Since God never commanded the churches to have paid pastors it would be a simple thing to have the men in each household preach and teach.
In the first century church, the people would gather around the Lord's supper. One would give a prayer, one would ask for a song, and others would speak from the Word as led by the Holy Spirit.
All the men participated as they were led. There was no one man who was paid or who was the only one speaking. This is the model of the first-century church.
God closed down the mega-churches and the one-man pastor led gatherings because they are against what God said to do. Man always think they have a better idea than God.
1 Corinthians 13:29-31 "…29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should hold his peace. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.…"
1 Corinthians 14:26-33 "26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of [m]peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
Never do we see God commanding believers to build monstrous buildings to hold thousands of people.
The term "pastor" in the bible is used to describe a gift and calling, never a title or authority over others.
1 Peter 5:2-4 "…2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.…'
Notice it says "shepherds", not one but several in the same gathering.
Today we live in an apostate situation in which nearly everyone is convinced that they must have a paid pastor who is elevated above the other men, this is unbiblical.
God shut down the churches because they have been defying God's Word for a very long time. There has been testimony that since the churches have been shut down many people have become depressed and hurting without their pastor or their building. The people don't know how to worship God or pray unless that pastor or group is doing it collectively, because they have been taught the wrong thing about the gathering of believers.
There is now a threat that "churches" might be required to turn over their list of members. There is no instruction in God's word to have "membership lists." If the churches were doing as God instructed instead of using human reasoning to keep track of people they wouldn't have lists and there would be nothing to turn over to authorities.
Lists are kept to maintain tax-exempt status. The government attempted to monitor the churches to exempt them from taxes. But here's the thing, if there were no buildings only homes to meet in, everyone would pay their own taxes and there would be no need for accountability to the state.
When we see people becoming depressed because they cannot meet in a large building and listen to a paid pastor we are observing what the people trust in and it is not Christ. When we trust in Christ we can worship and pray anywhere without the need of a building or a paid pastor.
Cultural Christianity has been trained that one cannot worship without that man and that building.
To place our trust in a place to meet and one person to lead is to not place our trust in Christ Who lives in us.
Mark 7:13 "13 "Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.” "
Mark 7:9
"And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."
God has allowed evil men to be in control of our country and the world because the country and the world is wicked.
Love of security and pleasure has dominated the church gatherings today, Christ is not in most of them even if the leaders use His name.
There is a cult mentality when someone cannot worship or pray unless they are with people, in a building, or led by a "pastor." This is religion not a relationship with Christ.
Depression and despondency come when Christians are trusting in their way of life, their pastor, and a building rather than Christ. Believers need to stop trusting in the people and the building and begin being content with Christ alone.
I wonder how the despondent people would react if they were thrown in jail for their faith?
I am convinced God allowed wicked people to lock us all down so that we can see our own spiritual state. Do we continue to praise God and thank Him for His provision or do we cry and whine that we have been restricted. To become angry that we have been restricted is the same as being angry at God, He is the one who did this.
Isaiah 45:6-7 "…6 so that all may know, from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting, that there is none but Me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7 I form light and create darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things."
Isaiah 31:2
"Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers."
Lamentations 3:38
"Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?"
Did the apostle Paul whine about being thrown in jail, NO HE DID NOT!
Philippians 1:12-18
The Gospel Is Preached
"12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill;
16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
8 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this, I rejoice."
Yes, and I will rejoice,
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Believers, the apostate church is under God's discipline. Rather than complaining about what is happening it is better to look at why the church is under this discipline. Look into the mirror and see if you may be the ones who have trusted in the traditions of men rather than Christ.
Most Christians now are seeing this as persecution but its more likely its God's discipline.
Our people have trusted in the "Constitution of the United States", the "pastor", the "church building", the "culture" and everything other than Christ. They ignore and defy God in favor of their traditions while claiming to believe the Bible.
Pastors it is time to evaluate your own motives to see if perhaps you want the churches open again because your income is no longer coming in as it was before. God never commanded any pastors to be paid a salary. The teaching and preaching commanded by God were to come from the men in the gathering, all the men and no one were paid, they held down their own jobs.
We need to stop complaining about circumstances and watch for what God is doing through everything that is going on now. He is teaching important lessons, I wonder if very many will notice.
God has a purpose in all this, that is for believers to begin trusting Christ again and for unbelievers to become born again. That is far more important than all or our own desires.
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