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The Pilgrim's of 1st Peter Peter writes, "She who is in Babylon elected together with you," and Mark my son greet you,1Pe.5:13. Peter is writing to the elect pilgrims of the dispersion that are living God's way, separated and not under the heathen culture/civil laws, yet among the natives, v.5:9. The dispersion were Jewish people. Their history tells us that they were dispersed into trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth for not proclaiming liberty, "everyone to his brother and every one to his neighbor,"Jer.34:8-17,21. Their struggles with old customs required that Peter remind them that they were not "redeemed... from aimless conduct by tradition from your fathers," and to "Be Holy for I am Holy,"v.1:16,18. The pilgrims in 1Peter had been born again by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, v.1:23. Their obeying the truth through the Spirit had purified their souls, "in the sincere love of the brethren,"v.1:22. They were learning the principles of real freedom in Jesus Christ as the elders among them were exhorted not to lord over those entrusted to them, v.5:3. Peter demonstrates this attitude by saying, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain, v.2:11." The elders were to set the example for God's form of leadership as further exemplified in Luke, "he that is chief, as he that doth serve,"Lk.22:26. These pilgrims were living by "the genuineness of your faith" yet, "grieved by various trials,"v.1:6,7. Peter's point was that God had brought their fathers "out of the land of Egypt, to be your God,"Lev.11:45, in contrast to Christ in these last times was redeeming them "so that your faith and hope are in God,"v.1:21. They were being admonished to lay aside all sin and to grow in the Word. Peter pointed out as Christ the living stone was "rejected indeed by men," that they also "as living stones" are to build "a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,"v.2:4-10. Peter encouraged them that they were not going to "be put to shame"v.2:6 and if anyone suffers as a Christian "let him not be ashamed,"v.4:16, for the time has come and judgment must first begin at the house of God. "Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,2 Pe.1:10-11." These pilgrims were the, "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit"v.1:2, and Jesus is "A chief cornerstone, elect, precious," v:2:6, Isa.28:16. They were identified as living separated or by the side 3927, as the called out people (laos, 2992) of God, "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,"v.2:9,10. In their living "as free" yet by the side of these Gentiles they had "spent enough past time doing the will of the nations(Grk)," not worshiping the true God, v.4:3;1484. Peter said, "I beg you as sojourners and Pilgrims" to "have your conduct honorable "when they speak against you as evildoers" so that by their observation of your good works it would "glorify God in the day of visitation,"v.2:11,12. They had spent enough time walking in vices that spring up from idolatries of that cultural/civil society. Peter's hope was that they would live the way that would "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" for the Lord's sake v.2:15, so "those that revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." The Pilgrims had acquired through Jesus Christ a new citizenship, Heb.11:13-16. A heavenly citizenship holding Divine right to a holy nation through Jesus Christ. "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I send you to open their eyes...that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me, Acts 26:17,18." The Pilgrims resided there as foreigners called out from among the heathen society for the cause of Christ, Gal.6:14, 2889(7); Jn.17:14,2889(6). Definitions: Strong's Concordance, Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, Black's Law and Bouvier's Dictionary* 3927, parepidemos - Pilgrims - Sojourners - one who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside (a resident foreigner) living there by the side of the natives; a stranger; sojourning in a strange place, a foreigner; in the N. T., metaphorically, in ref. to heaven as the native country, one who sojourns on earth, Heb.11:13-16. 3941, paroikos - Dispersion - in the N.T., a stranger, a foreigner (alien resident) one who lives in a place without the right of citizenship; metaphorically: without citizenship in God's kingdom, one who lives on earth as a stranger, a sojourner on the earth, used of Christians whose fatherland (home land) is heaven. 2992, laos - a people, people group, tribe, nation, all those who are of the same stock and language: the people whom God has chosen for himself, selected as peculiarly His own as in, Matthew 2:6, Acts 15:14-17, Hebrews 4:9, 1peter2:9-10, Revelation 18:4. Demos - is a synonym of Laos as far as these words refer to people. (However, they are antonyms in that the Bible contextual usage of Laos refers to the "called out" from the heathen public assembly(Demos) to be a community of Christians, as that which by the blessing of Christ has come to take the place of the theocratic people of Israel. In English law this parallels the church or "general public," as set apart from the "heathen public at large." 