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Continuing our discussion from part two, as should be rather clear to you by now, there exists a very marked distinction between the true Body of Believers, and those individuals who claim to be the church, temple or religion of God. This, of course, includes those people who make the pretentious boast that their brand of religion is the "one truth faith". Let me again remind you that while in this series I have emphasized the sharp contrast between ancient Judaism and Jesus' own teachings, the inadequacies of organized religion with its man-made buildings, dry spiritless ceremonies, and wayward doctrines and traditions is not limited to Judaism alone.

The primary criteria for being a member of the Lord's true spiritual Church, is that a person has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Any religion which does not embrace the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for the sins of the world, cannot possibly claim to be the true religion of God. Obviously, this includes not only Judaism, but also Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, and so many other false religions which exist in the world today.

Likewise, any individual who does not embrace Jesus Christ as the Son of God and only Savior of the world, cannot possibly claim to be a true child of God. Contrary to the false belief which has become so popular in the world today, as Jesus made abundantly clear, not everyone is a child of God. If we were all already children of God, then obviously there would be no need for us "to become the sons of God" as we are told in the verse John 1:12. Please think about this carefully. We cannot become that which we already are. Therefore, we must conclude that we do not truly "become the sons of God" until we choose to accept Jesus Christ. As the verse states, "But as many as received him . . ." Now doesn't that make perfect sense? You will find this topic discussed in more detail in articles such as "Not Everyone is a Child of God", "All Are Given a Chance, But . . ." and "Is the Message of Salvation Meant for All Men?".

In like manner, it should also be understood that dedicating millions of dollars to the construction of beautiful temples, churches, cathedrals and mosques which will elicit the praise of man is not what true religion is about in the least. As I mentioned earlier, when the Apostles became mesmerized by the beauty of the Temple in Jerusalem, Jesus was quick to inform them regarding what would be its ultimate fate. We have seen that God simply is not the least bit interested in physical buildings. From Isaiah to Hosea to Jesus to Stephen, we see that the message is exactly the same. God desires to dwell in the temple of our hearts, and not in a cold, stone building.

If the truth be told, being caught up in a contest to see who can build the more awesome place of worship really amounts to nothing more than a religion of dead works. It is the worship of the creations of man and man's accomplishments. It is not that much different from the worship of mammon -- or material wealth -- as Jesus points out in the Gospel of Matthew, as we see here:

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."


In his first Epistle, the Apostle John likewise exposes the dangers of being seduced by the pleasures of the world when he writes the following:

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."


Obviously, beautiful places of worship -- regardless of the particular religion that happens to be involved -- appeal to the lust of the eyes; and they certainly appeal to the pride of life; particularly for those people who design and build such structures, and who ultimately receive the praises of men.

As I point out in the series "Where Are the First Century Churches?", as well as in "Is the KJV Bible the Inerrant Word of God?", we can conclude then that the first Churches which were established by the original Apostles in the Book of Acts were not physical buildings. Rather, they actually consisted of the Bodies of Believers who had accepted the free Gift of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. There is absolutely no indication to be found anywhere in the New Testament that the Apostles and their early followers were involved in, or had any interest in, building church buildings or temples to house their new converts. They were the "ekklesia"; that is, "the called out ones" who were called out from the world to follow Christ, who is the one true Rock and Cornerstone.

The simple truth of the matter is that the Scriptures make it rather clear that the First Century Christians met privately in small groups in people's homes, as well as in some public places; just as Jesus had preached in people's homes, in the streets, and on the hills and mountains of Israel. Please refer to the aforementioned series for additional Scriptures concerning this topic.

While it is true that Jesus did preach in the Temple and in the synagogues of His native land, as did His Disciples in the formative years of our Christian faith, it is important that we realize that this was in order to fulfill a purpose. That purpose was to first offer Salvation to the religious leadership of Israel, as well as to the common people. After all, the Temple and the synagogues is where everyone met in order to hear the Word of God. So it was only natural that the First Century Christians would also use such places to share the Good News concerning Jesus Christ; at least until the jealous Jewish religionists orchestrated persecution against them.

