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For the past two thousand years, it has often been presumed that the church on earth is the true path to God. Thus, it is 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. According to the Bible, the church 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 the distinctiveness of the church in heaven. |
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Two Churches
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. Eternal Church It should be emphatically stated that the eternal church, the ecclesia of God, is not a religious organization. In fact, the New Testament clearly reveals the practice of organized religion is antithetical to the teaching and tradition of the eternal church. The eternal church was originated in eternity. It was conceived, created 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 an important reason. The eternal church was made to vindicate the divine nature from angelic challenge and accusation and to repopulate the divine kingdom with willing citizens. God provided the eternal church with a simple, organic function and form. They were suitable for it to fulfill its purpose on earth. The function of the eternal church was to facilitate shared life fellowship between God and mankind. Its corresponding form was a spiritual body. The spiritual body of the eternal church was comprised of many individual members. Their mutual congregation was related to spiritual union with God and one another. The eternal church was designed to accommodate the life (zoe) of God on earth. Thus, 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 His 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. In agreement with its function and form, 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 contribute to the repopulation of the eternal kingdom of God. The corresponding mission of the eternal church was 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 provided for the bearing of eternal fruit, the incomparable fruit of new, shared life disciples. The eternal church is the 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 produced by humanity within the earthly confines of space and time to facilitate the practice of organized religion. Fallen mankind provided the temporal church with a complex function and form. Its function was to facilitate religious activity for God. The corresponding form of the temporal church was a physical congregation. Like the eternal church, the physical congregation of the temporal church was comprised of many individual members. Rather than spiritual union, however, they congregated for God according to shared religious 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 emphasizing Jesus Christ, the practice of the temporal church emphasizes the religious works of mankind for God. Thus, the perceived religious needs of the physical congregation are central. Supportive of its function and form, mankind provided the temporal church with a religious purpose and mission. The purpose of the temporal church is to practice organized religious activity for God. Its corresponding mission is to increase its number of religious 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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Eternal or Temporal
The 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 attributes of the New Testament church are eternal and organic. In distinct contrast, the attributes of the temporal church are temporal and inorganic. Consequently, it is clear that there is no relationship between the eternal and temporal churches.
Religion The temporal church is merely a religious simulation of the New Testament church. Originating from fallen mankind and characterized by his practice of religion for God, it constitutes a human attempt to please and appease God. No matter how elaborate, complex or diverse, however, 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 pleasing or appeasing God. Nevertheless, the New Testament is very clear. Mankind is fallen. Therefore, he exists in a state of utter corruption that is contrary to God. As a result, his religious effort is incapable of appeasing or pleasing God. In addition, the Bible indicates that the religious effort of fallen mankind has 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 is the living (zoe) Christ. (cf. John 5:39-40; 10:10b; 11:25; 14:6; Colossians 2:16-19) It is clear then, the Christ was not sent to earth to initiate a religious movement or participate in preexisting religious practice. Instead, the Bible plainly indicates 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) Fallen mankind is spiritually dead to God. Consequently, he is characterized by a darkened mind, perverse will, and deceitful emotions. As a result, the spiritually dead are blind to the biblical message of life and therefore, all too willing to stop short of the pursuit of the living (zoe) church and settle for the practice of lifeless religion. © 2023 James Hiatt |
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