501(c3)

Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain, and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me."
(Matthew 4:8,9)

IRS:
"Churches and religious organizations, like many other
charitable organizations, qualify for exemption from
federal income tax under IRC section 501(c)(3) and
are generally eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
To qualify for tax-exempt status, such an
organization must meet the following requirements
(covered in greater detail throughout this publication):
■ the organization must be organized and operated
exclusively for religious, educational, scientific, or other
charitable purposes,
■ net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any
private individual or shareholder,
■ no substantial part of its activity may be attempting
to influence legislation,
■ the organization may not intervene in political
campaigns, and
■ the organization’s purposes and activities may not
be illegal or violate fundamental public policy."

Think about the last requirement carefully. A "church's" activities may not be contrary to the law or fundamental public policy. Sixty years ago "Jim Crow" was the law in much of the United States.

In many states it was a crime for a "white" person to marry a "black" person.

In Mississippi :"Any person...who shall be guilty of printing, publishing or circulating printed, typewritten or written matter urging or presenting for public acceptance or general information, arguments or suggestions in favor of social equality or of intermarriage between whites and Negroes, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to fine not exceeding five hundred (500.00) dollars or imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or both."

Oklahoma: Any instructor who shall teach in any school, college or institution where members of the white and colored race are received and enrolled as pupils for instruction shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for each offense.

This was the law and fundamental public policy. Now the law and fundamental public policy is the acceptance of homosexuality, divorce, pornography, war, abortion, capitalism, materialism, evolution, and all manner of other evils. What if the law in 2010 says:

"Any person...who shall be guilty of printing, publishing or circulating printed, typewritten or written matter opposing the public acceptance or general information, arguments or suggestions in opposition of social equality or of intermarriage between homosexuals, lesbians, and bisexual and transgender persons, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to fine not exceeding five hundred (500.00) dollars or imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or both."

But then Jim Crow did not seem to be an impediment to the great majority of white churches in the south. Jesus Christ was willingly sold out to accommodate the culture, and popular religiosity and putrid piety was chosen in preference to persecution and the way of the cross. In fact the southern denominations were created for the very purposes of Jim Crow. The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest protestant denomination in the United States was created to allow missionaries to continue to own slaves.

IRS:
"Church. Certain characteristics are generally attributed to churches.
These attributes of a church have been developed by the IRS and
by court decisions. They include: distinct legal existence; recognized
creed and form of worship; definite and distinct ecclesiastical
government; formal code of doctrine and discipline; distinct religious
history; membership not associated with any other church or
denomination; organization of ordained ministers; ordained ministers
selected after completing prescribed courses of study; literature
of its own; established places of worship; regular congregations;
regular religious services; Sunday schools for the religious
instruction of the young; schools for the preparation of its ministers.
The IRS generally uses a combination of these characteristics,
together with other facts and circumstances, to determine whether
an organization is considered a church for federal tax purposes."

Did the Church of Acts have a distinct legal existence (corporation)? Was it recognized by the religious authorities? Did it have a creed (other than 'Jesus is Lord') and a "distinct form of worship"? Did it have a definite and distinct ecclesiastical government? Distinct religious history? A membership not associated with any other church or denomination? (Think about that one and the unity of the Church!) An organization of ordained ministers? Ministers ordained after completing a prescribed course of studies? Established places of worship? 'Regular' religious services? Sunday Schools?

This is not a description of the Church of Jesus Christ; it is a description of a sect, a religious club. Will you bow down and kiss Satan's feet in order that rich donors can deduct their 'gifts' on their tax returns? Will you give the man with the gold the place of honor and despise the Lord Jesus? Are you a Church of the Lord Jesus or a church of Babylon?

Flee from the synagogues of Babylon. Do not give one more cent to these corrupted institutions. Let their buildings return to the dust from which they came. Flee from these institutions with their well padded pews filled with well padded pew sitters listening to the well padded ministers of mammon. Pastor, do you love God or do you love gold? Will you wed your congregation to the Mother of Harlots? Lead your people out! Brothers and Sisters, we have been deceived. Even good men and women have fallen for the lying promises of the Serpent. We think we need the things of this world and the approval of its kings to do what God calls us to do. NO! We need only the Lord Jesus and His approval.

We have been faithless. The Church of Jesus Christ has compromised herself. Repent and return to the Lord. Let us confess our sin and flee to Him for forgiveness and cleansing. No one can serve two masters.

"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons."

May God deliver His people from the chains of Satan.

May the Church of Jesus Christ be delivered from 501(c3).

May the Bride of Christ be forgiven for selling herself to Satan for a few crumbs from his table.

May She repent, shake off her dust and chains and return to her Lord and Savior.