1218, demos - the people, the mass of people assembled in a public place, from NT:1210; the public (as bound together socially): from NT:1210 deo (deh'-o); a primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively): - bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also NT:1189 deomai (deh'-om-ahee); middle voice of NT:1210; to beg (as binding oneself), i.e. petition: - beseech, pray (to), make request. (Found only in Acts 12:22; 17:5; and 19:33b-34 referring in context to a heathen assembly worshiping Herod or the goddess Diana.) 1484, ethnos - nation - in the Old Testament, foreign nations not worshiping the true God, pagans, Gentiles. 2889, kosmos - world: (7),world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ; (6), the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ. The book of Hebrews along with Peter's letters were meant to help the pilgrims overcome their struggle with the cultural/civil Babylonian laws. Some of the pilgrims of 1Peter are the descendants of the earlier dispersions that were cast into all the kingdoms of the world, Jer. 34:8-17,210. The pilgrims' relationship was complicated, living by the side of the natives in the local culture. They lived by a different set of laws and stood out when they did not participate in the heathen Gentile practices. Peter was challenged to communicate to these Jews the new way within their new set of laws. It took all these inspired letters to get the point across. The Word arranged their lives to accept all people as brothers and really set them apart from the public at large (society) who chose not to hear the message. The study of their history and the context concerning "the dispersion" clarify the aspects of this cultural Messianic people group or body politic. By looking into the Jewish culture prior to 1Peter one can better take hold of the pilgrims' calling. The generational attitude expressed in John 8:31-36 helps one to understand how culture influences one's comprehension of his surroundings. In this text they did not want to be in bondage to anyone as they were the seed of Abraham,v33, Deut 17:15. They adhered to the customs taught by Moses and practiced their cultural/civil laws to the degree of stoning people to death, v.3-5. When they did not like one of their own, even Jesus, they "sent officers to take him,"Jn.7:32,45. These were officers of the Sanhedrin who had powers to arrest or apprehend, which is a good example of their authority within their cultural/civil laws. The Jewish culture had their own cultural/civil laws and for the most part put up with the Romans' cultural/civil laws. The chief priests even went as far as to stir up strife to manipulate Roman power to do their dirty work as in Luke 23:1-4. However, Pilate actually seemed to care less that Jesus was called the King of the Jews until the people became fierce, Lk23:5. The Jewish people in the context of John's Gospel that were coming to the knowledge of Christ did not understand to what extent Jesus could set them free. They said, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been in bondage to anyone,"v.33. "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,"v.8:31 "you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." They were in a quandary trying to process or make the transition from the Levitical priesthood on earth to the Melchisedec priesthood in Heaven, Hebrews 7:11-24. These are some of the reasons as to why they had a hard time understanding John 8:33, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Deut 17:15.
The Good News will bring forth God's righteousness through His faithfulness. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;"1 Cor.1:26-27. The traditions of men(Mk.7:6-9) will fail and God's plan will succeed as we forsake "the rudiments of the world" turning to Christ, Col 2:8. His children will grow accepting the challenges Ro.8:30,31, "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, Rom 1:5-7. As the church is enlightened to the specifics of God's authority and power more will become pilgrims and understand how to be children of the Father of Glory to bring forth the preeminent influence of Jesus Christ in society. Jesus wants the church to be filled with all the fulness of God, Eph.1:15-23. Are there parallels in the Bible between the secular society of our age and the Babylon of old?; and If so, How should Christians be a part of it or be separated from it? God's people(Laos), the pilgrims written about in 1Peter, have similar citizenship and lifestyle issues that parallel with Americans of this era. To answer these questions some Bible history with a view to law will help establish the issues. The Bible's first picture of law or plan was in the "Garden of Eden" for His creation as seen in Genesis chapters two to four. The relationship that Adam had with God in this plan was a friend to Friend relationship. As soon as Adam ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil he became spiritually dead. When he sinned 3:.6 he was tried 3:9-12, self convicted 3:12, sentenced 3:17-19,and expelled 3:23 before he could eat of the tree of life which would have kept him in a condition of spiritual death for ever. After Adam sinned the Lord God moved Adam into a military type jurisdiction of law, Master - slave or despotes - doulos relationship,1Tim.6:1. When he was expelled he became "civilly