AVVO is a website where individuals can ask legal questions and lawyers can respond. An individual asked the following question on AVVO:
“What are my legal rights? Can I be prohibited from attending this church for simply expressing my opinions? A pastor in Florida attempted to censure my First Amendment rights to Freedom of Speech by “counseling” me not to express my personal opinions about biblical matters with other members of the church. No matter that my conversations were private and one on one with other believers and only after small group studies outside the class room, not during the bible studies.”
Several lawyers, including me, answered the question. The asker chose my answer as the best answer, and then, in subsequent replies by him and me, I learned something I had not thought of.
The webpage with the questions and answers is copied and pasted below. For some reason, the website removed my answer, and the asker’s and my replies.
I suggest reading the following articles in conjunction with this dialogue:
The Lord has impressed this author to write a booklet (which may turn into a book) corresponding to a long time and continuing detailed study of the word of God covering principles, dispensations, and covenants in the Bible. This study may look at some other teachings, but all such teachings will be compared to what the Bible literally says from Genesis to Revelation concerning the particular principle, dispensation, or covenant each of which will occupy its own chapter or chapters (to be determined as this booklet is penned). The author will not present finished chapters all at once, but will publish each chapter in its beginning and as it progresses.
Understanding these matters should be near the top of any serious Bible study since correctly dividing the word of truth on them is necessary to a solid understanding of Scripture, of the history of the church including the history of the persecution of authentic believers, and of the daily spiritual battle that all believers are instructed to engage in. Knowing the history of the persecution of believers is important; knowing why they were willing to die horrible deaths for their faith in Jesus Christ is more important since the latter must be based upon the foundation of the word of God. Accurate history and present day fact proves that true believers (as well as heretics, apostates, and followers of false religions) died and continue to die for their faith. Dying for the wrong reason may surprise one when he ends up in hell. Sadly, generally speaking, much study time has been devoted to historical persecution of true believers, but little time to Bible foundations of their martyrdom.
This study is open to analysis, but Bible analysis only. It matters not what anyone teaches. What matters is what Scripture teaches on the subject as a whole. For example, the book of Hebrews speaks of the new and the old covenants. Does this mean that there are only two covenants in the Bible. It cannot mean such a thing since there are obviously more than two covenants in the Bible. To understand what Hebrews is teaching, one must first understand if the rest of the Bible describes only two covenants. One must consider to whom is the particular Scripture speaking, for what purpose, and both the immediate and overall Scriptural context.
There are definitely numerous principles, covenants, and dispensations in the Bible. After many years of study accompanied by copious notes, the author cannot deny the obvious. The author has always looked at Scripture as the standard when reading what others have written or said.
The author is aware that good men of God have been led down the road to a belief in what is called “Covenant Theology” by studying what others have written on the subject and verifying what they have been taught by looking at the Bible. In trying to convince others to believe in covenant theology, men will usually start with verses in the New Testament, taken out of context without a foundational study starting in Genesis 1.1 and ending with Revelation 22.21. They have not started in Genesis with dedicated study and copious notes on principles, covenants, and dispensations. Covenant theologians are not the only ones who have perverted the teachings of Scripture; others such as hyperdispensationalists have done likewise, although in a different manner, maybe even by going through the entire Bible starting in Genesis.
David Ickes comment concerning classical learning is totally appropriate to Bible learning:
“[W]hen one reads a properly written book, each paragraph expounds on the previous one. So the reader’s brain learns subconsciously about premises and conclusions built upon them. One would not grasp the meaning of the 4th paragraph without first reading the previous 3. This teaches organized linear thinking. Each chapter would do the same in relation to the previous ones and so on.”
This is the way to learn the Bible. This is not the way of the Reformed Covenant Theologian; this is not the way of the hyperdispensationalist; this is the way of the dispensationalist. The Reformed takes the Bible out of order, adds to the Bible, and spiritualizes portions of the Bible to support a false theology.
This study starts with covenants.
Covenants
The reformed or the covenant theology definition, as repeated in Webster’s 1828 dictionary, is incorrect according to the Bible. It says:
“In theology, the covenant of works, is that implied in the commands, prohibitions, and promises of God; the promise of God to man, that man’s perfect obedience should entitle him to happiness. This do, and live; that do, and die.
“The covenant of redemption, is the mutual agreement between the Father and Son, respecting the redemption of sinners by Christ.
“The covenant of grace, is that by which God engages to bestow salvation on man, upon the condition that man shall believe in Christ and yield obedience to the terms of the gospel.”
Notice that the covenant of works is “implied” according to the Covenant Theologian. To correct the above definition of the so called “covenant of works”, the Bible from beginning to end teaches that the God-given goal of man is the glory of God, not personal happiness. The goal of man from the beginning was to glorify God. He did so by obedience.
