CHURCH OF THE CALLED OUT ONES

Church of the Called Out Ones

Do you worship alone? Do you long for fellowship with like-minded believers? Are you missing a loving church family?

young man praying

Light and truth are ever advancing on those who would follow the Lamb. Thus, every Truth Seeker who is sincerely committed to following God will, sooner or later, be faced with advanced light that is different than what he believed or practiced before. The adoption of this new truth will lead him separate and apart from those with whom he worshipped before if they, in turn, do not accept it.

A sincere hearted person does not attend a church unless he believes the doctrines taught are Heaven-sanctioned truths. It then becomes a very easy thing to confuse loyalty to one’s church with loyalty to God. A number of frequently quoted Bible texts appear to support the idea that the Church is the gateway to Heaven. Indeed, some churches teach that membership in their denomination is a requirement to gain entrance at the pearly gates.

One of the most widely quoted of such Bible texts is a statement made by Jesus to Simon Peter:

And I say 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, KJV)

This single Bible verse has been used by the Roman Catholic Church to teach that salvation is exclusive to its communion for over 1,500 years.

Other Bible texts are also used to support belief in and strong loyalty to the “Church.” “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47

In the King James version of Scripture, the word “church” has been used 80 times, all of which are found in the New Testament. The problem is, the definition of the English word “church” does not fit the definition of the original word. The word used is ĕkklēsia (Strong’s #1577) and means “a calling out” which is a far different meaning from the modern understanding of “church.”

The dictionary defines “church” as:

A particular body of Christians united under one form of ecclesiastical government, in one creed, and using the same ritual and ceremonies . . . the organized body of Christians in any particular district, city, state, or country; . . . any organized body of Christians occupying the same edifice for religious worship . . . having to do with organized Christian worship. (Webster’s New Universal Abridged Dictionary)

This is very different from the actual New Testament word referring to a calling out. Compounding the confusion is the fact that many people view “church” and “denomination” in virtually the same light.

church congregation A denomination is “A class, society or collection of individuals, called by the same name.” (American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828) “Denominational” meaning “of, sponsored by, or under the control of, some religious sect or sects.” (Webster’s New Universal Abridged Dictionary)

The emphasis, whether the word is “church” or “denomination,” is on an organized group that is governed by some hierarchical structure. People often think of a body of believers which support with tithes and offerings a governing body which oversees, to a greater or lesser degree, the running of the group. The leadership often has the power to define the structure’s beliefs and to spend its monies.

Perhaps most significant is the fact that the leadership of an organized “church” assumes the responsibility to cooperate with the government in meeting the requirements to be considered a legal entity. In order to be a recognized denomination, certain legal requirements, as set forth by the State, must be met. These requirements vary from country to country.

There are various reasons given for seeking recognition as an organized church from the government. In some countries, it is illegal to assemble for worship unless the group of believers has that recognition from their government. In other countries, it is for purely financial reasons so that the church does not have to pay taxes.

young people singing in a church Being a denomination, being legally recognized by the government, is not, by definition, a sin. However, it opens the door for Satan to gain control over the church by later changing the legal requirements. When a church’s doctrines become politically incorrect, it is tempting to adjust the theology in order to retain the desired legal recognition and its accompanying benefits.

This has happened, to a greater or lesser degree, to all denominations. When a church becomes a legalized entity recognized by its State, existing by its permission, it puts itself under the control of that government. What the State grants permission to do, the State can withdraw permission for.

Home churches are not simply an alternate form of worship for God’s people in these last days of earth’s history. Rather, they are the only viable option available to all who would “worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24).

All who truly love the Sabbath and its Creator will share the truth of the Biblical seventh-day Sabbath with those they love. If this truth is rejected, the person who has loyally and obediently embraced advancing light is left with no other option but to withdraw from the fellowship of a church with whom he or she no longer agrees. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3, KJV)

The only organized body of believers recognized by God is the Called Out Ones whose head is Jesus and whose governing body is based in Heaven. Speaking of Jesus, who is the head of the only group of believers Heaven recognizes, Paul wrote:

And He is the head of the body, the church , who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18,

The true “church” consists of those Called Out Ones, scattered all over the surface of the earth. Unknown and unrecognized on earth, but loved and honored in Heaven. These are the ones who follow their Saviour with a deep and abiding love, willing to give up all in order to honor Him whom to know is life eternal.

They belong to Jesus and are counted as members of the family of Heaven – a far richer glory and weightier honor than to be entered into the membership roles of the largest worldly church.

But ye have come . . . and unto the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerably company of angels. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant . . . . (Hebrews 12:22-24

The Saviour stated an important principle when He told Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants would fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36

Just as Jesus was in the world but not of the world, so, too, shall His followers be. They shall not align themselves with organized religious bodies. The Head of the Called Out Ones is Jesus. Just as His presence is hidden to all but the eye of faith, so is worship a private matter between the individual soul and God. It is not an outward act performed on the stage of a structured hierarchy where your beliefs must conform to that of the majority if you would be accepted into membership. Such conformity, God has never sanctioned.

smiling older woman Worship acceptable to God does not require a group. The Called Out Ones are few and far between, often known only to God. In time, He may send others to you but He may also lead you to worship Him alone. As God speaks to His children in a still small voice, He may know that your greatest need is to worship Him alone that in that very silence and stillness, you may hear His whispers more clearly, addressing your own spiritual needs.

Heaven’s final warning message is presented to the world in Revelation 18 where those who love God are called out of Babylon:

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hatefu bird! For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication . . . .” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” (Revelation 18:1-5

Wine is an intoxicating beverage that benumbs the mind and confuses the senses. The “wine” of Babylon which the entire world has drunk is the adoption of a false calendar for religious observances. None who answer the call to flee Babylon will be found in her churches, worshipping on false holy days.

Scripture is clear. The remnant “church” is not the last organized denomination. By definition, there can be no final organized structure. Rather, they are the final remnant of Called Out Ones. They are called out from all denominations. Scripture presents the final generation as having the final separation FROM: from Babylon, from her churches, from all false doctrines and practices.

Stand with the Called Out Ones today. Honor Him who loved you enough to sacrifice His own Son for you and worship Him free from all error and tradition. Join the church of the First Born.