This
is a more detailed discussion
of what Bible based Church life should be like: WELCOME
TO OUR FRIENDS FROM
EASTERN TENNESSEE|
Would
you like to BE the Church,
instead of just ATTEND a church? If
you saw our ad in the newspaper, or you received a hand out from someone, here
are the principles that drive our zeal as we seek to obey our Lord's command through
the Apostle to the Hebrews: Hebrews
6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto
perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and
of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands,
and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will
we do, if God permit. and.... Hebrews
10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some
is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. This
is very simple. It is also taken from the literal use of the King James Bible.
Furthermore; our intention is to abhor and eliminate the "traditions of men"
which were the zeal of the Pharisees of Jesus' day. Jesus hated the "traditions
of men." Two
thousand years of church history are a long story about zeal for Christ as he
built his church, but from the day of Paul traditions were added and had to be
rejected. Fundamental Baptists in Tennessee are some of the most hide bound traditionalists
on earth. And, pastors in these churches demand power, avoid getting personal
with sheep, fail to study and teach the Word, and generally wail and spew and
holler like VOLS cheer leaders. The sheep, meanwhile; starve and seldom find the
fellowship needed to survive in this wicked world. Mark
7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as
the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And
he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep
your own tradition. Thus,
we seek to return to the obvious-- the New Testament model of a local church--
which is people, not brick and mortar. Christ's Church is people who have confessed
their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. Let me say this-- If you
believe that the Word of God ALONE is not enough to bring order and maturity to
a local church of God's saints, we want nothing to do with you. Man made church
traditions be damned. 2
Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which
ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. The
ONLY source and authority for Church life is the Word of God, with emphasis on
the Apostolic teaching. The "traditions which ye have been taught" ended
with Revelation, Chapter 22, Verse 21. Anything added is Pharisaical rubbish,
even if every Baptist or Pentecostal in Tennessee approves of it. Trusting in
man made church or denominational traditions is trusting in the flesh. Here is
Paul on that issue.... Philippians
3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh
that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the
eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the
Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the
church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what
things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless,
and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them
but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through
the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Like
the Pharisees started with Moses' Law, Fundamentalists have the right foundation
in the King James Bible. The problem is, they have built wood, hay, and stubble
on the foundation, and the foundation is made pointless by their added rubbish.
Man
made church tradition is DUNG-- a lot of manure. Anything you MUST do to be approved
by ANY church in Tennessee-- that is, anything not clearly taught in the New Testament--
is DUNG! That includes the doctrine of tithing and church membership on paper. We
are available to serve the saints in two ways: 1.
We will help you start a House of Prayer / House Church in your home or area. 2.
We want to attend a House of Prayer / House Church, hopefully not too far from
Kingston, Tennessee.
Here
are the things that are essential from the New Testament: OASIS
PRINCIPLE The
fellowship of saints is to be an oasis away from the sorrows and temptations of
the world. We come away from the world where we work and struggle with the flesh
and the devil. Being gathered with God's people is to be green pastures and still
waters, Psalm 23. The
geography of the gathering of the saints was in homes in Acts and the Epistles.
It was for saints, not sinners. Acts
18:7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus,
one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
8 And Crispus,
the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and
many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. The
unsaved were not invited, they were given the Gospel six days between Lord's Days.
All through Church history, the righteous did NOT call sinners to their gatherings.
This is a very new innovation brought into our local churches by American lust
for numerical success. Nearly every pastor in Tennessee believes that his job
is to gather in thousands of unsaved kids and sinners and convince them to crawl
down the aisle to "get saved." This is a tradition NOT found in the
New Testament. Acts
20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break
bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his
speech until midnight. Acts
2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Mark
2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the
sabbath: In
the spirit of the Law, we move on to the New Testament and keep a day for assembling,
and it is made for the worshippers of God, not for Philistines. The
gathering of the saints should be an oasis away from immodesty, flirting, profane
talk, troublesome heresy, bawdy women, and status hungry men. It should be an
oasis away from cheeky brat kids whose parents refuse to themselves be born again
or to discipline their kids. The gathering of the saints is NOT a day care center. It
must also be an oasis away from success and numbers driven religion. The gathering
of saints IS the Church of Jesus Christ, and they can be content and blessed by
their Lord in a home, a rented room, or at a park. There is no magic building,
doors, or pew where worship, Bible teaching, and fellowship are found. All that
is needed is two or three of God's people to BE Church. There
is no text in the New Testament which extolls the numerical goals of modern churchianity.
