THE CHURCH : A Living Organism or a Legal Organization

Christian groups of nearly every variety have obtained a “tax exempt, non-profit status.” It is often believed that unless this label is acquired that the group is untrustworthy. In fact, some are taught that a religious establishment must obtain this status in order to “legally” exist.

In actuality, it is the right, guaranteed by the Constitution, of any religious group to operate free of the corrupting and compromising influence and control of the State:

Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion
prohibiting the free exercise thereof…!

Additionally, according the Internal Revenue Code, “a church, its integrated auxiliaries, and conventions and associations of the church are excluded from taxation.” United States Code, Title 26, 508(c)(1)(A). Section 508, subsections (a), (b) and (c) shows that religious groups do not need to “notify the Secretary” to be treated like a tax exempt organization!

What baffles me is why any Christian group would seek unity with a worldly government when it so obviously goes against what the Church stands for. The work of the Holy Spirit is a ministry of the Body of Jesus which is a living organism. We must wake up to the reality that when we seek to establish His Body as an incorporated organization, we are subordinating ourselves and His work, in a covenant relationship, to the civil government!

“A corporation derives its existence and all of its powers from the State and, therefore, has only such powers as the State has conferred upon it…the source of this power is the charter and the statute under which the corporation was organized.” - Len Young Smith and G. Gale Roberson, Smith and Roberson’s Business Law, West publishing Company, 1966, page 796.


The church is not a “corporation” (a “legal entity”)!
It is a living, breathing organism!

Many religious groups seek to establish a “tax exempt” status believing that this is the only way that those making contributions to it can receive tax deductions for their gifts.
Even if this were true, why would we desire to compromise by seeking “privileges and benefits” from a worldly government?

Are we not entering into a covenant with pagan powers when we sign a contract uniting ourselves with a worldly government (Exodus 23:32; 34:12)? According to the Supreme Court, organizations with 501(c)(3) status are restricted from any communication which “intends to, prevail upon, indoctrinate, convert, induce, or in any other way influence a recipient or any section of the public within the United States.” We must understand that by signing this oath we are agreeing to remain silent about that which Scripture tells us to proclaim ( 2 Tim 4: 2)!
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=481&invol=465#t19
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=347&invol=612

Jesus never delegated His authority to rule in the affairs of His church to the civil jurisdiction. The ecclesia has been called out of the world’s political and religious system.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,

“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
2 Corinthians 6:14-18


Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie