This effort is presented on the World Wide Web in the hope that it will fill a present need, and be a blessing to people everywhere. It is written to provide comfort and encouragment to the body of Christ, and especially for those who feel they must stand alone. 

May He gather us together.

We will consider the meaning and purpose of fellowship, of the Church, and of our role within the body of Christ. Let us consider a biblical alternative to what most see. The message is most simply, Christ is come to declare "God is with us."  We are not alone, and together there is work to be done. 

The Message

God is Love. Not everyone has eyes to see, and this has implications for our day, but we must begin here if we are to glimpse God's plan. This is a Christ centered message that  touches all of creation. All of us are included in the body of Christ. It was all finished by God. He destroyed any of the barriers that may have separated us. We have a relationship with God and each other. There is even now that of God within all people. He is the light that lightens all people. All are included. Everything and everyone is connected in God, even if not all sense that connection. He broke the barriers down. The kingdom of God is spread over all the earth even though men do not see it. No decision or conversion is needed on anyone's part to be included. It is a finished work accomplished and revealed in and through Christ by God. 

In his Gospel Christ declares, "It is I who am the all. From me did the all come forth, and unto me did the all return."  No thing and no one is excluded. From Him, through Him, and to Him are all things. God sent his Son for everyone. He is the Savior of all men, not just those that believe. 

Even though all are already included, we must respond to this revelation if we wish to know and experience it. We must make a profession of faith if we want others to know of our faith. You are invited to consider and celebrate the mystical oneness of "Christ in all, and all in Christ." In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth. From him, through him, and to him are all things. In Christ is all. In this sense, all are members of the universal body of Christ which God has created and is still revealing. 

This universal and all inclusive understanding of the church is foundational, even before we consider the usefulness of separation. The idea of "foundation" is linguistically linked  to understanding Christ as the "Beginning" in whom All things were created. This recognition of the body of Christ as a preexistent foundational reality is necessary to a proper understanding of the present day church and our role and responsibility within this current transitional age in which we find ourselves. Recognizing this subtle play on words, the scriptures portray Christ as the Chief Cornerstone of this "Church" whose foundation is the Apostles and Prophets who have followed Christ and his way; denying self, forsaking all, and taking up the cross.

As a present experience, God is still gathering all things and all peoples together into this one body. Many are still in unbelief, "having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." As such they remain separated. As Christ is revealed, we all come one by one, every man in his own order. As each one is reconciled back to true fellowship, there is a new creation and all things are made new. 

Speaking of this "Church" and this foundational authority, Jesus says,  "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them...  Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven," Matthew 18:17, 20. And again, speaking of this authority, Jesus says, "Where there are two or one, I am with him." Thomas 30. With this Christ, the Beginning from whom are all things, and in whom  are are things, the chief cornerstone joined together with all the building which is fitly framed together is the one in whom we have fellowship. For truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ.   

The Role of Revelation - And the Foundation

For those who have become alienated because of the blindness of their hearts revelation becomes vital. I believe that Jesus modeled and teaches those who would follow him to deny themselves, forsake all, to take up his cross, and not look back. These elect ones, as his representatives, become vessels of the revelation of Christ

Renunciation and Ministry 

The Eye, Hand, Foot, and Likeness Alignments (A Summary)

Jesus said, "Whoever does not hate his father and his mother cannot become a disciple to me. And whoever does not hate his brothers and sisters and take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me," Thomas 55.

Clarifying for the seeker in the pursuit of this reconciliation, perfection, completion, and maturity, Jesus says to him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me," Matthew 19:21.

"Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them (the disciples). Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life," Matthew 19:27-29.

Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All," Thomas 2.

Church, I implore you at the command of almighty God... 

Please

"Open your doors to these Holy Apostles."

1. We want to be open to further revelation. Personal confessions of faith grow and develop as light is revealed and as time passes. Jesus once said "You have heard it said by them of old time...but I say unto you...."
What was once revealed during Old Testament times was superseded and replaced by clearer revelation during the time of Christ, and was further elaborated on during the time of the Apostles. This progression of revelation implies that confessions of faith will not remain static as the ages roll. As the knowledge of God grows so will our personal professions of faith. We must allow for this.

