Is corporate worship the proper word for a gahering of the church? I think not. Looking up the word corporate in Webster's, I found it did have the implications I thought---men's laws, authority, and reorganizing structures. While corporate can be a united body that acts as on, it seems to refer to a body under man-made rules. The word suits the IC rather than the HC. I have often seen the IC use this word in regard to their new movement to reclaim the world for Christ. They have their five fold offices to rule the corporation. The laity is to follow the law laid down by the corporate bosses, who consider themselves the corporate sons of God and his physical army planning to Christianize the earth by force if necessary. Isn't that the same goal Rome had and still does through the ecumenical movement with all denominations? Isn't that what the HC is leaving behind?

I have serious doubts to the IC organizations & denominations, etc. as part of the body. Not all these people are lost; but they do need to come out of the system. These systems, including cell churches, are part of the endtime delusion of the anti-Christ. Anti-Christ meaning INSTEAD of Christ as well as opposed. Who desired to be God? Satan, the angel of light. The systems are joining together into one united religion for a great revival of the ancient Babylonian mystery religion. This is the great falling away, the apostasy, mentioned in 2 Thes, which began during the early church. Interestingly, an organization is being created to register all churches, like in China. It is the UR (United Religions). Remember God called Abraham out of Ur.

We are to come out of the world, be separate, be a light & salt. The IC would have us be so sweet, good, popular, blessed, and joyful that everyone would want to join our group. However, scripture paints a different view. Light shining into the darkness of the world often causes those in darkness to withdraw, cover their eyes & reject the light because it hurts. It is too bright. It exposes the darkness they love so much. Salt, sprinkled on food does enhance the flavor. However, when the two edged sword cuts deeply, salt hurts the wound. Often this is the reaction of the world to the word of God & to us. The IC think we should be tolerant & accept everything. They teach Jesus came to bring peace. Not so. He said he came to divide: that families would be against one another. He said we would have to give up much to follow him. Your never hear this at IC. The peace Jesus gives is not earthly; but spiritual. Christ called the very religious in the systems of the world whited cups, blind leading the blind, wolves devouring the sheep, etc. The sheep need to come out! They are literally starving to death by the neglect and deception of the hirelings. While God can use the IC to teach certain things, he doesn't desire us to stay among error and deception.

To say that we can't worship correctly unless we join together corporately is to return to the IC mentality of a large bureaucratic entity. Corporations have many positions of hierarchy & man-made laws. Jesus said it should not be so among us. I hope those espousing corporate worship in HC circles mean unity of the mind of Christ rather than the large organized group meetings of the world as the word implies. Even though the body is small and scattered (2 or 3 here & there), we can come to the unity of mind through sound doctrine as we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Even then total unity is not possible, as we see darkly as through a mirror. Only when Jesus returns to change us into incorruptible, will we have the perfect mind of our Lord.

Remember, God puts people in the church, not us. We don't start anything. We only do what God leads us to do. Be light in the world by being different from the IC. Follow Jesus, not men's traditions. If no one ever wants to fellowship with us, that's OK. The purpose of gathering is not to see how many members we can reel in; but to fellowship with like minded believers. Scripture says the last days will be like in the day of Noah and Lot. Noah's family was the only one saved. In Lot's case, even his wife turned back to the world. Narrow is the way. Few find it. It is really hard, especially when you first leave the IC, to realize just how narrow the way is. We still have this idealistic view of saving the world.

Rather than playing church, bringing all the trappings of IC with us, we need to get into the word. We are free in Christ from such. We worship in spirit & truth, not under the bondage of corporate law, but under Christ's headship. It is time to get the "church" out of us, so we can be the Church. We must stand firm not attending IC nor trying to be like them. Stand firm against authoritative hierachy, Christmas, Easter, etc. as pagan traditions & rituals that have nothing to do with God's people. You will stick out like a sore thumb to all who know you: a light, a beacon. Be ready to answer any who ask why you do these things. Witness to the world; but fellowship with like-minded, spirit-filled believers who know Jesus.

You are also right that 'systems" and "denominations" are not part of the Body of Christ. But please be careful to recognize that every true believer within those systems IS a member of the Body and thus are linkled to us in Christ! We cannot say that we do not need them and should pray and look for every possible opportunity to minister to them and do them good!

Just as the Lord Jesus loved sinners and associated with them while hating and reproving their sin, so too, regarding believers in religious systems, we need to love and associate with them realizing that the system and not the people is the enemy! Such believers are really "prisoners of war" who have not yet come home!

I agree that some in the IC are "prisoners of war" captive of the system. When I said not to fellowship with the IC and to stand firmly against it, I was referring to the system, its errors and the Pharisees of First Sanctimonious Church down the road who are perfectly content to lead & be led into the ditch. Jesus called to the churches in Rev. to repent & come out of error. He warned his people to come out of Babylon that they receive not of her plagues. We can't join forces with them as brothers in Christ, lest we also receive her plagues. This is how the early churches became apostate. Compromising for some common good, working side by side with those who perverted the gospel for their own agenda (ecumenicalism.)

Previously, I did say, "not all these people are lost; but they do need to come out of the system." Some don't think being in IC is wrong. Some people say they stay in order to help others come out. God opens eyes! God can certainly bring them out! The best example we can offer is by doing. If we know the system is wrong, what better way to witness that fact to others than to come out ourselves. We should explain to those who will listen why we left. Maybe God will use our example to touch their heart & help them leave.

Of course we need all parts of the body; but all parts must be connected to the head, Jesus. They can't still be connected to the "Nicolatians". (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13) Nor can we still be connected to them as brothers as long as they continue in "unfruitful works of darkness". Ephes. 5:11; 2 Tim. 4:2; 2 Cor. 6:14; & 1 John 1:5-7.

By having no fellowship with them, I believe scripture means: close ties---what should be in the family of God---best friends for socialization, brothers & sisters in Christ for fellowship. That doesn't mean we can't be nice, do good, pray, etc. After all we are to love even our enemies. Sometimes, love is hard, especially God's truth.

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Drew Costen