According to Genesis, God’s first covenant with man was stated, not implied, and that covenant included five dos and one do not. The five dos were:
“(1) To replenish the earth with a new order—man; (2) to subdue the earth to human uses; (3) to have dominion over the animal creation; (4) to eat herbs and fruits; (5) to till and keep the garden.” Genesis 1.28-30
However, there was only one “do not” and only disobeying that “do not” rule brought death: do not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 1.16-17.
In that first covenant, God gave one rule which would bring death: if man ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would die. God commanded man to do certain things. However, man was told not to do only one thing: not to eat or the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Disobedience to that one rule would result in death.
How much clearer can the Bible be? How can the Covenant Theologian so misconstrue the word of God and get by with it? One who believes and studies the word of God cannot deny the above truth. As this study progresses, many more fallacies of the Reformed will be revealed.
Click the above to go to Paganism Mingled With Patriotism, sermon by Pastor Jason Cooley on July 7, 2013The problem is that America is under Satan, not under God
For some time, I have resolved to never say the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America again. I did this because I discovered that America is a morally awful and satanic nation and because I realized that my allegiance was to the Lord Jesus Christ, not to a temporal nation. By working for the Lord and according to his precepts and commandments, I benefit the nation. By working for the nation and the precepts of the nation, I only contribute to the nation’s downfall and slide into further depravity. As long as the morality and guidelines of the nation reflect God’s word, I honor them. The problem is that the nation (and all nations) until the millennial kingdom follow the precepts of the god of this world to one degree or another (See Satan orchestrates the world system; for more indepth studies, seeLinks to Lessons on Satan).
America has gone its satanic anti-God way. The United States Supreme Court systematically removed God from practically all civil government matters (See, The Supreme Court Reinterprets the Constitution and Removes God). Those nine black-robed (dressed in the appropriate color) temporal judges have also wrecked havoc with morality and with the principles of God.
The two worst examples of their unjust rulings are Roe v. Wade(struck down state anti-abortion laws thereby declaring that the murder of unborn babies is legal) and now Obergefell (allegedly redefined marriage). Both decisions legalize Satan’s principles and reject the truths of God concerning life, individual, family, government as expounded by the small remnant and the churches they are members of; this does not include state, legal entity, corporate, 501(c)(3) churches and their members. The decisions are a satanic frontal attack with an ancestry of deceptions. Even the “Christian” community in America has taken part in the gradual slide into religious apostasy, moral awfulness, and political tyranny by accepting and widely publishing false history, theology, and law; by teaching and practicing false theology concerning the relationship of church and state. State churches dishonor the relationship of God’s churches to their bridegroom, husband, and head, the Lord Jesus Christ. As to organization, they do this by becoming legal entities such as state corporations (includes corporation sole), unincorporated associations, charitable trusts, etc. and by getting 501(c)(3) or 508 tax exempt status. When a church becomes a legal entity, they contract with the state and usually the federal government. The civil government thereby becomes their head/authority for many purposes. For example, a church incorporates under state law; incorporation creates contracts between the church and the state. In the event of problems concerning many matters, the state has jurisdiction since the state is the controlling party. Only man’s law will be looked at in addressing those problems. Even should no issue ever be taken into state court by a state church, a member thereof, or someone who claims to have been harmed by the state corporation, state law still defines the corporate organization and its operation. Do you see this? The issue is one of authority. Do you understand that the Bible makes clear that the Lord desires his churches to be under his authority only? Do you not understand how important these principles are.
Even before Obergefell,church legal entity status defied Bible principles. The next stop after Obergefellis that state churches will be forced, sooner or later, to conduct marriage ceremonies between people of the same sex. Their authority, as they contracted for and agreed to, is the civil government, both state and federal. Should a state church refuse to marry two people of the same sex, these people can go to the church’s highest authority on the matter, the civil government court system, and the church will be required to abide by the decision of that authority (See Preaching on Sodomy in a Hate Crime Atmosphere; Can a church force a homosexual to turn straight to stay in the church?). Should they refuse, they will be in rebellion to that authority. God expects his children to honor their agreements. See the dilemma?
Members of state churches say that they are God’s children. This claim raises many questions. Are they God’s children? If they are God’s children, why did they violate Bible church doctrine and subject the church to other heads – the state and federal governments? Why are many of the members of state churches now claiming that sex outside marriage is OK (remember that, according to God, marriage is only the union of a man and a woman)?
The United States government and all earthly government is temporal. I pledge my allegiance to the highest authority. The sovereign to whom I pledge allegiance assures us that the God of the universe will put up with this rebellion and allow this downward slide to continue until it is time to crush the world powers, bind Satan in chains for 1,000 years, set up his kingdom, release Satan for a time, and finally conduct the last judgment.
