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“[Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (Colossians1:15-18)
 
For the past two thousand years, it has often been presumed that the church on earth is the true path to God and the means to fulfill the deep longing of the heart inherent to fallen man. Some joyfully testify that their church experience has succeeded in satisfying their deep longing. However, others indicate that it has only served to exaggerate it. The incongruity cannot be reconciled by human presumption but only by divine illumination.

​Scripturally, the real church of the New Testament is indeed the chosen path to God and the vehicle for the fulfillment of man’s deepest longing in this present age. Unfortunately, however, the church on earth has not always shared its distinctiveness. 
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                                   Eternal or Temporal
 
Despite various denominations, doctrines, and dispositions, there are in reality only two types of churches on earth. The first church is eternal and the second temporal. They can be distinguished by their contrasting origin, function, form, source of animation, emphasis, purpose, and mission.
 
                                      Eternal Church
 
It must be stated emphatically, the eternal church, the ecclesia of God, is not a religious organization. In fact, the New Testament clearly reveals that the practice of organized religion is antithetical to the plan of God for the eternal church.
    
The eternal church was originated in eternity. It was both conceived and completed in the eternal realm before the foundation of the world. (cf. Hebrews 4:3)

The eternal church was designed to have a singular emphasis; Jesus Christ. He is the “Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13) Christ alone is worthy of being the central focus of the eternal church.
    
In the fullness of time, God established the eternal church on the degenerated earth to fulfill a twofold purpose. The eternal church was made to vindicate the nature of God from angelic challenge and accusation and to repopulate His kingdom with willing citizens.
    
God provided the eternal church with a simple, organic function and form. They were suitable for it to fulfill its role in His eternal plan.
    
The function of the eternal church was to facilitate shared life fellowship between God and mankind. Its corresponding, supportive form was a spiritual body comprised of elect human beings.
    
The eternal church was designed in eternity to accommodate the life (zoe) of God on earth. Thus, it was a “dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)

By His immediate, living (zoe) presence within, God serves as the source of animation for the practice of the eternal church. (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21; Colossians 1:27; 2:13; 3:4) Human cooperation occurs by grace through faith alone.

Supportive of its function and form, God gave the eternal church a specific purpose and corresponding mission. Its fundamental purpose was to enjoy God through the celebratory practice of shared life fellowship.

Contrary to the action of the rebellious angels, the willingness of mankind to submit to the authority of God and enjoy fellowship with Him provided the means by which His nature would be vindicated from angelic challenge and accusation. In addition, it would serve to repopulate the eternal kingdom of God.

The corresponding mission of the eternal church was first and foremost to cultivate and protect its privilege of shared life fellowship with God. Allowing for the gracious overflow of divine life (zoe) into the unbelieving world, it would bear eternal fruit, the incomparable fruit of new, shared life disciples.

The eternal church is the real New Testament church. It is a gracious work of God for man.
 
                                    Temporal Church
 
In contrast to the eternal church, the temporal church was originated by mankind. It was conceived and developed by humanity within the earthly confines of space and time to facilitate the practice of organized religion.
    
The function and form of the temporal church was influenced by fallen mankind. The function of the temporal church was to facilitate religious activity for God. It was naturally supported by the form of a physical congregation.
    
The physical congregation of the temporal church was comprised of many members. They congregated for God according to shared interest and personal choice.
    
Relative to its function and form, the temporal church was characterized by a complex, organizational structure. It’s operation and development were animated by the personal effort of its membership.
     
Rather than Jesus Christ, the practice of the temporal church emphasizes mankind. The perceived needs of the physical congregation are central.
    
Supportive of its function and form, religious mankind gave the temporal church a specific purpose and corresponding mission.   
The purpose of the temporal church is to practice organized religious activity for God. Its corresponding mission is to increase adherents. 
    
The temporal church originated from the religious ideology of fallen mankind. It is a presumptive, religious work of man for God.                                              
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                                               Religion
 
The practice of religion for God originates from fallen mankind. It constitutes a human attempt to appease and please God.
    
No matter how elaborate, complex or diverse, the practice of religion is characterized by a presumptive flaw. It is founded on the errant presumption that man, in his natural condition, is capable of appeasing or pleasing God.
    
Nevertheless, the New Testament clarifies that mankind exists in a fallen state that is contrary to God. As a result, religious effort is incapable of appeasing or pleasing God. 
    
Moreover, the Bible indicates that it is the religious who have consistently opposed the living (zoe) God and His eternal plan. For example, the primary opponents of the incarnate Christ were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. (cf. Matthew 3:7-10; 5:20; 6:5, 7, 16; 7:21-23; 11:16-19; 12:1-7; 15:1-14; 16:5-12; 22:15-23:12; etc.) It was also religious Jews who opposed the earthly origination and subsequent growth of the early New Testament church. (cf. Acts 4:1-31; 5:17-42; 6:8-7:60; 8:1-3; 9:1; 14:2, 19; 16:22-24; 19:23-41; 2 Corinthians 11:22-28; Philippians 1:27-30; Hebrews 10:32-33; etc.)
    
