Expert: Dr Wesley B Ley Rose - 9/20/2011

Question
Hello again. Its me Josh with a follow up from the first question. I asked about scholars and Theologians and church history. Well I have to say that was an amazing in dept answer. I was blown away by your knowledge. The reason I asked the question I did is because I was talking to several Theologians the other day and one of them had a doctors degree in theology and was a scholar of christian and Jewish writings and had a masters in English. He had gave an answer that was not biblical correct and I showed him in the Bible were it was and He said I was correct. Now I thought I'm just 23 years old and Love God and read the bible and having to show this man scriptures. lol it was so backwards, he the expert. lol but anyway you can see now why I asked the question I did. But thank you for your answers. I attend a church of Christ. I have been to a Methodist, Missionary Baptist and Church of God and Non denominational. lol Now I'm sure you know with denominations everybody fusses over who is doing it by the book and what is correct according to the bible. So since you are the man I need for the Job, if I started a church, and wanted to be as close to the bible as possible, what would I do?  I have been taught, baptism, taking of the supper on the first day of the week, singing without instruments, and ect.. But from your studies what does God want?  What do we need to be doing?  I understand the bible is clear and it tells in there what to do, but from your deeper research, what should we be doing?

Answer
Dear Josh,
that is a subject that has been debated, even causing divisions within the church. Thousands of pages have been written about this and many lives have been deeply affected by it.  But as you have guessed, there is a solution and a blueprint the church can follow.  The church, by my definition, is the called out body of believers - not a building or corporation. Also, brother, I think you give me way too much credit.
Anyway, I am glad that you have given me a chance to address this in our modern era. The church was never meant to be embodied in a building, but was designed for the smallest group of believers. Much of what Jesus did and taught was in sharp contrast to the formalized and corrupt system of worship known to the Jews at that time. His was the message that God desired humanity to worship Him in spirit and in truth and not as a coldly structured and oppressive system that made salvation all but impossible. God would have all people to be saved and would much rather deep heartfelt love and worship than any ostentatious display of righteousness.
What, then are the elements or foundational premises that define and legitimize the church? Just as you said, the complete recipe is already written for us.  But where problems arise is when men feel the necessity to interpret, translate, and augment that simple recipe. Our faith, religious practices, and doctrinal beliefs do not need to be complicated at all. Essentially we should embrace a lifestyle instead of a part-time participation in God's kingdom. I'm not trying to avoid the question, by the way, I'm just trying to look at the breadth and depth of the question with respect to our Christian lives in acceptance of the gift of salvation through Christ.
Let's break it down...
Jesus demonstrated how corrupt and off base mans system of worship and religious practice can become. He wanted our burden to be light, our hearts to be filled with love, and our relationship with God to be personal and authentic - not relationship found in pomp and ceremony.  So, when starting a church, it is essential that the sole purpose of that church be forever in sight. Using the many ingredients listed for us in the New Testament and drawn from the most sincere realities of the Old Testament, the very start of any church must be to build a relationship with God.  Jesus tells us that since God is a spirit we must worship him in spirit and in truth.  Just as we accept the gift of salvation through Christ, we also accept the sovereignty of God in our lives.
Church charters, bylaws, and other formalized documents are only superficial representations of the true character and purpose of the church. If the church is started on the right principles and it's members grounded in Biblical teachings, these often ambiguous documents are unnecessary. In deed they often only prove to divide and separate the body of Christ, effectively becoming stumbling-blocks and defeating the higher purpose of the church. Consider the structure and character of the family. It needs no definition or set of documents that give it substance, but does require participation and observance of certain fundamental truths.
So, what should we be doing?  We should, as called out believers in the body of Christ, give more energies toward cohesion and common faith; to living a Christlike life every day, and promoting the work of the kingdom of heaven as a way to save people from the lies and deception surrounding them. To worship in spirit and in truth we must know the truth, share the truth, and be examples of the truth.  I am perpetually strengthened by reading all of the examples where Christ forgave while the church elite, the righteous leaders, condemned. Where the worldly reaction by the people was overturned by the love and forgiveness of God as personified in the actions of Christ.
Therefore, it seems to me more important to start a church in the spirit of truth with the vehicle of love to spread the church and the gospel message within the world. If the mission is to save souls, to teach the love from God, then the church has a strong foundation and is a Biblical church dedicated to the purest ideals and purposes.
A line from a Shakespearean play, (Othello?) said "to thine own self be true".  This is no more necessary than when starting, supporting, and adding to the church. And is an absolute must if that church is to receive blessings from God.  For a church, then, to be what it should be and it's members doing the right things, truth and faith necessarily must lead the charge.
If it is of God then it will prosper, even if it contains evil elements and influences. Remember, the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church built and fed by Christ.