eahaddix
07-29-2007, 03:23 AM
Question 1: "What is the difference between the New Testament Church and the local institutional churches?"
Answer 1: I define the term "[local] institutional church (IC)" as any worldly organization of any scale which mimics, parallels, and/or builds upon the universal, spiritual New Testament Church. In essence, it is man's attempt to manifest the spiritual New Testament Church in a tangible worldly product.
To illustrate this definition, consider the following comparative chart:
A. The Nature of the Church
The Church Itself
-NT Church: is the people who compose the mysterious (Ephesians 5:31-32 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:31-32;&version=31;)), spiritual (1 Corinthians 12:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:13;&version=31;), cf. John 3:3-8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:3-8;&version=31;), John 1:12-13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:12-13;&version=31;)), and organic (Romans 12:4-5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:4-5;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:12-27;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2010:16-17;&version=31;)) Body of Christ (Colossians 1:18, 24 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201:18,%2024;&version=31;), Ephesians 5:23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:23;&version=31;)).
-NT Church: the believer is the temple of God the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%203:16;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 6:19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:19;&version=31;), 2 Corinthians 6:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%206:16;&version=31;), Ephesians 2:19-22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:19-22;&version=31;), cf. Romans 8:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:9;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 12:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:13;&version=31;)).
-NT Church: all believers are part of one family (Galatians 6:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:10;&version=31;), Hebrews 2:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%202:11;&version=31;)), the family of God (Ephesians 2:13, 19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:13,%2019;&version=31;), 1 Peter 4:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:17;&version=31;)).
-IC: is the building and its contents which house the people and their assembly.
-IC: treats the church building as "God's house" or the temple of God.
-IC: equivocates its membership roster with the family of God.
The Essence of the Church
-NT Church: Christ Jesus himself, who accompanies (John 14:16-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:16-18;&version=31;)), directs (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:4-6,%2011;&version=31;)), and "grows" (1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%203:5-7;&version=31;), John 15:1-8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:1-8;&version=31;)) his Church through God the Spirit.
-IC: the corporate human efforts of the local church, as expressed in marketing strategies, corporate management philosophies, and the specialized diversification of programs and services.
The Goal of the Church
-NT Church: spread the Gospel across the world (Matthew 28:18-20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:18-20;&version=31;), Mark 16:15-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016:15-18;&version=31;), etc.), help the brethren achieve full spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11-16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:11-16;&version=31;)), and support the needy brethren materially (ref. 1 John 3:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203:17;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 2:42-47 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:42-47;&version=31;), Acts 4:32-37 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:32-37;&version=31;)), etc.
-IC: increase church membership to demonstrate success, raise monetary funding for future church operations, and increase church resources like members' amenities, new buildings, and more transportation, etc.
The "Five Fold Ministry" of Ephesians 4:11-13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:11-13;&version=31;)
-NT Church: is spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:7-8,%2011-13;&version=31;), Romans 12:6-8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:6-8;&version=31;)) given to men by the Son and his Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:4-6,%2011;&version=31;)) and exercised by the said men
-NT Church: YHWH God calls certain people to the said roles and he qualifies them accordingly (i.e. Exodus 3-4:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%203-4:16;&version=31;), Judges 6:11-16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%206:11-16;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:9-10;&version=31;))
-IC: is authoritative bureaucratic offices which are appointed or elected by certain people.
-IC: YHWH God calls those who have the proper worldly credentials, the relevant work experience, and organizational loyalty to the said offices.
The New Testament Priesthood
-NT Church: universal priesthood (1 Peter 2:4-9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:4-9;&version=31;)).
-IC: distinguishes between the "clergy" and the "laity" in some form.
How the Church Assembles
-NT Church: people gather together in small groups anywhere at anytime (Matthew 18:20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018:20;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 2:42-47 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:42-47;&version=31;)), but also all believers in a city gather together (Hebrews 10:25 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:25;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 14:26-15:35 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014:26-15:35;&version=31;)) and all believers can contribute something (1 Corinthians 14:26-33 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:26-33;&version=31;), Colossians 3:15-16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203:15-16;&version=31;)).