Revelation 20:1-15: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Those whose names were not written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. Then, Christ will establish a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 20-21).
Revelation 21:7-8 “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
This article is not meant to condemn, but to alert Brother Baldwin and those who follow him. This author voted for Baldwin when he ran for president in 2008 on the Constitution Party Ticket. Since then, he has become somewhat familiar with the teachings of Baldwin. This author believes, from all he knows about him, that Chuck Baldwin is a sincere pastor. He has a considerable following, and his goals are worthy, yet unattainable since not according to Bible prophecy and historical accuracy. This article alerts the discerning reader only as to Baldwin’s historical revisionism. This author invites anyone to read the writings linked to below; he is very willing to discuss the accuracy of his and Baldwin’s historical teachings. We should all seek truth as to these most important matters.
Pastor Baldwin believes and teaches, as this author once did, historical revisionism. Because of his incorrect view of history, he is right about some things, but for the wrong reasons: he is right about his teaching that churches should not incorporate or get Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) status; he is right about his contention that state-owned churches are destroying America; he is right about some other things. But he is wrong about history, and he is wrong about some of his Bible teachings; for example, he is right about his conclusions concerning the false interpretation of Romans 13, but his rationale is flawed (compare his teaching on this matter with the teaching of Jerald Finney at Render Unto God the Things that Are His: A Systematic Study of Romans 13 and Related Verses). Therefore, he is not proceeding according to knowledge. When a believer does not proceed according to knowledge, he, and those who follow him, will fall (2 Peter 1.2-10; Hosea 4.6). This brief article will address Baldwin’s early American history concerning religious freedom which is summed up in one statement he made in his article “State Owned Churches Are Killing America?”:
“Of course, colonial pastors didn’t have to worry about their churches being ‘Incorporated’ as State-created (and controlled) entities, or about IRS agents intimidating them regarding what they could or could not say. In early America, preachers where free men; they could say whatever they darned well pleased. Gasp! Beyond that, virtually everyone regarded preachers as being ‘God’s men,’ not the ‘servants of men.’”
Of course, there were no IRS with its agents. However, there were established churches in the colonies and in the United States at the beginning of the nation. Many preachers and other believers were severely persecuted in the colonies for meeting and preaching outside the auspices of the state churches; and not everyone regarded non-state church preachers as being “God’s men” as shown by the persecutions of these so-called “heretics” by the church-state establishments. Go to the links below more on the true history of religious freedom in the colonies and early America.
This author has the book Baldwin has which teaches about the preachers of the “Black Regiment.” However, this author also has many history books which teach the whole story of the road to religious liberty and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The author would point the interested reader to two resources which give the truth about these historical matters:
The true history of America and the American colonies absolutely demonstrates that Chuck Baldwin, like this author from the 1980’s until 2005, has accepted the historical revisionism that has been disseminated to American believers. Every so often, at least since this author was saved in 1982, another revisionist history book is printed and promoted by “Christian” media; and many Christians buy them, read them, and believe them. Then, they publicly repeat the revisionist view which then becomes an important part of Christian argumentation on the street, in the church, in the courts, and in civil government circles. All the while, Satan is amused by the gullibility and ignorance of American “Christians” while God is grieved. Read the following for an introduction to accurate history concerning religious liberty and the First Amendment.
Click the image above to go to the article “Is Separation of Church and State Found in the Constitution?”
The true history of America reveals that the persecution of those whom the state churches of Europe called “heretics” continued in the American colonies. Only through the sacrifice of our historic Baptist forefathers was America to add “religious freedom” to the Constitution of the United States. This is historical fact, and one must understand the spiritual battles which believers have fought as well as the persecution and martyrdom of believers starting with John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, the apostles, the early Christian martyrs, the martyrs who were relentlessly tortured and killed by the Catholic church-states and then the Protestant church-states, and those who were persecuted by the religious establishments in the American colonies can he fight spiritual warfare on solid ground. Successful warfare must be founded upon correct Bible, historical, and legal knowledge and implementation of that knowledge according to understanding and wisdom. As proven by his prolific public writings and teachings, Chuck Baldwin does not possess that knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Therefore, churches should never seek the help of Chuck Baldwin with any spiritual matter unless he repents and revises his history and Bible doctrines to conform with truth.
