These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by man. Matthew 15:8-9
This is a review of a song we recently heard by a Christian artist about going back to “church.” The song’s title is “Church (Take Me Back).” We have chosen to write about the lyrics because it personifies the issues we speak of throughout this site. The lyrics from our perspective showcase the subtle forms of deception and bondage to the law at the heart of the “institutional church.” I do not know the artist other than he is a worship leader at a “church” and has a band that tours. We are not offering our opinion on the musicality of the song – only the lyrical content. When we encounter anything promoting bondage to the law, whether intentionally or unintentionally, we are charged by God to speak out.
Our perspective is not against the artist personally. We do not know him or his band, and we are assuming they are decent people. However, we can clearly see his identity and livelihood is intertwined and dependent upon this thing we call “church.” He and his band is going by what they have been taught all their life by “church leaders.” We understand that – we were no exception to this. They have their perspective as we have ours which we will demonstrate is in accordance to the word of God. I will elaborate on specific lyrics within the song, however, we will not post the full lyrics of the song here to avoid any copyright issues.
The most striking element of all about the song is the name of Jesus Christ is not mentioned anywhere. “God” is mentioned in the song one time in reference to being part of God’s family. The word “church” is mentioned eight times; seven times in the lyrics, and once in the title. You might want to see our article “A Name Above All Names: ”Church.” The core of the song’s focus is on this thing we call “church,” and indeed it holds the number one position throughout. The “institutional church” although presented as in celebration of Christ is actually an idolatrous substitute for our relationship with Jesus.
The underlying implication of the song is that “church” and our relationship with God are synonymous. This is the most prevalent and deceptive form of idolatry among believers, and has been for over 1,700 years since the inception of the Roman Catholic Church. The lyrics do not touch on one’s relationship with Jesus – it’s emphasis is on the relationships we have with other people. Implicit in the lyrics is the misnomer one’s needs can only be truly met by this thing or process we call “church.’”Jesus is the source of our needs – not our man-made “church institutions” or its’ members.
Credence is placed on our relationship with “church organizations” as oppose to our relationship with Jesus. In other words, in order to have a genuine relationship with Jesus, you have to have a relationship with a “church” first. This is a falsehood many believers have fallen for, and emanates from the master of deception – Satan.
“We have confused our relationship with Christ by fusing it with this Thing we call church. We are led to believe that when we are in a proper relationship with it we are in a proper relationship with Christ; that we have to be a member of a church to be saved or to be a good Christian; that serving it is serving Christ; that loving it is loving Christ; that tithing to it is tithing to Christ.” Charles Elliott Newbold, Jr.
Going to “church” is a contrivance of mankind. Only men and women preach going to “church” – Jesus said we are His Church. “Church” is not something you go to – Church is who we are. Jesus never intended for us to be part of two “churches” – His and man’s. The New Testament Church (actually God’s Ecclesia) were people only – they were not buildings or “church organizations.” They were not about making money to keep organizations afloat, nor was it a way for people to make a living. Leaders in “church organizations” do not operate as the elders did in the New Testament. In the NT elders led by example in the community – not by positions of authority.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed away unto another Gospel, from him that had called you in the grace of Christ, Galations 1:6
Satan has orchestrated this thing we call “church” by presenting it as a celebration of Christ when in fact it is a contrivance of man’s carnal mind and man-made traditions. Jesus do not need us to go to “church” – He wants us to be the Church. Believers should be seeking the unsaved – not the “unchurched.” Those inside the man-made “church system” do not draw others to Christ because they are tucked inside their temple made with hands. When they seek out others on the outside, their goal is to draw them to their “church organizations” to increase “church membership.” We place more credence on steering people to our “church organizations” as oppose to drawing them to Jesus.
The lyrics in the song basically assert what we call “church” is the Church Jesus created. This is false and has no standing whatsoever in Scripture. Jesus created only one Church – the Body of Christ. You will not find a single word in Scripture we are to attend “churches,” build them, or join a “church organization.” Whenever you see the word ‘church” in the New Testament, it is referring to all the believers in a given community. This is why Paul writes to the Church of Corinth, the Church of Ephesus, etc. The word “church” did not exist at all in the original Scriptures – instead the word was Ecclesia. The word “church” and Ecclesia have two totally different meanings. However, we use the word “church” here for the sake of it’s use in the world, and what society has embraced.
What is fellowship? Jesus clearly tells us what it is. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). The apostles were a small group. Believers in the early Church often met at homes or wherever two or more gathered together. There was no such thing as a “church service” or the abomination we call a sermon. Jesus made it crystal clear how He desires believers to worship Him, and it is not based on any location or something we build or create.
Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor at Jerusalem worship the Father. Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and Truth: for the Father requireth even such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth. John 4:21-24
The underlying current throughout the song is one can only have true fellowship with others inside a “church building” made with human hands. It defies common sense and contradicts the Word to believe one can not have intimate relationships with other believers outside of the man-made “church system.” There is also no legitimacy to the idea that believers can’t find others who truly care for him or her outside of this thing we call “church.” Both concepts are diabolical to what is written in the New Testament. If going to “church” was the most important aspect of a believer’s life, why was Jesus silent about it and why did His apostles never attended or start “churches?” I tell you why – because God only intended believers to be part of only one Church – the Body of Christ. Any other “church” is a product of man.
Praise God the early Church (actually Ecclesia)” did not believe in this thing we call “church,” nor would they had stood for such a carnal process as our “church organizations.” As a matter of fact, Jesus tells us believers true to His Word will be put out of the synagogues. “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kills you will think that he is doing God service (John 16:2). God clearly tells us He no longer resides in temples made with hands. We can assure you “church” and Jesus are not equals, and satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
One of the artist lyrics I found particularly sobering referred to being “blind to the truth.” The world is blind to the truth – you are blind to the truth if you are part of the “institutional church system.” Our relationship with Jesus Christ is not contingent on a relationship with a “church,” but rather our belief and faith in Him. Fellowship is not the same thing as “church.” One lyric lamented about not knowing what one has – which I agree with, but for a totally different reason. I say this because we fail to realize we are now under a covenant of grace and are no longer in bondage to the law. Yet we absolutely refuse to give up our man-made customs and traditions.
Making the word of God of none authority, by your tradition which ye have ordained: and ye do many such like things. Mark 7:13
One has to ask – How it this thing we call “church” different than the fundamental laws and practices in the Old Testament? Let’s see how “churches” today operate in comparison to believers in God in the Old Testament.
How did Israel in the Old Covenant worship God?
- They built and maintained a temple/building.
- They had a congregational meeting that had a repetitive format that started with praise and worship.
- They made offerings and tithes.
- Men were told they were required to enter the temple to worship God.
- There was the High Priest who was in authority over those who entered
Sound familiar? Again I ask, “How is it that this thing we call “church” different than the fundamental laws and practices in the Old Testament?” The answer is it is not any different. We continue to operate under the law and reject the sacrifice Jesus paid for our lives on the cross. Our faith in Jesus should not be based on a “church organization,” nor the people within it. Believers in Jesus should never localize His presence because He is omnipresent. He is not confined and boxed in by the buildings we idolize, or the “church organizations” and pastors we set upon pedestals. This thing we call “church” is about engaging in acts of the flesh (the law) and calling it spirit. God’s Ecclesia in the New Testament was alive, mobile, and not confined by the things and processes of this world.
Which things have indeed a show of wisdom, in voluntary religion and humbleness of mind, and in not sparing the body, which are things of no value, since they pertain to the filling of the flesh. Colossians 2:17
Relationships are the secondary focal point of the lyrics. The lyrics’ message about being there for one another and encouraging each other are beautiful and is what God’s wants for us. God desires for believers to have fellowship with each other, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with attending or being part of a “church organization” which violates Scripture on almost every level. This thing we call “church” is man’s idea – not Gods. Make no mistake – the “church organization” comes first: before our relationships, before you, and above all else – before Jesus. It’s very survival depends on it being first – without that component the “church organization” could not exist.
For most “churchgoing” believers fellowship is looking at the back of each others heads during a service, and shaking hands and issuing salutations before and after the service. That is not God’s idea of fellowship. Sure, people do form relationships at times from attending such meetings, but their “church” remains the star – number one. The pivotal point in any “church service” is the abomination we call the “sermon, which its’ origin can be traced out of Greco-Roman paganism. “Churchgoers” are summoned by men – not God, to come hear their polished oratories weekly.
It is very evident believers in the New Testament had close, caring relationships with each other. They did not attend this thing we call “church” – they were the Church – 24/7. You want to talk about people you can depend on – find someone in the “institutional church” who is willing to share all of their money and what they have with you. Better yet, ask your pastor to forgo his salary and a get a job like Paul did building tents while continuing to preach.
Our “churches” tell us to stay, where as God’s Word tells us to go. Jesus built only one Church – His Ecclesia. He did not command us to build places for worship with someone in authority over all who enters. Such was the case with old Levitical priesthood which was done away with by His death on the cross. Christ is our only High Priest and we are all priests unto Him now.
