Archive for the ‘Interesting Facts’ Category
Monday, July 18th, 2011 by Greg
FAITH BASED 501-c-3 Churches are part of HOMELAND SECURITY NOW!
The old cliché “Come shekels, Come shackles” had never been more apparent than on March 7, 2006 when President George Bush gave Executive Order 13397, which literally turned the churches that have taken Faith Based Funds over to the clutches of the Department of Homeland Security.
Following is the order in its entirety with a brief comment at the end by Barbara Ketay, of Melbourne, Florida, who is the Legal Associate of the Biblical Law Center and the President of the United States Bar Association.
In a subsequent article we will analyze this Order and its consequences further.
Executive Order 13397 “Church as a Governmental Agency.”
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary March 7, 2006
Executive Order: Responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security with Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to help the Federal Government coordinate a national effort to expand opportunities for faith-based and other community organizations and to strengthen their capacity to better meet America’s social and community needs, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Establishment of a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the Department of Homeland Security.
(a) The Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) shall establish within the Department of Homeland Security (Department) a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (Center).
(b) The Center shall be supervised by a Director appointed by Secretary. The Secretary shall consult with the Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (WHOFBCI Director) prior to making such appointment.
(c) The Department shall provide the Center with appropriate staff, administrative support, and other resources to meet its responsibilities under this order.
(d) The Center shall begin operations no later than 45 days from the date of this order.
Sec. 2. Purpose of Center. The purpose of the Center shall be to coordinate agency efforts to eliminate regulatory, contracting, and other programmatic obstacles to the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in the provision of social and community services.
Sec. 3. Responsibilities of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In carrying out the purpose set forth in section 2 of this order, the Center shall:
(a) conduct, in coordination with the WHOFBCI Director, a department-wide audit to identify all existing barriers to the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in the delivery of social and community services by the Department, including but not limited to regulations, rules, orders, procurement, and other internal policies and practices, and outreach activities that unlawfully discriminate against, or otherwise discourage or disadvantage the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in Federal programs;
(b) coordinate a comprehensive departmental effort to incorporate faith-based and other community organizations in Department programs and initiatives to the greatest extent possible;
(c) propose initiatives to remove barriers identified pursuant to section 3(a) of this order, including but not limited to reform of regulations, procurement, and other internal policies and practices, and outreach activities;
(d) propose the development of innovative pilot and demonstration programs to increase the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in Federal as well as State and local initiatives; and
(e) develop and coordinate Departmental outreach efforts to disseminate information more effectively to faith-based and other community organizations with respect to programming changes, contracting opportunities, and other agency initiatives, including but not limited to Web and Internet resources.
Sec. 4. Reporting Requirements.
(a) Report. Not later than 180 days from the date of this order and annually thereafter, the Center shall prepare and submit a report to the WHOFBCI Director.
(b) Contents. The report shall include a description of the Department’s efforts in carrying out its responsibilities under this order, including but not limited to:
(i) a comprehensive analysis of the barriers to the full participation of faith-based and other community organizations in the delivery of social and community services identified pursuant to section 3(a) of this order and the proposed strategies to eliminate those barriers; and
(ii) a summary of the technical assistance and other information that will be available to faith-based and other community organizations regarding the program activities of the agency and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and procurement.
(c) Performance Indicators. The first report shall include annual performance indicators and measurable objectives for Departmental action. Each report filed thereafter shall measure the Department’s performance against the objectives set forth in the initial report.
Sec. 5. Responsibilities of the Secretary. The Secretary shall:
(a) designate an employee within the department to serve as the liaison and point of contact with the WHOFBCI Director; and
(b) cooperate with the WHOFBCI Director and provide such information, support, and assistance to the WHOFBCI Director as requested to implement this order.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented subject to the availability of appropriations and to the extent permitted by law.
(b) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060307-5.html
Comments by Barbara Ketay: In case you missed it, the separation of church and state is gone with the stroke of a pen. As of March 7, 2006, our nation’s illustrious leader signed another Executive Order, which tied the Department of Homeland Security to our leader’s “faith-based” churches. Wake up, all you non-profit churches – you now serve the federal government’s primary spying agency. That is now your primary function.
How stupid and positively corrupt can you possibly be to take money in exchange for manipulating your flocks of idiot sheep to the national slaughter? And will you also spy on your flock and provide reports to your new master? Remember that faith-based churches are now governmental agencies – just like public schools, mainline media, and all mass communication, etc. – nothing more and nothing less.
In exchange for money, have you agreed to pacify and organize your flock in the event of a national emergency? You certainly have, for you have been ordered to do so. You are being told what to do when more “crises” hits the nation, and we know more disasters will hit our nation, as all is now planned right down to our “weather emergencies.” All of this is providing the training and relocation exercises for the real crisis to come – the one that permanently collapses Constitutional America.
