Must the modern people of God be an organization?

[Eloi]

When Jehovah formed the nation of Israel, he organized it. He gave them laws, judges, prophets, priests, etc. He took them to a territory and eventually made them a nation with a land of their own. He protected them as long as they were faithful, but in the end he rejected them as His chosen people.

Later, when the followers of Christ became an international community, he organized them. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem constituted its Governing Body. Congregations were formed in different places where it was preached, and the holy spirit appointed overseers among them, who always followed the general instructions of the Governing Body as we can see in Acts 15 ... until the apostasy plunged Christians into darkness.

The Bible prophesied that in the time of the end a new people would arise bearing the name of Jehovah (Is. 2:2-4). Does such a people already exist? Should we expect them to be organized like the Israelites and first century Christians?

[JehovahsWitness]

But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
Mat. 23:4-12

Biblically, we are all (man or women or child) equal in the eyes of God. That does not however mean we all have the same role in God's organisation.

JW

[Eloi]

[Eloi]

The people of God has historically been organized. God's people today should be able to be just as well, and it is.

The world community that has a true connection to the God of heaven is supposed to be different from any other religious community, and the Scriptures clarify each and every one of those special characteristics that they must have.

If any person is looking for a perfect community, he will never find it, because God's people are now made up of imperfect people. If paradise were livable now, then it would not be a promise for the future.

Rom. 8:24?For we were saved in this hope; but hope that is seen is not hope, for when a man sees a thing, does he hope for it? 25?But if we hope for what we do not see, we keep eagerly waiting for it with endurance.

[JehovahsWitness]

...
Later, when the followers of Christ became an international community, he organized them. ...

When there is one leader, it is an organization. And for disciples of Jesus the organization should be flat, God, Jesus and disciples of Jesus.

And (unless you are going to disregard the biblical model) elders, overseer, teachers, congregations, travelling representatives, central body of decision makers, organised preaching champaign, church funds, and many the other features associated with an organised religion.




JW

[Eloi]

[1213]

...elders, overseer, teachers, congregations, travelling representatives, central body of decision makers, organised preaching champaign, church funds, and many the other features associated with an organised religion...

But I don't think those are necessary, nor commanded by the Bible or God. I don't think they are bad, but the problem with those is, they can become tempting for greedy and power-hungry people that then can corrupt the organization. That is why I think it would be better that there are just disciples of Jesus, who freely follow Jesus.

[JehovahsWitness]

...elders, overseer, teachers, congregations, travelling representatives, central body of decision makers, organised preaching champaign, church funds, and many the other features associated with an organised religion...

But I don't think those are necessary, nor commanded by the Bible or God. ... That is why I think it would be better that there are just disciples of Jesus, who freely follow Jesus.

The question then is does God agree with you?

It comes down to the fundamental question : Should modern days Christian groups pattern themselves as closely as possible to the first century Apostolic model? Our position is that the Christian Greek scriptures serve as a template by which future generations could be enabled to identify the true Chrsitan church amongst the thousands of denominations and be gathered to it.

Having established scripturally that there would *be* a modern day earthly part of God's organisation, finding it would be impossible unless scripture provides a picture of what we are looking for.

JW

[2ndpillar2]

[Eloi]

A key biblical text that demonstrates that God's servants have to serve him as a united group is the following:

Eph. 4:4?One body there is, and one spirit, even as YOU were called in the one hope to which YOU were called; 5?one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6?one God and Father of all [persons], who is over all and through all and in all.

Suppose that 1000 people "without religion" pretend to have the approval of Jesus without being part of an organized group... Could these individuals really have the same faith even if they differ in their own interpretations of those beliefs in which they are putting all their trust and efforts? They are likely to incite others to break away from any organized group, so that they can reassert themselves in their anti-religious stance, so in some way, they became enemies of the body of Christ composed of those who are the real organized and united group who "represent" the Christ now (Matt. 10:40; 25:34-46).

Obviously, the faith of each of them is different from each other. Should a truth-seeker believe any of these individuals?

[Checkpoint]

A key biblical text that demonstrates that God's servants have to serve him as a united group is the following:

Eph. 4:4?One body there is, and one spirit, even as YOU were called in the one hope to which YOU were called; 5?one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6?one God and Father of all [persons], who is over all and through all and in all.

Suppose that 1000 people "without religion" pretend to have the approval of Jesus without being part of an organized group... Could these individuals really have the same faith even if they differ in their own interpretations of those beliefs in which they are putting all their trust and efforts? They are likely to incite others to break away from any organized group, so that they can reassert themselves in their anti-religious stance, so in some way, they became enemies of the body of Christ composed of those who are the real organized and united group who "represent" the Christ now (Matt. 10:40; 25:34-46).

Obviously, the faith of each of them is different from each other. Should a truth-seeker believe any of these individuals?

Hmm. Some good points, and scriptures.

But it seems to me that some other relevant historical examples do muddy the water more than you may be aware.

Yes, God did organise Israel as a theocracy.

But they soon demanded to become like other nations who had their own king.

Samuel protested, but God gave them what they asked for; what they demanded.

That's not all, of course.

Jesus the Anointed one was sent by God as their promised King.

We might say Jesusbecame part of Jewish organised religion.

Ask yourself, then, did he recognise their authority? Did he obey it or speak against it and its leaders and their teachings?

What did he recommend to his followers?

By the way, the Christian faith is personal, and its focus is on the Father and His Beloved Son.

Christianity is a personal relationship with the author and finisher of our faith.

It is not a religion that has this or that interpretation of this or that, as if this would bring unity.

It doesn't, but instead divides, and was used to kill Jesus Messiah, the very one Jehovah sent to save us from what lurks within.