What is The Church?

 

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

The Church is a Spiritual Organization

The Church of God is a spiritual organization organized by spiritual men, that God has called and qualified, agreeing on the word of God, making rules, and all agreeing to follow the rules.  Who is a worthy member?  One who has repented of his sins and been baptized in water.

Is a man born into the Church?  I say No.  He has to join the church, which means to add or unite...All having the same meaning.  A man joins his wife, or is added to or united to her, which are all the same. If a man was born into the church, then man would not have anything to do with the church.  But man has all to do with it since Jesus went away and delivered the gospel to the preacher.  For Jesus said the works that I do, shall ye do, and greater works than these because I go to my Father.  Some people will tell you anywhere two or three of God's children are gathered together that is where the church is.  But this is not true.  Two or three cannot be a church according to what Jesus said himself.  I will prove this by the word.  Matthew 18th Chapter, beginning at the 15th verse:  "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:  if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  16: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY WORD MAY BE ESTABLISHED.  17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Now you can see by the above word that two or three are not the church.  And if the church does business according to the word of God and you are dismissed, according to the word of God you surely will be bound in heaven.  There is but one way to deliver yourself and that is confess to the church for your wrongdoings.  There are many preachers of today who don't believe in any church; they claim they were born into it, and that man has nothing to do with it.  I am sorry for the crowd of people that will let such preachers as this lead them when they have no Bible for their doctrine.  The crowd that refuses to submit themselves one to another according to the word of God cannot be right.  They say you are born into the church.  If their statement was true the poor woman would surely be lost, for the word says in 1 Corinthians 14th Chapter, 34th verse:  "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law."  35th verse:  "And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church."  The poor woman would always be in the church.  If she was born into it, she would have to always keep her mouth shut.  This is no church crowd.  When you name the above word they will acknowledge that this is in business.  The Church of God confessed that this has reference to business meetings of the church, but if this no church crowd has any business, it is bound to be piddling business.  And if the people were born into the church, as they confess, you would be in the church at home just the same as you would be when you were at the church house.

Apostle Paul wrote to the church which was at Corinth.  They were organized at Corinth and did business there just like the Church of God does now.  Now this Church that Paul wrote to was at Corinth, not at Jerusalem.  And to show you that the above statement is true, I will refer you to 1 Corinthians 5th Chapter, beginning at the first verse:  "IT is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.  2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you."  4th verse:  "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  6  Your glorying is not good.  Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened."

The above word is plain enough that any sane person ought to understand.  This fornication was still in the church of God, that was at Corinth.  Paul never told them not to have anything to do with this fellow, just go off and let him alone, but he told them when they came together.  Who?  The Church of God at Corinth to deliver such one unto Satan.  Why did Paul say, "when you come together"?  Because you can't do business in a church until you do come together.  Why did Paul say, "ye are unleavened"?  Because there was a fornicator in the Church and the people were puffed up and not rather mourned.  Cast out the old leaven that ye may be a new lump.  If the church allows fornicators to stay in a church when they have knowledge of it, it will destroy the whole church.  I will also call your attention to the last of the above chapter.  9  "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:  10  Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.  11  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  12  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without?...God judgeth them...13 Therefore PUT AWAY FROM AMONG YOURSELVES THAT WICKED PERSON."

Paul was a good instructor.  He told us not to keep company with a brother who would do such things, but if it was some one outside of the church, God would judge them; we have nothing to do with them that are outside the church; we just judge them that are within.

Paul said put that wicked one from among yourselves.  If you were born into the church, where would you put him? You certainly would have to put him out of the world.  I will refer you to Acts, 13th Chapter, 1st verse:  "NOW there were in the church that was at An'-ti-och certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Ni'-ger, and Lu'-cius of Cy-re'-ne, and Man'-a-en, which had been brought up with Herod the te'-trarch, and Saul.  2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  3  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."

Now if you will notice these people were in the church that was at Antioch, not out of the church, as they fasted and prayed.  The Holy Ghost said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul."  I will ask you a question right now.  Did you ever hear the Holy Ghost speak except it spoke through a human being?  I will say no.  Because Jesus said, "When ye are brought before kings and rulers think not what ye shall say, for in the selfsame hour it shall be given you.  And it is not you that speaketh but the Holy Ghost which is in you."  They will say that man has nothing to do with it.  Why did they lay hands on them before they sent them away?  If people were born into the church there would not be but one and it would be as big as the world and Acts 14th Chapter 23rd verse would never have been written, which is as follows:  "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

Why is it that you no church people are so far away from what the Bible says?  Romans, Chapter 16, verse 17,  When God told us to...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."  The Church of God certainly intends to mark you with all the rest that cause division.  If the doctrine these no church people preaches is true, why was the 14th Chapter of 1 Corinthians, 18th-19th verses written?  18  "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:  19  Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also,".  Why did Paul say this if he was born into the church?  For he certainly would have to stay in the church as long as he stayed in the world if he was born into it.  If you were born into the church, why was 1 Thessalonians, 2nd Chapter, 14th verse, "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God..."  Why did he say churches if there was just one?  And how could you become followers of the churches if all the churches didn't follow the same rule?

