The Truth Which Sets Free - Chapter 1. Church Or Elect?

An exposure of the false teaching of Christianity concerning the reason for evil and suffering. This is one of the most challenging and deepest areas in the Word of God.

The following four booklets are now also included in the Addendum of The Truth Which Sets Free.

Raising the Dead

Spirit of the Living God

Amazing Grace

Harlot Babylon

Acknowledgements and Sources

Chapter 1. Church or Elect?

"I believe in the holy catholic church," reads the so-called apostle’s creed. Since the day I was called, and I mean God’s choosing of me, for I most certainly did not choose Him, I have always known that there was, is, and always will be something fundamentally and terribly wrong with the church. Even as a juvenile in faith, with little knowledge, I could not utter, in the few times I attended meetings in which the creeds were recited, that I believed in the church. The words would not come forth. Why not? Well for a start this is not the creed of the apostles. It is the creed of men now known as the church fathers and was created by them for an entirely different group of people commonly called the early church. As we shall soon see, no apostle or original disciple in the assembly of God’s chosen people would ever have uttered these words. The church is catholic (wide-reaching) yes, but certainly not holy. It exists yes, but no disciple of the Lord is ever to embrace it. The object of faith, the source of authority, the power to salvation is always, and only, the living Word. No substitute. The church is a fraud of gigantic proportions. Even the word "church" is not Biblical. It is a deliberate error in translation, perpetrated over a hundred times in New Testament translations by the church. The word church may be used a trillion times in Christian doctrine, but it is not in the Word of God. It was in the church, by the church, and for the church that this word was used to replace the correct Scriptural term. A more detailed examination of the Greek will soon leave you in no doubt of this, if you are given the heart and stomach to continue.

The origins and nature of the church are rooted in unhallowed ground, right from its very beginning. This is not so obvious at first glance. Indeed for the untaught onlooker it is difficult to know what is wrong, although non-Christians are usually more astute than Christians at perceiving the fake. For devoted churchgoers, steeped in its traditions, it is almost impossible to see the light at all. I say almost impossible, because with God all things are possible. Nevertheless the church is a decoy that can hardly be bettered, because there is so much about it that is cloaked in mystery, draped in scriptures, almost too slippery to handle, as subtle and devious as the ancient Serpent himself.

I say this with melancholy because I have seen its damage again and again, to close associates, young "converts", and particularly to family members. One committed suicide as a boy due to the church and its guilt being relentlessly stuffed down his throat by his father. Another, who initially received the pure Word with joy, went headlong into the church, and it gladly set its hooks in him. In mere months the church, and not Christ, was his master. Like churchmen of old, he was dismayed at the freedom of the elect; he would no longer break bread with them, and would receive things only from a "qualified minister." Indeed, when the whole issue of the church and its inventions had done its work the hate in his heart was so great that, without a doubt, had he lived a few hundred years ago he would have gladly lit the fires at those "heretic" stakes. The scars this "faith" left on his family will be carried to the grave. Even now they constantly seek an understanding of what twisted thing was at work.

Where does it come from, this hatred by the church for those whom the Lord has called? Whence came the hounding and killing of disciples by Rome throughout the Dark Ages? How does a mental giant like Augustine, with his seeming grasp of grace, produce a book like The City of God, so far from Biblical truth it created a monstrous travesty? How did Calvin, once capable of such lucid sermons, end up the servant of Christianity rather than Christ, producing those grim tomes, the Institutes of the Christian Religion? How could he design faith-enforcement patrols in the city of Geneva to check on the inhabitants’ devotions and readings? It was contrary to his own texts, but showed that even he did not really believe God was sovereign and capable of keeping His own. How could he, a supposed rejecter of the Papacy’s methods, put Servetus to death for his incorrect teaching? Calvin orchestrated this murder, for which he never repented, showing himself to be no better than the Romanists he railed against. What apostle ever stooped to this? Did Jesus teach this way? Absolutely not. How could Presbyterians, with such seemingly logical and systematic theology, turn around and hunt down "non-conformists" in their homes for breaking bread as their Lord commanded instead of receiving it from "ordained church authorities"?

It is a pathetic state of affairs, but it exists, and has always existed. Jesus said repeatedly, "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees!" (Matthew 23) To his disciples he gave unimagined freedom, but to the church authorities he said, "you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you… you are of your father the devil…you are not of God." (John 8:31-47) Stephen, on trial for his life by the church, in reply to the high priest himself, said, "you stiff necked people…you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered." (Acts 7:51,52) And again Jesus said to them, "You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have life…but I know that you do not have the love of God within you." (John 5:39-42) And to his disciples he gave this chilling warning, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, because I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you …they will put you out of the synagogues; indeed the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." (John 15:18,19; 16:2)

This is a subject that can appeal only to a very small company of people headed for a very narrow gate. The majority will have no stomach for it. This is not for the Church or the State; the Lord rescues his people from both those traps. This is not a book for those who are at peace with the world, who revel in the traditions of men. This is not for Christians comfortable in their pews or ministers who bathe in the popularity of bestsellers or television. This is for a tiny minority of elite and favored people. But that very favor, bestowed on them by God, also carries the great cost of ostracism, separation from the world, separation from religion, and especially separation from the Church. In the words of their Lord and Master, "You will be hated by all men for my sake." (Matthew 10:22; 24:9) In the Scriptures these people are called "the elect," "the called ones," "the chosen" of God, those predestined by Him to glory. Here are some of the fundamental differences between elect disciples and churchmen, with critical scripture references. The origins of these differences will be explored in detail in the chapters that follow.