See the following articles which explain Christian historical revisionism:
On August 8, 2014, Northfield News, the local newspaper of Northfield, Minnesota, published an article that, if true and depending upon the future actions of the Northfield police, could have resulted in a legal battle. The author has known, since high school, that one cannot depend upon secular news for accuracy or facts, and that, as to important religious, legal, and political matters, such outlets usually, in addition to sensationalizing, portray matters in ways which support their beliefs and philosophies. However, this article could not be ignored. Fortunately, as is explained below, the Northfield police, as in the past, acted very correctly and according to the law in regards to speech in the public forum. As a result, no litigation was required, the citizens of Northfield were spared the expense of costly court intervention, and the street preachers and others were protected as they engaged in speech in the public forum at Bridge Square Park.
The Northfield News article, “Protestors question Northfield’s permit process,” stated that a group was silently protesting war at Bridge Square Park, as they had on Saturdays for the last 13 years. However, they were soon approached by a Northfield police officer, who said there had been a complaint and that the group would have to move to “another public sidewalk,” off Bridge Square.
According to the article:
The officer came as a result of a complaint from Anna Kochendorfer, who said she was from one of the groups with a permit to use Bridge Square and that the protestors would not leave when she asked them. The group did not leave, according to the article.
City Administrator Tim Madigan sent a report to city councilors stating that both the Riverwalk Market Fair and the Vintage Band groups had obtained city permits to use Bridge Square on Saturday, “which gives them control of the area for their events.”
Krin Finger, owner of the Rare Pair, has made use of the city’s Bridge Square reservation process to reserve the area from 1-5 p.m. every Saturday from now until the Defeat of Jesse James Days, with the plan to reserve the space again from DJJD to Christmas and beyond.
She said she decided to reserve the space with a community event permit, in this case titled, “Take Back Bridge Square.”
The reasons that were attributed to Ms. Finger for seeking the permits every Saturday in order to keep street preachers from preaching in the park on Saturdays were lies. The article stated that she said they were not concerned about the communication of any group or persons other than the street preachers at Bridge Square. She, according to the article, stated that [the street preachers have] become a hindrance to people walking into the door, that the business owners and their customers felt threatened by what sounds like angry and aggressive behavior by these street preachers. Of course, there are government statutes that criminalize disorderly conduct, threatening people, hindering people on sidewalks, obstructing passageways, etc. Had the street preachers done anything in violation of a criminal ordinance, they, like any other lawbreaker, could and would have been cited by the police.
The article stated that Finger said, “We felt it was becoming more aggressive, and it was just a matter of time before this becomes offensive.” Ms. Finger, in fact, has told the street preachers that she is offended by their speech. The Supreme Court of the United States has made clear that Americans have no right to not be offended. Click here to go to the PDF of tract Street Preaching in America: Is It Legal?which briefly goes over the law of communicating in the public forum (public sidewalks and parks) and answers her, and other, objections.
The article stated that, “Finger said many downtown businesses, as well as the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation and the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, agreed with her obtaining the permit, and added that the city had been helpful throughout the process.” According to the article, she went on to say that she was prepared to approach the street preachers and tell them that they are not invited to her event, and that she will call the police if necessary and that they will be forced to leave Bridge Square.
The article stated that Police Chief Monte Nelson said there is no official ordinance his officers can enforce regarding the permits and public space. He added he is still working to figure out how to address situations like these, and he doesn’t have a clear answer yet. The article stated that Chief Nelson said, “The problem is, when someone reserves Bridge Square, they’re reserving that area,” he said. “It’s a public area. The million dollar question is, ‘Do they have the ability, if someone comes into some conflict, to say they want them moved across the street?’ That’s what we’re working to try to get a solution to do. There’s not a black and white answer. Does this [permit] mean that a private group can keep certain kinds of people out of Bridge Square, or prevent the presence of dogs, smokers, babies, or cell phones?” he asked. “How can the city turn over a public space to a private entity and then let the private entity make up rules that contradict the U.S. Constitution?” As will be seen below, Chief Nelson and the Northfield police department answered these according to American law. I am very impressed with Northfield handling of this matter.
On August 11, 2014, someone posted a response to the above article on Northfield News: Read that by clicking here. Also, many comments have been made concerning the original article. To read them, go to the article “Protestors question Northfield’s permit process” and scroll down. Many of the opinions in those polls reflect understanding of the public forum speech rights of all Americans and are far more correct than the ridiculous opinion attributed by the Northfield News article to Kimberly Smith, who, sadly, teaches constitutional law at Carleton College. Other opinions expressed therein, like that of the downtown business owners, are against freedom, intolerant, unlearned, and/or bigoted. People who understand the history of the First Amendment usually stand for the freedoms we enjoy in this nation. The following may be read in order to gain an understanding of how we got our First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The response of the street preachers to the article
Pastor Jason Cooley
After reading the article mentioned above, the first action of the preachers was to contact the Northfield city attorney, mayor, and city council. They were assured that the police understood the law and would act accordingly.