These no church people seem afraid of joining something, so afraid of doing something wrong.  But they are not a bit afraid to join into an argument contrary to the word of God.  The Bible said: "They that are of God heareth God's word, and they that are not of God heareth not God's word, in this the spirit of truth and the spirit of error are manifested."  1 Corinthians 1st Chapter, 10th verse:  "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."  Now Paul, if you were here, these no church people would surely get after you, because you told the people to be joined together.  1 Corinthians, 6th Chapter, 15th verse:  "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?  shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot?  God forbid.  16  What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body?  for two, saith he, shall be one flesh."  When the word says "body of Christ", it has reference to the church.  When he said, "Ye are members of his body", this means you are members of the church, because the church is the body of Christ.  "shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot?  God forbid."  You have no right to join anything that is called a Church but the Church of God.  God has forbid it.  And to prove to you that the body of Christ is the church, and the church the body, I will refer you to Ephesians, 1st Chapter, 22nd and 23rd verses:  22  "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  23  Which is his body, (not maybe it is) the fulness of him that filleth all in all."  I will also refer you to Colossians 1st Chapter, 18th and 24th verses,  18  "And he is the head of the body, the church:  who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.  24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:".  Now are ye members of Christ which is the church.  1 Corinthians, Chapter 6, verse 15: "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?  shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot?  God forbid. 16  What?  know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body?  for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.  17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."

 I want to write this in a simple childlike way until the people that want to understand may understand.  In 1 Corinthians, 12th Chapter, 13th verse:  "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, (or Church)."  Every preacher that has the spirit of the world baptizes everyone into the Church of God.  Every sect has a different spirit, and a different body to put his members in when they are baptized.  We get into any sect by joining.  Unless you join you cannot be a member of the Church of God.  Neither can you be a member of an harlot unless you join.  God himself recognized the form of a sect, but he condemns them because they deny the power.  To prove this is so, I will refer you to 2 Timothy, 3rd Chapter 5th verse:  "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away."  I will now refer you to 1 John, 1st Chapter, 3rd, 4th, 5th verses: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.  4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:" 

Right here we want to explain what walking in darkness means.  Walking in the darkness means division, "Where there is division ye are carnal and walk as men."  The carnal mind is not subject to the law of God.  There will always be division against the word of God because they are following the creature instead of following the creator.  The 7th verse is the remedy for division, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."  If we will walk in the light, as God is in the light, you will walk in the Church of God.  Because God is in the light of the one church and the one way.  Acts, 4th Chapter, 32nd verse: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:  neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."

Acts, 2nd Chapter, 42nd verse:  "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."  Now we all know if we would come back to the apostles' doctrine that we would all be in fellowship with each other.  This is what is the matter with the world today.  Everyone wants his own way.  This is the reason there are so many different ways.  All congregations ought to hold their preacher to the New Testament doctrine; it would not be long until we would know who is right.  We have people who are preaching that eight angels dressed in white came down from heaven and ordained them, and some silly folks are believing their doctrine.  God said (Galatians, Chapter 1, 8th verse), "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."  The church wants to put the Bible just like it reads, and condemn everything else. 

Now I am sorry for the people who will allow such ignorant preachers to mislead them.  They will also tell you that you cannot show them where any one could put you out of the church.  God's word said: "He cast them out of the church, not the world.  Let God be true and every man a liar."  St. John, 10th Chapter, 1st verse: "VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."  7th verse:

"Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep."  8th verse:  "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them."  9th verse:  "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."  Go in and out, this surely doesn't mean heaven, for when you get into the paradise of God you will never go out any more.  The sheepfold has reference to the church house.  And to be a legal member of the church you must go in by the door, but if you get in without going in by the door you are a thief and a robber.  If you are saved and do not join the Church of God you have your light under a bushel and no one can see your light.  But if you do your duty you will put it on the candlestick.

I will refer you to Revelation 1st Chapter, 20th verse: "and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."  You can see by the word when you don't bring your light to the Bible church, you are failing to let your light shine as you are commanded to do.  Is there any such a thing as an independent Church of God? No.  They are all united together if they are on the word of God.  And if they are not on the word of God they are in error and are not spiritual, and the word says, (Galatians, Chapter 6, verse 1),"ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."  Did each church settle its own doctrine in the days of the apostles?  I say no by the authority of God's word.  I will refer you to Acts 15th Chapter, 1st-2nd verses: "AND certain men which came down from Ju-dae'-a taught the brethren, and said,  Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.  2  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question."  I will ask you why they had to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question?  If there was no way of settling questions among the apostles and elders, and to show you that the apostles and the elders were separated into an ecclesiastical body separated from the church for the purpose of settling questions of doctrine to keep division out of the churches.  I will refer you to the 4th verse of the above chapter.  "And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders,".  I will also refer you to the 24th and 25th verses of this same chapter:  "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:  25  It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,   26  Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

They had the doctrine already settled among the apostles and elders, but these fellows went out and preached contrary to what they had agreed upon, because the word said we gave them no such commandment.  We have some of the same characters to contend with in these last days.  25th verse says "being assembled with one accord,".  They had much disputing before this verse was written, just like our Assembly does in this day, but we never have failed to close the Assembly without all being agreed.

