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 Streaking
toward the west coast in a sleek jet is also a good place to
discuss the cause of Christ. Small talk with a fellow-traveler
moved from occupation to church to "Where is this church's
headquarters?"
"Lady,"
I said, "You aren't going to believe this, but I want to
tell you the honest truth. Headquarters for the church of which
I am a member is in heaven.
There
was a moment of silence, and then she replied politely,
"You are correct, I don't believe it; but I will listen to
your explanation." What more could anyone ask?
GOD, GOD,
GOD, GOD
Apostles
JUDGES, KINGS, CHRIST,
NOT
Bishops
or Church
PEOPLE. PEOPLE. PEOPLE. PEOPLE
Take
your time, to study this. God (Deity) first ruled His chosen people through
Judges, then through Kings, and finally-- Christ sits on David's Throne. (Acts
2:30-f) Christ is today both King and Priest -- He can not be one without the
other. (Heb. 7:) The sovereignty of Divinity is exercised through the Son of
God, and through none other. (See 1 Cor. 15:24-28)
The
Apostles were (and are) ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) delivering His
message. "There is one lawgiver--." (Jas. 4:12) Legislative,
executive, and judicial authority resides wholly and only in Christ. Our
"headquarters" is in Heaven!!
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Since
the Apostles and N.T. prophets were inspired, spoke as they were moved by the
Holy Spirit -- we do not go to them for guidance; except as to earthen
vessels, whose contents we seek. (2 Cor. 4:7) And now, in the absence of
inspiration, how absurd to consider any board, council, or ecclesiastical body
as our headquarters.
We
do not go to "the church" for forgiveness, mercy, or any of the
spiritual blessings. All are in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3) Our headquarters is in
Heaven! We may "come boldly to the throne of grace" in Heaven;
(Heb. 4:16) for here is our altar. (Heb. 9:18-24-f)
The
"church" is not the mediator between God and man; Christ is our
"middle-man"-- we come to God through Christ, not through the
church. Each one of us much approach God as an individual, through Christ. It
is only when I have found God in Christ, when I have become obedient to
His commandments, subject to His authority, that I am one of His saints a
member of His "called out" ones the church.
Stressing
individual obligations to Christ does not minimize the importance of Christ's
church -- it doesn't erase the local church as God's people operating
collectively. It just puts the church in its proper place. God's people (the
church) must depend upon Christ, His word; not on people!
GOD,
CHRIST,
GOD'S PEOPLE, THE CHURCH!
Yes ma’am, my headquarters is in Heaven!
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