APOSTOLIC
CHURCH The
gathering of saints must ONLY be limited or guided by Apostolic teachings from
the Word of God. All other traditions of men in other churches in Tennessee will
NOT be considered, nor will provision be made to appease the notions of pastors
in these churches. Jesus hates much of what they practice by forcing their mongrel
notions on the sheep of Christ. Acts
2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and
many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed
were together, and had all things common; The
Apostles' doctrine is the ONLY standard of the Lord's Church. Acts,
Chapters 1 - 10 will NOT take the high ground in church life. If there is advanced
revelation in Acts, Chapter 11 through Revelation, Chapter 22, the latter will
prevail. We are NOT a Hebrew Roots fellowship. If Acts, Chapters 1 - 10 answer
any question not answered in the Epistles, then they will prevail. Again,
any teaching in Acts, Chapter 1 through Revelation 22, added to the teachings
of Jesus in the Gospels, will prevail. 2
Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: The
Old Testament is part of this base of teaching, but whenever the Epistles advance
the Old Testament teaching, as with tithing, the old will take second place.
KING
JAMES BIBLE ONLY Why?
Answer: God used this Bible for 350 without changing it. When new bibles were
invented, they ALL came from the Roman Catholic Church's Greek texts. The men
who have given us the new bibles are wicked in almost all cases, and sweet water
does NOT come from polluted springs. For example, the NIV is published by a man
who also publishes pornography. Furthermore; one Bible is needed to be sure all
present are reading the same thing so that we can worship with Bible readings
in unison etc. Romans
16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
THE
GOSPEL The
Gospel will not be preached as a message in itself. The gathering of the saints
is not to win souls. It is for edification. The Gospel is not a "plan".
It is Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is not clever tracts with pictures. It
is best delivered to lost people by any saint who cares-- six days between Lord's
Days. Hebrews
6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto
perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and
of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands,
and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews
10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some
is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
HYMNS
AND SONGS The
old hymns of the Anabaptists and the Reformation will be sung. A hymn book will
be used, and it will not be the old "Church of God" honky tonk book.
Trendy choruses and Jesus of Nashville will NOT be tolerated. Singing will be
by all the saints gathered, not by slick self-possessed people. Ephesians
5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Contemporary
Christian music is not spiritual in Christ-- it is spiritual under the power of
Satan and the flesh.
TEACHING Teaching
will be with a minimum of discussion of the Greek, that being only lightly added
for context comparisons, not for interpretation and clarification. The KJV explains
itself just fine. Teaching will not be aimed at "getting a response"--
that is the work of the Holy Ghost in YOU. If you don't hear from him, that is
YOUR fault. In other words, every teaching session will be ended with an invitation,
yes, but this-- godly men present will be invited to comment on the teaching,
and the saints will be open to share any personal response they many have to the
teaching. If
you don't know how to get right with God between Sundays, the teachers of Christ
will not do it for you on Sunday. See your local Catholic priest for that. Many
Bible teaching times will end with no particular response invited because YOU
should figure that out later at home sitting in your big chair in the corner of
your living room. Or, invite a godly saint to coffee with you, and talk about
applications of biblical truth if you need that. Teaching will be by men only
who are not spiritual novices. 2
Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which
are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The
Bible will be the main event. Amusements be damned.
FELLOWSHIP Saints
fellowship with saints. Sheep are called a flock only because they gather with
other sheep, not goats and wolves. Goats will NOT be invited to come to fellowship
gatherings until they are born again, or at least until they are seriously seeking.
Hyping attendance and numbers will be cursed openly here. Psalms
94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief
by a law? Fellowship
will also be a 24/7 practice. We are coming to one another because many of us
are lonely and tired of hireling pastors who will not hug sheep, and we have fled
from sheep who despise sheep six days between Sundays. If this sounds too close
and too personal, you are not one of us. Go away please, unless you repent of
your unrighteous attitude toward the saints. Acts
2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts
2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread
from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
DEFEND
SHEEP We
will defend one another. We will not talk about one another in the market place
except to bless one another and to enhance one another's witness and comfort.