We discover in Acts chapter six that the testimony of the early Disciples was so powerful, that even many of the Temple priests joined their ranks. As you may realize, during the Temple period, the priests would perform their duties in the Temple on a rotating basis, according to a schedule that had first been established by King David. Priestly duties were organized into twenty-four classes -- or courses -- and each of the priests would serve in the Temple for a period of one week. This was precisely what Zacharias -- the father of John the Baptist -- was doing at the time that the Angel Gabriel announced the birth of his son, John, to him. At any rate, in Acts chapter six we find the following verse:

"And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."


The fact that "a great company" of the Temple priests joined the Disciples, as well as many of the common Jewish people, obviously outraged the pharisaical keepers of the Law. The result was that a great persecution arose against the Early Church; and they were finally forced to flee from Jerusalem in obedience to Jesus' own commandment, which He issued in chapter one of the Book of Acts, as we see here:

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."


As I explain in articles such as "A Biblical Cafeteria, or the Whole Course?", against the wise counsel of his mentor, Gamaliel, who advised that the Apostles be left alone, this persecution was spearheaded in part by Saul of Tarsus, who later became the Apostle Paul. You can read all about Saul's conversion to the young, new, Christian faith beginning at the end of Acts chapter seven, and continuing through Acts chapter nine. Both the Biblical and the historical record verify that with this persecution which began at Jerusalem, the early Disciples eventually travelled as far as northern Africa, India, Russia, Southern Europe and beyond.

Allow me to bring an interesting Bible verse association to your attention. We find Jesus' commandment to take the Gospel to all the known world of their day -- what is commonly known as the Great Commission -- in Acts 1:8. By simply reversing the verse reference, we also find the beginning of the actual fulfillment of this verse in Acts 8:1. Consider these two verses next to each other:

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."


"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles."


While the actual Twelve Apostles remained in Jerusalem, they apparently realized that the only way that they would be able to continue their work of ministering to the thousands of pilgrims who arrived in Jerusalem each year in order to fulfill their obligations at the Temple -- just as Joseph and Mary had done decades before -- would be by appearing as less of a threat to the Jewish elders. One way in which they accomplished this was by reducing their numbers, and sending out road teams to evangelize the rest of Israel.

One point which is worthy of note, is that when the writers of the Epistles spoke of Deacons and Bishops, they were not referring to an established system of church buildings such as characterizes Christendom today. Similar to their modern counterparts, these men were Elders who were responsible for overseeing the Bodies of Believers which were established in the towns that were visited by Paul, Luke, Philip, Peter, Thomas, Barnabas, Silas and others. These Believers lived in their homes and likewise congregated in their homes. This is where these Deacons and Bishops ministered to them. Allow me to again refer you to my companion series entitled "Where Are the First Century Churches?".

From the very start, Satan was determined to destroy the new Christian Church. While he attacked from without by way of serious persecution, he also attacked from within as well. By the middle of the Book of Acts, we discover that a spirit of compromise had already begun to creep into the ranks of the Disciples at Jerusalem, as well as elsewhere. A close reading of the Epistles will reveal that the Elders of the Church had already begun to issue warnings concerning the false brethren who had crept in unawares, in order to try to pressure the new Disciples into conforming to the harsh laws of Judaism.

The Apostle Paul was particularly aware of the evil which was brewing in Jerusalem; an evil which had also begun to spread to some of the Churches which he had helped to establish in regions outside of Israel as well. This becomes apparent in verses such as the following where Paul warns his young new converts to beware of the false brethren who were arriving from Jerusalem, and poisoning them with their false gospel of legalism, and bondage to the Mosaic Law:

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."


"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."


"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him . . . For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."


"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."


"But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."


"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."


"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."


"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision."