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Monday, July 18th, 2011 by Greg
IRS WARNS CHURCH MAY LOSE TAX EXEMPTION
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 – FreeMarketNews.com Free speech and the right to oppose policies you consider unjust may be even more at stake than we had thought under the present Administration. According to a Los Angeles Times story cited on What Really Happened, one of Southern California’s largest and most liberal churches could be losing its tax-exempt status, merely because of an anti-war sermon its now-former rector delivered, two days before the 2004 election. The Internal Revenue Service has warned the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, that it may be losing its tax exemption, citing a sermon by the Rev. George F. Regas, on Oct. 31, 2004. In his lesson that day, Regas (who had previously opposed from the pulpit both the Vietnam War and 1991’s Gulf War), imagined Jesus in a political debate with then-candidates George W. Bush and John Kerry. According to the story, he did not take sides or tell parishioners who to vote for, but he did criticize the war in Iraq, stating that Jesus would have called Bush’s pre-emptive war “a failed doctrine,” and that “Forcibly changing the regime of an enemy that posed no imminent threat has led to disaster.” Regas was rector of All Saints from 1967 to 1995, and was a guest speaker at that particular service. The response from the IRS was far from immediate, but the church received a notice on June 9 that “a reasonable belief exists that you may not be tax-exempt as a church,” citing an LA Times account of the Regas sermon. Perhaps most ironic is the fact that the IRS cited the Times’s coverage of the sermon, and not the sermon itself, as its basis for the decision; the Times went beyond quoting from the sermon’s text and characterized it as a “searing indictment of the Bush administration’s policies in Iraq,” which also described “tax cuts as inimical to the values of Jesus.” The IRS letter specifically cited these news report characterizations of Regas’s words. Meanwhile, current Rector J. Edwin Bacon was quoted as saying, “We are so careful at our church never to endorse a candidate. One of the strongest sermons I’ve ever given was against President Clinton’s fraying of the social safety net.” Phone calls by the Times, attempting to reach IRS officials in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles for comment, were not returned. A further consideration is that churches all over California have been taking stances on both sides of the controversial Proposition 73, which would ban abortions for minors without parental notification. Some at All Saints believe they are being singled out in spite of the tolerance for this widespread political activity. Bacon said the church had retained the services of a Washington law firm with expertise in tax-exempt organizations, and told his congregation: “It’s important for everyone to understand that the IRS concerns are not supported by the facts.” In an October letter to the IRS, Marcus Owens, the church’s tax attorney and a former head of the IRS tax-exempt section, said, “It seems ludicrous to suggest that a pastor cannot preach about the value of promoting peace simply because the nation happens to be at war during an election season.” – ST staff reports – Free-Market News Network
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Monday, July 18th, 2011 by Greg
Is Tax Exemption Modern-day Baal Worship?
By Dr. Don Boys
Many people have confused the tax issue as it relates to churches. And there is no comparison with personal taxes. That is a different subject altogether. The issue relating to churches and taxes is two-fold: Should churches pay taxes and do churches have a right to demand that all gifts be deductible from a contributor’s income tax? That is the issue before us today.
The Bible nor the Constitution speak to this issue of tax deduction. The fact that we have been permitted to deduct from our taxes what we give to the church is simply a benefit that we have had since the income tax was foisted upon us in 1913. I believe that benefit is coming to an end – and maybe it should!
Should churches be willing to bow to Baal in order to have the privilege of tax deduction by its members? Remember the principle that if you get a benefit from government, you willingly put yourself (or church) under its authority while at the same time losing some autonomy.
The Bob Jones decision (where the Supreme Court twisted the Constitution and reality like a pretzel) will haunt us for decades. If a church stands for anything contrary to “public policy” it will be said to be in violation of the Constitution. What is “public policy”? If you preach against perversion, abortion, welfare, etc. then you are going against “public policy” and may lose your tax exemption.
Should a church have tax exempt status especially when you realize the price that must be paid to keep it? The price? Obedience to Federal regulations. If a church did not have the benefits of tax exemption, there would be no “sword” over it. A pastor could preach about any moral issue and could support any political candidate without fear of losing that tax exempt status since the church would not have it to lose.
Another question: Suppose you knew a candidate for office were another Hitler who would do irreparable harm to our nation and wreak havoc with our churches. Under the law your church cannot help defeat him and help elect his opponent. Why? Because that is part of the “contract” you have with the government. Is it worth it? Is it now past time for churches to declare themselves totally independent of government coercion by surrendering their tax exempt status?
Frankly, I think the issue is moot because I believe the government will “cut the cord” between us in order to collect more personal taxes from each of us. Of course, concerned pastors will ask: Will church members continue to give the same amount if their gifts are not deductible from their tax returns? Wise pastors should start preparing their people NOW for that day.
We have bowed the knee to Baal for too long, and while government has its legitimate place, it is not at church! Maybe it is time to tell public officials to keep their grubby hands off the Church of Jesus Christ and keep them out of church coffers. And as for tax exemption, we will trade it for our freedom. Not a bad deal when you come to think about it, and I hope you will.
Don Boys, Ph.D
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Monday, July 18th, 2011 by Greg
Church Organization Refuses To Divulge If Pastors Are On FEMA Payroll Paul Joseph Watson Prison Planet.com Monday, February 2, 2009
A large church organization has refused to divulge how many of its pastors are on the FEMA payroll, after a member expressed concerns about religious leaders being used to condition their congregation to accept the declaration of martial law. In a May 2006 story we first broke the shocking news that FEMA was training pastors and other religious representatives to become secret police enforcers who teach their congregations to “obey the government” in preparation for a declaration of martial law, property and firearm seizures, and forced relocation. Despite debunkers and urban myth websites claiming the story was a hoax, it was confirmed in triplicate by mainstream news outlets over a year later. A KSLA news report confirmed that Clergy Response Teams are being trained by the federal government to “quell dissent” and pacify citizens to obey the government in the event of a declaration of martial law. Concerned about such developments, a member of the California-based Worldwide Church of God, an organization that boasts 64,000 members in 860 congregations in about 90 countries, asked if any of the church‟s pastors were involved in the FEMA program. “The head office quickly replied hastily within an hour by telling me, “Sorry, that is privileged information”, the man states. “The reply was in big bold script like I‟ve never seen before in emails. I was also a bit put off by the word “privileged.” “I responded to the stated email and reworded my request slightly by demanding, “are there ANY of our pastors on the payroll of FEMA , YES or NO.” Their first response came after about an hour. But, it has been almost 24 hours and I am still waiting for my church‟s second response to my second request,” he adds. It seems that church groups are reticent to let slip any information concerning the issue of pastors being trained to help manage a state of martial law following the controversy stirred up by the exposure of the program in 2006. Indeed, the pastors that took a risk by first divulging the information to us were later threatened by Homeland Security and told to keep their mouths shut. With new legislation in Congress pending that will mandate the set-up of a network of FEMA camp facilities to be used to house U.S. citizens in the event of a national emergency, along with the announcement that tens of thousands of active military personnel are to be placed inside the United States under Northcom, partly for purposes of dealing with “civil unrest” and “crowd control”, fears about a state of martial law being prepared are no longer the fantasies of paranoid conspiracy theorists, but an all too real possibility as we move towards the end of the first decade of the 21st century.
