Why Join a Church?
I never could quite understand why churches always want us to become members if Christians are already members of the body of Christ? What is it we are joining? A social club? Their organization? Do we get official membership cards if we join? A special badge? Bumper stickers? This is nothing more than a game most churches play, whether knowingly or out of ignorance, and has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with scripture. This game is all about the 501c3 tax exempt status they signed up for with the government when they became a non-profit organization.
You see, 501c3 churches are a corporation of the state. They have incorporated with the laws of that state and must abide by the laws that govern tax exempt organizations. They also have the privilege of opening a bank account in their name and in turn, can offer you tax deductions when you give tithes and offerings. That is all part of the game, and with the game, comes control. When a church files for a 501c3 tax exempt status, they actually give up control to the state, and are required by state laws to abide by their rules. My question is this, if Christ bought the church, the body of Christ, with His blood, should we really be relinquishing that control back to the IRS?? Since when is the IRS Lord over the church? No wonder most churches are not operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying God cannot or does not move in 501c3 churches, God can move through a donkey if He so chooses, and I'm also NOT saying that we aren't to fellowship with other believers, because we are. I'm just saying we should only have one Lord in control of the church if we ever plan on seeing the fullness of His Spirit operating within it. In the future, you are going to see more and more NON 501c3 churches springing up and allowing no one but Christ to rule over them. The Holy Spirit is bringing a great awakening to the church as we enter these latter days, and the Spirit of God will once again be free to bring forth great exploits when we learn to yield to His power alone. So, if you are a Christian, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are already a member of the body of Christ. Don't be fooled by man-made traditions.
You see, 501c3 churches are a corporation of the state. They have incorporated with the laws of that state and must abide by the laws that govern tax exempt organizations. They also have the privilege of opening a bank account in their name and in turn, can offer you tax deductions when you give tithes and offerings. That is all part of the game, and with the game, comes control. When a church files for a 501c3 tax exempt status, they actually give up control to the state, and are required by state laws to abide by their rules. My question is this, if Christ bought the church, the body of Christ, with His blood, should we really be relinquishing that control back to the IRS?? Since when is the IRS Lord over the church? No wonder most churches are not operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying God cannot or does not move in 501c3 churches, God can move through a donkey if He so chooses, and I'm also NOT saying that we aren't to fellowship with other believers, because we are. I'm just saying we should only have one Lord in control of the church if we ever plan on seeing the fullness of His Spirit operating within it. In the future, you are going to see more and more NON 501c3 churches springing up and allowing no one but Christ to rule over them. The Holy Spirit is bringing a great awakening to the church as we enter these latter days, and the Spirit of God will once again be free to bring forth great exploits when we learn to yield to His power alone. So, if you are a Christian, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are already a member of the body of Christ. Don't be fooled by man-made traditions.
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