-NT Church: for the purpose of sharing the overflow (ref. Matthew 12:34-35 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:34-35;&version=31;), Luke 6:45 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206:45;&version=31;)) of one's relationship with the Son (ref. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Cor.%201:9;&version=31;), cf. 1 John 1:3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201:3;&version=31;), i.e. 1 John 4:7-21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:7-21;&version=31;), 2 Corinthians 1:5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201:5;&version=31;), Romans 15:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2015:13;&version=31;), 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%203:12;&version=31;), Philippians 1:26 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:26;&version=31;), etc.)
-IC: people passively attend different services at their local church "homes" on Wednesday and Sunday, where only the official "clergy" contribute and give permission to contribute.
-IC: for the purpose of maintaining good social standing, avoiding personal guilt, and technically disclaiming personal isolationism.
How the Church Worships
-NT Church: not regulated per se, simply done in truth and spirit (John 4:24 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204:24;&version=31;)) through and by God the Spirit (Philippians 3:3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:3;&version=31;)) in an orderly fashion (1 Corinthians 14:33 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:33;&version=31;)).
-IC: the respective liturgical traditions of different denominations, sects, and churches, ranging from Charismatic chaos to the Latin rites of Roman Catholics
B. The Attitude of the Church
How the Church Relates to God the Father
-NT Church: "born again" believers did not have to earn God the Father's love and affection (Romans 8:35-39 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:35-39;&version=31;), ref. 1 John 4:7-21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:7-21;&version=31;), Romans 8:15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:15;&version=31;), etc.).
-IC: the unsaid notion that God the Father reciprocates love and affection or the lack thereof for our good works or lack thereof.
-IC: the unsaid notion that God the Father loves and watches over the "clergy" more than the "laity."
How the Church Treats the Son
-NT Church: openly interacted with the Son (John 14:14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:14;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 7:54-60 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207:54-60;&version=31;), 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012:7-9;&version=31;), 1 Timothy 1:12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%201:12;&version=31;), Revelation 22:20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2022:20;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 1:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201:2;&version=31;)) and the Father (John 15:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:16;&version=31;), John 16:23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016:23;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 4:23-31 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:23-31;&version=31;), Acts 16:25-26 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:25-26%20;&version=31;), etc.) equally.
-IC: circumvents the Son in odd and subtle practices, such as in stubbornly insisting upon praying to and focusing on the Father alone.
How the Church Views the Christian Lifestyle
-NT Church: focused on Christ Jesus and worked from this focus (Hebrews 12:1-2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:1-2;&version=31;), James 4:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204:8;&version=31;)).
-IC: silently equivocates living a life in Christ Jesus with living a life in the "Christian culture" of "Churchianity."
*Chart legend: NT [Church] = New Testament [Church], IC = Institutional Church
*Disclaimer: This chart does not purport to be a complete list or representative of all ICs, but rather a broad and generalized sampling.
Notice how the operations of the IC overlap and obfuscate the existence of the NT Church. Specifically, the nature of the IC is based on non-sequitur logical jumps from Biblical concepts to extra-Biblical and unBiblical concepts, where gifts become offices, Godly qualifications incorporate worldly qualifications, fellowships morph into buildings, the welfare of the brethren becomes the welfare of the organization, and the freedom in Christ Jesus to follow personalized habits gives birth to orthodox tradition. Consequently, since the IC overlaps and obfuscates the NT Church in this manner, people mistakenly equivocate the IC and the NT Church.
Apparently the simplicity of the Spirit-led Church is so simple that we cannot understand its simplicity or its simplicity bores our flesh, so we pursue complicated courses of worldly action. Specifically, all of us are indwelt by God the Spirit, yet we cannot hear God the Spirit speak to us and guide us because we are too busy searching for our ways to communicate with and relate to him. So, as a result, we cannot possibly understand and participate in a Spirit-led Church.