http://www.infowars.com/church-organization-refuses-to-divulge-if-pastors-are-on-fema-payroll/
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Monday, July 18th, 2011 by Greg
L.A. ministers asked to spread the word about digital TV – Los Angeles Times By Nathan Olivarez-Giles February 10, 2009 Federal regulators shepherding the U.S. digital television transition visited Los Angeles on Monday and asked for divine assistance. Broadcasters turn off their analog signals in just over four months, and Federal Communications Commission staffers can’t make sure that people buy and set up the converter boxes they’ll need for their older TV sets that are hooked up to antennas.Who can? Ministers. “We need people to take up leadership in their community and make sure nobody gets left out in the switch,” FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein said during a public forum at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church in South Los Angeles. “Churches already have the infrastructure in place to do that.” Standing at the church pulpit, Adelstein asked the Baptist Ministries Conference of Los Angeles, nearly 50 African American preachers who meet once a month, to include information on the June 12 digital TV switch in their sermons.L.A. County has the largest number of over-the-air viewers in the country, Adelstein said, and those viewers are concentrated in the minority and elderly communities. “It’s sort of an ad-hoc approach to handling this situation, but the next four months will fly by and we need to be ready,” he said. Adelstein and five local FCC field officers handed out applications for $40 coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes. They also dispensed a few pieces of advice: There isn’t much difference between a $40 converter box and a $70 model; and cable and satellite TV customers don’t need one at all. Adelstein and the field officers spent their morning at a senior center in West Covina, where they explained the upcoming switch and showed how to connect a converter box to a TV. After the midday stop at the church, the group headed to Cal State L.A. to reach out to the Latino community. The transition, originally scheduled for Feb. 17, was delayed last week by Congress until June 12. FCC field officers are planning more meetings in schools, churches and neighborhood centers before the switch, Adelstein said. The Monday meeting at Mount Moriah was organized by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. Woodie Ramsey, a deacon at Southern Missionary Baptist Church of South East Los Angeles, said the ministers were prepared to spread the word. “It’s incumbent upon each church to take care of the needs of its ministry, and this is just one more need for our people,” he said. “We’ll do our part.”
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-digitaltv10-2009feb10,0,4225388.story?track=rss
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Monday, July 18th, 2011 by Greg
Unincorporated Associations Are Not Unregistered New Testament Churches
By Dr. Greg Dixon–The subject that we are dealing with, in my opinion, is the most confusing subject among preachers and church lay folks and even attorneys that we have to deal with constantly at the Biblical Law Center. For instance, often preachers say to us, “Our church isn’t a 501(c)(3) church because we aren’t incorporated.” We will ask, “Does the church have a bank account, EIN #, trustees, Constitution and By-laws, conduct an annual business meeting, give tax deductible receipts, file tax-exempt forms, file for mercantile permits, support missionaries through an incorporated missions board, or is the church listed in a Denomination or Incorporated Fellowship Directory, etc.?” If the answer to any of these is “yes,” then even if the church is not incorporated, it has the trappings of a corporation; and besides this, by its very existence it is considered a tax-exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service according to Publication 1828 – Tax Guide for Churches and Other Tax-Exempt Organizations. We do not have the space in this article to try and prove to the skeptics that all of the above are the trappings of corporate activities, and that there are many court cases and examples to give evidence of these facts. Many of them are in my book The Trail of Blood Revisited (Faith Publications – 4th Printing). The next error that we keep hearing is the erroneous idea that churches are automatically tax-exempt. Well, this isn’t true, either. Let’s examine this issue further. The IRS considers the unincorporated church to be a legal entity called an “unincorporated association” or “religious society,” to be treated as any other non-profit organization or “public charity” under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code at 508.
508. Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organization
(1) Mandatory exceptions. – (a) and (b) shall not apply to-
(A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations, or . . . First you will notice that all churches, whether incorporated or not, are considered to be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities according to the IRS. Churches, regardless of doctrine, whether incorporated or unincorporated, are treated the same by the IRS. They do not have to file any forms for “tax-exemption.” But it does not say that they have a “Mandatory Tax- Exemption.” Under (1) it says “Mandatory exception.” Now there is a big difference between “exemption” and “exception.” For one, exemption is not mandatory, only the exception is mandatory. But before we look at the difference, let’s notice the status of the “association.”
1. The unincorporated church is considered a legal entity 501(c)(3) at 508 IRS State Church Defined IRS Publication 1828; pg. 1 Churches and religious organizations may be legally organized …under state law, including as un-incorporated associations, non-profit corporations, corporations sole and charitable trusts. But the problem is, if the church does any of the things mentioned above, they are involved in legal enterprises and are or have operated as a legal entity. It’s called entanglement.
2. The Association is one of the four recognized IRS Approved Churches mentioned above. Churches, organized in the four ways mentioned above, including the association, are exempt from corporate taxes at the federal and state level on what is called normal religious activities if they meet the preponderance of a 14 point criteria that was first officially announced by IRS Director Jerome Kurtz in January of 1978, which was the first time in America that this IRS State Church was defined. Beginning at that point all churches, to be tax exempt, must meet this definition in America today. See Pub. 1828 Pg. 1 – “CHURCH – Certain characteristics are generally attributed to churches. These attributes of a church have been developed by the IRS and by court decisions. [Editors note: not by the Bible] They include: a) A distinct legal existence (which includes one of the four mentioned in paragraph one above), b) A recognized creed and form of worship, c) A definite and distinct ecclesiastical government, d) A formal code of doctrine and discipline, e) A distinct religious history, f) A membership not associated with any other church or denomination, g) An organization of ordained ministers, h) Ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed courses of study, i) A literature of its own, j) Established places of worship, k) Regular congregations, l) Regular religious services, m) “Sunday schools” for the religious instruction of the young, n) Schools for the preparation of its ministers. “These characteristics, together with other facts…are used to determine whether an organization is a church for federal tax purposes.” (Emphasis mine) Now compare all of this drivel to the clear, simple language of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The churches have traded 16 simple words of liberty for the quicksand of the 501(c)(3) trap that has polluted the pure flow of the gospel of grace from flowing throughout our land and even the entire world through the world wide missionary effort.
