Church Questions

Hode monument

As the Lord begins to build His end-time Church, brought into freedom from the religious chains that have bound her for so long, we will again see the Church meeting in accordance with what we read in scripture; no formal style meetings run by a clergy hierarchy (nicolaitanism) but rather gatherings of believers assembling in the power of the Spirit, each one having a psalm, having a teaching, having a revelation, having a tongue, having an interpretation; all things done for edification, as Paul describes in 1Cor.14:26 when the whole Church assembles, Jesus truly being the  Leader. Not that this pattern has not been sought or practised before. It is no new thing. Yet it has to be the way the Church meets when Jesus is truly Head of His gatherings. 

Important as it is, how we meet is not the essential matter, but rather who we are in Christ. Our reality in the Lord is found in our ‘being’, not in our ‘doing’. For the true Church, the Body of Christ, to meet correctly under the Headship of her Lord each member of the true Church must first be led by and taught by the Holy Spirit. He must be their Teacher and Guide. This is an individual reality that is required before we can gather corporately in the correct way. When we walk individually by the Spirit we will corporately walk by the Spirit.

John G Lake wrote of this aspiration to see the true Body of Christ manifest in a letter to Charles H Parham in March 1927 for, despite all the healings and amazing miracles of his day, he knew that there was something beyond the Pentecost he knew. These men had been greatly used by the Lord in bringing about that which was called ‘Pentecost’ yet they still did not know the way ahead! 

It was in the Bible School in Topeka, Kansas, that Charles Parham was led to start, that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit was sought, both in experience and scriptural understanding. And it was here that there is record on 1st January 1900 that Agnes Ozman felt impressed to ask to be prayed for, to receive the fulness of the Holy Spirit. Immediately after being prayed for she began to speak in tongues, speaking in what she believed to be a known language. Thus began a move of the Spirit that was to see the gifts of the Spirit restored to the Church more widely than ever before.

It was Charles Parham who, in 1906, sent one of his past Bible School students, William J Seymour, to Los Angeles and whose ministry at Azusa Street brought about what was to be considered as the birthplace of the Pentecostal Movement. 

John G Lake had the most amazing healing ministry. The Lord sent Him as an apostle to Africa before returning to America where thousands of people were miraculously healed. His ministry is indicative of the power that the end-time Church will also display. 

But despite the manifestations of great Holy Ghost power the saints of the early twentieth century had many unanswered questions as that move of God began to wane as men began to organise that which had clearly been brought about by the Spirit of God. 

So it was that John Lake wrote that after thirty years of strenuous ministry under a huge pressure his health he began to be affected causing him to slow down. For three years he describes his ministry as being at a 'snail's pace'. With the enforced quiet and semi-rest he describes getting an expanding vision and a profound conviction that, “If this was the real Pentecost, there must come out of it, eventually, the thing that Pentecost produced in the early church, and that was the real body of Christ. Not a church but the Church; not an organisation, but the real organism that they had always recognised; not an ecclesiasticism, nor a dictatorship, nor bureaucracy; but a group of Holy Ghost baptised souls which dwells and through which is manifest, the life of the Lord.” 

Although written over eighty years ago it is this very same thing that God is still working towards for it is His plan. This focus for the true Church in this age is still the same. 

As we endeavour to be led by the Spirit and be filled with spiritual understanding there are many questions that can arise. For many there is some unlearning to do! In this section, therefore, we will endeavour to consider some of these questions that can help us break free from the traditions we have been bound by.

The Question of Church

Perhaps the question being posed in this section is one the reader may not have asked before, or perhaps the reader may already consider that they have a satisfactory answer. Whichever, I hope to convey what I believe is perhaps one of the biggest dilemmas the Church faces - to understand the correct concept of the Church and Church Government. With the answer comes the reality of true sons being led by the Spirit, both individually and corporately.

Download "The Question of Church" here (361k)

The Early Church, The End Time Church and the Church Now

On Sunday mornings many individuals and families across the nations wake up and prepare to go to church. All this seems normal routine and is practiced everywhere in the nations. However, as we are nearing the end of this age, we need to examine ourselves and consider if our past revelations and beliefs are in fact in line with scripture! What does scripture teach us about church? Below is a booklet written to consider the nature of the true church and God’s purpose to make His church a holy habitation for Himself in the Spirit. It highlights that the man made systems that go by the name of ‘church’ are in reality not what Jesus is building.

Download  "The Early Church, The End Time Church and the Church Now - The Church!" here (196k)

The Woman Question

One of the big questions that always arises amongst those zealous to get things right is the role of women in the Church. Thinking they are following scripture there are strongly held views which result in the level brotherhood of all believers turning into a male hierarchy. The following paper endeavours to consider this question

Download "The Woman Question" here (157k)

Considering Natural Israel

There is much misunderstanding regarding the place of the true Church and natural Israel, the descendants of Abraham after the flesh. In many quarters they are seemingly given a higher regard than the Church who are the body of Christ. This can lead to a wrong focus and understanding of God's purpose at this time. The following paper endeavours to point out from scripture the correct timing of the restoration of all Israel and thus clarify the true purpose of the Church at this time in bringing forth the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Download "Considering Natural Israel" here (65k)

Is There A Place For Tithing In The New Covenant

The modern-day practice of tithing being so widespread among Christians, perhaps makes this a controversial subject, but in reality it is the most serious of issues. Many Christians tithe in the belief that this brings a blessing and many think it is also the pathway to monetary prosperity. Scriptures that apply to ‘giving’ are used to suggest God will bless the ‘tither,’ rather than the cheerful ‘giver’. The fear of ‘not tithing’ has prevented many from daring to question this doctrine. Not daring to stop, some have even borrowed so as to tithe, tithing not as they have prospered but out of their debt!

The denominational church systems built by men all need money, if only to support the ministry of the man or men who are the head of these systems. Money is the lifeblood of them all and without money they will begin to collapse. 

To uphold a fixed leadership, the church structures pay their leaders. The money to do this usually comes from tithes given by those who are under such leaders. Whilst tithes were scriptural under the Old Covenant, and part of God’s order for upholding the necessary Levitical priesthood, teaching on tithing is not found in the New Testament, although reference is made to Abram tithing the spoils of war. But not income! (Heb 7.4). However, nowhere are we told in the New Testament to tithe, only to ‘freely give’. Tithing is defended from scripture using selected Old Testament scriptures, but we need to realise we are no longer under the Old Covenant. When one considers all the Old Testament scriptures it is difficult to justify the present practice so common within the denominations. (see Deuteronomy 12.17; 14.23; 26.12)

This does not mean we should not give to those who minister to us, neither should we minister only if we receive payment. Freely we have received and Jesus tells us, ‘freely we should give.’ (Matt. 10.8) Neither should we muzzle the ox whilst he is threshing. (1 Cor. 9.9) But we should not pay for an ecclesiastical hierarchy above us, or place those with a ministry gift in a ‘position’ over us, making them a substitute priesthood requiring permanent  tithes.

Our giving should always be Spirit-led, giving as we purpose in our hearts and coming from a motivation of love, and not to receive a return.

This topic is addressed very well in the booklet entitled, “Why Jesus Hates Tithing", also available in the Booklets Section of this website. It should not be dismissed quickly but weighed most carefully.