The church looks back to its foundations in the "early church" and the "Church Fathers." Their doctrine is the tradition of men, albeit cleverly disguised and mixed with scripture. Their real father is the devil. (John 8:38,44)

The elect look back to the early disciples and their teaching. (1 Timothy 4:6,7; 2 Timothy 3:14-17) They accept the Word alone. (John 14:23; 17:6,14-17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Galatians 1:8) They have one father only, God, and no other by that name. (Matthew 23:8-10)

Churchmen look for a visible house of god fashioned after pagan concepts, and in so doing they stumble over the real foundation to their predestined doom. (1 Pet 2:6-8) The church both denies its fetish with the physical pagan house and yet simultaneously teaches it repeatedly. How many times have "ministers" said that the true church is not a building and then used the term over and over again regarding the clergy, the building, an institution or denomination? They have no intention of giving up this deception, nor can they, because they are blinded to it themselves. But the Scripture allows no such subtle confusion between a pagan temple (kyriakon, church) and the chosen assembly (ekklesia, elect, called out) of God.

The elect do not seek a visible house of God for the pure and simple reason that He does not live in one. (Acts 17:24; Hebrews 8:2,11) According to Hebrews the earthly temple and old priesthood is finished, Christ alone is High Priest, and every elect sheep is likewise a priest with direct access to the Holy of holies in heaven. (Hebrews 8:1,2; 9:11,24; 10:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4,5) Moreover the elect assembly is never called a church in accurately translated scripture. It is never a house of bricks and mortar, nor any kind of building, never a denomination, never an order of clergy, but consists only of God’s elect (1 Pet 2:4,5,8-10; Ephesians 2:20-22), chosen from the foundation of the world (1 Pet 1:2; Ephesians 1:5-9), given by the Father to the ransoming Son, awakened and sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13,14) for a destiny of unimagined riches to be shared. (Ephesians 1:18-23: note the word in v.22 is ekklesia, not kyriakon or "church").

The church goes backwards to "ordain" its own prelates and priesthoods, creates clergy/laity divisions and upper echelon notions of saints, ruling councils and synods, and other intercessors, all supposedly standing for God and between God and man. All this is darkness. No matter how much may be disguised in pomp or vestments, all of it is spiritual rubbish.

The elect go forward in the brightness of the predestined plan of the almighty and unstoppable God. It is God who ordains them and every one so chosen is a saint. (Ephesians 2:19; Acts 9:13; Romans 1:7; 15:26; 16:2,15; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Corinthians 13:13) Every chosen disciple is a full member of the authentic royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9), with authority to intercede in the name of the one true high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16) whose tent is not made with hands, not of this creation (Hebrews 9:11), and with direct access to him bar nothing. (Ephesians 2:18) Every one of the called "ekklesia" is an ambassador of Christ, a representative of the Embassy of embassies. (2 Corinthians 5:20,21) Can status be any greater than that? All the church priests in the world cannot compare to one single elect child of God.

The church looks to creeds and catechisms and other man-made philosophies to explain its doctrines because it is lost, and staggers in darkness. Attempting to be all things to all men, the church will keep and defend pagan festivals, condone all manner of sin and even wed homosexuals, calling this enlightened progress. Therefore God gives them the cup they desire in full measure, even to self-destruction. (Romans 1:18-27; 1 Peter 2:7-13)

The elect are satisfied with the Word alone. The true child hears and recognizes the Father’s voice and responds with faith and obedience. (John 8:31; 14:21-23) Things contrary to the Word, especially sexual sin so fiercely condemned throughout scripture, are rejected. (Ephesians 5:3-13)

Church "authorities" claim sole right over their invented "sacraments" which, in extreme cases, the laity are forbidden to perform on pain of persecution. The high churches even serve up the perfect circle breads (which must not be broken) of the pagan sun cults and perform this as a "Mass" or celebration of the ongoing sacrifice of their god. This replacement of God’s true sacrifice is a very great sin in Scripture, described in both the Old and New Testaments as the "abomination which makes desolate." Some churches change the elements from those prescribed in the Word, and some even reserve the elements for the clergy, denying it to the laity. The church decrees the times and days for such sacraments.