3. The difference between a Religious Organization and a Church We hear people say constantly at the Biblical Law Center that churches don’t have to be incorporated because churches have mandatory tax-exemption. This is not what the IRC says. It says a “mandatory exception” not “exemption.” There is a vast difference. Churches have a “mandatory exception,” but religious organizations do not, such as non-profit ministries like the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Inc. Para-church organizations do not have a “mandatory exception.” Neither do they have a “mandatory exemption.” First, if they want to be a non-profit organization, they have to file Form 1023 with the IRS. If they are accepted, then they have to file Form 990 annually. Not only are they exempt from corporate taxes, but they can also file for state property and sales tax exemptions. They can also receive tax deductible gifts from donors. But churches have these benefits automatically without having to file Form 1023 and the annual
990, and the pastor gets big time benefits too, but just hold on, the plot gets thicker.
4. Religious Organizations, including churches, have to meet strict rules to maintain their Tax Exempt Status – IRS Pub. 1828; pg. 1 “This publication explains the benefits and the responsibilities under the federal tax system for churches and religious organizations.” The IRS makes no distinction between churches and religious (parachurch) organizations. “No substantial part of its activity may be attempting to influence legislation,”
(Substantial is totally subjective on the part of the IRS) “The organization may not intervene in political campaigns.” “No part of the organization’s purpose or activities may be illegal or violate fundamental public policy.” Abortion, sodomy, unjust wars are all now a part of the federal “public policy” frame work of our nation. Back when the “fundamental public policy” reflected a Christian world view, the preachers were happy to accept these benefits, never considering the old adage, “Come shekels, Come shackles.” But the principle was still the same. Also, the organization and church, if it has minister “employees,” must collect and pay taxes to the federal and state government, which makes the church a collector and payer of taxes contrary to the scriptures. “And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.” – Luke 20:25
5. The difference between Exception and Exemption Note: IRS Pub. 1828; pg. 1 IRC: Section 501(c) (3) describes charitable organizations, including churches and religious organizations, which qualify for exemption from federal income tax and generally are eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. You will notice that the exemption isn’t automatic. The church must qualify by meeting and maintaining the standards set up for tax-exempt organizations. IRS Pub. 1828; Page 2 “Churches that meet the requirements of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section
501(c)(3) are automatically considered exempt. And are not required to apply for and obtain recognition of tax exempt status from the IRS. However, even though churches are generally eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, to qualify for tax exemption, such organizations must meet the following requirements:” Note: Churches are automatically considered exempt and are not required to apply for tax exempt status but they still have to meet “the following requirements.” So churches do not have automatic tax exemption. There is a vast difference between these two words. Just because a church, even if it isn’t incorporated, doesn’t have to file for tax-exempt status, it still has to “qualify” and maintain its tax-exempt status by meeting all of the standards that tax exempt organizations meet. Applying for Tax Exempt Status: Employer Identification Number
(EIN) Pub. 1828 Continues “Every tax-exempt organization, including a church, should have an EIN, whether or not the organization has employees. An organization that does not have an EIN should file Form SS-4 Application for Employer Identification ry! A better analogy might be lifting the sheepskin and finding long yellow teeth connected to a very hungry tummy. I thank God for allowing us to go through this trial and gain the knowledge to help expose this terrible tyranny. I am also thankful for the wisdom and perception of Judge Davis and the appeals court in rendering and upholding a ruling that would not license the plunder of untold Christian congregations across our land. Pastor Duane Cleghorn New Covenant Baptist Church Campbellsburg, Indiana Joshua 1:8, 9 – This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. There has been no repentance or acknowledgement of wrong doing on the part of Lewis in this whole sad spectacle. To him, everyone is to blame but him. This preacher is to blame because he says we influenced a church “split” to rebel against him, which is untrue. The
Ecclesiastical Council, a group of Baptist pastors, who at the request of the Shepherd Group examined all of the evidence and came to the basic conclusion of the secular courts in December 1999, is to blame, because they have no authority over his church and are a “Romish, Popish authority,” etc. The courts are to blame because they are crooked, etc. Now this is the strangest of all. In an email dated Dec. 14, Lewis admits that he lied in the Shepherd case in the following words: Sure I don’t confess to a stinking Marxist or Prostituting cop or lawyer/ judge something that they say is unlawful, if I have done nothing to break the laws of God! I am happy to “lie” like the Hebrew midwives did in Exodus 1:15-21; or like Rahab did in Joshua 2, James 2:25; and Hebrews 11:31.” This was in reference to Judge Davis’ excoriating accusations against him in his findings that said:
1. Trespass – By entering the property of Shepherd’s without permission and building fences within the boundaries of her land.
2. Conversion – By knowingly or intentionally exerting control over Shepherd’s property.
3. Lewis attempted to steal and attempted the offense of committed theft of Shepherd’s real estate.
4. Theft and Conversion – The Court finds that Lewis intentionally retained Shepherd’s real estate after he had by fraudulent and deceptive means convinced her to have it titled in Old Paths Baptist Church temporarily.