Despite efforts by the Apostle Paul and other First Century leaders to contain the damage that was being inflicted by these false brethren who were preaching another gospel, only several centuries after the initial explosive events which had occurred at Jerusalem, we discover that the Christian Church -- at least some of her leadership -- appears to have cooled off in a spiritual sense to a significant degree. But was this really the true Christian Church, or was it perhaps something else?

As I point out in articles such as "Pontifex Maximus: Pagan High Priest to Roman Catholic Pope", what actually occurred is that a new church rose to power which claimed to be the original Church which had been founded by Jesus Christ and His First Century followers. This new church, rather than being spiritually-oriented with a sincere interest in the well-being of men's souls, became completely obsessed with establishing a physical kingdom on Earth. This new, false church became drunk on wealth and power, and it embraced a misguided preoccupation with constructing church buildings and grand cathedrals. It was, and is, everything that Jesus said we are not to be.

While it may be difficult for some of you to understand how this could possibly occur, consider what has happened in our current times with modern-day America. The simple truth of the matter is that not even two and a half centuries have passed since her founding, and she has already gone astray, and has in large part abandoned the Christian heritage which she received from the Founding Fathers, many of whom were God-fearing men. Yes, many people like to claim that America is still a Christian nation -- and indeed there yet remain a lot of Bible-believing Christians within the nation -- but if the hard truth be told, she is nominally Christian at best. Even former US President Barack Obama noted that America is no longer just a Christian nation, but rather a multicultural nation.

The actions of the American government clearly reveal her true spiritual condition. The oppression, war and violence which the United States of America has meted out to other countries over the decades, has clearly put her real heart on display for the world to see. Her actions are not the actions of a God-fearing, Christian nation, and they do not reflect Christian principles and values.

We must honestly recognize that America was founded upon war; war against Britain's tyranny, as well as war against the natives of North America who dwelt in the land many centuries before the white Europeans ever arrived. As if that was not enough, Americans eventually fought against each other during the Civil War as a result of the southern states' desire to secede from the Union so that they could continue the practice of slavery. To this present time, the American Civil War remains the deadliest war which has ever been fought on American soil. It resulted in the deaths of an estimated 750,000 soldiers, as well as an undetermined number of civilians. Furthermore, from that time until now, America and the American economy have continued to depend heavily upon war, and the sale of weapons of war, in order to survive as a nation. This is the sad, inescapable truth which cannot be denied.

As I point out in articles such as "Robot Wars and Skynet: Is Sci-Fi Becoming Our Reality?" and "Communism: The Raging Bear Out of Control", history proves that when times are rough, when economies fail, when the populace becomes dissatisfied and begins to revolt against the government, one very common tactic which is employed by governments is to start another war. Not only do external wars inspire deep patriotism and unite people under a common cause, but they also stimulate national industry, because people must be employed to work in the war factories where they build bombs, aircraft, and other devilish toys of destruction. Wars also tend to take people's minds off of troubles at home. This pattern is referred to as a war, boom bust economy, and it works until the economy goes stale again -- or busts -- or else until people get tired of fighting another war.

If you are interested in acquiring a deeper understanding of my views regarding the spiritual decline of the United States of America, as well as my position regarding war and violence, please consider reading articles such as "What is Wrong with Modern America?", "Killing, Murder, War and Military Duty", "Killing and the Phinehas Priesthood", "America: Land of the Free . . . and Hypocrisy!" and "The Fruits of Disobedience".

Given this fact regarding how swiftly Christian America has become so spiritually polluted and corrupted, and turned so violent -- a few hundred years is really nothing compared to the overall historical timeline -- it should not surprise us in the least that within the matter of a few hundred years, out of the roots of the First Century Church likewise arose a false, corrupt church which, rather than choosing to store up Eternal Rewards in Heaven, foolishly chose to lay up for itself treasures upon Earth instead. That this false church would do this is in direct disobedience to Jesus' very own commandment, as we see by these verses:

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."