dead" to the "Garden of Eden." Thus had lost his spirituality, the right to paradise within this happy venue of "trust" walking with God. His responsibility required only a few simple instructions; tend, keep (it safe), and do not eat of the tree of knowledge, Gen.2:15-18. Adam in Gen. 3:23, for his punishment was driven out for his own good and the ground was then cursed. Now Adam had to live for the rest of his natural life in a life of hard labor. This was actually a blessing because the alternative was immediate physical death as is exemplified by the word Die being used twice in the text, "die (surely) die,"Gen.2:17. Instead of physical death God gave him a civil death or a status of reduce rights by the loss of paradise and forced labor. Jesus holds the only Despotes God and Kurios position of Authority, Jude4. "In time past" God's pattern had been to speak by the prophets to give warning and rule as God commands. God's pattern to use prophets is exemplified in 1Samuel 8:6-7, where God comforts Samuel as the Jews are again rejecting God after they were brought out of Egypt. In v.18 God expresses His displeasure that the Jews wanted a king to rule over them. God determines to keep His standard of rule by allowing the people to think they were getting a king to rule over them when in fact they were getting Saul a man that was given a new heart by God and made "like unto a prophet,"1Sam.10:6-13. This was God's way of maintaining His standard of rule through Samuel (1Sam .7:15, 13:1) while God permitted them to be in voluntary servitude to Saul, a selfish king, in their ignorance. This set a trend of one dynasty after another in the north that had nothing but trouble because they trusted in man rather than in God. However, God was still faithful to His unconditional covenant with Abraham as later seen in 2Kings 9:15 when Elijah the prophet demonstrates Who's the Authority in the land and to Whom he answers. In the "last of these days God has spoken His final revelation in His Son," Heb 1:1,2. So coming to Christ meant expatriating from cultural/civil laws of sacrifice into the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ, Ro.8:2. In our age expatriating parallels becoming "civilly dead to secular society" into a better hope Heb.7:19, into a royal priesthood, a holy nation 1Pe.2:9,10; Gal.6:15-16, into the perfect law of liberty James 1:25, and into the law of faith, Ro. 3:27, Gal.3:23-25 turning to God from idols to wait for His Son from heaven, 1Thess.1:9,10 . God's standard of rule by prophets had not changed until the last of these days when Jesus Christ personal and directly spoke. The wise men being foreigners understood Jesus' coming physical reign when they asked, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" as in Matthew 2:2. In verse 3 Herod was troubled for good reason and verse 6b, tells why "for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." Jesus the Christ is the final King to rule His chosen people as foretold in Isaiah 9:6. Jesus' presence represented a new citizenship with a new set of cultural/civil laws, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature, And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God, Gal 6:15-16; Lev.26:40-46. The church (laos) in America will soon see how the English system of law affects it today. Why do people believe the present day traditional view of 1Peter 2:13-17 and Romans 13:1-7? Their traditional view says secular authorities rule over the elect. Jesus in, Matthew 20, tells Zebedee's mother that the way that the Gentile rulers lord over people is not God's way, "Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you"v.26, as God's way is to rule by serving and not lording over. "Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many,"Mk.10:45. Can those that hold secular power and function contrary to God's way be ministers of Authority?, Lk.4:6. The majority of the church would say that those running the United States are the leaders of the church. Where does this concept come from? The traditions of men modify God's Word but only until light shines on the darkness. Have the traditional English culture misinterpreted the word "him" in 1Peter 2:14? The him in this verse does not refer to the "Lord," "Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well." Are we as free?, 1Peter2:16. Examine this copyrighted material below. It appears to suggest that people could use English to reinterpret the original Greek meaning to be able to understand the Bible, i.e. "AUTHORITY-or, as with the English "authority," "one who possesses authority, a ruler, magistrate," Rom 13:1-3; Luke 12:11; Titus 3:1;" [from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers]. The scriptures modified by tradition and the above data pervert the sonship of the believer. Would God trust His authority to an unbeliever? God established His ideal theocracy in 1Samuel chapters 8-10 and has finished this work through Jesus Christ. Who should run a country? Are we the Governing authorities, Ministers, of Romans 13? Look at these verses closely in the Greek from Stephens 1550, Greek Textus Receptus, Received Text, with emphasis added, Romans 13:1-6: Pa=sa yuxh\ e)cousi/ai$ u(perexou/sai$ u(potasse/sqw. 1 every soul Authorities Above let it be arranged under let every soul be arranged under Above