The Higher Liberty
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The Higher Liberty
by Gregory HHC, d
Minister of His Holy Church
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Seven Men
In Acts 6:3 we see Peter calling to choose seven men.
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
Why were seven men chosen by the people, appointed by the apostles, and what are these “tables” spoken of in 6:2?
“Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” Acts 6:2
The word tables means bank as translated in Luke 19:23:
“Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?”
The tables overturned by Jesus in the temple is also the same word. Only the king could fire the porters of the temple, and that is exactly what Jesus was doing.
The way of God was altered by men, from the Hasmoneans to Herod. Now we see the way of Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, and Caesar in God’s government. The kings who were to serve, now served the people a human entrée and ate the flesh of the people in a civil cauldron1 by exercising authority.
“On the 25th of Adar business was only transacted within the precincts of Jerusalem and of the Temple, and after that date those who had refused to pay the impost could be proceeded against at law, and their goods distrained, the only exception being in favour of priests, and that ‘for the sake of peace,’ lest their office should come in disrepute.”2
These moneychangers took a portion of the contributions collected of the people in the form of a commission. The tribute could exceed 7,600,000 denarii in that one month. The money-changers were allowed to charge a silver meah, or about one-fourth of a denar. Their cut or commission on this one taxing event could be 950,000 denarii, worth more than $9,000,000 in the year 2000.
“Thus the immense offerings … to the Temple passed through the hands of the moneychangers.”3
Jesus walked into the national bank, the gazophulakion or “the royal treasury,” and by laying a string whip across their shoulders, according to the ancient tradition of His kingly office, simply fired these corrupt employees. As King, He was able to turn over their lucrative appointments to more worthy officers elected by the people, who now supported His reign as King by the thousands.4 The people had again been taught the ancient ways by men like John, Jesus, and His faithful followers, who had been demonstrating the way of God, making it straight again.
Understanding that the porters were government officials, and what it meant to be fired from their lucrative commissioned position in the national treasury, clarifies the motivation to crucify King Jesus. It also explains the need to choose new men of service to handle some of the matters of government not available to those who received Christ’s baptism into His Kingdom.
These seven men were not the first ministers of the Church by any means. Every Pentecost people of Israel would reaffirm the tens, hundreds, and thousands by coming together in a well organized network. The people of Judea knew from the Torah and their own history what was needed to maintain a free state. They knew they no longer could depend on the benefaction of the Pharisees’ government if they were to get the Baptism of Christ.
They had repented of coveting their neighbors’ goods, forcing their neighbors to contribute to their welfare in a system of Corban that made the word of God to none effect.
These seven men were to oversee the banking function of the kingdom and the Apostles maintained the right to fire but not elect these representatives of the people.
This is why Stephen was to be martyred. Follow the money. Stephen was receiving the former contributions to the Pharisees.
Leaven of the State
From the book The Higher Liberty, Sec. 73
http://www.hisholychurch.org/media/books/THL/levenstate.php
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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
Footnotes:
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