As far a meeting together ,the community of believers is all around us and I we have fellowship whereever we meet believers. A good book to read “So You Don’t Want To Go To Church Anymore” by Wayne Jacobsen. Another book which will rock your world is “The Harlot Church System” by Charles Elliott Newbold. I am not a trail blazer in this matter whatsoever. Sometimes we think we are the only ones who are seeing revelation from God buts there are always others ahead of us on the same path to Truth. There’s no description as to what the roll of a pastor is in the Bible. The word pastor is only mentioned in one place and that is Eph. 4:11. I believe the the minstry gifts are functions of Holy Spirit in a body of believers and absolutely not office to rule over people. In Revelation 2 Jesus is warns the church (eklesia -called out ones) about the teachings of Nicolatians (which means “conquer of the people”) which was about what we today as clergy. They began to take titles and organize beleivers under their control. The book of Jude talks about the ones that slipped in unaware to take control. In other words these men created titles for themselves and made up rules which allowed them to be in power over the people. “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand [fn]marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 4

Ignatius the third pastor at Antioch created this doctrine cementing the power structure of the Clergy paradigm that is in the Church today.

“Follow your bishop, every one of you, as obediently as Jesus Christ followed the Father. Obey your Clergy too, as you would the Apostles; give your deacons the same reverence thay you would to a command from God. Make sure no step affecting the Church is ever taken by anyone without the bishops sanction. The sole Eucharist you should consider valid is one that is celebrated by the bishop himself, or by some person authorized by him. Where the bishop is to be seen, there let all his people be; just as wherever Jesus Christ is present, we have the Catholic Church. Nor is it permissable to conduct baptism. or the Eucharist without the bishop. On the other hand, whetever does have this sanction can be sure of God’s approval too. This is the way to make certain of soundness. and validity of anything you do.”

I appreciate your “heartfelt” comment and questions about the blogs I write. It gets down to a person heart as to where they will follow Him and seek Him for truth. Those who have a heart for the things of God will always be seeking truth. It takes alot of humility to lay everything we know or think we know at Jesus’ feet and trust Holy Spirit to teach us all truth. You will find that He will show you somethings which you never expected to see. Read the blog if you haven’t already “The Additions”. It is another one of those revelation where God showed me just how much as been added on to the Gospel. The message from God is for His people to love others as He loves them. That’s it! It’s that simple! Treat others like we want to be treated. I believe that is Mat 7:12.

You may also enjoy reading “Beyond Radical” and “How To Meet in Homes” by Gene Edwards. Many people God is leaving in the church system for now due because they need the structure of the system. The church system will fall apart in the years ahead due to the world econimic crisis which is coming soon. Let me know if you have anymore questions. BN