Template:Churchfellowships
Church Fellowships
Terms like Church or ekklesia and the term fellowship are not synonymous with each other.
Government institutions like the IRS in the United States don't "officially recognize" religions because of Constitutional limitation.
Instead they often merely focuses on determining whether an organization meets the criteria for tax exemption as a religious nonprofit. Their "determination" letters may be counter effective in protecting a Church as established by Christ.
While, the Church is religious and nonprofit because it is not engaged in trade or business it is also organized according to the criteria of Christ who desired it to be separate from the world.[1]
In the US, churches are generally considered automatically tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, just by existing as a Church as we see in Section 508.[2]
The term "Fellowship" can be used as a term to describe the nature of a religious group or community even if it is not structured as the early Church.
The term "fellowship", again, is not a formal legal term in the same way a "Church" itself is defined by government and non government institutions and certainly by Christ. The Church must be separate from the "world"[1] while the people in congregations or fellowships may or may not be.
The early congregation were free assemblies rather than institutions with a unique legal identities. A fellowship is not a specific legal classification for tax or legal purposes but a Fellowship may be indicated by a common communion. A fellowship of Christ would be based on the bonds of a spiritual community with a common vision and the leading of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,[3] in a common Thanksgiving.
A church as an institution of Christ with a unique legal identity should be assessed upon its characteristics and activities and not just its name nor claims to be a church. The Criteria of His Church and Congregations should include the requirements of Christ.
as long as there is religious liberty protections under the Free Exercise Clause there should be Freedom of Religion. The Church should not be confused with a religious nonprofit, regardless of whether it uses the term "church" or "fellowship," where it only enjoys similar legal protections and benefits by permission and regulation by the State.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Of this world
- John 8: “23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.”
- John 11:9, 10 “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”
- John 12:31 “31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince(archón, a member of the executive elements of government) of this world be cast out(ekblēthēsetai exō).”
- John 13: “1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”
- John 14:30-31 “30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince(member of the executive) of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.”
- John 16:11 “11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
- John 18: “36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
- 1 Corinthians 3: “19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”
- 1 Corinthians 5:10-13 “10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” see put to death.
- 1 Corinthians 7: “31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.”
- ↑ 26 USCS §508 Special rules with respect to 501(c)(3) organizations. (c) Exceptions. (1) Mandatory exceptions, Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to (A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches....
- ↑ The comforter
- Lamentations 1:16 For these [things] I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
- John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
- John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
- John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
- John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.