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== The Polity of the Church ==

=== ARTICLE I - Congregations ===

Each congregation’s board and constituency consists of the entirety of the body of [[elders]] of that congregation.<Ref>The board and constituency are one in the same. It is usually composed of the [[elder]] or heads of families or [[family]] groups. Since the board is not a [[democracy]] where a majority may rule over the minority it is often simpler to choose and elder in a family group to speak on behalf of the whole family. The governing of the congregation is automatic. If the congregation does not come to an acceptable consensus they will not remain together. If they are divisive they will not remain strong as a group and will become divided and vulnerable. The effort and sacrifice required for consensus can bring a humble and loving congregation closer together.<Br>There are few precept repeated as often as “to love one another”. By this charitable precept the life blood of the congregation is realized.<Br>[[Amos 3]]:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?<Br>[[Matthew 18]]:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.<Br>John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.<Br>Romans 12:10 [Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;<Br>Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.<Br>Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;<Br>[[1 Thessalonians 3]]:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you:<Br>[[Hebrews 10]]:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:<Br>[[1 Peter 3]]:8 Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:<Br>1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. [[1 John 3]]:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.<Br>[[2 John 1]]:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.</Ref> The only authority of the minister of the congregation is in his choice to sanction by service the decision of the whole body of elders in assembly.<Ref>The prime directive of the minister does not allow him to exercise authority one over the other. They are to serve those of the kingdom according to the [[perfect law of liberty]]. See Article 10. The minister as the Levite belongs to God. He is His possession. He will always seek to serve God by serving the needs of the congregation and the people at large. Although, he should seek the council of others, it is his own God given conscience he must adhere to. His job is, at least in part is to aid in the consensus of the congregation through arbitration and counsel. To help unite the congregation with all other congregations in Spirit and Truth.<Br>The self governing aspect of his relationship with others is built into the liberty and free choice of this relationship. The stronger the congregation the better the condition of the minister who receives voluntary gifts and donations from them according to his service.</Ref> The assembly of ministers forms an altar of living stones upon which the sacrifices of the congregation<Ref>The congregation may exercise charity directly or through the minister. The [[freewill offering|free will offering]]s for the poor through the Minister are managed at his discretion. Once given the congregation no longer has control of those funds or items of value. If they see a minister misusing those donation they may bring it to others of the Church according to Protocols of disputes and they may stop supporting his efforts as a minister. The poor is not just those who have no money but includes but is not limited to those who do not have understanding, good health, knowledge, virtue, grace... Etc.. The ministers as a whole form an altar made of red clay, Adamic earth. They are stones of faith and divine revelation and cannot be carved or shaped by the hands of men. They do not stand one on top of the other but each struggles to be of greater service.</Ref> are delivered in the name of the LORD:<Ref>The congregation may exercise charity directly or through the minister. The free will offerings for the poor through the Minister are managed at his discretion. Once given the congregation no longer has control of those funds or items of value. If they see a minister misusing those donation they may bring it to others of the Church according to Protocols of disputes and they may stop supporting his efforts as a minister. The poor is not just those who have no money but includes but is not limited to those who do not have understanding, good health, knowledge, virtue, grace... Etc.. The ministers as a whole form an altar made of red clay, Adamic earth. They are stones of faith and divine revelation and cannot be carved or shaped by the hands of men. They do not stand one on top of the other but each struggles to be of greater service.</Ref>
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[[Exodus 20]]:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

[[Ephesians 4]]:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
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=== ARTICLE II - Seat of Authority ===

Each elder holds authority over his household, as Christ holds authority over the Church, through his humble service to his household. Each elder meeting in assembly must consider the needs of his household first and the needs of the congregation second bearing in mind:<Ref>Family is the building block of God’s kingdom and [[Parens Patriae]] [obey the [[Father]]] is the foundation of all government. Honoring Father and Mother are the core to the success of the community. As the family thrives in learning the lessons of compassion and sacrifice, diligence and service so also are these precepts generated in the community. The heads of families come together to decide issues in a forum of consensus for the good of the family and the congregation and community as a whole. Reason, patience, charity, love and faith become the glue and life blood of the community instead of force and compliance, regulation and control.<Br>Elders of the family is usually the eldest male but not always and individuals wishing to be a part of the congregation usually are sponsored by a family in the congregation. Like Abraham who expatriated from his own Father in Haran yet continued to tithe to the eldest head of the family from which he was descended, Shem. So also individuals, whether man or woman, generally form a relationship to the congregation through a Family they respect and are a part of.</Ref>
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[[Romans 12]]:5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

[[1 Corinthians 12]]:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another.