Next, on Saturday, August 16, 2014 the preachers went to Bridge Square Park and preached, as already planned. They waited for a community affair taking place in the park to be closed down, then preached. The police came and did their job. The preachers were allowed to preach without hindrance. Ms. Finger never came to ask the street preachers to leave.
Next, Pastor Jason Cooley, pastor of Old Paths Baptist Church of Northfield and one of the street preachers involved in this situation, was inspired to preach the following sermons:
Kim Finger and other business men and women, as reflected in the above article and as expressed to the street preachers while involved in their public forum calling, obviously hate this street preaching ministry. No doubt they are trying to figure out how to get rid of the street preachers. For example, see the following link for a discussion which occurred on the streets of Northfield during a street preaching session between Pastor Jason Cooley and Dave Shumway who is CEO of First National Bank of Northfield:
Should the situation change due to the hostility of a minority made up of a few influential citizens of Northfield, supplemental articles will immediately be published on this website and appropriate legal help who are on standby are prepared to come in to do all they can to make sure justice is done.
Grace Webb, the author of “Protestors question Northfield’s permit process,” the article quoted from above covers the cities of Northfield and Lonsdale, and writes about public safety. You can reach her at 645-1117.
On Wednesday night, April 30, 2014, Pastor Jason Cooley preached a monumental sermon dealing with the issue of the relationship of church and state and specifically with church corporate-501(c)(3) status and the seducers who have led churches to compromise their love for the Lord Jesus Christ by working hand in hand with, over, or under the state: “501c3 Series-Seducers for the State-Christians Law Firms and 501(c)(3).” Normally, all Pastor Jason’s sermons have, for a long time, been streamed live and then archived over Youtube (Skype before that, which sermons were not archived in video form). I have listened to almost all his live sermons on Skype and Youtube; not a one that I can remember was not successfully broadcast (then archived on Youtube) although there have been a few temporary problems. Youtube never recorded this sermon.
Pastor Jason was talking over the phone with me as he and another church member were driving to the April 30 church meeting. He was telling me about his upcoming sermon. I became excited as he told me about it because the Lord has called me, as a member of Old Paths Baptist Church, to lead under the headship of Pastor Jason Cooley, the “Separation of Church and State Law Ministry” out of Old Paths Baptist Church. As he was talking, he excitedly stated, “The car in front of me has a license plate which says, ‘666-CLA.'” I was amazed. He told me he was going to take a picture of the license plate. That picture is at left. Pastor Jason had a witness riding with him in the car. When he got to the meeting place, the services were delayed 45 minutes (See Pastor Cooley’s description of what happened below). He finally began the Wednesday night meeting. After his preliminary remarks, and just as he said that he was going to begin the sermon, Youtube went blank. I called several times to see why the broadcast was interrupted. Attempts to get it going were futile, and it was not recorded by Youtube.
The good thing is that God provided a backup which has preserved the sermon for all to hear: an audio recorder from which the sermon was transferred to sermonaudio.com.
Satan is fighting hard to prevent the truths concerning the relationship between church and state and about his tactics and emissaries. I say to you Lucifer: “This time it backfired on you.” I also say to you, “You have already lost.” Believing students of the word of God know the story of mankind from beginning to end. They know that Christ, by force, will establish and rule his earthly kingdom. They know that you will be cast into the lake of fire. Halleluiah.
The following is a comment from a person who listened to the above sermon on sermonaudio.com.
“ Excellent! ”
If anyone is on the fence on the 501C3 issue…this teaching will settle the issue once and for all. I pray all pastors will repent and renounce their 501C3 status and become biblical churches with Jesus Christ as Lord (not Ceasar). David Gibbs (Nahum 1:11)and the CLA are powerful tools of satan to silence the churches in this age of increasing wickedness and corruption. I praise God for Old Paths Baptist church and Pastor Cooley for speaking the truth no matter what.
