The church" (the building in which it gathers). It is dangerous to deny the importance of the Church gathering together. For Satan sifts us to devour us. All though we ARE the CHURCH of Jesus Christ, HIS body we are directed to still gather. We need agreer's. Matthew 8:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them.
Then to deny the gathering of churches (the people) is to deny the teaching of Paul who was the one who the Holy Spirit directed to give us the gathering of the church as we have it today. To deny his teachings in this area is to blot out the word and Revelation says there is a curse on those who do that. 1 Corinthians 16:1 says Now concerning the collection (offerings) FOR the saints, as I have given ORDER (which denotes a commandment) to the churches (recognize the plural) of Galatia, even so do ye (which is states he is speaking to the churches of Corinthians too). We have found that he had built churches in every city he visited. These churches met in houses, synagogues, town central, the streets where ever.
Then 2 Corinthians 8 speaks in detail of offerings and gifts given to each other for the spreading of the Gospel (notice: v14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality) The giving is made from the abundance of what we have and it is to supply the lack in those who do not have. Again in Acts 2:45-46 There is a selling of possessions and goods so the funds would be parted between the brothern (again; this is not stating High Priest but the believers so everyone will have something to eat and have provisions)
Then comes the Tithe. Many say it is "Old Law" but Jesus Himself commands that we PAY our tithes in a rebuke to the Scribes and Pharisees. Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe and mint and anise and cummin , and have omitted the weighter matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Here is says that the tithe was a basic matter compared to Judgment, mercy and faith. These were the heavier matters but said don't do away with the basic but finish what you are supposed to be doing.
FINALLY: Here comes the Bomb! Paul again teaches in Hebrews 7:8 and HERE men that die receive tithes: but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. The way the tithe gets to heaven is the giving of the tithe to those who live on this earth. If you eat your tithe Lev 27 says that you have to pay back 20% above what you ate and what you ate.
I can go on, and on, and on and on...but I understand that the perverting of the scr i pture to keep us as individuals and not as a GATHERED force is an attack of the AntiChrist or the Spirit of AntiChrist that Paul teaches. BUT THIS ONE HURTS! This Anti-Christ is to say, "One who is against the Anointed one with his Anointing this is the Church” Jude teaches of this person who works to separate us and says that they will be judged with the same judgment as Sodom and Gomorrah. They try to separate the saints and pull on their own ungodly lusts. This is where this teaching has come from. Using the Word to turn Saints from working together, gathering funds to build the outreaching of souls or feeding the "End Time Harvest” that Jesus has prepared us to reach. The simple desire to not go to church, spending more time at home doing nothing, eating and drinking and saying that we are saved (which you may very well be but...) Do not forsake the Gathering of the Saints nor stop the saints from utilizing the financial system that Jesus has left us in His Word to feed the system that wins souls, feeds the poor, clothes the naked, visits the prisons, covers the orphans and provides for our widows.
There is abuse in every industry, ministry, office, government, operation or organizations but to say that they all are irrelevant is ignorant.
This is just the opinion of one who works hard to fund that which the Lord has given me to build.
I am rich Spiritually, Physically, Socially, Mentally and yes FINANCIALLY and with all of these riches I can preach, proclaim and prophesy the coming of the Lord and I can truly say, "No MAN has made me rich, but only God through the obedience and actions of His Word have I received."
But, I'm sure there are some that would say that I received my riches from poor people who gave me offerings...well, I accept the judgment of God over any ignorant jealousy of man. Thank you Jesus you are no respecter of person. And that the reader of this little note could receive these very same riches.
Blessings,
Pastor Clark Ortiz
www.clarkortiz.com | |
| Posted: 10/6/2007 at 11:24 | Read 132 times | 1 comment | Leave Comment |
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