[[1 Corinthians 13]]:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

[[Matthew 28]]:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

[[Leviticus 25]]:10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

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=== ARTICLE III - Conscience of the Church ===

[[Ministers]] are answerable in conscience only to God and the performance of his service. The individual elders give support to their minister “according to his service”:<Ref>In ancient times the high priest of a [[family]] was usually the first born son. In this position of advisor and steward to the [[Family]] that eldest son is in preparation to be [[elder]] of the family and heir to the estate of the family for the good of all. At the time of [[Moses]] the Levites replaced the first born that opens the Matrix. After the long apostasy of God’s Kingdom on earth, [[Jesus]] entered the [[world]] amongst the remnant of the kingdom who were betraying almost every precept of God holding only to a distorted practice of the rituals and customs laid down by [[Moses]].<Br>Jesus as High priest and king [[appoint]]ed the “[[early Church|Church]]” as the first born of the Kingdom. It is the Church’s job to minister to the kingdom as the original [[Levites]] did. The Church is those “[[called out]]” to serve the Families of the congregation by uniting them in one body, teaching them with one mind and heart and with the example of Jesus to propagate His [[Doctrine of Jesus|doctrines]] and [[ordinances]].</Ref>
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[[Acts 5]]:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

[[Numbers 7]]:5 Take [it] of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.

[[1 Corinthians 9]]:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the [[altar]]?
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=== ARTICLE IV - The Church is the possession of God ===

[[Ministers]] shall be separate from the [[world]]. The congregation shall be in the process of repentance from their [[bondage]] as an example to the world:<Ref>The ministers belong to God the Father in Heaven and His obedient Son. They owe their [[allegiance]], service and obedience to him and to no other. They are residents and subject citizens of His Kingdom. They can make no contract with out his permission and are to occupy in service to the congregation and the world at large. Those of the congregation may be bond or free but it is the hope of the Church that all men be free to live in their Families in the [[perfect law of liberty]].</Ref>
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[[Leviticus 20]]:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD [am] holy, and have severed you from [other] people, that ye should be mine.

[[Leviticus 22]]:2 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name [in those things] which they hallow unto me: I [am] the LORD.

[[Leviticus 20]]:24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I [am] the LORD your God, which have separated you from [other] people.

[[Leviticus 15]]:31 Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that [is] among them.

[[Matthew 20]]:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

[[Luke 6]]:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

[[John 15]]:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

[[John 17]]:16 They are not of the [[world]], even as I am not of the world.

[[Acts 13]]:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

[[2 Corinthians 6]]:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

[[Hebrews 7]]:26 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
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=== ARTICLE V - Servants of the Kingdom and Mankind ===

[[Deacon|Deacons]] and [[ministers]] shall serve their constituency, the households of the people and all people, with [[charity]], [[love]], and [[faith]], to bring blessings upon the congregation and all mankind:<Ref>By the nature of the Church, which is the manifestation the Character of [[Christ]] by [[Faith]], [[Charity]] and [[Love]], an entrance is maintained on earth as it is in heaven to bring the [[Hope]] of [[liberty]] under the [[Father]] in the [[Kingdom of heaven|Kingdom of Heaven]] with His [[mercy]] and [[judgement|justice]] to all.</Ref>
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[[Deuteronomy 14]]:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

[[Deuteronomy 14]]:27 And the Levite that [is] within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

[[Luke 10]]:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

[[2 Thessalonians 3]]:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

[[1 Thessalonians 4]]:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
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=== ARTICLE VI - Bishops and Archbishops ===

Duties of Bishops and Archbishops are to serve their constituents in the mission and purpose of the Church for the good of the congregation, leading all men to freedom under God, the Father:<Ref>Bishop and Archbishops are titular titles of service. They are merely ministers of ministers. Their purpose is to maintain the body of the Church, united under one form of government by the profession of one faith, and the service to all under the authority of the Father and the Son through revelation and communion of His Holy Spirit.</Ref>
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[[Exodus 20]]:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

[[Leviticus 25]]:10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

[[Psalms 119]]:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

[[Matthew 6]]:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

[[Matthew 7]]:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

[[Matthew 23]]:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

[[Luke 4]]:18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

[[Philippians 3]]:16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same things.

[[James 1]]:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

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=== ARTICLE VII - Church RITUALS AND CEREMONIES ===

There are two aspects of '''rituals''': service and sacrifice in charity and love. The Church established by Jesus Christ sacrifices all its resources in the service of mankind according to the Word, Way and Will of the Most High God the Father and His obedient Son. Services as acts of [[worship]] include but are not limited to any activity that is a true service to the people: Healing and caring for the sick; teaching the truth; distributing knowledge; cleansing the soul, body and minds of the congregation of envy, hate, ignorance, apathy, avarice...; [[Baptism]] and the washing of feet. Distribution of Charity; breaking of bread. The unification of the brotherhood of man into one accord through arbitration and a holy kiss of love and patience with the nature of Jesus Christ and the [[Holy Spirit]]. Assisting in the [[daily ministration|daily administration]] of the fatherless and homeless.