Jason wrote: “The devil is what happened I had a spiritual war to get this thing out , want to know what I saw when I pulled up to the meeting house right before I was going to preach . This was right in front of me . CLA IS THE LETTERS FOR THE CHRISTIAN LAW ASSOCIATION. I WALKED INTO THE MEETING HOUSE . OUR ROOM WAS TAKEN , OUR EQUIPMENT TWOUDL NOT WORK PROPERLY ….AND THE SPIRITUALLY THE DEVIL WAS FIGHTING ME”
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Click Image To Go To Teachings On Spiritual Warfare
Where do the judicial system and its lawyers and judges go to seek wisdom? To the Bible or to the movies? “Judges, of course, strive to be perceived as wise, so what better way to add a little Jedi wisdom to an opinion than by invoking Yoda, the Jedi Master himself?” (“A Long Time Ago, in a Courtroom Far, Far Away: There’s no denying that the Force is all around us,” 77 Texas Bar Journal, February, 2014). Do not mention the Lord Jesus Christ or his book as authority in litigation because to do so will violate the satanic version of “separation of church and state,” but it is very appropriate to “look at how George Lucas’s ‘galaxy far, far away’ openly provides insights for judges and lawyers in the resolution of cases.” In myriad ways “pop culture, in the form of Star Wars, has seeped into our legal culture. Do a quick Westlaw search for ‘Star Wars’ and you’ll find everthing from references to strategies that the ill-fated energy giant Enron code-named as ‘JEDI’ AND ‘Death Star’ to a county prosecutor in Michigan named Luke Skywalker.” (Id.). Click the following links to go to relevant articles from the Texas Bar Journal:
Most of the lawyers, judges, and other personnel within the system are nice, good, decent, hardworking people when viewed from a secular perspective. However, the system is now, like the rest of society, proceeding according to the principles of the god of this world. The above two law review articles make clear that this is true, and the state of the legal system corresponds to condition of individuals, families, churches, civil governments including the state and federal governments of the United States, and the world. The Bible tells us what has happened, is happening, and will happen.
Of course one expects the world to go the way of the devil; but tragically, very few members of fundamental Baptist churches (including pastors), much less members of other so-called “churches,” are equipped for the spiritual warfare God has called believers to fight. Few can explain biblical teaching concerning the God-given motivation and goal of a believer; the doctrines, practices, and order of a New Testament church; the doctrine of government; the doctrine of separation of church and state; what the Bible teaches about repentance and salvation (not what they learned from a workbook on “soul-winning”); spiritual warfare; history; the relationship between church and state; the distinctions between God’s dealings with Israel and God’s dealings with Gentile nations, etc. Few have as much as a rudimentary understanding of the origin, goals, and dangers of Hollywood, movies, Disney, country music, rock and roll music, contemporary “Christian” music, the sports industry, etc. As a result, most churches and church members have succumbed to the doctrines and practices of the world.
The desertion from church by young people after they become so-called adults is a prime example of the results of this unlearned, unwise church membership. As children, parents never understood biblical doctrines (never knew that biblical doctrines even existed). Thus, they never understood the evils of, for example, rock and roll music; country music; contemporary “Christian” music;” drinking; watching movies; television; getting caught up in following sports; making heroes of sports stars; dancing, and much more. They were never taught by their parents, the ones to whom God gave the responsibility. “Christian” parents, being spiritually ignorant and maybe even lost, depend upon unbiblical “youth programs,” “Christian” schools, and Sunday schools to ground their children in the faith. And of course church youth programs and Sunday schools do not do that delegated job. Instead, these church “ministries” have done much more harm than good, especially when viewed in light of the metamorphosis of those programs to their present condition and effect.
The great majority of youth who are brought up in “church” leave the church for the world when they grow up. They become doctors, lawyers, janitors, plumbers, carpenters, authors, etc. who believe and practice the principles of the god of this world. They are marching in step with unlearned, unwise members of the “churches” that remain to implement Satan’s agenda which includes a one world government working with a one world church, a new world order.
The solution available for any person is (1) repent and trust Christ for eternal salvation; (2) get into a biblically ordered church where the pastor and members believe and preach the whole word of God; (3) remain faithful to that church in fellowship and attendance; (3) begin an intense study of the Bible; (4) follow God as he leads; (5) remember:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” (Psalms 46:1-11).
Someone recently referred me to a YouTube excerpt from one of Pastor Steven Anderson’s sermons dealing with the issue of church Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0l2EkAZwB8&feature=youtu.be[on August 6, 2020, I clicked this link, and found that you will see, “Private Video. Sign in if you have been grated access to this video.” Now, I wonder why he would do that. However, I quote directly from the video in the article which exposes Anderson on the matters confronted.] A brief review of his ridiculous tirade is in order since Pastor Anderson’s teaching in that blurb is published for the world and since it deals with the institution which Christ loved and gave Himself for. The author offers a cursory analysis in this article, but one can educate himself biblically, historically, and legally on these matters by going to the Separation of Church and State Law blog. Pastor Anderson’s statements, usually in red and parentheses, are followed by the author’s comments.
The author will address some of Anderson’s points in the order of his presentation:
(1) “I don’t go to church because all the churches are 501c3. You didn’t get that from reading the Bible….”
