PHOENIX RISING

Before you read any further, there is something that I want to say to you, something that the author of this book has stated on more than one occasion:

If you are at peace with the way you practice your church life, do not read any further.

Furthermore, If you decide to leave after being exposed to this information, please do so quietly and peacefully.

The second chapter of this informative little book takes a look at the history of the church building.

Now without giving too much away, I do want to reassure you that I understand that most of us totally understand that we, the believers in Christ Jesus and followers of The Way, are what truly constitutes ‘the church’.

I am certain that the majority of those who are reading this post right now fully understand the difference between the meeting place and the meeting people.

That said…

I also understand the need to take a closer look at why we do the things we do to see if there isn’t something there that needs to be brought to light.

After laying out a strong case that the origin of the church building has it’s roots in the pagan influences which Constantine continued to hold so dear (So dear, in fact, that he “still functioned as the high priest of paganism”* nearly until his dying day!), he goes on to explain, basically, how the atmosphere of the church building (and it’s set-up), just isn’t conducive to the free roam of the Spirit.

Furthermore, to suppose that the church building and the typical modern form of church practice was a carry over from old testament times would be in contradiction to what we find within the new testament scriptures.

Of course Jesus went to synagogue, as He lived and operated within the old testament paradigm. However, He was also ushering in a new Way, Truth and Life, which would change everything!In Franks words, “The Old Mosaic economy of sacred priests, sacred buildings, sacred rituals, and sacred objects has been forever destroyed by the cross of Jesus Christ.”

This is true!

All of these things were a type of Christ, a mere picture of the true Fulfillment.

From the time of Pentecost forward, the apostles, especially Paul, was busy trying to get that old system out of the Lords people. If anything, our church practice today should seem even less like the old testament ways than it did in the first century!

A simple reading of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, and the letter to the Hebrews will make this crystal clear!!

Today, we are the temples made without hands!

Today, we, ALL OF US, are the Royal Priesthood!!

Today, WE ARE THE VERY BODY OF CHRIST!!!

Now I know that there is nothing inherently evil about a building. In fact, having a big place to meet can be quite a blessing to the body of Christ. Furthermore, I am no longer, personally, troubled by the pagan origins of the church building, but rather my issues have more to do with the financial burdens that such a thing can put on the Lords people and the ways in which the buildings are (or are not) used.

I sincerely believe that the existence and common usage of church buildings does typically discourage genuine Christian community among the saints.

How?

The Lords people just don’t seem to get together all that much for the most part, and when they do, they typically do not gather nor function in the way they were designed to.

Can you imagine what it could be like if, instead of gathering together once or twice a week in the ‘buildings’ the brothers and sisters split up to fellowship and meet together in one another’s homes? What if we all even went so far as to each bring something to ‘the table’, a psalm, a song, a poem, a teaching, a revelation, etc…

Now this mode of operation wouldn’t cater to the whims of your typical ‘pastor’, but it would rather put the headship and authority back where it belongs.

In Jesus Christ.

I would say that is a pretty important matter…., wouldn’t you?

What if we realized that we, indeed, are much more free in the Lord than our current mindsets and practices would have us to believe?

It’s in your new testament.

It is your birth right as a new creation in Christ.

It is not a new idea at all, but rather a very scriptural one.

Honestly, I do not know why so many men and women of God, especially those who would seem to be ‘leaders’, choose to ignore this unmistakably vital aspect concerning the body of Christ.

I have my assumptions…

But now I am moving into other things, and this post is primarily about the church building.

Well, I really do want to tell you more about this, and I’m sure that I will eventually, but I really would rather you just pick up the book and read it for your self. It’s worth it.

Peace to you all (as much as is possible),

~Johnny

* Gonzalez: Story of Christianity, 123