Authorities KJ-Let every soul be subject unto the Higher Powers - For the creation was subjected(arranged) to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected(arranged) it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God, Ro.8:20-21. "If God is for us, who can be against us?"v.31. "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies,"v.33. Christ came, who is over all... for they are not all Israel who are of Israel,"Ro.9:5" "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, Rom 1:5-7. ou) ga\r e&stin e)cousi/a ei) mh\ a)po\ qeou=, Not for is Authority except from God for not is Authority except from God KJ-For there is no Power but of God ai( de\ ou@sai e)cousi/ai u(po\ tou= qeou= tetagme/nai ei)si/n: those that in turn are authorities by the God arranged are in turn those that are authorities are arranged by the God KJ-the powers that be are ordained of God. - Powers - God's arrangement; certain people from the Laos, to serve the church within their God appointed position of authority, i.e. apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, "Chief men among the brethren,"not above, Acts 15:22 w%ste o( a)ntitasso/meno$ th=| e)cousi/a| 2 so that he that arranges himself against the Authority so that he that himself against the Authority KJ-Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power, th=| tou= qeou= diatagh=| a)nqe/sthken, the of the God thorough arrangement stands against stands against the thorough arrangement of the God KJ-resisteth the ordinance of God: oi( de\ a)nqesthko/te$ e(autoi=$ kri/ma lh/yontai. they that and stand against to themselves judgment shall receive. And they that stand against shall receive to themselves judgment KJ-and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. oi( ga\r a&rxonte$ ou)k ei)si\n fo/bo$ tw=n a)gaqw=n e&rgw=n 3 the for ruling [ones] not are a terror to the good works for the ruling [ones] are not a terror to the good works KJ-For rulers are not a terror to good works, (a&rxonte$- progressive active participle [ruling, as in Eph.2:2] not a substantive [ruler]) a&rx means "one or first," "There shall be a root Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,"Ro.15:12. "Having then gifts differing,... let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophecy...; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; ...; he who rules, with diligence;..Ro.12:6-8. a)lla\ tw=n kakw=n. But of the evil But of the evil KJ-but to the evil. - one's base morally mode of thinking, feeling, and acting, Phil. 3:2, Rev. 2:2, Ro.12:21 qe/lei$ de mh fobei=sqai th\n e)cousi/an; dost thou desire in turn not to be afraid of The Authority dost thou desire in turn not to be afraid of The Authority KJ-Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power? to a)gaqo\n poi/ei, the good do do the good KJ-do that which is good, kai\ e%cei$ e&painon e)c au)th=$ and thou shalt have praise from It and thou shalt have praise from It KJ-and thou shalt have praise of the same: - He exhorted them that a Jew is one, "whose praise is not from men but from God," Ro.2:29. "But glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God,"Ro.2:10. qeou= ga\r dia/kono/$ e)stin soi\ ei)$ to\ a)gaqo/n. 4 of God for a servant he (ruling one) is to thee for the good for he (ruling one) is a servant of God to thee for the good KJ-For he is the minister of God to thee for good. - Mk.10:43, 1Cor.3:5, 2Cor6:4, 2Cor11:15, Eph.6:21, Col.1:7 e)a\n de\ to\ kako\n poih=|$, fobou=: if but the evil thou do be afraid but if thou do the evil be afraid KJ-But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; ou) ga\r ei)kh= th\n ma/xairan forei=: not for in vain the sword (ruling one) It beareth for It beareth not the sword (ruling one) in vain KJ-for he beareth not the sword in vain: qeou= ga\r dia/kono/$ e)stin, e&kdiko$ of God for a servant he (ruling one) is an avenger for he (ruling one) is a servant of God, an avenger (servant and avenger, are predicate nominatives, and are active positions of the ruling one [he]) KJ-for he is the minister of God, a revenger - "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, Rom 1:5-7. ei)$ o)rgh\n tw=| to\ kako\n pra/ssonti. for wrath to him that the evil practices for wrath to him that practices evil KJ-to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteous,"Ro.1:18. They who knowing the righteous judgment of God, and do such things and also who approve of such things are deserving of death, v32. He is writing to those who judge one another and practice or do the same things. They that are by the hardness of their impenitent heart storing up wrath in the judgment of God in their self seeking ways not obeying the truth and doing evil, v.2:1-9. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil, I will not to do, that I practice," v.19. dio\ a)na/gkh u(pota/ssesqai, 5 Wherefore necessary [it is] to be arranged under wherefore [it is] necessary to be arranged under KJ-Wherefore ye must needs be subject, ou) mo/non dia\ th\n o)rgh\n a)lla\ kai\ dia\ th\n sunei/dhsin. Not only on account of the wrath but also on account of the conscience Not only on account of the wrath but also on account of the conscience KJ-not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. - "I tell you the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,... for I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,... who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption,... Christ came, who is over all... for they are not all Israel who are of Israel,"Ro.9:1-6. And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,"v.12:2. "Be of the same mind toward one another... Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath;...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, 12:16-21. dia\ tou=to ga\r kai\ fo/rou$ telei=te, 6 on account of this for also tribute(Debt) bring ye to an end for on account of this bring ye to an end tribute also KJ-For for this cause pay ye tribute also: - Paul continues this thought in Ro.13:8. By living right there are fewer burdens on Church ministers. Paul is "called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,"Ro.1:1. "To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints,"1:7. For the creation was subjected(arranged) to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected(arranged) it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God, Ro.8:20-21. And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,"Ro.12:2 leitourgoi\ ga\r qeou= ei)sin ministers for of God they (ruling ones) are for they (ruling ones) are ministers of God KJ-for they are God's ministers, - "For I speak to you Gentiles; in as much as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,"v.11:13-14. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,"v.12:1-2. "Having then gifts differing,... let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophecy...; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; ...; he who rules, with diligence;... Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good,"v.12:6-9. ei)$ au)to\ tou=to proskarterou=nte$. on same this attending continually this attending continually on same KJ-attending continually upon this very thing. Study of the Greek supports this. Picture Apostle John in Ephesus when he finished canonizing the N.T. The Elders are making copies of the N.T. Books John had. The New Testament John canonized would come to be called the Majority or Textus Receptus in 1624 because it had been received by all. This Greek version appears in the Tyndale, Geneva, King James, and other N.T.'s. However, most of the modern English translations came from these three defective UNCIALS: Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus that Emperor Constantine had written. The Roman Catholics adopted Constantine's UNCIALS. They also kept the Word of God away from the common people for more than a thousand years. Why this occurred in part is found by observing the differences in Romans 13. The differences created the concept that secular governments are the ministers of God. These attempts are an evil designed to keep and displace God's sons serving as Ministers from ruling in their appointment from God. God is already calling His church to become pilgrims. "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name,"Acts 15:14. The people of this age that are coming out to be pilgrims usual leave based on perspectives that involve moral, home school, and alternative health issues. God's people desire His presence but when Hollywood comes into one's life, focus on God and the purity of a relationship with God quickly diminish. Schooling is a simple issue when you know the issues and it starts with Who should do What When? "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, Eph.6:4 and attend to know understanding," Pro. 4:1-4. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it," Pro. 22:6;1Chr.29:1;Psa.34:11. The last of these three perspectives mentioned is an easy one when one studies the word pharmaceutical. Then listen to an T.V. advertisement of some DRUG with its list of side effects. It all becomes a dead give away..:) . "Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led,"1 Cor 12:2;Rev.18:4. The text in Eph 2:12 and Acts 22:28 help us see how "citizenship" is very much a political status. "ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:," Eph 2:12. "And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born,"Acts 22:28. The commander's citizenship in Acts 22:28, "With a great sum obtained I this freedom" parallels the citizenship granted by the 14th article in Amendment to the United States Constitution. The commander was a foreigner and he had to purchase it. In contrast to Apostle Paul where he had the right of "born free" citizenship. The commander's citizenship was a privilege that he paid for. In America the commander's citizenship parallels that citizenship originally created for the natives of African decent. This class of citizenship was created to protect the enslaved by giving them a commercial status that would grant them the privilege to sue or be sued in courts. This grant of privilege called a benefit came with its correlative duty to pay for each enjoyed privilege. The process of payment is by the issuance of a license and one has to pay for each license attached to each benefit. The 14th article in Amendment by contract afforded foreigners this political class of citizenship whereby they as a "thing" could have standing in Admiralty courts to buy, sell, and trade in commerce. This principle of duties in respect to status is exemplified in Matthew 17:26, "Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free." Children