posted
I run a small Bible study group from my home north of Atlanta, Ga. I would like to expand, but I ran into problems by not being incorporated. The government is telling us that if you are not incorporated you are not a church and therefore can not open a bank account, use school property, etc.
Does anyone know a way around the government's hand in our worship. I will not ask their permission to preach the word of God, nor will I be politically correct about sin in our society and government.
Tom Bacon tombacon AT trusted.net
djudge44
posted
Tom, as long as we think that we have to "operate" by the system, then our thinking will be system-oriented. If your idea of expanding is doing it by their system, then you must use the system they have "ordained".
If, however, the "expansion" of your group can be done without going about it in their way, you have no need to fear, and just let the Lord tell you what and how to do it. He can get around the methods of the world, if He is doing the work.
Just a couple of questions and comments re "church and government"...
(1)Why would a new covenant church even need a bank account?? Since new covenant believers ARE THE BUILDING WHICH IS THE HABITATION OF GOD, they need no physical consecrated buildings. Their ordinary dwelling places are eminently suited for new covenant ministry one to another. Also since they are all priests and all clergy, and all ordained ministers there are no staff salaries to be paid! Rather every individual believer is to "lay by him in store as God has propsered him" for the purpose of caring for poor saints. I Cor.16:1,2
(2)Why would a new covenant church even need to apply for the use of a government school building? If you apply for government benefits, you must be willing to be regulated by government regulations. I do know that, here in Canada, government benefits of ANY KIND are only available to CORPORATIONS created by the government. Whatever God has created, He has the right to regulate. But whatever government creates, they have the right to regulate! Men and women created in the image of God are tripartite beings (spirit soul and body). They may be known and recognized by features of their spirits, souls and bodies. Corporations or "legal persons" created by government are also tripartite beings (legal name, legal number and legal document). Such "legal persons cannot be known or recognized for they are THINGS. They may only be IDENTIFIED, and thus the widespread use of I.D. issued by government agencies which create and regulate legal persons.
I am not a legal person, was not created by government, do not claim so called "benefits" from government and have long since returned and revoked all government I.D. which were ever issued to me. Since God has created me, He has the right to regulate me and He is a much more reliable provider for my needs than government ever could be! So I apply to Him for whatever benefits I stand in need of.
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