Now at 75 years of age I remember when church was something you attended with others in a church building. The gatherings were basically of 2 kinds, the Catholics, and those who were not. The non Catholic folk were divided into many separate groups, each attending in a building where church was conducted.
The day came when I had a living encounter with the voice of Jesus.
I was in prayer telling Father God I felt wretched, poor, blind and naked before Him. As clear as a person speaking a reply came, “No you are not, you are clean”
John 10:27 that made it clear the human body is his dwelling place and I was anointed [ordained John 15:16] to go and bear fruit as I obeyed Jesus voice.
The first people to come into the same relationship as I did met together in homes usually around a meal.
Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
Many of the letters written to churches were addressed to the home where people gathered in a city or locality but not to denominations as we have today.
What divides is what man has created, whether a name, bank account, a constitution or a mission statement.
All the leadership of the early church was a function not an office . It was the anointing people submitted to and there was respect.
It was not about rank, or position.
We read that the greatest among was to serve, not rule over.
To rule in Hebrews means to bring joy, peace, contentment and security, as stated in Hebrews 13, nothing to do with control and domination.
We are told to go into all the world and be salt to flavor and light to see by, not to invite people into a building called a church.
Revelation 3:20 is an interesting verse where we find Jesus outside the church door knocking and inviting people to come out to him.
Today it is so easy to play church and have no inner relationship with The Lord Jesus by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Church is mainly a social club that has rules and regulations for membership.
For 11 years my wife and I were full time ministering to young people about what we understood it meant to become a Christian. One day my wife prayed, “Lord your pay is lousy we are doing all this work for you and you do not pay a decent wage”
He replied as a loud thought in her mind “I do not even know you”
She replied, “You are right and I quit”.
To know is to be in intimate relationship, in communication, in fellowship, and to expose one’s innermost being.
This can only take place in a relationship where there is no judgment and unforgiveness. The only one who can do that is Jesus.
We found the above to be true and have lived in that relationship for 46 years.
Every person when born has in their spirit a desire to be loved, accepted and forgiven and looks to man to fulfill that desire.
Because man has a fallen nature that desire is unfulfilled causing disappointment and rejection that leads to depression.
The only one who can truly fulfill that desire is Jesus.
This is why fullness of life will not be found in organized religious systems. It is only by individual relationship with the Lord Jesus that life can truly be fulfilled .