5. Fraud – Lewis intended to defraud and obtain title to Shepherd’s real property.
6. Deception – The Court specifically finds Lewis knowingly or intentionally deceived with the intent to obtain the proceeds of Shepherd’s dead husband’s life insurance. How do you think Judge Davis feels about this kind of treatment? Lewis is the one who asked the court to determine who was right. He is the one who subjected His church to a worldly court. He is the one who said by going to the court that he would abide by the court’s decision – and now he is saying that the court is “crooked?” Please see the article Unincorporated Associations Are Not Unregistered New Testament Churches on page 2 Number, in accordance with the instructions.” Again, we see the mind games they play. The word “should” as well as “may” are not imperatives in law, but rather are suggestions. However, in such an august setting as the IRC, it is given the color of law. Therefore, to be on the safe side, attorneys, CPAs, tax preparers, etc., because of a cowardly fear of “Big Brother,” recommend compliance. Banks then wade into the equation by demanding an EIN as if it is embedded in law. Then over time, the general practice becomes respectable, and then anyone who refuses to go along with the majority is looked upon as a misfit in society and is persecuted by the majority. Then the liberal news media finishes off the mass brainwashing job, aided by government, and heaps scorn on those non-conformists until judges and juries, through the courts, force the conduct into the respectability of law, bypassing the Legislative branch of government. Once the issue finally gets before a jury, generally in tax cases, either the judge instructs the jury to find the defendant guilty or the jury does it on their own. If it gets to the appeals courts, the justices then pick the corpse clean. This is the way a democracy – or rather a mobocracy – works. What we now have is an IRS recognized and controlled church in America, and without their approval and number, the Lord’s true churches cannot exist without a great deal of difficulty. This IRS approved State church includes weird religious cults of all kinds, witches covens, Jewish synagogues, mosques, Mormon Stakes or Buddhist Temples. The Supreme Court even allows the Babalu’s, a strange cult that cuts the heads off chickens in downtown Hialeah, Florida, to have their tax-exemption in spite of their violating the health laws of the city, because THEY HAVE THE NUMBER. When the Biblical Law Center aids in the organizing or reorganizing of a church using its methods, the church makes a Declaration that it is not one of these IRS “legal entities”, but rather a New Testament church recognizing the Lord Jesus Christ as its only Lord and Head.
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Monday, July 18th, 2011 by Greg
THIRTY WAYS THAT THE IRS TRIES TO CONTROL PREACHERS AND CHURCHES IN AMERICA
By Greg J. Dixon, Pastor Emeritus
Indianapolis Baptist Temple
Each of these propositions has been taken from IRS Publication 1828, Tax Guide For Churches and Other Religious Organizations, two letters from the Regional Commissioner of the IRS Cincinnati that the Indianapolis received through discovery, the twenty-two interrogatories that were included with the letters, and the 4 inch file that accompanied the letter with the news clippings on the church and pastor dating back to 1971.
The following demands are what the Internal Revenue Service requires of churches to maintain exemption from Federal Income Tax.
1. The church must have a “distinct legal existence” – According to IRS publication #557 that legal existence would date from incorporation, page 3. Therefore a church must be incorporated.
2. The church must admit that it exists by privilege granted by the IRS (tax-exempt) rather than by right granted by God through the Holy Scriptures, (non-taxable) recognizing another Head (State) rather than Christ.
3. The church must have a “recognized creed and form of worship”. The IRS must approve (recognize) the creed (belief) and form (manner) of worship.
4. The church must have a “definite and distinct ecclesiastical government.”
5. The church must have a “formal code of doctrine and discipline.”
6. The church must have a “distinct religious history.” This is denominational.
7. The church must be an “organization”.
8. The church must be an “organization of ordained ministers”.
9. The church must have these ordained ministers who are “selected after completing prescribed courses of study”. Like the Apostles, who had only “been with Jesus”, local Baptist churches many times approve pastors who are not educated at all in any formal way.
10. The church must have “established places of worship.” True churches many times have no permanent address (place of worship), but because of persecution and other reasons have moved from place to place.
11. The church must submit to the IRS by paying a user fee (tribute) for tax-exempt status. This would be contrary to the Scriptures, and U.S., and all State Constitutions.
12. The church must be engaged in activities that further “exclusively public Purposes rather than Private interests.” The true church of Christ exists for the personal and private interest of Christ her Head, not the State.
13. The church must answer to the IRS as to its “daily activities.”
14. The IRS controls all financial activities of the church including source, donors of $100.00 or more, and expenditures.
15. The church may not use cash, or it will be suspected of money laundering. All books and records must be available for IRS inspection at all times.
16. The church must act in the capacity of an informer to the RIS as to who serves at the church in the capacity of “pastors, associates, counselors, educational directors, teachers, office help, clerical, and maintenance personnel.”
17. The church must inform the IRS as to who the church helps in the area of charity.
18. The church must inform the IRS as to love gifts to evangelists and missionaries over $600.00 by filing a Form 1099 on each including those who are regularly supported.
19. The church must use only IRS approved methods of fund raising.
20. The pastor of the church must not preach against the tax system of the U.S. or say anything against the practices and tactics of the IRS.
21. The pastor of the church must answer to the IRS and give unlimited submission to the civil magistrate pertaining to all laws, federal, state and local, including “Public Policy.”
22. The pastor of the church must advocate, promote, and actively encourage race mixing if the church has an educational ministry.
23. The pastor of the church cannot influence legislation concerning licensure of church ministries.
24. The pastor of the church cannot engage in political activity in regard to opposing pornography.
25. The pastor of the church cannot actively support legislation that declares that children belong to their parents not the state.
26. The pastor of the church cannot actively support legislation opposing a state lottery or other gambling laws.
27. The pastor of the church cannot advocate support of the U.s. or State Constitutions as the Supreme Law of the U.S. or the various states.
28. The pastor of the church cannot actively participate in opposing the public school system.
29. The pastor of the church cannot declare publicly that the church is to obey God, not government.
30. The pastor of the church cannot oppose laws legalizing sodomy.
Conclusion: The entire forty-seven page booklet is available for a gift of any amoun including postage and shipping through:
Temple Books
P.O. Box 11
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
E-mail:
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Web: www.unregisteredbaptistfellowship.com
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Friday, June 24th, 2011 by Greg
Who were the NICOLAITANS?
Why did God HATE what they did and taught?
“But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, WHICH I ALSO HATE..” (Revelation 2:6, NKJV)
“But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, WHICH I ALSO HATE. ” (Revelation 2:6, NIV)
When our Lord Jesus Christ walked among men, He taught His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, whom He denounced as hypocrites. With them He classed the chief priests and officials of the temple, together with the recognized teachers, (scribes, or “professors”, Ferrar Fenton Translation) in the synagogues. He declared they had so corrupted the truth of God, which they were supposed to preach, with the doctrines and ordinances of men, that the truth, as originally given, was no longer with them. That which these blind leaders of the blind were giving forth as truth of God was making their converts twofold more the children of hell than they were before accepting the schism by these corrupt teachers.
What is the VANITY of church leadership?