Now, do I believe that all ICs are unGodly? Not necessarily, it depends on the case in question. But I do believe that the vast majority of ICs in America are unGodly.
- - - - - - - - - -
Question 2: "What is the difference between a Godly IC and an unGodly IC?"
Answer 2: I must begin by conceding that we cannot gather together for fellowship without organizing ourselves or instituting norms in some way (i.e. 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:26-40;&version=31;)), otherwise our meetings with each other will be chaotic and unfruitful. Consequently, we cannot completely eliminate the existence of the "institutional church (IC)," as if all ICs are "Satanic counterfeits."
However, the realm of contrast between "Godly institutional churches (GICs)" and "unGodly institutional churches (uGICs)" is relatively simple. Specifically, since the simplicity of the Spirit-led NT Church is analogous to the "Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)" Principle (ref. Romans 8:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:9;&version=31;), cf. Galatians 5:25 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:25;&version=31;)), I would also define the uGICs as the man-made manifestations of the Spirit-led NT Church which exceed YHWH God the Spirit's definition of practical simplicity and create unnecessary and burdensome "orthodoxy."
For instance, I believe that a GIC can be shepherded by an informal council of very spiritually mature elders (i.e. Acts 20:17-18, 28 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020:17-18,%2028;&version=31;), Philippians 1:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:1;&version=31;)), who command respect without demanding it (1 Peter 5:1-3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205:1-3;&version=31;)) as "fathers" and "grandfathers" in Christ Jesus (i.e. 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%204:14-17;&version=31;), Titus 1:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%201:4;&version=31;), 1 Timothy 1:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%201:2;&version=31;), 1 John 2:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202:1;&version=31;), etc.). However, as soon as you transform their fatherly character into bureaucratic characters, their family-oriented modus operandi into a corporate-oriented modus operandi, and/or their emphasis on spiritual growth in the Son into an emphasis on some form of worldly status quo, etc., then Spirit-led practicality becomes worldly excess and the said GIC becomes an uGIC.
Answer 1: I define the term "[local] institutional church (IC)" as any worldly organization of any scale which mimics, parallels, and/or builds upon the universal, spiritual New Testament Church. In essence, it is man's attempt to manifest the spiritual New Testament Church in a tangible worldly product.
To illustrate this definition, consider the following comparative chart:
A. The Nature of the Church
The Church Itself
-NT Church: is the people who compose the mysterious (Ephesians 5:31-32 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:31-32;&version=31;)), spiritual (1 Corinthians 12:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:13;&version=31;), cf. John 3:3-8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:3-8;&version=31;), John 1:12-13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:12-13;&version=31;)), and organic (Romans 12:4-5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:4-5;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:12-27;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2010:16-17;&version=31;)) Body of Christ (Colossians 1:18, 24 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201:18,%2024;&version=31;), Ephesians 5:23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:23;&version=31;)).
-NT Church: the believer is the temple of God the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%203:16;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 6:19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:19;&version=31;), 2 Corinthians 6:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%206:16;&version=31;), Ephesians 2:19-22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:19-22;&version=31;), cf. Romans 8:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:9;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 12:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:13;&version=31;)).
-NT Church: all believers are part of one family (Galatians 6:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:10;&version=31;), Hebrews 2:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%202:11;&version=31;)), the family of God (Ephesians 2:13, 19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:13,%2019;&version=31;), 1 Peter 4:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:17;&version=31;)).
-IC: is the building and its contents which house the people and their assembly.
-IC: treats the church building as "God's house" or the temple of God.
-IC: equivocates its membership roster with the family of God.
The Essence of the Church
-NT Church: Christ Jesus himself, who accompanies (John 14:16-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:16-18;&version=31;)), directs (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:4-6,%2011;&version=31;)), and "grows" (1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%203:5-7;&version=31;), John 15:1-8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:1-8;&version=31;)) his Church through God the Spirit.