The elect have no sacraments or Mass, nor anything close to those unscriptural words. They do only as their Master bids, recognizing His sole authority, equally sharing without rank, deliberately breaking the bread to signify the broken body, the once-for-all and completely successful sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 7:23-28; 9:24-26; 10:11-14) and honoring the shedding of his redeeming blood as often as they would drink wine at table, in their households, or anywhere, any day, anytime. (Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) This command Jesus gave directly to his own, and only to his own. Never once did Christ break bread in this way with priests or any other church representatives, nor did he even appear to them once after his resurrection. He had already told them they were in dark, not of God. (John 8:19,42-47)

The church is a synagogue of Satan, a field of weeds, going through the motions; tares trying to pass for wheat. (2 Timothy 3:5; Revelation 2:9) Occasionally, there are unfortunate wheat stalks snared in this body who inherently suffer, often without understanding, until their shackles are broken and they escape by the same means as all salvation: God’s mercy, enlightenment, and life-quickening release. (Ephesians 2:1-2; 1 Peter 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:25,26)

The elect or called-out fellowship are a field of ever ripening wheat, the sons of the kingdom (Matthew 13:38) with a few weeds who have slipped in by various means (Jude 1:4), infiltrators planted directly by the devil. (Matthew 13:39) Solid teaching would put most of these churchmen to flight, in the manner that Jesus drove away many because they could not bear the truth of election. (John 6:44,63-66) Some weeds will remain to the very end, at which time God separates and destroys them. (Matthew 13:30; Luke 13:17)

The church wants to be popular, strives to look successful, counting heads, wanting large congregations, preaching little that would offend, so that the business of religion may go on and prosper. Church books and music are produced to further this end, copying the methods of the world, to make sales and be fashionable, to help fill the pews. In numbers they may grow, but in spirit they shrivel, weakening with time, sinking deeper into darkness, joining hands with others ever further from the truth. Their assembling is void because they do not obey. The way to hell is wide and easy, and multitudes enter in, even those who deceive themselves that they are God’s sheep. (Matthew 7:13-15; 22-24)

The elect will never be satisfied with anything but the unadulterated Word for which they hunger and thirst, do not seek popularity (1 Thessalonians 2:4), and may be only a handful in fellowship. The way to heaven is narrow and hard and only a few enter in. (Matthew 7:14)

The church likes its religiosity, its growth, its days of prayers to be public affairs, its giving to be seen, even posting its attendance and money collections, its citizens of the year acknowledged, and its acts noticed and praised by men. The reward is dross, earthly and momentary, for that which is exalted by men comes from a dead heart and is an abomination to God. (Luke 16:15)

The elect should not seek the spotlight but pray and give in quiet and secret as their Father advises. (Matthew 6:1-6) He sees their hearts, which he himself has quickened to life, and their reward is eternal and beyond imagining.

The church, whichever sect it is, strives to have people "join," and it will conform its members to itself. It can only replicate itself with "church plantings", spread its own particular denomination by proselytizers who will cross over land and sea to gain converts (Matthew 23:15) who will yet again "come to church," a futile cycle of vanity. It confirms its members into itself and draws a circle within which members must reside. This is an age-old concept of pagan membership, copied and perfected by Rome and then in part by all the daughter churches, the idea that somehow belonging to them was of saving effect. In fact it is no better than any group. Even a crime mob meeting or homosexual gathering makes its participants feel comfortable in their own company, yet terrible judgement waits. They accept themselves, but are not accepted by God. Truth is not decided by majority vote. Their flocking together is of no advantage at all.

The elect need to join nothing, nor is there anything to join for God has already included them, confirmed them in His own truth, called them forth by the Word of life into the only Body they will ever require, His. They are to be conformed, but not to the group (which has no saving power), nor to each other, but solely to the image of his Son. (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 5:1-2) The elect are only once told not to neglect assembling themselves together in the New Testament (Hebrews 10:24-26) and this makes no mention of church, or Sabbath, or any other day, or any requirement for a number of participants. Jesus said two or three were sufficient. (Matthew 18:19-21) One thing is absolute; the elect are not to assemble or join with those who do not believe or obey the Word. (Psalm 1; Ephesians 5:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Churchmen are shackled to Sabbath-keeping and attendance. They are rightly called Sabbath worshippers, missing God altogether. They constantly harassed Jesus himself over this. (Matthew 12:1-2; Luke 6:8-10; 13:13-15; John 5:15-17; 9:13-15) Their inquiry is always, "Where were you on Sunday?" The very question reveals a corrupt heart, as if it was any of their business, or of any value. In this particular ploy churchmen love to lord it over one another, yet all the while they walk in darkness, the blind leading the blind down to the Pit.

The elect belong to the Lord of the Sabbath and are free to walk wherever they will in the Light. They may spend the Sabbath, or any other time that is free from busy work, seeking his presence and considering his truths and greatness. There should be no perverse attendance fixation with them, on any day, at any place. It is not possible to constrain them, particularly in a church. Those born of God cannot help craving the right company, where the truth is taught or shared, because the children of God are alive in the Spirit and seek the voice of both Father and Son. They ask each other not "Where were you before, or last time," but "Did you learn something of profit recently, and is it well with your walk with God?" This reveals the living heart, the one which leads upwards to the Light.

He who has ears, let him hear.

2. Wrong Place, Name & Body