Please note that the appearance on the world stage of this false church does not mean that the true Christian Church which was founded by Jesus Christ and His first Apostles has disappeared. It was -- and still is -- here; but one must know where to look in order to find it, and it is not very far away at all. Why? Because as we learned in part one of this series, God's true Church is not a temple that is made with human hands. Rather, it is we the people in whom the Spirit of God resides when we receive Jesus Christ.

We the people are in fact His living temples, living stones, and pillars in God's spiritual Temple. Jesus informed us of this truth in the Gospels, and the Apostles Peter, John and Paul also wrote about it in their Epistles, as well as in the Book of Revelation. Consider the following additional verses:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body."


"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."


"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."


"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."


"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."


It is also important to realize that God's true Church is not limited by, controlled or monopolized by, or identified with, one particular denomination. If any church, denomination or Christian organization attempts to convince you otherwise, I urge you to steer clear of them. Not only are they deceived, but they are liars as well. If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and if you are endeavoring to please Him in your daily life, then whether or not you belong to or participate in any particular church or denomination, you are still a saved Child of God. You are a part of His true Church, and a member of the household of God. Consider this verse:

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"


While ancient Israel compromised with the pagan nations and peoples around and within her, and adopted their false gods and traditions as her own, in similar fashion, as the years and centuries passed, some of the early Christians likewise began to lose their spiritual fire. As I point out in other articles, even though Jesus clearly taught that we are not a part of this world, ultimately, these Christians -- powerful bishops and such -- compromised with the pagan Roman Empire; that is, with the very people who had previously persecuted and slaughtered our Christian brethren in their coliseums.

It may interest you to know that the most infamous of these horrible places of slaughter was known as the Circus of Nero. Begun by Emperor Caligula, it was completed by Emperor Nero, and became the site of the first organized, state-sponsored martyrdoms of Christians in about 65 AD. Equally disturbing is the fact that St. Peter's Basilica sits on some of the very same property that was previously occupied by the Circus of Nero. When Emperor Constantine built the original basilica during the Fourth Century -- which is now referred to as Old St. Peter's -- he used some of the existing structure of the Circus of Nero.

If you find that information alarming, then consider the fact that the world famous Obelisk which is situated in the plaza in front of St. Peter's Basilica -- St. Peter's Square -- was originally located at the center of the Circus of Nero. This monolith was brought to Rome by Caligula. During the Sixteenth Century, the Obelisk was re-erected in Saint Peter's Square by the architect Domenico Fontana. If you doubt the validity of this information, then consider examining the information and images that you will find at the URL's below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero%27s_Circus

https://saintpetersbasilica.org/Plans/Circus-basilicas-plans.jpg

In light of this rather unsettling historical evidence, the fact that St. Peter's Basilica sits on some of the very same property as the Circus of Nero, and the fact that the Obelisk was re-erected in its current location in St. Peter's Square, it makes me wonder if perhaps in some strange, sick way, Rome and the Vatican are purposely broadcasting a subtle message to the world, and may be boasting about the evil deeds which they committed against God's true children centuries ago.

It was in fact this deadly compromise with the world power of the day which resulted in the false church's spiritual marriage to -- and whoredom with -- the Roman beast. In short, just as Israel abandoned her true spiritual Husband and King, and chose to spiritually prostitute herself with pagan gods and lovers, these weak, power-hungry Christians of the Fourth Century Church did the very same thing, and this compromise has been ongoing ever since. In fact, sad to say, many of her daughter harlots are now following in her footsteps and doing the very same thing.

Being as I also discuss this issue in other articles such as "Pontifex Maximus: Pagan High Priest to Roman Catholic Pope", I won't be going into great detail here. Suffice it to say that it was a common practice for the Romans to adopt or to absorb the many gods and goddesses and customs of the nations which they conquered. This is what corrupted the Church of the Fourth Century when she compromised with Rome. In other words, in order to extend her power and influence over the masses of the Roman Empire, this false church "Christianized" many of the pagan gods, traditions, feast days and festivals, as a means of enticing Roman citizens, so that they would be more willing to embrace this new perverted version of our Christian faith. It was a form of Fourth Century ecumenism, but in a pagan sense.