-IC: the corporate human efforts of the local church, as expressed in marketing strategies, corporate management philosophies, and the specialized diversification of programs and services.
The Goal of the Church
-NT Church: spread the Gospel across the world (Matthew 28:18-20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:18-20;&version=31;), Mark 16:15-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016:15-18;&version=31;), etc.), help the brethren achieve full spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11-16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:11-16;&version=31;)), and support the needy brethren materially (ref. 1 John 3:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203:17;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 2:42-47 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:42-47;&version=31;), Acts 4:32-37 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:32-37;&version=31;)), etc.
-IC: increase church membership to demonstrate success, raise monetary funding for future church operations, and increase church resources like members' amenities, new buildings, and more transportation, etc.
The "Five Fold Ministry" of Ephesians 4:11-13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:11-13;&version=31;)
-NT Church: is spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:7-8,%2011-13;&version=31;), Romans 12:6-8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:6-8;&version=31;)) given to men by the Son and his Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:4-6,%2011;&version=31;)) and exercised by the said men
-NT Church: YHWH God calls certain people to the said roles and he qualifies them accordingly (i.e. Exodus 3-4:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%203-4:16;&version=31;), Judges 6:11-16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%206:11-16;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:9-10;&version=31;))
-IC: is authoritative bureaucratic offices which are appointed or elected by certain people.
-IC: YHWH God calls those who have the proper worldly credentials, the relevant work experience, and organizational loyalty to the said offices.
The New Testament Priesthood
-NT Church: universal priesthood (1 Peter 2:4-9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:4-9;&version=31;)).
-IC: distinguishes between the "clergy" and the "laity" in some form.
How the Church Assembles
-NT Church: people gather together in small groups anywhere at anytime (Matthew 18:20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018:20;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 2:42-47 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:42-47;&version=31;)), but also all believers in a city gather together (Hebrews 10:25 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:25;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 14:26-15:35 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014:26-15:35;&version=31;)) and all believers can contribute something (1 Corinthians 14:26-33 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:26-33;&version=31;), Colossians 3:15-16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203:15-16;&version=31;)).
-NT Church: for the purpose of sharing the overflow (ref. Matthew 12:34-35 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:34-35;&version=31;), Luke 6:45 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206:45;&version=31;)) of one's relationship with the Son (ref. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Cor.%201:9;&version=31;), cf. 1 John 1:3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201:3;&version=31;), i.e. 1 John 4:7-21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:7-21;&version=31;), 2 Corinthians 1:5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201:5;&version=31;), Romans 15:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2015:13;&version=31;), 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%203:12;&version=31;), Philippians 1:26 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:26;&version=31;), etc.)
-IC: people passively attend different services at their local church "homes" on Wednesday and Sunday, where only the official "clergy" contribute and give permission to contribute.
-IC: for the purpose of maintaining good social standing, avoiding personal guilt, and technically disclaiming personal isolationism.
How the Church Worships
-NT Church: not regulated per se, simply done in truth and spirit (John 4:24 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204:24;&version=31;)) through and by God the Spirit (Philippians 3:3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:3;&version=31;)) in an orderly fashion (1 Corinthians 14:33 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:33;&version=31;)).
-IC: the respective liturgical traditions of different denominations, sects, and churches, ranging from Charismatic chaos to the Latin rites of Roman Catholics
B. The Attitude of the Church
How the Church Relates to God the Father
-NT Church: "born again" believers did not have to earn God the Father's love and affection (Romans 8:35-39 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:35-39;&version=31;), ref. 1 John 4:7-21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:7-21;&version=31;), Romans 8:15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:15;&version=31;), etc.).
-IC: the unsaid notion that God the Father reciprocates love and affection or the lack thereof for our good works or lack thereof.
-IC: the unsaid notion that God the Father loves and watches over the "clergy" more than the "laity."