Our '''ceremonies''' are also a part of the services and are often symbolical as prescribed by law, custom, or authority established by the lineal consanguinity of the ancient forefathers from Adam to Noah and Shem to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph... the Children of Israel unto David and the highest son of David, the Messiah, Lord and King. Those ceremonies guide the members of the body in their outward conduct concerning important matters, as in the performance of duties, transaction of affairs of state, including but not limited to Letters or documents of recognition and identification, and the celebration, recording and recognition of notable events, including but not limited to birth, rebirths, adoptions, marriages and deaths, as well as the anointing of ministers, bishops and archbishops.<Ref>Rituals and Ceremonies are the simplest aspect of the outward manifestation of the Church but often the least understood. This is because attention is often focused upon the form or appearance letting the Spirit die. As with the law it is not the letter that is important but the Spirit. These outward signs should be uniform to the point where the Church may be visible but never at the expense of the Spirit.<Br>And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matthew 3:15</Ref>
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Romans12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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=== ARTICLE VIII - The objective of the Church ===

The peaceful arbitration of disputes of those who seek to live in the [[Kingdom of heaven|Kingdom of Heaven]]. And the peaceful intervention between the adversaries of the Kingdom and its citizens, advancing peace throughout the world.<Ref>The objective of the Church is to fulfill its mission, unite the children of God as one body, to maintain the entrance on earth to the Kingdom of Heaven, to occupy the gate opened by Jesus the Christ King, keeping it open and to receive, preserve, and propagate His doctrines and ordinances.</Ref>
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Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Psalms 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Malachi 2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.

Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead.
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=== ARTICLE IX - Preaching the good news of the Kingdom. ===

The deeds, words and presence of the ministers and servants of the Church should manifest the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, established by Jesus to receive, preserve, and propagate His doctrines and ordinances.<Ref>It is neither this [[Polity]] nor the documents of the Church but the Spirit and Character of the Father in Heaven and His obedient Son and His Brethren that manifests the existence of the Church. It is not those who claim to be the Church by words written or spoken but those who do the will of the Father in Heaven that are the Brethren of the Church.</Ref>

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Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

Matthew 10:7 "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Luke 9:2 "And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."

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=== ARTICLE X - The prime directive of the Church. ===

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion<Ref>The words exercise dominion are from ''katakurieuo'' which means to bring under one's power, to subject one's self, to subdue, master , to hold in subjection, to be master of, exercise lordship over</Ref> over them, and they that are great exercise authority15<Ref> To [[exercise authority]] is from katexousiazo meaning to exercise authority, wield power</Ref> upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:" Matthew 20:25-27

"But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all." Mark 10:42

"And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority<Ref>[[Exercise authority]] upon is from ''exousiazo'' meaning to have [[Power of choice|power]] or authority, use power 1a) to be master of any one, exercise authority over one 1b) to be master of the body 1c) to be brought under the power of anyone</Ref> upon them are called benefactors<Ref>[[Benefactor]] is from ''euergetes'' which is a title of honour, conferred on such as had done their country service, and upon princes, equivalent to [[savior|Soter]], Pater Patriae, pater patriae: The father of his country. (A title bestowed by the Roman Senate on Caesar Octavianus Augustus.)</Ref>. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint18<Ref>[[Appoint]] is from ''diatithemai'' meaning ''to arrange, dispose of, one's own affairs, to make a covenant, enter into a covenant.''</Ref> unto you a kingdom<Ref>Kingdom from ''basileia'' meaning royal power, kingship, dominion, rule 2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king.</Ref>, as my Father hath [[appoint]]ed unto me;" [[Luke 22]]:25<Ref>Any organization, government, or trust that violates the prime directive is not the Church. All corporeal and incorporeal hereditaments claimed for Jesus the Christ are entirely held in common for His purposes by those remaining faithful to His doctrines and ordinances in the Church. Violations would include but are not limited to the exercising of authority over the People as [[benefactors]] or rulers; or to encourage or cause by any direct act or act of omission the creation of such systems; or to facilitate by appointment or any other means the creation of such systems.</Ref>

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[[John 12]]:26 "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour."

[[John 18]]:36 "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this [[world]]:<Ref>There are five different words in the New Testament that are translated into the single English word '[[world]]'. ''aeon'' an unbroken age, ''oikoumene'' which commonly has to do with inhabited places, ''ge'' is also translated [[world]] once but is translated ''earth'' about 188 times, and there is the word ‘erets’ from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; It is translated ''land'' 1543, ''earth'' 712. The word 'world' is from kosmos which means "an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government." It probably came from the word [[world|komizo]] meaning "to care for, take care of, provide for" or "carry off what is one's own," which is what governments and the organized systems of men like [[Nimrod]], [[Pharaoh]], [[Caesar]] and social Democracies do.
Jesus and His Kingdom was not apart of that constitutional order of the Roman New World Order so therefore he had no need to appeal to the Romans as others had done. Kingdom from ''basileia'' meaning royal power, kingship, dominion, rule 2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king</Ref> 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."

[[Galatians 5]]:13 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
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=== Footnotes: ===