Furthermore, it is a verifiable fact that this is precisely how certain so-called "Christian" holidays such as Christmas and Easter -- and the traditions which are associated with them -- became associated with our Christian faith. Please refer to articles such as "Our Pagan World: The Easter Myth Exposed!" and "Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas?" for an in-depth look at these subjects. You may also wish to visit the "Non-BBB Articles" section of the Bill's Bible Basics website for additional information regarding pagan-based "Christian" holidays.

In light of this verifiable historical information, we must honestly ask ourselves if modern, organized Christianity, in its current corrupt state, is much better than the corrupt religious system of the Jews which first rejected Christ and His early Disciples. While many modern denominations embrace Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior, have they too become lost in a suffocating sea of doctrinal legalism, meaningless rituals and materialistic worship without the true Spirit of God? Has their doctrinal compromise with abortion, the gay and lesbian agenda, evolution and other issues neutralized their effectiveness as true representatives of Jesus Christ and the things which He taught us? Have they in fact become false churches and daughter harlots?

Just as ancient Judaism held great power over the people of Israel by way of its interpretation of the Mosaic Law, and bathed in its wealth which poured in annually through the pilgrimages to its Temple, today, this modern false church likewise controls the lives of approximately 1.3 billion people around the world with its unscriptural doctrines. It too is extremely rich, while many of its congregants are poorer than poor. While I have described the rise of this false church to you in this current series, this is only the tip of the ice berg. I hope that you will continue reading my articles in order to learn more about this false church.

With these thoughts, I will bring this article to a close. It is my hope that you have found it informative, enlightening, and I pray that it has been a blessing in your life as well. If you have an account with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or with any other social network, I would really appreciate if you'd take the time to click or tap on the corresponding link that is found on this page. Thanks so much, and may God bless you abundantly!

For additional information and further study, you may want to refer to the list of reading resources below which were either mentioned in this article, or which contain topics which are related to this article. All of these articles are likewise located on the Bill's Bible Basics web server. To read these articles, simply click or tap on any link you see below.

Cardinal Ratzinger's Rebellion
Churchianity or Christianity: Which Do You Practice?
Gargoyles: Satan Loves Church Buildings!
Lies and Deceptions of the Roman Catholic Church
Mary Worship, Christianity and Roman Catholicism
Pontifex Maximus: Pagan High Priest to Roman Catholic Pope
Roman Catholicism, Water Baptism and the Holy Trinity

Other Mentioned Articles:

A Biblical Cafeteria, or the Whole Course?
Abomination of Desolation: Explained!
Abundant Life Doctrine: Scripturally Exposed!
All Are Given a Chance, But . . .
America: Land of the Free . . . and Hypocrisy!
Are Christians Obligated to Keep the Sabbath?
Civil Disobedience and Christian Persecution
Communism: The Raging Bear Out of Control
Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas?
Is God a Racist?
Is the KJV Bible the Inerrant Word of God?
Is the Message of Salvation Meant for All Men?
Jesus Christ or Yeshua Messiah?: More Christian Zionist Legalism
Killing and the Phinehas Priesthood
Killing, Murder, War and Military Duty
Money-Making Bible Hucksters and Mammon
MP3s, Commercialized Christianity and Christian Hypocrisy
Not Everyone is a Child of God
Our Pagan World: The Easter Myth Exposed!
Robot Wars and Skynet: Is Sci-Fi Becoming Our Reality?
The Children of God and Politics
The Fruits of Disobedience
Welcome to Greater Israel, USA!
What is Wrong with Modern America?
Where Are the First Century Churches?
Who is the Real Terrorist?

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