Organizational statements tend to be static and unchanging. Creeds and doctrinal statements often appear to be written in stone. However, like the laws that were written in stone, they can pass away, or be replaced, or even be abolished. The fellowship of believers does not need to be constrained by present truth, but will grow and mature even as the body of Christ does. A living vital faith, based on the spirit of life, rather than on a letter that kills, allows personal and even corporate growth and change. A non-creedal position allows this growth.  

2. We want to avoid unnecessary divisions. Creeds tend to be divisive. They demand conformity. They are not a patient guide. It is the Spirit that guides us into all truth. Imposed creeds tend to exclude some, for whom Christ died. This is divisive, and contrary to the Spirit of unity in Christ Jesus. Using doctrine to divide the body of Christ is the definition of heresy. Christ is not divided, nor is he a divider.

3. The existence of Truth does not give the right to rule over others, dictate to them, or try to control beliefs. Dogmatically dictating what is to be believed, or attempting to rule over peoples faith, is contrary to the servant attitude of Christ. The experience of God within testifies that God's inward guiding presence is universal. Through Christ, anyone anywhere can experience God directly. We don't have to tell others what to believe. God and Christ has come to teach his people himself, every man in his own order.

In a similar way, the honest seeker and the believers alike are able to recognize truth, and to discern who is speaking truth. It is appropriate to acknowlege the voice of those who deny self, who forsake all, and who take up the cross not looking back for the sake of Christ. Those who receive this message will speak the same thing. Through the mind of Christ all things are known and recognized. There is an anointing of God that abides within so that mere man is not needed as teacher. God is teaching his people. Revelation still unfolds progressively. 

There is no need to resist the Spirit's teachings by restricting learning, by imposing, or submitting to the static constrictive creeds of men. Instead Christ, and each member of his body is available to all. 

Inclusive
 
As much as is possible live peacably with all men, remaining as inclusive as possible.
 
This Faith is built on the trustworthy foundation of the Gospel of Christ. Who was Jesus? He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the Savior of the world. This foundational truth, may seem at first glance very particular and even very exclusive, and in one sense this is true, however, to counterbalance this apparently exclusive message, God has provided further light. Christ is the all. In this current age, Christ has come not only in the flesh, but also in the Spirit This foundational truth provides a deep all inclusive lesson. At this time, depending on the insight received, the Christ may be seen as the man Christ Jesus, or as those who follow him in his way, or as also including those who have received his message, or even as all humanity as they too, in one sense, are children and sons of God. Others see Christ as all. As the Spirit teaches the revelation of the extent, influence, and power of Christ and the Gospel increases. 

Each of us has received a level of insight and to our own master we stand of fall.

For some, all is included. Nothing is left out. Few may see this, and yet we must grow together. We may not yet see all things submitted unto Him, but we see the Light. We can see Jesus. May God grant that we walk in wisdom toward those who do not sense this inclusion, being alienated in their minds. May we walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, because we know that they too are already included.

There is that of God, or something of the Divine, in everyone. We want to respect and encourage that life. We choose to remain inclusive, being at peace with all people, as much as is possible. Jesus came to lighten every person. Therefore, we are open to, and respond to the Light found within anyone, knowing that all truth is God's truth, and that all things are of God. This does not mean that we accept all religious practices, for we also maintain that not all things are beneficial, even and often within the Christian traditions. Our focus is on spiritual connection, rather than outward ceremony or ritual. Our discretion is based on wisdom, and love, not fear. All things do work together for good, but not all things are useful .

The time in which we are living, requires a delicate balance. Christ is all and in all, and yet we do not yet all see all things submitted unto him. All are included, and yet may appear like they are still outside.

Initially,  "Thou art the Christ" was an historic confession made only by Peter. However, Jesus did not shut out the other disciples because of their lack of insight. He walked along side with them. He had the faith to see that they were included. May we too have the faith of God. 

Independent

Independence does not mean being alone, or isolated. Rather, having direct access to God through Christ means being free from the religious control of others. There is a healthy relationship with God's people bringing freedom. Though acknowleding the role of the powers and structures within God's purposes, Christ frees us from a clergy mentality where saints become dependent on pastors, priests or clerics. Babylon is a place of confusion. Christ, in Spirit, is our prophet, priest and king. We all have access by this one spirit unto the Father.

This means believers are free from the control of any council, association, or denomination. They can meet spontaneously without the oversight or permission of any ecclesiastical body, free to follow and listen to the Christ within. This freedom is often exciting and liberating, allowing the pursuit of a simple apostolic form of worship.