We will apply this to even the youngest kid in our fellowship. Our flock will
be a place to be safe from ungodly judgmental gossip. Our leaders will be ready
to give their very lives for their own families and the sheep of the assembly
of Christ. Hebrews
10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Acts
20:28 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.
29 For I know this, that after my departing
shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of
your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples
after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years
I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
WHOLE
FAMILY We
will not divide the family up for worship and teachings. Gatherings in parks and
for "fun" will be for families only. Youth will not be allowed to hang
out in a corner and treat adults as a pain in the neck. Families who crave special
youth activities are invited to join Temple Baptist of Powell, the largest amoeba
in Tennessee. Acts
20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen
into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and
fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. This
kid was not in Junior Church downstairs singing Jesus Dooowah choruses.
BAPTIST? We
are not Baptist, nor are we at war with Baptists. This is not a biblical designation,
so we don't care for it. We are Bible believers, Christians, nothing more, and
nothing less. We avoid the designation "Fundamentalist" because it is
not a Bible word, and thus, it is not worth dying for. Acts
11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass,
that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
MISSIONS Each
saint in our fellowship will be encouraged to learn how to identify a missionary
who is real and support them in prayer and in giving. The fellowship may never
have official missionaries it supports. Missionaries who have been approved by
the saints in a mature way may be asked to speak to the saints gathered, men speaking,
and only if they can teach only from a King James Bible. Romans
10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful
are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of
good things! Sent
where? To the next county, or to Bangladesh, the field is the world.
GIVING You
will be taught to give according to the blessing you received from our Lord last
week. You will be taught to give to saints before your give to sinners. You will
seldom be told of any need except any costs of gathering. If someone labors in
the Word so that they cannot work as much in their vocation, you should help pick
the slack in their personal finances and help them directly. There will be not
fund for anything but the costs of gathering. 1
Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him
in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
EVANGELISM Evangelism
will be done by YOU, and all of us, six days between Lord's Days. The leaders
will not be expected to do all the soul winning. If you do not have any zeal to
win souls, or if you don't care to be taught this from the New Testament, go away
please. You are just interested in trendy religion, and you will get bored and
make trouble here. Mark
16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them,
and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. That
will be in the check out line at Wal-Mart for you and me, and it will be in market
place in Marrakech for a missionary to Morocco. We
will not be having special traveling evangelists visit us EVER!
TIMES
AND SEASONS The
fellowship will meet when it is most appropriate and convenient for the sheep.
We will NOT observe the traditions of men to meet at the traditional hours on
Sunday. We will meet at midday so that the saints can use Sunday as a day of rest,
and we will end the day when the saints have to leave for home. There will be
only one extended gathering on Sunday, which will include a meal time and leisurely
visiting time. Our teaching times and singing times will be scheduled according
to the needs at hand and the leading of the Holy Ghost. Also, not being under
Old Testament law, we may meet on Sunday in the park for our Bible teaching and
Volleyball. Rest is the key word. The
following will be part of every gathering of the saints: --
Singing of old time hymns of the faith from a hymn book (not Church of God or
Stamps). Scripture songs will also be sung. --
Teaching of the Word will always be anticipated. A man who has studied for the
teaching will lead, and the Bible will be the only text book. --
Fellowship will be central and will be leisurely and not scheduled. --
A meal will be eaten mid-time in the day. If you don't care for this, you are
not welcome with us. Each family will bring sufficient food for themselves plus
a couple guests. Food will be shared with all present. --
More singing will follow, and an experienced man of God will lead in a Bible reading
with discussion. --
Any midweek prayer gathering will be ONLY for singing, prayer, and a light meal. --
Bible studies during the week are highly encouraged.
CREED,
CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS, INCORPORATION We
will have no other document than the King James Bible. We will not be incorporated,
so we will need no man made documents. Missionary biographies and stories from
long ago may be read for edification. Nothing else. We
will also NOT respond to anyone demanding to know if we are Calvinist or Arminian.
