Where is God Amidst All This Chaos?
Special: Counseled by God Free Video Event and up to 50% off!

Is the Church a Building or a Called-Out Assembly in the Town Square?

Mark Virkler's picture

Rather than asking people, "Where do you go to church?" it would be more accurate for us to ask a person, "Where do you go to assemble?" The word translated "church" (ekklesiain the New Testament never refers to a building. Instead, it refers to a called-out assembly of citizens in the town square, and more specifically it is applied to the called-out believers of our Lord Jesus Christ who are assembling. Acts 19:32, 39 and 41 are interesting verses which each contain ekklesia translated “assembly,” not church.


Kittle - Theological Dictionary of the New Testament - ekklesia (G1577)

1. (Literally) a “calling out.” 

2. (Concretely, of Greece) an assembly of citizens (as called out by the town crier for a specific purpose).

3. (Specifically, of Jesus) a called-out assembly of the Redeemed of Jesus (Yeshua).

We are to be like Jesus Who ministered with Kingdom authority in the public arena

  1. Jesus established a kingdom that would replace all earthly kingdoms: In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed … it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever..."  (Dan. 2:44-45).
  2. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isa. 9:7).
  3. Jesus, our perfect example, generally ministered in public places, calling all to repentance, displaying the Father’s compassion as He ministered healing and deliverance, and rebuked leaders who were evil (Matt. 14:14; Jn. 8:44).
  4. We are empowered and commissioned to disciple nations: And Jesus spoke, saying, ‘ALL authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age’" (Matt. 28:18-20).
  5. God put US in charge of the earth: The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, But the earth He has given to the sons of men (Ps. 115:16).
  6. We need revelation to see that we are now ruling with Christ: May (God) give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened… He raised Him (Christ) from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 1:17-23).
  7. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places: God “raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6).

When America was birthed, the Church strongly influenced the government!

  1. George Washington stated – “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” John Adams declared, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” Many additional quotes by America’s early leaders are available here.
  2. Bill of Rights (adopted 1791) Amendment I - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
  3. Amendment 1 in no way forbids Christians from being active in politics, holding office, creating and voting on moral, upright laws, and living out what George Washington said was so desperately needed.
  4. God calls political rulers His ministers! We must once again call believers into full-time ministry as leaders in every aspect of society, for when the evil rule, justice comes out perverted and people mourn (Rom. 13:3,4; Prov. 29:2).
  5. Early Americans were encouraged to carry the Bible and the Constitution with them and study them both.
  6. The Church was active in society - 123 of the first 126 colleges were Christian. Black Robe Regiment pastors called their congregations to fight in the Revolution. You can become a member of this group today.
  7. The prophetic voice of Quakers to England created a campaign that brought the issue of slavery before governing authorities where new laws brought an end to slavery.

When the Church was removed from the public square, demonic deception took its place

  1. Thomas Jefferson in his 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist Association declared that when the American people adopted the first amendment in the Bill of Rights they built a wall of separation between the church and state.” (NOTE: this is NOT what the First Amendment says!)
  2. 1954 - Senator Lyndon Johnson introduced an amendment to the U.S. tax code prohibiting churches from taking a public stand on political candidates. If anyone from a pulpit dared to endorse a candidate, that church’s tax exemption would be repealed. Note: President Trump enacted an executive order which greatly diminished the potency of this law.
  3. In 1963 the Supreme Court ruled that prayer was to be taken out of schools. This brought about many other evil laws and the absolute collapse of every aspect of schooling and American society which can be graphically seen on these charts. This total devastation is exactly what God said would happen if a nation does not hear His voice (Deut. 28:15-68 NKJV).
  4. Evil leaders arose and God sent to them a spirit of delusion (2 Thess. 2:10-12).
  5. We have now moved into “the naked public square” as churches dutifully submitted to government decrees, and the religion of secular humanism took over education and the country. With it came abortion on demand (1973), sexual grooming, same sex marriages, horrific transgender surgery, elitists in control of governments, and a host of other evils.
  6. Children have been subjected to unimaginably inappropriate ideas by teachers paid with our tax dollars, and their parents have even been told that their children’s learning is no concern of theirs and that the state will choose what and how they learn. This is Communism come to America. (Metaxas, Eric. Letter to the American Church (pp. 14-15). Salem Books. Kindle Edition.) Four million children have moved to private/Christian schools, and the stream is growing fast.
  7. During 2021, churches were told they were non-essential and ordered by the government to not assemble, while marijuana dispensaries, casinos, and strip clubs remained open. When they were allowed to meet, they were commanded not to sing their worship to God! Sadly, many pastors behaved as though it was their Christian duty not to speak.
  8. Name-calling followed. Anyone taking a stand for Christian principles is ridiculed, called a right-wing extremist, Christian nationalist, fascist, white supremacist and a host of other much more barbaric names.

It’s time to take ACTION and bring God back into the town square!