being the free born citizen status. Apostle Paul's free born citizenship (N.T. 4174) is paralleled today with the class of citizenship that is for the most part non-existent after the restructuring(a crime) of the United States of America in the early 1900's. By cleverly restructuring the Republic to a Democracy. Prior to the 14th article in Amendment to the U.S. Constitution everyone born in the union of states, except slaves, had this special "free born citizenship." True freedom always comes from inalienable God given rights, in contrast to privileges compelled on man by man under demonic influence. The "Bill of Rights" created contractual duties that the federal government had to respect thereby not infringing on the people's rights. The contract is called the Constitution for the United States of America and its purpose in American was to keep the federal government from turning rights into privileges, granted by license, to be paid for. With the freeing of our African brothers a clever opportunity presented itself. To grant to the slave a "privilege" type class of enslaved citizenship called naturalization and to work towards enslaving the freeborn into that enslaved class of citizen. Bouvier's Law Dictionary, "Citizen; 2. Citizens are either native born or naturalized." Simply use contract law to: grant privileges to the slave who through discrimination had been without political authority to give them the appearance of freedom, or other rights; and then reduce the rights of the freeborn until everyone could be enslaved. This process would be by the exchange of rights for the grant of privileges by licenses that one has to pay for. The trap came through the "obligation of contract" a constitutional right. Many secular government atrocities are brought about legally because of the ignorance of innocent people. People blindly enter into agreements without full disclosure of all the terms, adhesions, and certainly without the understanding of the future effects. Sell 'em on benefits, benefits, and more benefits or as J. Thayer puts it, "world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ." Innocence by ignorance. Even freeborn fathers to their unawares contractually elected their free children into this lower class of 14th Amendment citizenship. This status gave them commercial standing. They became chattel property, "and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men,"Re.18:12-15. Combine this with the imposed start of the Social Security Administration to replace the duties of the church and "poof," a wide road for destruction. A new world order. These classes of citizenship come from the English Feudal System established by people desiring notoriety or more simply put, it comes from "pride." God is not a respecter of persons. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:)," Acts 10:34-36. Most Americans, to their unawares, sitting idly by watched as the Republic was being restructured into the Democracy. They opted via contract into this commercial class of citizenship granted by the Democracy. The Democracy was formed in part by unconstitutional Restructuring Acts that led to the 14th Amendment, see 3Am. Law Rec. 738. By accepting this new 14th Amendment citizenship status and then receiving the benefits extended to persons of this status, duties are owed. This status results in voluntary servitude and the debt is the grant of contractually paid privileges controlled by license. This privilege class of citizenship is not to be confused with the freeborn class of citizenship held by most American's from about 1787 to 1909. Wherein, God made man in His image with inalienable rights. Originally man had the power and right to handle the affairs of his God given life. Man even had the authority to surrender this power of choice and appoint another to govern his affairs. The one most significant evil influence in American society is from the Queen of England and Pope acting in concert. The current system of law in America comes from Rome via the British Empire. The specific type of law practiced in this country is called attornment. In the English legal system Justicia, the Greek goddess of justice, has a monopoly in the field of law. One does well to look into the issues here as the practices by Attorneys have many secrets, Lk.11:52. Verification of some of these secrets can be uncovered by going to a law library like the University of Washington. In the basement is where the old Bouvier's and Black's Law Dictionaries are kept. Read Black's 6th or 7th edition Preface. "Nearly every area of law has undergone change...This period has seen particular change and expansion...Congress and the states continue to legislate new rights...This new edition required addition and revision of over 5,000 legal words and terms." Pick any of these words: Person, Citizen, or Resident and do a history study on the changes to these definitions from one edition to another. By changing language you can manipulate culture. When one becomes aware of these changes, the changes in society become clearer. When anyone hires an attorney to solve a problem, that individual hiring the attorney is considered by law, to be one of unfit mind incapable of handling his/her own affairs, 2Tim.1:7. "The term "attorn" has its origin from the days of the English Feudal