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The Bible is a book of many principles. One such principle is separation of church and state. 501c3 churches have at least partially submitted themselves to a head other than the Lord Jesus Christ who desires to be the only head of the local New Testament church. This is explained in much detail in the materials on the above website. For specific information on 501c3 go to the following articles: Federal government control of churches through 501(c)(3) tax exemption and The church incorporation-501(c)(3) control scheme.
(2) “You got that off the internet, off some website…. ”
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How does he know where they got it? The author got it from studying the Bible and 501c3 to see if 501c3 displeases our Lord. That is where the author’s pastor got it. The truth about the matter is undeniable by any knowledgeable believer. Of course, one must first understand the Biblical principles of church, government, and separation of church and state before he can fully understand some more advanced matters, but the above articles will easily be comprehended by the believer who has done some study of the Bible. One can study the Biblical principles of church, government, and separation of church and state by going to sections 1-3 (A-C) of the book God Betrayed/Separation of Church and State: The Biblical Principles and the American Application. The book is available free in both PDF and online form. Or one can order this and other books by Jerald Finney by going to Order information for books by Jerald Finney.
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(3) He then swerves into an explanation of the meaning of incorporation.
To understand incorporation, go to Church Corporate-501c3 Status, and especially to the Incorporation of Churches chapter. See also, Short Answers to Some Important Questions for accurate information on church incorporation, 501c3, 508 and other matters. You will discover that he does not know what he is talking about. He is out of his field of expertise.
He states that the vehicle outside belongs to “the church” and that for the church to own it, the church has to be its own entity.
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He is right about that. However, a church can take advantage of the use of a vehicle or the use of a building, for example without owning it. To own anything, a church must become a legal entity, as opposed to a spiritual entity. The Biblical principle is that God desires all His churches to remain spiritual entities only. Study the free materials above to understand this. The book, Separation of Church and State/God’s Churches: Spiritual or Legal Entities, is a short book for a pastor or believer who already has a basic knowledge of Biblical principles. Pastor Anderson does not meet that condition. The book is available in both PDF and online form, or can be ordered (see the link above). See also, Short Answers to Some Important Questions.
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(4) He then abruptly asks, “Who thinks we should get rid of driver’s licenses, … birth certificates, … not carry I.d…“?
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That has nothing to do with church incorporation and 501c3. Those things involve the individual, not the church. This author has a driver’s license, birth certificate, and carries an I.D. Anderson, not knowing what he is talking about, resorts to “straw men,” and attacks the straw men. Those who are not studied in these matters may be convinced by his absurdities.
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(5) He says, “Running a church legally is really complicated. I spend days….”
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He is incorrect. His church is run illegally and it takes so much time and effort to run his religious organization that he does not have the time to also pastor a First Amendment (New Testament) church. Maybe that is why he is so ignorant about these matters. He does not have the time to do the studying a pastor is instructed by the Bible to do. He does not have time to be a pastor because his religious organization is a worldly temporal legal entity and not a heavenly eternal spiritual entity.
The non-profit corporation law requirements of the sovereign under whose laws the entity he pastors was organized by the state and overwhelm the pastor, the trustees, and the corporate offices in legal red tape. The incorporated religious organization, a legal entity, is illegally organized according to the Highest Law (God’s Law) and man’s law (The First Amendment to the United States Constitution).
According to the First Amendment, the civil government may make no law respecting an establishment of religion or preventing the free exercise thereof. Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) is a law which was made by Congress which, when applied to churches, violates the First Amendment which is a statement of the Biblical principle of separation of church and state (not separation of God and state). Even though many religious organizations run down to get their illegal 501c3 status, the First Amendment guarantees churches the freedom to do things God’s way. Again, see the website for more information on this – the following articles give a quick look at the issues: Does God and/or Civil Government Require Churches to Get 501(c)(3) Status, and Christians Who Call Evil Good and Good Evil.
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(6) Then he says, “Same thing with my business. Running a business is even worse than running a church…. [It takes me days and weeks to figure out my taxes].”
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He runs his church like he runs his business! Exactly. Are you getting the picture? Of course, when one runs a church like he runs a business, he is grieving our Lord, according to the Bible. No wonder this man is so utterly ignorant about these matters. Here he is, running his business and running a church according to the same principles. He is so busy running his religious organization that he has no significant time to study, prepare his sermons and serve as a pastor.
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(7) “That is the way you have to do it in America to be legal in America, like you have to drive with a driver’s license…. I know a pastor in town … he has no driver’s license, he has no vehicle registration, he never files taxes, his church is totally off the grid, I mean he doesn’t report anything….. He even says to me, ‘Don’t do this’…. His church is much smaller than ours…. All of these people jumping up and screaming, ‘I don’t want to go to any church that’s incorporated,’ … you’d think he’d have 5000 people in his service this morning…. That’s shows me that these people are all just talk. They just have an excuse for not going to church…. ”
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There are plenty of non-incorporated non-501c3 churches. Refer to the author’s comments under (4) and (5) above for more relevant information. No more time will be expended to explain the obvious about these ridiculous remarks. The goal of a church under Christ is to glorify God. A church which subjects herself to any head other than the Lord Jesus Christ does not glorify God. “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 (Ephesians 1:22-23).