Therefore, as a warning to those who were joining themselves to Him, the Lord said that these non-spiritual men made long prayers for a pretense, a public show which, while having a form of humility, was for the purpose only of being seen of men. What these men really loved were the highest seats in the synagogues; the uppermost rooms at the public feasts; the greetings they received in the market places from truly humble and sincere men, whom they hoped would esteem them as superiors, and who addressed them as “Rabbi, Rabbi,” meaning “My master, My master”:
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.’
“‘For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ ‘ ” (Matthew 23:1-7, NKJV throughout unless stated)
But our Lord commanded:
“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren . . . And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. ” (Matthew 23:8, 10-11)
This was a double command for a double purpose:
Do not allow men who are your brethren in Christ, and who compose the assembly of God, to call you Master, for One alone is your Master.
Do not allow yourself to become possessed with such a carnal spirit that you want men who belong to the body of Christ to call you “Master.”
What did Jesus teach about HYPOCRITICAL, self-centered leaders?
Also, added to the carnal desire to be “uppermost” in the eyes of the Lord’s people, these leaders were charged with extortion and accused of devouring the homes of widows, and of excess. Jesus accused them of being hypocrites who aspired to be regarded as dignitaries of the congregations of the Most High God. Such conditions as described exist only in the assemblies across whose ethical portals, before the God of Holiness, has been written the name, ICHABOD — the glory of the Lord has departed.
The word excess, as used above, means the carnal abuse of lawful things; things lawful and right carried to extremes. For it is true that there is a legal and God approved honor given to certain selected ones:
“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.” (1Thessalonians 5:12-13).
“Let the elders who rule (guide, lead, preside) well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ” (1Timothy 5:17).
Should a church be RULED or GUIDED?
Why guide and lead, instead of rule? Because those who are over us in the Lord are shepherds who must lead and guide, but not dominate. Rule is arbitrary government, and the Church may be subject to Christ only: “for One is your Teacher, the Christ” (Matthew 23:8). The following Divine instruction is from one of the inspired Spirit-filled elders:
“The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;” (1Peter 5:1-3).
The “blind guides” would say, but not do. The Divinely anointed elder will both say and do, and thus be an example to the flock, whom the people will love and esteem very highly for his work’s sake, and who in his heart will never desire to be lord over the heritage of his Master. It is this aspiration on the part of men to become lords over God’s heritage that God HATES.
What are the DEEDS and TEACHINGS of the Nicolaitans?
In the book of Revelation it is both “the deeds” and “the doctrine” of the Nicolaitans, who affected two separate churches, that the Lord addresses:
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: . . . But this you have, that you hate THE DEEDS of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Revelation 2:1, 6)
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: . . . Thus you also have those who hold THE DOCTRINE of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” (Revelation 2:12, 15)
The Lord demands repentance on the part of those who hold and practice these things and He threatens drastic punishment if they do not obey Him:
“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5)
“Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” (Revelation 2:16).
What does the word NICOLAITAN mean?
The word Nicolaitan (Greek: Νικολαΐ́της or Nikolaitës, Strong’s Concordance Number #G3531) is a compound word which is composed of THREE Greek words. Because of it being a proper noun, the word Nicolaitan is TRANSFERRED instead of being translated into English. Thus, it is subject to the laws of Greek construction in regard to ellipsis, contraction and phonetics.
The three Greek words used in the construction of the word Nicolaitan are:
NIKOS, of which we use the English equivalents instead of the Greek letters, as we shall also of the other two. Nikos is defined as “a conquest; victory; triumph; the conquered; and by implication, dominancy over the defeated.” Another transferred name in which this term is used is “Nicopolis,” which is composed of Niko, which means conquest and polis, which means city. Hence, the city of conquest, or city of victory.
LAOS, which means people. Another use of this word is found in NICOLAS, which is transferred and is composed of Nikos-laos and means one who is “victorious over the people,” the letter “s” being in both words the nominative case ending, which is retained only at the end of the word to denote the case, while “a” short and “o” short are contracted into “a” long.
A still further transferred use of LAOS is found in the name Lao(s)diceans (Greek: Λαοδικεύς or Laodikeus, Strong’s Concordance Number #G2994), compounded with DIKE or DICE as the Greek “k” is the equivalent English “c.” Thus, in the name Laodiceans, we have LAOS, meaning the people, and DICE, meaning judgment or vengeance, i.e., the people of my judgment, or of my vengeance. Also the Greek word la(ic)os, which means “laymen,” of which LA-OS is the root and stem, which selfsame word, with the “o” short contracted to “i”, to which root and stem the plural definite article TON is joined to form LAITON, which is a Greek phrase meaning “the laity.”
TON is the third and last word entering into the construction of the proper name Nicolaitans. TON, in which Omega, the long “o”, is contracted into long “a”, thus making the word TAN which is the genitive case plural in all the genders of the definite article ‘the.’
We therefore have, without the legal Greek construction, the English hyphenated word NIKOS-LAOS-TON, but which, with its lawful elisions and contractions, becomes the English name: Nicolaitans.
Is there a FULLER meaning to the word NICOLAITAN?
The full meaning of Nicolaitans, in its native tongue and in its ecclesiastical setting, is that the bishops and prelates of the Church have gained a triumphal victory or conquest over the LAITON, the laity, until they have been compelled to submit to the arbitrary dominion of men who have become that thing which God hates – ‘Lords over God’s heritage’:
“The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; NOR AS BEING LORDS OVER THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU (‘lords over [God's] heritage’ in the KJV Bible), but being examples to the flock;” (1Peter 5:1-3).
The evidence of this full meaning is found in all our common school dictionaries, among which we find the following definition of the term “hierarchy: the power of dominion, government by ecclesiastical rulers,” to which the following is introduced in evidence:
“If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema, Council of Trent (translation) XXIII 6.” (Century Dictionary)
In other words, let anyone who has the audacity to say there is not a hierarchy, not a collection of human beings who have been given the power by other men of dominion, as ecclesiastical rulers over churchmen who are declared God’s heritage, let that man be ACCURSED — let death and hell and the devil get him. Surely, the thing in which that ecclesiastical company is glorying is their shame!