System. Its process employed the class title of nobility known as Esquire, which means a greater or elevated Squire. While the Squire was an armor bearer for the Knight, the Esquire equipped all of the elite. The duties of an Esquire included performing the attornment ceremony needed to preserve a class structure of nobility. While performing his attorney functions, the Esquire used a system of unequal protection under different sets of laws. Among the variable standards used were the laws of the King's Court, the Exchequer Court, or the Courts of Common Pleas to discriminate in judgement over royalty, noblemen, freemen, peons, serfs, or slaves," from an article, What is a Lawyer? By Remedies at Law. In America most people identify themselves as residents of one state or another. Bouvier's Law Dictionary: "2. Residence is prima facie evidence of national character." Black's Law Dictionary, first edition (published in 1891 long after the second 13th Amendment) cites the definition of Resident: "RESIDENT: A tenant, who was obliged to reside on his lord's land, and not depart from the same, a resident may not be entitled to all the privileges or subject to all the duties of an inhabitant. 9 Wend. 11." This meant that a resident did not have any personal liberty; "Personal liberty consists in the power of locomotion, of changing situation, of removing one's person to whatever place one's inclination may direct, without imprisonment or restraint unless by due course of law, 1 Bl. Comm. 134." This "resident"status denotes a specific class of citizenship. It is acquired by making an election (i.e. contractual choice) to obtain privileges under a specific set of rules. The 14th article in Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is this set of rules and outlines them. This status was created for the benefit of some and has been misused by attorneys Lk..11:46,52, applying it to others. Most people are in the dark about this convoluted issue, but through careful study it is all verifiable. There are two jurisdictionally different political classes of citizenship, as well as, three different definitions for the United States(s). For example: A resident of this State of Washington, which is a sub-corporation of Washington D.C. (a.k.a. United States), is a citizen of Washington D.C. "without" the United States in contrast to the citizenship instituted by the colonists "within" the Union of states, in 1787. Citizens of Washington D.C. are called residents because they are considered foreigners, without free rights, to the political jurisdiction of the that original citizenship. This class of foreigner has never been naturalized into a United States of America Citizen and therefore is not entitled to any political rights whatever. The term democracy, setting aside traditional patriotic concepts, is not so favorable when put to the test of God's Word. Democracy by definition from Webster's International Dictionary of 1908, means: Demos, the people + kratein, to be strong, to rule, strength, kratein is kratos: in the N.T. meaning mighty + God, 1Peter5:6. Demos, is only found in Acts 12:21-23, 19:33b-34 and denotes the people of a heathen city worshiping Herod or the goddess Diana. Kratos (cracy) illustrates the aspect of evil deities as in the contexts of Acts. Kratos is also used in the word Demonocracy which is "The power or government of demons." The roots of these words, as noted in Acts, have a history in corrupted worship of the LORD i.e. Baal worship. The church should take notice of the principle exemplified in Hosea 2:13,15 which gave the warning and the Words of hope for the church today. The time is very near when the church will take notice of these issues. The following texts have a lot to say in Isaiah 52:11, 2 Corinthians 6:17,18, and Revelation 18:4,13, i.e. "come out of her my people...!" God's way is not to number man among the Demos by reducing one to a thing, Rev.18:12,13. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759. The Christian influence in America was once identified as the Republic and blessed by God. The Republic was established out of Isaiah 33:22, "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us." This scripture is illustrated by the three branches of government. The Republic was set up as a Trust that has God as the Grantor, the three branches plus the right of trial by jury are the Trustee, and the people as the beneficiaries. In contrast the Democracy is a military dictatorship. Washington D.C. is a municipal corporation and the President is the C.E.O. The Christian Nation of Kings and Priests is almost condemned to commercial slavery within the cultural/civil laws controlled by Justicia the Greek goddess of Justice. Go to the pagan religious Temple of Justice building, across the street from the State of Washington Capitol building in Olympia, inside up the stairs and around the corner to the left and you will find the Supreme Court's idol display of Justicia. God wants liberty proclaimed and is not a respecter of persons. "For in a Republic, who is 'the country?' Is it the Government, which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant - merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them."