The goal of a business is to find out what people want and provide it for them. Anderson probably mixes in enough Bible to entice unstudied believers and others to come to listen to his diatribes and false teachings.
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(8) “There’s all this disinformation and lies out there claiming that any church that’s incorporated is of the devil, and that it’s worshiping Satan, and the head of the IRS actually runs the church….”
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See Separation of Church and State Law blog, for biblically, historically, and legally reasoned and reliable teaching on these matters. PerhapsAnderson is offering his spurious verbal attacks as justification for his own presumptuous, willful, or ignorant sin.
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(9) “None of it’s Biblical, none of it came from studying of the word of God, none of it came from the Holy Spirit.”
Those assertions are applicable to his arguments.
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(10) “There are different levels of going off the grid against government…. [Gets back into straw men arguments as “Driver’s License.”] I render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars.”
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He renders unto Caesar the things that are God’s when he incorporates a church. The church the author is a member of and the members thereof render unto God the things that are His and unto Caesar the things that are Caesars. See Render unto God the Things that Are His/A Systematic Study or Romans 13 and Related Verses, available in both PDF and onlineform.
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(11) “I’m not going to prison…. If anyone goes to prison because of the way offerings are taken and the way the bank account is, I’m the one that’s gonna go to prison. Pastor Anderson, the money that you make pastoring, I don’t think you should pay taxes on that. You need to be off the grid, our church needs to be totally off the grid. I church needs to do everything in cash. I’m the one that’s gonna go to prison and you’re just gonna disappear off into the sunset.”
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Anderson speaks like a businessman or the CEO or a corporate religious organization. He speaks in secular, not Biblical terms. A religious organization pays its pastor. The members of a First Amendment (New Testament) church provide for the pastor and his family.
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The church the author is a member of is a First Amendment (New Testament) church which means it is non-incorporated and non-501c3. The pastor pays income tax. Tithes, offerings, and gifts which are administered through a common law trust bank account (not a Charitable Trust, Business Trust, or other legal type of trust account). The tithes, offerings, and gifts are given to the Lord Jesus Christ, the owner of the trust estate, not to a corporate 501(c)(3) religious organization.
If any pastor or church member commits a crime and is charged and convicted, he will be punished according to the prescriptions of his state (or the federal) penal code. That is true no matter how one’s church is organized. If one commits a tort, he is subject to suit in civil court, no matter how his church is organized. See Separation of Church and State Lawand resources thereon for much more on this. See the website to learn who is more subject to liability – the member of the incorporated and/or 501c3 church or the member of a church which is not a legal entity.
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(12) “Most churches are 501c3 and to say they’re wicked, you’re wicked.”
His misleading and false arguments and attacks would be funny if the subject matter were not so important. Sadly, many so called “Doctors” who are pastors, presidents of Bible Colleges, etc. are as lacking in substance and reasoning ability as this man as they argue before their “herd” and before the world, thereby not only hurting the cause of Christ as they mislead the members of their corporation while giving the world a good laugh as they are turned off to what they perceive to be a ridiculous religion. If one is going to invoke the ire of the world, why not do it in a manner which honors God – that is, with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom – the way the apostles did it and the way the Lord instructs us to do it in his word.
The author chooses to stop there with the analysis. The reader has access to enough information in the links above to check the matter out for himself. He can also get the same information by studying the Bible, law, and history.
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2). “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
The incorporated churches and the 501c3 churches have taken on another lover for worldly approval, help, direction, control, power and financial gain. If a church is both incorporated and 501c3, that church has taken on two other lovers and is doubly the adulteress. These actions grieve our Lord, the Bridegroom, Husband, and Head of the church.
The local church sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water by the word——————–A ministry of Charity Baptist Tabernacle of Amarillo, Texas led by Pastor Ben Hickam. "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 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" (2 Corinthians 11:1-3). ————————————Jerald Finney, a Christian Lawyer and member of Charity Baptist Tabernacle, having received this ministry in the Lord, explains how a church in America can remain under the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11; See also, Ephesians 4::1-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-25). "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it" (Colossians 4:17). "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Ephesians 1.22; See also, e.g. Colossians 1:18).
Several lawyers, including me, answered the question. The asker chose my answer as the best answer, and then, in subsequent replies by him and me, I learned something I had not thought of.
Simply Church 