Originated from fallen man, the practice of religion is nothing more than an empty shadow of God’s desire for humanity. According to the Bible, the true substance of His desire for man is reconciliation leading to shared life. It is made possible on earth by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone. (cf. John 5:39-40; 10:10b; 11:25; 14:6; Colossians 2:16-19)
    
It is clear then that the Christ was not sent to earth to initiate a religious movement or participate in preexisting religious practice. Instead, the heavenly Father sent Him to share life (zoe) with the dead. (John 1:4; 3:16-17; 10:10; 14:6; 17:3; 1 John 1:1-3; 5:11-12)
    
Concordant with their fallen nature, spiritually dead human beings are characterized by a darkened mind, perverse will, and deceitful emotions. As a result, they are blind to the biblical message of life and, therefore, all too willing to stop short of the pursuit of the living God and settle for the practice of lifeless religion.
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                                       Distinctly Different

The real New Testament church was created by the living (zoe) God with attributes that are eternal and organic. For example:
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Attribute:
Eternal Church:
Temporal Church:
Origin:
  • Divine.
  • Originated by God in eternity before the foundation of the world.
  • Heavenly.
  • Human.
  • Originated by mankind during the fourth-century.
  • Earthly.
Emphasis:
  • Jesus, the living (zoe) Christ.
  • The needs of human membership.
Description:
  • Eternal church.
  • New Testament church.
  • Ecclesia or “assembly”.
  • Organic church.
  • Body of Christ.
  • Bride of Christ.
  • Pillar and support of the truth.
  • Holy temple of the Lord.
  • A dwelling of God in the Spirit.
  • Holy priesthood.
  • Chosen race.
  • “Desired” (Ephesus). 
  • Temporal church.
  • Religious church.
  • Simulated church.
  • Organized church.
  • Institutional church.
  • Traditional church.
  • Cultural church.
Function:
  • Facilitate shared life fellowship with God.
  • Fellowship between God and man serves to:
  1. Vindicate the nature of God to the angelic host.
  2. Repopulate the kingdom of God.
  • Facilitate the organization of religious activity for God. 
Form:
  • Spiritual body.
  • Organic.
  • Simple.
  • Physical Congregation.
  • Inorganic.
  • Complex.
 
 
 
Animation:
  • Animated by divine life (zoe).
  • God with man.
  • By grace through faith.
  • Demonstrative of the attributes of the divine nature for the vindication of God from angelic challenge and accusation.
  • Animated by human life (psuche).
  • Man for God.
  • By human effort.  
  • Demonstrative of religious activity. 
Design:
  • Living (zoe) organism.
  • Religious organization.
Calling:
  • Called by God before the foundation of the world:
  1. Called out from His condemnation and wrath.
  2. Called together to enjoy the gracious blessings of God in  intimate, shared life community.
  • No specific calling for temporal church attendance and participation.
Body:
  • Animated, formed, and cultivated on earth by Spirit of Christ.
  • Comprised of co-equal brothers and sisters united to God and one another by indwelling, eternal life (zoe).
  • Co-equal brothers and sisters ordered by divinely appointed role/spiritual giftedness.
  • Animated, formed, and cultivated by mankind.
  • Human beings united by shared religious interest.
Legality:
  • Justified from sin by grace through faith alone.
  1. Forgiven of all sin; past, present and future.
  2. Presented with an eternally binding, legal declaration of righteousness.
  3. The righteous requirement of the rule of law fulfilled within.
  4. Released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law.
  5. Relative to the rule of law: “holy and  blameless and beyond reproach.”
  6. Obedient from the heart.
  7. Obligated to God through the gracious rule of life (zoe).
  • Ignorant of justification by grace through faith alone.
  1. Ignorantly subject to the bondage of the rule of law.
  2. Forgiveness sought through the religious confession of sins.
Life:
  • New life: shared with God in Jesus Christ.
  1. Regenerated: made compatible to share divine life (zoe).
  2. Born of the Spirit: divine life (zoe) imparted.
  3. Rather than subject to the rule of law, obligated to God through the gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe).
  • Living in ignorance of life shared with God.
  • Attempting to live for God rather than with Him.
Citizenship:
  • Eternal, heavenly citizenship.
  • Ignorant of eternal, heavenly citizenship.
Security:

  • Eternally secure.
  • Ascended and seated with Christ. 
  • Sealed by the Spirit.
  • Secured by divine hope (Romans 8:18-25); divine intercession (Romans 8:26-27); divine purpose (Romans 8:28-30); divine benevolence (Romans 8:31-34); divine love (Romans 8:35-39); and divine choice (Romans 9:1-11:36).
  • Ignorant of eternal security.
Doctrine:
  • Divine in origin.
  1. Objective.
  2. Absolute.
  3. Purity protected and preserved by God through collective submission to divine headship, the fullness of the Spirit, the mutual counsel of brothers and sisters, and the support of servant eldership.
  • Human in origin.
  1. Subjective.
  2. Relative.
  3. Purity protected and preserved by human leadership and tradition.
  4. Susceptible to doctrinal deception and deviation.
Purpose:
  •  For the enjoyment of God and mankind, the practice of intimate, shared life fellowship.
  • Practice organized religious activity for God.
Mission:
  • The cultivation and protection of the practice of shared life fellowship with God.
  • Increase adherents through “ministry” programming.
Governance:
  • Theocratic by divine headship.
  1. Governed internally by the ordered equality of Spirit-filled brothers and sisters; made obedient from the heart, in submission to divine headship and one another.
  2. By intimate rule of indwelling, eternal life (zoe), characterized by lavish, unmerited favor.
  • Federal or democratic by human headship.
  1. Although grace is often preached, actual governance typically occurs by rule of law, characterized by reward and punishment. 
  2. Rule of law typically applied by organizational principle and precept. 
Leadership:
  • Esteemed above all else, the immediate headship of Christ manifested by the fullness of His indwelling Spirit.
  1. Co-equal brothers and sisters supported by the gracious counsel of scripturally qualified, Spirit-filled, servant eldership.
  2. Scripturally qualified deacons provide support to eldership.
  3. Decision-making by the Spirit-filled, prayerful consensus of the entire church body.
  4.  No clergy/laity distinction.
  • The headship of man manifested through professional clergy.
  1. If elders exist, they generally rule rather than provide supportive counsel.
  2. Decision-making by the rule of pastoral leadership and/or rule of eldership.
  3. Laity divided from clergy; of unequal status.
Manifestation:
  • Predominantly manifested in dynamic, intimate, interactive, intergenerational small group communities that move from house to house in unlimited locations.
  • Occasionally inclusive of large group, life-based (zoe) gatherings for a specific purpose or occasion. 
  • Static, impersonal, nonreciprocal large group meetings in special buildings.
  • Sometimes supplemented by law-based small group activity.
Practice:
  • The celebration of shared life with God.
  1. The interactive ministry of eternal life (zoe) by the Spirit through the gifted involvement of every member of the body.  
  2. Demonstrated through the life (zoe) based practices of purposeful prayer; intentional community interaction; the Lord’s Supper as a full, celebratory meal; participatory praise and worship in song; the fellowship of the Spirit; reading and discussing scripture; spiritually-gifted interactive ministry to one another; the joyful giving of material goods and finances to meet the needs of the body; corrective spiritual discipline; mutual discipleship; and team-oriented outreach.
  3. By grace through faith alone. 
  • Teaching about God.
  1. The observance of shared interest, religious activity for God.
  2. The nonreciprocal ministry of temporal life (psuche) by select individuals to a largely passive audience.
  3. Demonstrated through a prearranged liturgy.
Works:
  • Prepared by God beforehand.
  • Divine in origin.
  • Eternal.
  • Living (zoe) works by the Spirit.
  • Graciously fulfilled in cooperation with the indwelling God by faith alone.
  • Prepared by man in time.
  • Human in origin.
  • Temporal.
  • Dead works.
  • Performed for God by effort of human life (psuche).
Giving:
  • Cooperative giving with Christ by grace through faith alone.
  • Giving to support life-based (zoe) ministry for the cultivation of life-based (zoe) community.
  • Disbursement determined by the prayerful consensus of the co-equal members of the body.
  • Predominantly for local need.
  • Giving predominantly if not exclusively for building and salary expenses.
  • Giving to support religious activity.
  • Disbursement determined by leadership minority.
  • Rarely applied to local need.  
Growth:
  • Heavenly, eternal, and spiritual by nature.
  • Organic, progressive, cooperative, and exponential.
  • Through intentional, interactive cooperation by faith alone. 
  • By the divine multiplication of shared life community on earth.
  • Earthly, temporal, and physical.
  • Inorganic, periodic, uncooperative, and linear.
  • Predominantly through the attractiveness of pulpit ministry.
  • By the addition of individual adherents through organizational directive and development.
Measure of
Success:
  • Intimacy of fellowship with God.
  • Multiplication of life-based (zoe) community.
  • Attendance.
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As clarified in the above table, the real New Testament church is characterized by attributes that are eternal and organic. As a result, its origin, emphasis, description, function, form, basis, animation, design, organism, calling, body, legality, life, citizenship, security, doctrine, purpose, mission, headship, governance, leadership, gatherings, manifestation, ministry, works, giving, growth, measure of success, fruit, and destiny are all eternal and organic. Truly distinct, the real New Testament church is suitable for the fulfillment of eternal purpose within the hostile environment of the fallen earth.
    
God established the real church of the New Testament, the eternal, organic church, before the foundation of the world. He secured its eternal destiny by the blood of the Eternal Covenant and the indwelling presence of His eternal, indestructible life (zoe).
 

© 2022 James Hiatt
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