Religious Organizations Are Only Human
by Danny Dow
The above statement was recently found among the junk mail that crosses my desk daily. It was the opening statement in an attempt to sell a particular insurance policy. Undoubtedly it was intended to be cute, but sadly, it commented on the general perception of the world today. When I read this statement, two things came to mind:
1) First, the majority of mankind perceives the church to be nothing more than a human organization. This is why men are so ready to change the laws of God and create laws of convenience and pleasure. Is the church of Jesus Christ nothing more than a human organization? Certainly not (Matt 16:16-19; Eph 2:19021; 5:25-27; Acts 2:47; 20:28). The New Testament church was established in Jersualem on the first Pentecost following Jesus' ascension into Heaven. It was the fulfillment of Daniel 2. The establishment of God's kingdom. Dear readers, the church is a spiritual institution created for a spiritual work (Acts 2:47; Eph 1:21-22; 3:10; Rom 4:17; 1 Cor 11:20-22; 1 Tim 3:15). She is the very pillar (foundation) of Truth. Everything the church is involved in should be according to the pattern of the New Testament (2 Tim 1:13; Heb 8:5), and not according to human reasoning or law. No, the church is no mere human organization.
2) Then, there are those who say, "Religious organizations are only human, therefore we need to meet the needs of humans." Such is called the "Social Gospel." The goal of the social gospel is to satisfy the carnal man, whether it be with food and entertainment or some present social issue. But for the church, there is no pattern established in the Bible concerning these social matters.
I recently read an article in our local newspaper of an area "church of Christ" which is gearing up for an Easter celebration. "The Bible will come alive Easter Sunday...with life size reenactments of the resurrection, Daniel and the lions' den, the wall of Jericho, Noah and the ark, Jonah and the whale... The resurrection features a life-size tomb... Jonah and the whale features a mouth people can walk through to go inside the belly where the story will be told... Collapsible walls are a part of the city of Jericho. The people may tour Disney-style." Believe it or not, there is much more. Friends, this is not the church I read about in the New Testament. The early Christians did not find it necessary to "reenact" great Bible scenes in order to help guide the lost to Christ; they simply taught them the Word of God. Nor do I read of the early saints being involved in an Easter celebration. The only celebration taught in the New Testament is that of the death of Jesus Christ on each first day of the week (Luke 22:14-20; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:23-29).
Whenever men attempt to change God's church into a human organization, they will find it necessary to try such gimmicks. Why? Because it ceases to be God's church. It no longer holds the pattern of the New Testament church and salvation cannot be found within it. Yes, men have created their own religious organizations. Instead of following God, such churches boast of the great numbers being won. NOne are being won - only enticed. Faith founded upon the flesh will not last (Rom 3:7-8). When the food and games are taken away, and the exciting projects and social issues are completed, men will seek it elsewhere. Men will go from church to church seeking new and exciting things to satisfy their fleshly appetites.
Every religious organization that does not pattern itself after the church of Jesus Christ is a human organization.
Examine the church you are now a part of. Does it resemble the church of the New Testament or a human organization?
Reprinted with permission from "Think On These Things." Vol 5, No. 5. Published by the Downtown Church of Christ, Gatesville, TX, 76528.
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