Webster’s dictionary defines the word “episcopal” as
“the power of government, belonging to, or invested in, bishops or prelates. Government of the church by bishops.”
Also,
“in episcopacy, the order of bishops is superior to the other clergy, and has exclusive power to confer orders.”
In this definition it is affirmed that a certain portion of presbyters (elders) were even “in apostolic times superior in authority to ordinary presbyters,” and also mentions the fact that episcopacy recognizes “episcopal rank” which is created by the institution thus governed; all of which affirms that any church in which episcopal government obtains is practicing the very carnal and fleshly iniquity of creating “Superiors” in what should be a holy brotherhood. The use of this appellation makes INFERIORS out of brethren who are in the selfsame clergy.
How can RANK and HIERARCHY destroy a church?
The approbation of “ordinary elders” demands a set of elders who are extra special, thus creating “rank” (caste) in the otherwise Divine brotherhood, all of which DESTROYS holy fellowship, creates division and strife, and fosters envy. No marvel that our Lord should hate a thing like that, condemn it, and demand that those who are guilty repent.
But will they? Yes, some will when the tribulation is on. Others, however, will stick to their ecclesiastical crowd, vainly imagining that their boasted “superiority” will carry them through that time of the greatest trouble the world has ever known, or will know. They must go down with the rest of the hosts of Antichrist.
And yet, one of the most unfortunate features of all this is that there are those in the Christian Church who do not hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, but who practice “their deeds” of dominating the laity by lording it over the Church of Jesus Christ, which should be subject only to one Divine Master. It is often true that these have assumed this lordship because they are esteemed very highly in love for their work’s sake, but have become vainly puffed up in their fleshly mind. Beloved, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.” (Matthew 16:6).
Source: http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/why-does-god-hate-practices-of-the-nicolaitans.html
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Friday, June 24th, 2011 by Greg
Nicolaitans: One of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at Ephesus and at Pergamum, and perhaps elsewhere. Irenaeus identifies the Nicolaitans as a Gnostic sect: “John, the disciple of the Lord, preaches this faith (the deity of Christ), and seeks, by the proclamation of the Gospel, to remove that error which by Cerinthus had been disseminated among men, and a long time previously by those termed Nicolaitans, who are an offset of that “knowledge” falsely so called, that he might confound them, and persuade them that there is but one God, who made all things by His Word” (see Irenaeus Against Heresies iii 11. 1; ANF vol. 1, p. 426) There is also historical evidence of a Gnostic sect called Nitolaitans a century or so later.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans appears to have been a form of antinomianism. (Antinomianism: A belief that is based upon a recognition of the mercy of God as the ground of salvation, but it makes the fatal mistake that man can freely partake in sin because the Law of God is no longer binding. It held the truth on the gratuitous reckoning of righteousness; but supposed that a mere intellectual “belief” in this truth had a saving power. The Apostle James refuted this error in James 2:19 with the admonition, “The devils also believe, and tremble”; reminding us that true faith is an active principle which works by love and it goes beyond a profession of belief. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20) The Bible teaches us that salvation is a free gift, based upon God’s grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) However, the very next verse tells us that “we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) True faith produce action, as well as a desire for holiness and obedience. (1 John 3:18, Titus 2:11-15, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 14:12)
Nicolaitans of the 2nd century seem to have continued and extended the views of the 1st century adherents, holding to the freedom of the flesh and sin, and teaching that the deeds of the flesh had no effect upon the health of the soul and consequently no relation to salvation. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that Christians are supposed to “die” to sin and the deeds of our “flesh”: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2) “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Romans 6:11-13)
Today, the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made God’s law of no effect: that by “believing” we are released from the necessity of being doers of the Word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned in the book of Revelation. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)
–Thanks to George Blumenschein for answering to this question!
Source: http://www.wordoftruthradio.com/questions/38.html
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Thursday, June 9th, 2011 by Greg
50 days counted out from Firstfruits is Shavuot or Pentecost. God comes down to His covenant people in an earthshaking day of visitation. It is a betrothal leading into magnificent future glories.
50 days from the day the firstfruits of the barley harvest was waved before the Lord, (50 days from the morrow after the sabbath after Passover), is Shavuot or the Day of Pentecost. Rabbinic scholars believe that it was on this day that God visited His people after their exodus from Egypt and through Moses, brought the Law down from Mount Sinai. This earthshaking day of visitation, trembling, and betrothal is the birthday of the nation of Israel. Moses brings down the Torah or Law for the nation. Because of sin 3,000 die under the Law that day. The Old Covenant is a national covenant between YHVH-God and His covenant people. And so the nation of Israel was established. They agree to follow Him in devotion and obedience. In spite of past failures the nation of Israel will indeed be restored. The Jewish House of Judah will be saved and the throne of David in Judah will be established upon this earth under Messiah. But that is not all. The lost sheep of the House of Israel, the lost ten tribes of Israel, will be found and brought back home to Israel again. (See Ezek.37). The nation and Kingdom of Israel along with Messiah’s Melchizedek Priesthood will be fully restored as a single Elect and Chosen people. The Old Covenant and the Law has not been “done away with” as we have been told. Both estranged houses of Israel will embrace Messiah. Then with their partial blindness healed they will rediscover each other at the end of this age to restore the Union in both Righteousness, (the royal national burden of the Jews), and in Grace, (the holy priestly burden of the Church). Both Houses of Israel are being sifted through the nations. Those being saved are bringing many companions home to Israel with them. (See Ezekiel 37:15-28) The nation will be reunited and regathered as that Commonwealth of Israel spoken of by our Apostle Paul. (See Eph. 2:12-13). Restored Israel is destined to be cross-linked together as that “royal priesthood and holy nation spoken of by both Moses and by the Apostle Peter. (See Exod. 19:6, and 1Pet.2:9). The Old Covenant God made with the nation of Israel and the righteous rule of Israel’s Messiah upon this earth are in the heart of the Jewish House of Judah. YHVH-God’s righteous rule will surely come and the nation of Israel will be restored, but only under Messiah and not by might or by power. The restoration will not come by a seducing religious humanism, or by the military might of a crusading Church Dominionism). It will come by God’s Holy Spirit. (See Zechariah 4). The New Covenant is established soul by soul and silently in the gentle bonds of love and devotion as Messiah is received into human lives. It is by YHVH’s Grace through faith that His Law is written into the hearts. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of this mystery. See Jer. 31:31. See also Hebrews 8:8-12. The prophet Zechariah saw the Jewish House of Judah in Israel repenting and receiving Messiah rather late, even as Jerusalem was surrounded by armies at the close of this age. See Zechariah 12:7-13:1.