  1. Hear His voice and obey: My sheep hear My voice - you are the head and not the tail (Jn. 14:1; Deut. 28:1,13,14 NKJV). Training on hearing God’s voice is available here.
  2. Be empowered by the Holy Spirit: You shall receive power when… (Acts 1:8). Training here.
  3. No longer be the silent majority: We demonstrate God’s kingdom in the public square. We prophesy, show compassion, heal and cast out demons, and promote godly rule. See: The Church Slept. Hitler Arose. Millions Died. Bonhoeffer Fought Back.
  4. Realize the building we attend on Sunday morning is NOT the Church. It is a place the Church gathers. Pastors are to train Christians how to disciple nations.
  5. Speak prophetically to the governing authorities, giving them God’s wisdom and guidance even as Daniel did. Daniel was elevated to a position of leadership (Dan. 2:46-49).
  6. Call upon God to release His power to defeat our enemies (1 Sam. 7:8-12)!
  7. My journaling: “Lord, how do we go to war with the enemy and fight them?” Click here.
Add new comment

Results

Results 31 - 40 of 479

Pages

Fulfill Your Financial Destiny

Fulfill Your Financial Destiny

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 66 Pages

Though the economic system (mammon) of this world is under a curse, we have received instructions for how to move out from that dominion and into the blessing of the Kingdom of God. God’s promises to His children have not changed with the whims of government or Wall Street, nor have His directions for how to walk in those promises. We can “choose not to participate” in the economic recession that is around us if we instead choose to obey the logos and rhema of the Lord and enjoy the blessings that result.

Price: $9.95
Gifted to Succeed

Gifted to Succeed

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 189 Pages

There is no joy so complete as knowing who you are -- who God has made you to be and what your basic giftings and drives are. The goal of this book is to get you effectively functioning in roles which allow you to adequately express your heart motivations and gifts. The fulfillment you experience when you function in your gifts and calling is a joy almost beyond belief.

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men." (Prov. 22:29)

Price: $17.95
The Great Mystery

Great Mystery

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 54 Pages

This is a workbook which guides you in meditating on hundreds of New Testament verses which speak of Who Christ is within us and how to touch and release Him and His wisdom, power and might continuously and effortlessly out through our lives. You will look up every New Testament verse on being "in Christ," "in Him" and "in Whom." In addition, you will meditate on the various names given to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and realize that all that He is is available within you and even joined to you (1 Cor. 6:17)! Absolutely amazing!

Price: $9.95
Health Mastery Through MRT

Health Mastery Through MRT

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 82 Pages

Wouldn't it be great if there were a way for my body to tell me exactly what it needs and desires, without having to take expensive or invasive tests? Wouldn't it be amazing if I could perform these tests as often as I wanted, right in my own home (or anywhere I wanted), with no costly instruments necessary? 

Price: $19.95

Hearing God Through Biblical Meditation

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 179 Pages | $15.99 retail list price

For many years I studied the Bible incorrectly, and it produced death rather than life. Even though I had a knowledge of the Scriptures, I did not personally experience the life and the realities they revealed. The Bible calls this the ministry of death, rather than the ministry of righteousness (2 Cor. 3:6–9). Upon coming out of Bible college, I found myself just like the apostle Paul, attacking those who disagreed with my theology. 

Price: $15.95

How Do You Know?

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 180 Pages

How do you know? What is the process you use to discover truth? I did not ask that question during the first 25 years of my life. I used eleven different methods for discovering truth including: if my parents said so, then it was so. If my teacher said it was so, then it was so. If my pastor said it was so, then it was so. If my theology said it was so, then it was so. I have discarded them all and adopted a twelfth method, which is in harmony with what the Bible teaches. We teach you this method in this book.

Price: $17.95
How to Build a Winning Team

How to Build a Winning Team

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 105 Pages

Can I succeed like others have? What do I need to do? How do I go about it? What if I don't have the gifts necessary to do something great?  The wonderful truth revealed in Scripture is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats, especially when they say, "Yes, Lord" to the destiny He has prepared for them!

Price: $12.95
How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 44 Pages | Published 2002

This brief booklet walks a person through the main obstacles to speaking in tongues, and shows how each one can be successfully overcome. It is down-to-earth, practical and biblical, and in it Mark Virkler shares the struggles he went through before he was able to speak in tongues. Some were theological issues and some simply practical issues, like the fact that if I am going to speak in tongues, I will need to speak. Otherwise, nothing happens.

Price: $2.95
How to Walk by the Spirit

How to Walk by the Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 136 Pages | Previous name "Sense Your Spirit"

Are you like many western Christians who have been taught little about how to sense their spirits? Do you have trouble even defining what spirit sensations feel like within you, much less recognizing them? This training was birthed from Mark’s passion to live out of his spirit, and thus release the anointing of God. The problem he faced was lack of clear biblical definition as to what his spirit felt like. So Mark looked up every verse in the Bible on heart and spirit.

Price: $13.95
Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 223 Pages

This book leads you in meditating on and journaling about two hundred and fifty verses that discuss the Holy Spirit. You will grow in intimacy with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the anointing within you will increase! You will exclaim as the disciples did on the Emmaus Road “Did not our heart burn within us…while He opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)! In addition to being led to journal through these verses, you will read numerous two-way journal entries from Mark Virkler, as well as a five-page prayer at the conclusion of the book.

Price: $10.95

Pages