- Mark Twain America forgot that the principalities have another agenda. Christians overall have gotten side tracked in America. And the evidence is upon us as God has allowed 911 in New York. We stand having been warned loud and clear. The real question is What is the warning to tell us? The church's current relationship to the world needs to change back and this is the warning! The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: Deut 7:7. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; Deut7:9. For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Ex.34:14. Christians are encouraged to look to the attitude of David so nicely put in Ps 119:121-127, "I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold." Finally that we not strive among one another but, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, John 15:12. God has used pastors, as catalysts to bring real freedom. They have always been the most influential people, especially in the days of the colonists. They that traveled from England came over to avoid England's attempt to dominate the church. The heathen are jealous of our Divine leading and liberty. The church has always thirsted for complete freedom in Jesus Christ to live by the Greatest Commandments in the perfect law of liberty and faith. The freedoms that come from God once prevalent in America were expressed through God given and protected rights because the church knew their identity. Today, the church does not know its identity. The church is divided and does not understand its role in the worldly society. A house divided against itself can not stand. Do the Ministers, God's elect, rule by the Authority of the Father of glory? A lesson to be learned from 1Samuel is when a society rejects God it will get a slave master. The choice is simple, God or Satan! If God is one's slave Master then one will have true freedom! How the Word relates to each cultural people group will help that society live in the Truth. Biblical history will help one build a picture of the law for this age. This message develops the point that there are political veins running all through out the Gospel. The Kingdom claims are total. Christians have a duty to proclaim liberty as Christ is truly the only head of man, Ro. 15:15-18, 1Cor.11:3, 1Tim..2:5. Why does the church in general have a sort of "hands off" view to politics? The United States has openly been building the New World Order since the early 1900's. The proof is written in the Latin language on the back of the dollar bill, "Annuit Coeptis Novus Ordo Seclorum" or Announcing the birth of the new world order. An order of world social slavery will require all to submit to the Evil in control and people will not be able to buy, sell or trade without the mark of the beast. This perspective is what is leading the enlightened sons of God, Jn.1:12 in the local congregations to choose to come out and not be numbered by man,Phil 2:12,13; Matt. 13:24-25,30. The majority of the church is coming into the age where their previous choices have put them in compromising positions. Their Christian principles will be tested by putting their relationship with Jesus Christ in an awkward place. Secular government has gotten the church to make a legal declaration that they are not the church but a religious organization formed by IRS Application Form 1023. All over a tax exempt privilege. This declaration legally turns the church into a "religion or a religious organization" under the control of the state legislators whose position on religious tolerance is that all religions are equal. The IRS Application Form 1023, Schedule A, at question number three(3) asks, ""Does the organization require prospective members to renounce other religious beliefs or their membership in other churches or religious orders to become members? Yes__ No__. If "Yes," describe," this question requires that the church declare it's position on idolatry to qualify for approval, for the exempt tax status. If the ministry is not tolerant of "religions" approval may be denied. If the organization is truly the church it qualifies as a Mandatory Exception to the IRS 501(c)(3) rules, as noted in IRS 508(c)(1)(A). Further, as each individual joins himself to this corporate office of member he is incorporated into the British Empire via this religious sub-corporation of the state, which is also a sub-corporation of Washington D.C. Under this format the declaring church ministers, as well as their houses of assembly, that make this application put the state as god over the church. Does this forfeit the church's power to exercise their God given rights in the world? Have they left their right to minister in the power of God, by abandoning their birth right as sons of God, Jn1:12, 1Jn.3:1-2, Job2:1-4? The result is that the state has every right to rule the church because the church said it could, "No servant can serve two masters,"Lk.16:11-16. There are alternatives for the church to be in the world and still not be part of it. "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong, 1Cor.16:13, Lk. 24:31,35, Jn.12:32,. Many are to be awakened by the revealed Mysteries of our God. The main and most important question is, Where is our citizenship, Phil.3:20 and what are the physical applications of that citizenship? Church Education and Reform ©2002 (Rev.7/19/02) 19997 Stockyard Road Bagley, Minnesota 56621
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