50 days from the day the Firstfruits of the barley harvest was waved before the Lord, (that is 50 days from the morrow after the weekly (Saturday) sabbath after Passover), in the summer of the year of Yeshua’s passion, YHVH-God visits His people by His Holy Spirit. This is another earthshaking day of visitation and betrothal. But on this occasion God’s Presence is not as unapproachable as on the former visitation back at Sinai. Moses had ordered 12 boundary markers placed around the foot of the mountain to hold back the people lest the fire of God flash out upon them. Amidst the thundering and lightning God came down as a consuming fire and blackened the entire summit. Only Moses could stand in God’s Presence. Mount Sinai has recently been discovered east of the Gulf of Aquaba in the former land of Midian, (now Saudi Arabia). The real Mount Sinai with many accompanying archaeological proofs of its authenticity is Jabal el Lawz, now hidden from the world behind security fences and armed guards of the Saudi military forces. Back at Sinai it was a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But this next Pentecostal visitation was quite different. Tongues of fire descended from heaven to rest upon consecrated individuals gathered to wait upon God. All of them had received Messiah and had come to know Him in a personal way in the New Covenant. And so just as Moses had seen the burning bush that was not consumed the fire came down and rested upon the 120 in the upper room, not to consume them but to fill them with the Holy Spirit and bathe them in the glory of God. This day of wonder sees the Holy Spirit descend in a splendid flooding wave. This was the beginning of the Holy Spirit outpouring. And Joel saw this coming to a peak at the 6th seal at the very end of the latter days. See Joel 2:28-32. The revival spreads out from the Jerusalem epicenter as the disciples go out into the streets of the city proclaiming the Good News of salvation. Whereas 3,000 had died under the Law on the previous visitation 3,000 are now saved by Grace as the Apostle Peter preaches to the crowds coming up to the Feast. And so on this awesome day in holy history, the 7th day of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, the Feast of Pentecost comes to its appointed New Covenant fulfillment. The Feast of Pentecost, the fourth of the Seven Feasts of Israel is taken up to the next level. It becomes the birthday of the Church. The Holy Spirit revival spreads out from Jerusalem into Judea, Samaria, and thence onward to the utmost parts of the world. This was that promised Light to the Gentiles Isaiah spoke about. See Isaiah 49:6) The ensuing 2,000 years sees Israel’s Messiah continuing to ‘call out’ His ‘ekklesia’, His Congregation, by His Holy Spirit. The Good News of the Gospel overflows Israel and spreads out into the heathen gentile nations. And YHVH-God’s Covenant people expand out of Israel to become a global Congregation (or “Church”), even as Israel’s Jordan river overflows its banks all the days of the harvest.
WHAT IS PENTECOST?
Pentecost is the great festival that marks the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost means “fiftieth day” and is celebrated fifty days after Easter.
WHAT HAPPENED ON PENTECOST?
Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus’ mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-29). The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigor, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many who had come from all corners of the Roman Empire. This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptized that day. (You can read the Biblical account of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-41).
WHAT IS THE LITURGICAL COLOR FOR PENTECOST?
Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The color red also reminds us of the blood of the martyrs. These are the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm to the true faith even at the cost of their lives.
WHY IS PENTECOST SOMETIMES CALLED “WHITSUNDAY”?
A tradition of some churches in ancient times was to baptize adult converts to the faith on Pentecost. The newly baptized catechumens would wear white robes on that day, so Pentecost was often called “Whitsunday” or “White Sunday” after these white baptismal garments. Many Christian calendars, liturgies, and hymnals (particularly those from the Episcopal/Anglican tradition) still use this term.
WHY IS THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION OFTEN CELEBRATED ON PENTECOST?
Confirmation Sunday is the day when young people who have been instructed in basic Christian doctrine confess their faith in the presence of the church. The key to understanding confirmation is to recognize that the faith the confirmands confess is not of their own making; it is the gift of God that He gives through His means of grace. The Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples to preach the risen Christ two thousand years ago is the same Spirit who empowers the confirmands to make their confession. This is why many churches celebrate the rite of confirmation on Pentecost.
WHAT IS THE SEASON AFTER PENTECOST?
The season after Pentecost is centered on sanctification, the work of the Holy Spirit in the day to day life of the Christian. This is reflected in the liturgical color for this season: green, the color of life and growth. Through the gift of faith that comes only from the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace, Christians trust in Christ as Savior and proclaim Him in their daily lives by service to their neighbors. The season after Pentecost is the longest season of the church year — it lasts from Trinity Sunday until the first Sunday of Advent. This is the non-festival portion of the liturgical calendar during which the church stresses vocation, evangelism, missions, stewardship, almsgiving, and other works of mercy and charity as ways in which Christ empowers us by His grace to share the Gospel with others.
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE PENTECOST?
There are three “mega-festivals” commemorated in the Christian calendar. The first two, Christmas and Easter, are well known to both believers and non-believers. But it’s possible that even liturgical Christians may not be as familiar with the third, the festival of Pentecost. God the Father’s wonderful Christmas gift of His one and only Son, and Christ’s Easter triumph over the power of sin, death, and the devil would be of no benefit to us if the Holy Spirit did not give us the gift of saving faith. Through the Word and Sacraments, the Holy Spirit gives us the faith to believe and trust in Christ as our Savior. This precious gift of faith in the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ is the reason Pentecost is the third “mega-festival” of the church and why we celebrate it with such joy and thanksgiving.
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