The doctrine we do not agree on, we agree to leave it alone until another time.  Some people try to condemn Union.  The word "union" means coming together, agreeing, harmony, one accord, and you must certainly have natural union before you can have spiritual union.  And before you can have unity you must have union.  There is natural union and spiritual union.  We must have spiritual union because the Bible says, "Let us come and reason together."  The Church of God is not the Assembly.  Neither is the Assembly the church.  The churches are just under the doctrine that is established by the Assembly, and the Assembly is the governing body of the churches.  All debates and arguments on questions of the Bible teachings are forbidden in the churches by the Assembly, and must be personally settled or taken to the Assembly to be settled according to the word of God.  

https://www.thechurchofgodua.net/tenets-of-faith-doctrine 

The Church of God is no more the Assembly than the 48 States of the United States are Congress and Senate.  The Congress and Senate are just the law making bodies that are chosen by the different states to enact laws to govern these states.  The Apostles and Elders of the different churches make the Assembly and they enact such laws and rules as are needful to keep the church in harmony with the word of God.  The Church of God means a house dedicated for this special purpose of doing business for God, and a congregation of people who have joined themselves together and have agreed to abide by the word of God.  All ministers preach the same thing, making rules and agreeing to fellow them.  All rules are to be established by the New Testament.  To show you that the above statement is true I will refer you to 1 Timothy, 3rd Chapter, 14-15th verses:  "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:  15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."  Read 1 Corinthians 11th Chapter, 22nd verse:  "What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in?  or despise ye the church of God,...?"  The above word will show you that in referring to the church we always refer to the church house because this is the place where the saints of God gather to worship God.  It is just common language to refer to the house that is prepared for this purpose as being the church, because the people meet in it to transact business for God.

Did the early church have their names put on record?  Yes.  If they had not we would not know any of the names of the Bible writers.  Revelation 3rd Chapter, 4th verse:  "Thou hast a few names even in Sar'-dis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy."

Among the holiness movements we have the most unlawful, unruly and the farthest out of harmony with God's word of any class of people in the world.  Because they claim the highest standard of religion, and ignore what God said in his word.  Preachers grab their Bible, run off preaching by random claiming that God has sent them fighting all organization and all rules of the church, refusing to submit themselves to anyone.  All in violation of the word of God.  This way just suits people who want to do as they please.  They are born into what they are in and cannot be gotten out.  They can lie, chew tobacco, ride around with other men's wives, contrary to the will of their husbands, and also against the wishes of his wife, and still claim "I am a holiness preacher, and I was born into the church and you can't get me out".  He told the truth, for he isn't in anything but the world.  

To show you all that does such are in violation to the word of God, 1Timothy 3rd Chapter, 1st verse:  "THIS is a true saying,  If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;  4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)".  So you can see by the above word of God that a man has something to do more than just grab his Bible and run.  He must prove himself and have a rule over his house because the preacher is the one that takes the oversight of the church of God. 

To show you how you may know the real preacher that God has sent, I will refer you to Romans, 13th Chapter, 3rd and 4th verses:  "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.  Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?  do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good.  But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God,  a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

A man that does not believe in a church being ruled like a man should rule his own house, ought not to say a word if some other man should come and take charge of his house and children, because one man would have as much right as another.  The one that arrives first would be the legal custodian.

In winding up on this subject I will refer you to Hebrews, 13th Chapter, 7th-17th verses:  "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."  The word says, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God:".  If a man preaches to you the word of God and his faith follows, he certainly has the keys of loosing and binding, and there is no remedy for you unless you submit yourself to such an one.  It is God's heaven and you are certainly not going there unless you go God's way.  17th verse:  "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls,....".

There are men who are trying their very best to get the word of God to people so they may understand the right way.  I have written on this subject without prejudice toward anyone.  I wish that everyone who may read this may consider what I say, that they may get eternal good out of this.  Time will not permit me to write what I would like to on this subject.  Anyone who may read this that would like to ask a question on any part of this book, write me personally to (P. O. Box 1, Dalton, GA) - (the current address is P. O. Box 576, Dalton, GA  30722).  I will answer any reasonable question.  With love to all.

(C.T. Pratt) - "Consider what we say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things."

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C.T. Pratt is the founder of the Church of God of the Union Assembly.  He passed away September 12, 1966.  This bible subject is from the little book called "NOTICE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE" by C. T. Pratt written in 1948.

 To find out more information about "The Church of God of the Union Assembly - Dalton, GA, [visit] lookupnlive.net.