QUESTION: Praise God Priest Mutabazi Tumwine, someone sent me this poster and I would like to know what you say about the same. Sam
RESPONSE: The fundamental realization that Christian Churches, constituting the universal Christian church, must grasp is that the CHURCH, as per the Bible, differs from the religious building and organization to which you are affiliated.
Your religious denomination or place of worship does not equate to the church. According to the Bible, the church encompasses individual believers worldwide, transcending social and institutional affiliations (John 10:16; Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
Now, let’s briefly address each of the ten points with a corresponding verse for contemplation. These verses collectively represent a theological understanding of the scriptures.
- WHEN YOU MISS THE CHURCH NOBODY IS AFFECTED BUT YOU
Since a Christian is a church, their presence at a physical building or religious gathering is not the essence of attending church (1 Corinthians 16:19-24). As the church, whenever two or three believers gather in the name of the Lord, the church is in session (Matthew 18:20). The spiritual health of the CHURCH (individuals) is impacted when fellowship is lacking, emphasizing the importance of gathering together (Hebrews 10:19-25).
2. WHEN YOU WITHDRAW AS A WORKER, GOD REPLACES YOU ON TIME TO THE POINT YOU BECOME IRRELEVANT
If God were inclined to replace you, the sacrifice of the cross wouldn’t have been necessary (Ephesians 2:10). The notion of replacement is characteristic of cults, and it’s essential to recognize that God doesn’t operate on the principle of replacement. In the example of Prophet Elijah within the context of Judaism, God corrected this mindset. Despite Elijah feeling alone, God reminded him that there were more than seven thousand faithful prophets, and He humbled Elijah by personally caring for him (1 Kings chapters 18-19).
3. WHEN YOU DELIBERATELY REFUSE TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH PROJECTS, GOD RAISES OTHER BETTER AND SERIOUS GIVERS
The primary project of the Church of God is focused on individuals, including both believers and those who have not yet embraced Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20). When considering projects within the church, it’s crucial to recognize that the central mission revolves around people, and God doesn’t coerce us into supporting the great commission because we, ourselves, are the project (1 Corinthians 1:18).
4. WHEN YOU START FIGHTING THE CHURCH, GOD SEES YOU AS HIS ENEMY
God’s singular adversary is SIN/Satan; the rest are fallen sinners who are potential objects of His forgiveness and salvation (Luke 10:19; Genesis 3:15). It is the gods of cults that view those who oppose or do not worship them as enemies to be eliminated and destroyed. Cults, whether in the form of Judaism in biblical times, Islam, or various religious institutions within Christendom, have historically demonstrated this tendency.
5. WHEN YOU LEAVE THE CHURCH MORE SERIOUS PEOPLE COME IN
In Luke 15, God conveyed through a parable that He left the 99 to seek a single lost sheep, emphasizing that there is no distinction in the seriousness of being lost among individuals. This principle applies especially to the church of God, where every individual holds equal significance, and we are all God’s children (Luke 19:10; 15:31-32).
6. WHEN YOU EAT YOUR TITHES, OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICE THE GRACE OF THE CHURCH STOPS WORKING FOR YOU
Christians are encouraged to contribute their tithes and offerings directly to the ministers or ministries that serve them. There is no obligation to give tithes outside of the context of being ministered to, and the notion of the “Grace of the Church” providing blessings is unfounded. Grace is exclusively from God, and the way it operates is impartial: God’s blessings, including financial prosperity, extend to both saints and sinners alike (Matthew 5:45).
7. WHEN YOU GOSSIP YOUR CHURCH TO OTHER MEMBERS OR OUTSIDERS, YOU BECOME A REBEL AND A DISLOYAL WORSHIPPER.
Gossip can take two forms: spreading false information about someone or something, or sharing true information about someone or something to others. When gossip involves lies about you, it becomes an accusation, often associated with the devil’s work (Revelation 12:10). On the other hand, if gossip reveals true information about your wrongdoing, it may be a form of rebellion against occultic acts, with those exposing the evil acting in protest to such wrongdoing (Ephesians 5:11-14).
8. WHEN YOU SPEAK EVIL OF THE CHURCH, THE ANGELS WORKING WITH THE CHURCH WITHDRAW FROM YOU.
Let’s begin by reiterating what the Church is. As believers, you constitute the Church. Similar to how demons, as mentioned in Matthew 12:43-45, are not removed from you upon believing in Jesus Christ, angels assigned to assist you do not resign or withdraw their support due to any shortcomings or falls on your part (Daniel 6:20-23). Unless we are discussing a different concept of the church.
9. WHEN YOU DON’T WANT CONTROL, DISCIPLINE AND CORRECTION FROM THE CHURCH YOU ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO DANGER.
The Christian church is not a control freak. Control is a characteristic of a cult, as we are beings with free will, and that’s how God intended us to be since creation (Genesis 2:16-17). The head of the universal Christian Church is none other than God—Jesus Christ. Correction and discipline are administered through the church (Matthew 18:15-20) and directly by Himself (2 Timothy 1:7; John 14:26).
10. YOUR CHURCH IS THE SYMBOL OF THE MINISTRY’S MANTLE AND MANDATE AND NOT YOU, SO WITH YOU OR WITHOUT YOU THE WORK WILL SUCCEED, SEE YOURSELF PRIVILEGED TO BE PART OF GOD’S PROGRAM.
The Holy Spirit and His presence with you, as the church, are the seal and symbol not just of your ministry but of your redemption and faith (Ephesians 1:13). It’s not your religious or institutional church that holds power over you; since you are the church, God is the mandate and your mantle. While secular institutions, like orthodox religions, may thrive without you, the kingdom of God mourns and regrets the loss of you (Ezekiel 18:23). God bless you as you overcome the threats of cult-like behaviours and embrace the courage of the Holy Spirit.
I invoke Truth, Wisdom, and Faith (2 Timothy 2:7)
Priest Isaiah White Mutabazi Tumwine {+256 775 822833}
iTiS WOW Fellowship {John 4:24}
Questioning to Believe, Believing to Live
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24) 