The Church facing the world
Mark 6: 41 « 41And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. » KJV
Jesus wanted each disciple to go individually to the people in the crowd to give them food.
These verses are there to make us understand that it is up to each of us to «feed» this world around us, to be a solution for it.
But by trying to seduce the world and to resemble it, the Church moves away from Him whom it must please : God. It is more concerned with its appearance and what it will present to the world to be accepted by it.
Church and State
The Bible gives the Church functions related to the State :
A Priestly function: the Church must pray for those in power and for the protection and healing of the nation (1 Timothy 2:1-3);
1 Timothy 2: 1-3 « 1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour » KJV
A Pastoral function: the Church must offer its teaching, guidance and direction to authorities and administrators (Matthew 28:19-20);
Matthew 28:19-20 « 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. » KJV
For Christians who do not go to church
1 Peter 5:8 « 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour » KJV
The method of predators (lion, wolf, etc.) is always to isolate their prey. The devil, that roaring lion of which it is spoken in this verse, does the same, seeking to keep us in isolation and guilt.
We are more fragile every time we isolate ourselves. A roaring lion will always look for an isolated sheep which has moved away from the herd.
It will also seek to devour, as a priority, those who are ignorant of the Word of God, those who are spiritually immature.
Luke 4:16 « 16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. » KJV
Jesus went to the synagogue, « according to His custom. »
These words are for Christians who think they do not need to go to church.
In the name of God’s omnipresence, some people think they don’t need to go to church, or, at best, they’re content with church through television, the internet or social media; in reality, it’s their comfort they seek. They want the Father without having contact with other children of this Father.
On the pretext that the church would not be sanctified, that there was sin in its midst, others also do not go to the house of God. They could also think that their holy presence could have been beneficial to those who attend the church.
The Church does not live in a solitary way, but in a community. It is the Body of Christ and a body whose members are scattered is no longer a truly one.
Revelation 1: 5-6 « 5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. » KJV
The place of the Priests of the Old Covenant was in the temple; that of the Priests of the New Covenant in the Church, not outside.
The Church was born on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) when a group of disciples were gathered in an upper room.
There is a connection between the group, the community, and the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2 : 1-4 « 1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. » KJV
To be apart from the Church, whatever its imperfections, is to cut off from the Holy Spirit, from His communications and his gifts.
