There's more to the world than the US
Submitted by Forgiven on November 13 2000 19:08:20
In reply to Re: 501(c)3 churches? SSN? submitted by Gideon on November 13 2000 06:03:10
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A reality which my American brethren do sometimes need to try harder with. SSN - is a purely American concept - no more unfreeing than the census which Joseph and Mary attended at the time of Jesus's birth. I can only assume that you are not paying income taxes on your income, and therefore are clearly violating the instruction of Jesus (to pay taxes) and Paul (to be subject to the Emperor). As a Brit who looks across appalled at the general celebration by American Christians of the 1776 revolt against the legitimate government of the time, and consider the consequences that flowed from it (30 years additional slavery and a civil war, to begin with) I can only despair at the selective nature of the protestant mind in America. However I will agree with your emphasis on housegroups - they are at their best a form of real Church to an extent far greater most Christians ever experience. But the corrolary that the existing Church structures can be disregarded is a belief that is wholly unjustified - we are commanded to be subject to the elders of our church - and do not have the option of just walking away from the fellowship we are in. |
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