The Higher Liberty
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The Higher Liberty
by Gregory HHC, d
Minister of His Holy Church
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Be the Magistrate
The
leaders of the Church, including the elders were also magistrates who
had the right to settle disputes. In fact, the people were told not
to sue their brothers at law. The
word law here
is not the word nomos which
is commonly translated law, but
the words krino and krima which
as a noun and verb are commonly translated judgment and judge.
The Christians formed their own government and settled disputes,
cared for the needy and one another. Those chosen amongst them in a
network of leaders were also the judges of their society, settling
disputes and offering a system of appeals through the servant
government of the Church. This is why, “Jesus answered them, Is
it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” John 10:34
The
word gods, from theos, is
defined “figuratively a magistrate”. The same is true of
the Hebrew word elohim translated gods and judges in
the Old Testament. It was “applied by way of deference to
magistrates”. These are the gods
many spoken
of by Paul.
The
purpose of the early Church courts was not to punish, but protect the
people from abuse. They exposed evil and selfishness and shunned
those who would not repent and make recompense. The governments of
the world would punish the wicked.
If
we are going to deny the power of Jesus to appoint a
Kingdom,
a government, even though it was a different form than the
governments of the world, We are denying the gospel of the Kingdom at
hand. Such churches may pretend a form of godliness, but they are
clearly denying the power thereof.
“Having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5:
The
word power in
this verse is dunamis meaning
strength, power,
ability. In
denying the Kingdom as real and present these ministers are quite
obviously denying the power of the Kingdom at hand.
Footnotes:
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Related Articles and Audio:
Romans 13 part 1
http://www.hisholychurch.org/media/audio/rm/Romans131.ram
ROMANS 13 verse 1 the higher liberty
Does God want us to be subject or to be free?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/romans13.php
Romans 13 and I Peter 2,13-14
Is the Bible consistent about setting men free or does it contradict itself?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/romanspeter.php
Romans 13, NN Video Series:7-10 4:32
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SEMYx6affo
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