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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 speaking, 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. Their eternality and temporality can be easily 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 does not encourage the practice of organized religion. To the contrary, it clearly reveals that 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 to be the central focus of the real New Testament church. In the fullness of time, God established the presence of the eternal church on the degenerated earth. It was for 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. It is 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 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. The resultant overflow of His life (zoe) was designed to 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. Fallen mankind provided the temporal church with an appropriate function and form. 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 are animated by the personal effort of its membership. 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 simply 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 human 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. The New Testament clarifies, however, that mankind exists in a fallen state that is contrary to God. As a result, the religious effort of humanity is incapable of appeasing or pleasing God. Moreover, it is made clear throughout the Bible that the religious have consistently opposed the living (zoe) God and His eternal plan. For example, the primary opponents of the incarnate Christ were religious human beings. (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 the religious who opposed the earthly origination and subsequent growth of the 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 with Him 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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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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