Unprogrammed

Unprogrammed worship is simple in form and content. At an appointed time and place, believers gather. From time to time, a member of the group may speak out, or rise and offer verbal ministry. This message may take the form of a prayer, a song, a simple spoken statement, or a reading from scripture or other sacred writing. At an agreed upon time the gathering disperses.

This is an open participatory meeting. The apostle Paul spoke of such a meeting when he wrote,"Whenever you meet let everyone be ready to contribute a psalm, a piece of teaching, a spiritual truth, or a 'tongue' with an interpreter. Everything should be done to make your church strong in the faith." 1 Corinthians14:26

Everyone is called to contribute. There is no need for professional clergy, but rather we welcome the ministry of the believers and those who have truly forsaken all, following more perfectly the testimony and doctrine of Christ. Everyone contributes having access to the Christ, the Image of God, that divine inner Light within. Being ready to contribute a psalm or message does not necessarily mean preparing a message, but rather, more vitally it implies an openness to the leading of the Spirit. We open ourselves to the Living Christ, the Teacher, as vessels for ministry.  As we are prompted by this Inner Guide, sometimes referred to as the Light, Love, Truth, or Inner Christ, we share a message for the encouragement of all. 

The Reunification of All in Christ

The Everlasting Gospel is the most joyous news ever heard by the human heart. We are reunited  with God. Reconciliation is accomplished. Fellowship is restored. Alienation, and separation is removed. Oneness with God is realized and experienced.
All men live and move and have their being in Christ. This is the essence of the message. God is light. In him is no darkness. Christ is the light of the world, and the Savior of the world. In him all are gathered, and we should love one another.

The realization of Christ within, that of God within every person is the basis of peace. Christ, the image of God, is found everywhere. He is the light that lightens every man. This is good news to all peoples. Keep it simple. As the saying goes, "In essentials Unity; in non-essentials Liberty; in all things Charity"
 
Christ, the infinite and unfailing love of God for all mankind is the foundation. Some people may still feel alienated in their mind from God. Nevertheless, God reveals the exceeding riches of His grace in his kindness toward us through Jesus Christ, and his message sent into the earth. Nothing prevents His loving intention and sovereign will to unite all in Christ. Nothing can either quench His love or finally defeat His gracious purpose for man.

Who was Jesus?

"The Christ, the Son of the living God, and Savior of the World."  "Thou art the Christ" is not a statement of dogma to be believed or adhered to, but a revelation to be experienced. Experience him as the Christ, living in the Spirit. Know him as the Son, demonstrating close relationship with the Living God. See the Savior, bringing salvation in every sense of the word to all humankind.

Through Christ all humankind is touched and filled by the Spirit of God for He fills all things. Through Christ any walls of division are broken down. All have access and fellowship with God and with one another in the Spirit. Christ is the salvation given to everyone?
In Christ is every blessing imaginable is given, and some not yet imagined, and some yet to come. Christ is everything. He is living his life through his body, which is everything, and filling everything. He is prophet priest and king. As prophet, he is teacher imparting truth. As priest, he removes any sense of alienation from God. As king, he bestows the power to live the very life of God. In this way, know and experience Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and Savior of the World. 

Starting a meeting

Thinking of starting a meeting? What is needed? A time, a place, and two or three gathered is all that is needed. Some have found that meeting in a home frees from many of the entanglements that might distract from a focus on Christ.

What is not needed? You don't need permission. You don't need money. You don't need a building, a budget, a paid hireling preacher, a hierarchy, the sacraments or catechisms. You don't need a choir, or a pulpit or anything else you can see. Christ is our life. He is all we need. We worship in Spirit, and in Truth.

Keep worship simple, minimizing distractions. Test the spirits. Do not be forgetful to entertain the strangers, welcoming those who come to you in the name of Christ, bearing the fruits of those who forsake all, and bearing his cross.  Enjoy the benefit of gathering simply, with Christ in the midst. As you gather your friends together, may God bless you, and guide you.

And be ready to receive the elect, the messengers, the workers, the apostles, the foundation. When they come they will set things in order.

Til then, as you meet with others, or alone with Christ wherever you are, no man is an island. We are all together, included in the Christ. Together let us seek fellowship with other like-minded friends, or with with the other lost sheep, and together let us us pray that He would send forth labourers into the harvest. 

Blessings.
              Dean Johnson

P.S. If you are also seeking I would be happy to hear from you. 

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