We are Bible believers.
MEMBERSHIP If
you are a member of the Body of Christ by confession of your faith in his shed
Blood and resurrection from the dead, you are already a member of our Church.
We do not observe the tradition of men that says you have to jump through more
hoops and take an oath to tithe at the front of our gathering. We can add nothing
to your Church membership in Christ, and you cannot lose it. So, it is none of
our business to question that or add you to some list on paper in a file cabinet.
As you read elsewhere on this page, all we ask it that you bring a "dish
to pass" for the dinner at midday. Personally, I, Steve, appreciate any kind
of pie a lot.
RACE God
makes no distinctions in the Church gathered as to race, so we do not either.
If you have a problem with "Niggers" or Hispanics or Aaaaaarabs, go
find yourself a lily White racist church. We don't want you. If you are Black
and have a chip on your shoulder, deal with it, or stay away. We will NOT allow
our fellowship to be used to promote Jesse Jerkson civil rights issues.
MOTIVES If
you are of a cult, as the Mormons, The Way, Charismatics, Church of God, Vineyard,
Jesus only, Catholic, JW, SDA, Church of Christ, or any other group pushing some
heretical revelation or prophetic trick, we will run you off as soon as you manifest
yourself for what you are. If you are a pastor of a church in the area, please
feel free to drop by any time after your service is over, BUT understand that
while you are with us you will just be one of the folks, NOT an authority of any
sort. If you are not an hireling, your zeal should be a blessing to us. If you
have a mail order doctorate, do NOT tell us you are Dr. anyone. We hate this cheap
pomposity. If
you are obsessive as a vegetarian, home schooler, VOLS fan, tax rebel, 2nd Amendment
gun acvocate, herb chewer, or obsessed with Mike Pearl, baby beater, Purpose Driven
Cheese, or other guruistic issues, we will either help you find balance in those
things, or you will have to leave. If you start a campaign to rescue us from ourselves,
out the door you go. If
Momma runs the religion in your home, sir, get ready to be helped to reverse that
real fast. If you are a "troubled lady," you will not get ANY help from
the men in this assembly. Only the godly women will help you with your issues.
If your kids are out of control, we will help YOU grow up in Christ so that you
take charge of your home. If
you judge saints by the use of one word, one preposition, like believe "in"
Jesus versus "on" Jesus, go join Semantics Baptist Church. Stay away
from us. We are very poor at prepositions. :-) If
you have been involved in church splits and you feel you are called to fix churches,
keep moving please. If you despise preachers in the area instead of walking away
from them to seek God's face, we don't hate preachers, so keep it to yourself.
If you have been "churched" for gross sin, and if you hide it from our
leading men, we will send you away when we learn of your hidden sins. If you come
understanding that you must repent and be delivered of these gross sins, we will
help you in Christ. Romans
16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they
that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. If
you have been divorced, you are very welcome, but you will not be permitted to
lead. If
you are grieved with the traditions of men and the pointless hacking and wailing
in most pulpits, welcome. If
you have been "churched" for asking the pastor PRIVATELY about some
issue, like Hyles, BJU, PCC, Tennessee Temple, funny bibles, man worship, "pastoral
rule," or something taught by that pastor, welcome. But,
do NOT come to us with a chip on your shoulder, and do not waste our fellowship
time blabbering on and on about lousy preachers you know. Thanks. Do
not drop in on our fellowship without calling one of our people and letting us
know you are coming. You are indeed welcome, but we are not desperate to have
unannounced visitors. If you are born again by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and
if you have denounced Charismania, and if your Godhead has three persons, bring
a "dish to pass" the first Sunday. You are one of us from day one if
you are in Christ Jesus. We
are not interested in being "observed" by groups or by the media. The
zoo is open on Sunday for that. Ephesians
4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is
good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,
be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
TO
RESPOND TO THIS.... CALL
865-717-0962 SEND
MAIL If
you need to talk about these things more, let's have coffee at a local cafe and
visit a while in Christ. If
you are a pastor, and you would like to talk about returning to a New Testament
Apostolic local church life, let's talk.
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