Pagan Christianity?
Posted by appolus on August 15, 2023
Probably the most damaging feature of Calvin’s liturgy is that he led most of the service himself from the pulpit. Christianity has not yet recovered from this. Today the pastor is the MC, and CEO of the Sunday morning service-just as the priest is the MC and the CEO of the Catholic mass. This is in stark contrast to the church meeting envisioned in Scripture. According to the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ is the leader, director and CEO of the church meeting. In 1 Cor 12, Paul tells us that Christ speaks through His entire Body, not just one member. In such a meeting, His Body freely functions under His headship (direct leadership) through the working of the Holy Spirit. First Cor 14 gives us a picture of such a gathering. This kind of meeting is vital for the spiritual growth of God’s people and the full expression of His Son in the earth. ( George Barna, Frank Viola-Pagan Christianity-pg 59)
The liturgy or order of service is almost exactly the same in the vast majority of churches throughout the land, whatever denomination it is. Over the last several decades, some have flirted with allowing the Holy Spirit to move among them, but have inevitably fallen back on the order of service. To follow the instructions laid down by Scripture, almost all of the so called clergy would render themselves surplus to requirements. So the clergy have always been the keepers of the status quo. A union of hirelings who have usurped the actual workings of the Holy Spirit among the Body of Christ. I would think that the vast majority of them down through the centuries have been somewhat ignorant of the fact that there is simply no clergy in the Body of Christ, and that the Priesthood of all believers cannot function and be led by the Holy Spirit where the bondage of this system exists. We can have the clergy/laity system or we can have the Holy Spirit operate among us, but we cannot have both.
George and Frank say that this kind of meeting is vital for Spiritual growth, I would agree. How can we say that we have no need of the manna that falls from heaven, but rather we have our own means of feeding ourselves? It is delusional. Spiritual growth only comes from edification. A group can grow religiously under our present system, but they cannot grow spiritually. Stagnation, with occasional bursts of energy from fires of our own making is the best that we can expect when man is in charge of the service. The numbers attending “church,” are now in free-fall all over the world. Is this the inevitable end of a system that is collapsing under the weight of its own works? I would say yes. The church system worked in a mostly religious world. We no longer live in such a world. The paradoxical difference is that while the weight of men’s works crush people spiritually, the weight of Gods presence, His Holy presence liberates them and elevates them to high and lofty places and changes them. It exhorts them, it edifies them, it humbles them.
The Lord, in His manifest presence, always speaks to the whole. If a saint needs to be encouraged, then he is encouraged. If another needs to be humbled then he is humbled. If another needs to be lifted up from the valley floor of depression and discouragement then he will find himself flying where the eagles fly and his joy shall be complete. The sinner shall find conviction that he will have to bend to, or he will have to run into the night screaming. All of this and so much more comes when the Body operates as it is instructed to operate and where the CEO is the Lord Jesus Himself by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus must be preeminent. We must follow the dictates of the word of God or we shall simply be taken by the tide of this world and religion and be lost at sea. I would argue that for the most part, that which calls itself Christianity is lost as sea and the only way back is a strict adherence to the revealed word of God. It would not be a revival, nor would it be a reformation. It would be a revolution!!!, where the powers that be are upturned and the Lord Jesus takes His rightful place.
A Call To The Remnant 
Mary said
Very well said, Frank.
And once one has experienced the freedom of a Holy Spirit gathering; one can never settle for less. Impossible.
Mary
appolus said
“One can never settle for less.” Amen Mary!
anita414 said
Wow. RIGHT ON TARGET. & that’s why I refuse to attend religious services. And when I have a service in my home, the HOLY SPIRIT, always will have His way! Not rushed Not ignored Nor quenched. How He leads we follow! And its ALWAYS amazing!
Its like what you wrote, is every where over here. It’s ALL about titles & degrees. Money. And POWERLESS! Religion. Sad.
And if you DO NOT do it that way they make you feel you are in wrong, the outcast. And they bad mouth you to others so you aren’t welcome to share what you know. 🙏🏼
I honestly said to the Lord in prayer this morning, we NEED A REVOLUTION! So reading this I agree & is confirmation! 😁
Thanks for the blog, but also thanks to the Lord for allowing you to see these things & to have you write about it. Maybe some one some where will be made free! After reading more truth! Glory be to God! 😁
appolus said
I believe that the revolution is coming Anita, and just like every revolution it will be a bloody affair, the blood of the saints in the midst of the tribulation………….bro Frank
BT said
It is the organization of man versus the organism of God – stagnancy or the Life and Breath of the Spirit of God.
appolus said
Very well said!……………bro Frank
Rose Marie said
Thank you for your God given boldness in declaring the Truth that surpasses understanding. I am going to be very vulnerable and tell you that I am struggling after 4 years in the wilderness with loneliness and some recurring guilt regarding a divorce I innated long time ago. In spite of these things, I praise the Lord for the strength He provides to persevere through the trials and tribulations of life. I share these things not only to ask for prayer support and for strength to continue in the race but that I might be a blessing to help any one else who needs strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Perhaps another soul may be encouraged to know that they are not alone.
Please forgive me for asking for personal counsel in regard to these things as that is not your calling. I trust the Lord gave me this link to help in overcoming the many false teachings of today. If you have time or interest, I would love to know your thoughts on the subject of the Trinity taught here and if you might be in agreement with this brother.
Response to debate on deity of Messiah.
Perhaps I should consider joining Facebook again for the teachings you share there.
Blessings to you, and thank you again for the encouragement you give. You are a true believer among false ones that we have to contend with and I so much appreciate the privilege of learning from you. Many Blessings!
appolus said
God bless you sister. The wilderness is tough, very tough. To find even one like minded person is a gift from God. I will pray that you will find another sister who will be good fellowship and discipleship. In regard to the divorce sister, if you have asked the Lord for forgiveness then it is washed away. Divorce is not the unforgivable sin. Sometimes we make mistakes that cannot be undone or rectified, we must rely upon His very precious grace to continue to stand. A broken and a contrite heart He loves, I’m thinking of David and what he was forgiven of, and then the child of Bethsheba is used to become king, that is remarkable. Stay close to the Lord sister and be blessed ………………bro Frank
Anonymous said
This link may be more beneficial for the remnant at this time:
https://tribulation-now.org/critical-prophecies/the-stanley-frodsham-prophecy/
Thank you!