How the Church Treats the Son
-NT Church: openly interacted with the Son (John 14:14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:14;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 7:54-60 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207:54-60;&version=31;), 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012:7-9;&version=31;), 1 Timothy 1:12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%201:12;&version=31;), Revelation 22:20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2022:20;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 1:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201:2;&version=31;)) and the Father (John 15:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:16;&version=31;), John 16:23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016:23;&version=31;), i.e. Acts 4:23-31 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:23-31;&version=31;), Acts 16:25-26 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:25-26%20;&version=31;), etc.) equally.
-IC: circumvents the Son in odd and subtle practices, such as in stubbornly insisting upon praying to and focusing on the Father alone.
How the Church Views the Christian Lifestyle
-NT Church: focused on Christ Jesus and worked from this focus (Hebrews 12:1-2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:1-2;&version=31;), James 4:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204:8;&version=31;)).
-IC: silently equivocates living a life in Christ Jesus with living a life in the "Christian culture" of "Churchianity."
*Chart legend: NT [Church] = New Testament [Church], IC = Institutional Church
*Disclaimer: This chart does not purport to be a complete list or representative of all ICs, but rather a broad and generalized sampling.
Notice how the operations of the IC overlap and obfuscate the existence of the NT Church. Specifically, the nature of the IC is based on non-sequitur logical jumps from Biblical concepts to extra-Biblical and unBiblical concepts, where gifts become offices, Godly qualifications incorporate worldly qualifications, fellowships morph into buildings, the welfare of the brethren becomes the welfare of the organization, and the freedom in Christ Jesus to follow personalized habits gives birth to orthodox tradition. Consequently, since the IC overlaps and obfuscates the NT Church in this manner, people mistakenly equivocate the IC and the NT Church.
Apparently the simplicity of the Spirit-led Church is so simple that we cannot understand its simplicity or its simplicity bores our flesh, so we pursue complicated courses of worldly action. Specifically, all of us are indwelt by God the Spirit, yet we cannot hear God the Spirit speak to us and guide us because we are too busy searching for our ways to communicate with and relate to him. So, as a result, we cannot possibly understand and participate in a Spirit-led Church.
Now, do I believe that all ICs are unGodly? Not necessarily, it depends on the case in question. But I do believe that the vast majority of ICs in America are unGodly.
- - - - - - - - - -
Question 2: "What is the difference between a Godly IC and an unGodly IC?"
Answer 2: I must begin by conceding that we cannot gather together for fellowship without organizing ourselves or instituting norms in some way (i.e. 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:26-40;&version=31;)), otherwise our meetings with each other will be chaotic and unfruitful. Consequently, we cannot completely eliminate the existence of the "institutional church (IC)," as if all ICs are "Satanic counterfeits."
However, the realm of contrast between "Godly institutional churches (GICs)" and "unGodly institutional churches (uGICs)" is relatively simple. Specifically, since the simplicity of the Spirit-led NT Church is analogous to the "Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)" Principle (ref. Romans 8:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:9;&version=31;), cf. Galatians 5:25 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:25;&version=31;)), I would also define the uGICs as the man-made manifestations of the Spirit-led NT Church which exceed YHWH God the Spirit's definition of practical simplicity and create unnecessary and burdensome "orthodoxy."
For instance, I believe that a GIC can be shepherded by an informal council of very spiritually mature elders (i.e. Acts 20:17-18, 28 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020:17-18,%2028;&version=31;), Philippians 1:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:1;&version=31;)), who command respect without demanding it (1 Peter 5:1-3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205:1-3;&version=31;)) as "fathers" and "grandfathers" in Christ Jesus (i.e. 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%204:14-17;&version=31;), Titus 1:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%201:4;&version=31;), 1 Timothy 1:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%201:2;&version=31;), 1 John 2:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202:1;&version=31;), etc.). However, as soon as you transform their fatherly character into bureaucratic characters, their family-oriented modus operandi into a corporate-oriented modus operandi, and/or their emphasis on spiritual growth in the Son into an emphasis on some form of worldly status quo, etc., then Spirit-led practicality becomes worldly excess and the said GIC becomes an uGIC.