Christ's Alternative to Armed Revolt, 4

Continued from "Christ's Alternative to Armed Revolt,3"

Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." (Moses to the people of Israel, Deuteronomy 4:5-6)

In I Corinthians 6:5-6, the Apostle Paul -- under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- advocates the establishment of a shadow government within the Church of Corinth. You can find the rationale for such an institutional move all the way back in Deuteronomy chapter 4 (see Scripture quote above).

When followers of Christ govern themselves within the local church in terms of His commands (see Matthew 18:15-20), they function as a city set on a hill, as an example open to the view of all. This throws light on something else that Jesus said:

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church ; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19)

Two points to observe from this passage:

1. The "keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" give the Church power to produce effects (binding and loosing) on earth.
2. The word church (Greek, ekklesia) indicates a governmental body.

You can plainly see that the word church (ekklesia) expresses the idea of a governmental body by its appearance in Acts 19:39, where it refers to a civil assembly -- a town meeting in which citizens decide official matters.

But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly [ekklesia].

Every city/state of the Roman Empire had its own assembly or ekklesia where each natural born male citizen could vote on matters of concern. Thus, each Christian congregation or ekklesia (the Church at Rome, the Church at Ephesus, the Church at Philippi, etc.) constituted a city within a city, the leaven within the lump of pagan society & culture.

Unlike contemporary churches, which function more like religious clubs, the Apostles founded First Century churches as enclaves of Biblical culture which were to convert individuals and permeate society like leaven.  

Continued Here