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LETTERS AND QUESTIONS FROM PASTORS AND OTHERS ANSWERED
Question
Date: Thu, Sep 27, 2018 at 5:37 PM
Subject: Weblog title “501c3 for non church ministry question”
To: Law Center Biblical
Subject: 501c3 for non church ministry question
Message Body:
Hello, I recently watched a you tube video of Mark Taylor prophesing the judgment on 501c3 churches, which greatly concerns me with I am doing in regards to starting a ministry. I was in the process of creating a 501c3 for a ministry–not a church–with Legal Zoom. The ministry is called _____________________. I got to the part of completing more info for the paperwork regarding a 3 yr budget and other things and got stalled in completing any of the info. My application stands in limbo with Legal Zoom right now. My question is it biblical or non-biblical for the ministry I have started to have a 501c3? I want to do things right according to God’s plan and order!
Thank you for your help!
Answer, September 28, 2018
Dear ________________________________,
RE: In answer to your e-mail question copied and pasted below
In love, I humbly submit the following for your consideration.
An adequate answer to your questions would require a lot of time and effort. However, I will give you a succinct Bible answer to some of your questions and give you links to some information on 501c3.
I thank the Lord for every born again believer like you who wishes, as you state in your inquiry, to “to do things right according to God’s plan and order!”
The Bible teaches that every born again believer should, if possible, be water baptized into a a local, visible, New Testament ordered church. There are many churches. Only a small remnant are under Christ; to say it another way, only a small remnant of churches are churches of Christ. The vast majority of churches (assemblies of people who come together for some reason) are not churches of Christ. A church of Christ must be built by Christ alone, and subject to him in all things. See, e.g., Mt. 16.18, Ep. 1.22; Ep. 5.25-32; Co. 1.18. Note that Ephesians, for example, was written to the local visible church at Ephesus and that “the church” refers to the institution of the church which consists entirely of local visible assemblies.
Every believer is a member of the family of God and is eternally secure. To be in line with Bible principle (KJB) every born again believer, if possible, should be water baptized into a local visible New Testament church where he should exercise his spiritual gift(s). See Ep. 4, 1 Co. 12, Ro. 12.3-8. Every ministry of Christ should be under the authority of a local, visible New Testament assembly (church). In this age of grace, God commissioned His children and His churches to do his work. Again, if possible, every child of God should be a member of one of His churches,. I understand that it is hard to find a true church of Christ anymore. But every believer should make every attempt to do so and to become a member of such a church.
A thorough study of the Bible, history, and law proves that corporate 501c3 or 508 churches and churches who choose to become legal entities of any kind are not churches of Christ. That is, they are not built by Christ and Him alone, nor are they subject to Him and Him alone in all things. Ephesians 1:22-23: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Paul writing to the church at Rome,a visible local church).
Two articles on 501c3. These articles give only a brief overview of the 501c3 issue and do not explain the extreme extent of IRS authority and red tape that comes with 501c3.
The incorporation-501(c)(3) control scheme
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See also,
For a comparatively short analysis of the issues as regards churches, see
Again, I submit the above answer in love in hopes that it will be helpful to you as you seek His will for your life.
For His Glory
Jerald Finney
JERALD C. FINNEY
BAB, HB, BBA, JD
801 Elgin St.
Amarillo, TX 79118
Phone : (512) 785-8445
E-MAIL: jerald.finney@sbcglobal.net
Simply Church 