“Jesus declared,“Ye also as lively stones, be made a spiritual house, an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1Peter 2:5).”
The song lyrics touts our primary dependency on others as oppose to Jesus. In the “institutional church” Jesus remains predominately in the background. We create all sorts of stuff; seminars, programs, sermons, retreats, meetings, etc. and say by the way, it all for you Lord. We use Jesus name to establish legitimacy to our church organizations, but the vast majority of our focus is on the “church organization” itself. Our man-made “church systems” have nothing to do with our faith – our faith has to do with our relationship with Jesus. We should be dependent on Jesus first – before anyone else or anything. God wants us to have fellowship with each other, but it should never overshadow our relationship with Jesus or be a substitute for Him.
“We become spiritual prostitutes when we create something and give our hearts to it rather than to the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what men have done with this Thing we call church.” Charles Elliott Newbold, Jr.
One false proclamation by “church leaders” is “If you leave the institutional church system, your relationship will with Jesus will grow cold. The lyrics in the song clearly strives to convey this. “Church leaders” and their proponents tout one will fall away from the faith and if they do not attend this thing we call “church.” We have found this to be the exact opposite. With the “church organization” and it’s many needs out of the way, believers become free to worship God in spirit and in truth. Jesus said this is in fact what He desires from us (John 4:21-24).
Without the enormous drain of the “church system,” one’s focus becomes his or her relationship with Christ, instead of his or her relationship with a “church.” Fellowship with other believers is more intimate and is not contingent on the many diversions and requirements of sustaining the “church organization” – including first and foremost, the pastor’s salary. One does not become distracted from a multitude of man-made created programs and activities which supposedly adds up to being the equivalent of a relationship with Jesus. Fellowship does not require a building made of brick or wood, a sanctuary, camp meetings, pews, well dressed men and women, seminars, plays, stained glass windows, retreats, Sunday School, bake sales, offerings, new hymnals, conferences, etc.
A small number of believers are beginning to realize there are others who acknowledge the “institutional church” is not biblical and is contrary to the commands of Jesus Christ. There are also those who have known it all along, but dared not to speak out. The information age has been key in making those believers who worship Jesus in Spirit and Truth see they are indeed not alone. These believers realize what they have been taught by men for centuries have no basis in the Scriptures.
In the past people were put to death for heresy for not adhering to the “church systems” of men. Today, punishment is not as severe, but it is still taboo to be a believer and not engage in man’s idolatrous “church system.” You will have a heavy price to pay if you are not part of it, just as Jesus and His disciples did. It is a far easier road to remain in the religious “church system” and receive the accolades of men, and forgo the ostracism by those ensnared by the law.
It is readily apparent the sole purpose behind the lyrics of the song is to drive traffic through the doors of the “institutional church.” The message behind the lyrics is that the “church system” is where you belong and is where you go to get your needs met. The Body of Christ is not this thing we call “church” – it is God’s Ecclesia. It is every single believer in Christ. The moment one declare Jesus as Lord and Savior, he or she is immediately part of His Ecclesia (or His Church). You are part of the Body of Christ, and that is were you belong – God does not require you to be part of any organization or thing created by the hands of man.
Not forsaking the fellowship that we have among ourselves, as the manner of some is: but let us exhort one another, and that so much the more, because ye see that the day draweth near Hebrews 10:25
The world cites Hebrews 10:25 as a catch all verse for attending “church” – which the scripture does not even mention or allude to attending church. When you see the word “church” in the New Testament, it is referring to people only. All the believers in a given community were the Church. This thing we call “church” did not exist when the NT was written. Hebrews 10:25 is about fellowship with other believers – it is about encouraging a practice among believers to not become alienated from others. The scripture is fulfilled anytime two or more believers meet with one another – anywhere!
God that made the world, and all things that are therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things, Acts 17:24-25
This is going to be hard to swallow for those indoctrinated into the religious systems of man, but no believer belongs in a man-made “church” or should a be part of a “church organization.” This is the exact opposite of what you have been taught all of your life by men. Jesus Christ created only one Church and it is the Body of Christ. Through His death on the cross He redeemed us from the law, and the religious customs and temples of the past. In the New Testament there is a move away from ceremony – now we are all priest unto Christ. Yes, God wants us to have fellowship with each other, and it is in His Word. But fellowship does not require a “church” – and any man-mdae “church government” is a violation of Scripture.
The lyrics proclaims attending “church” is an obligation – that it is something God requires from us. This is unequivocally false and is totally based on the rules and traditions of men. Attending “church” is not a concept from God; it is a concept from man. It is deception from the enemy. We are the Church – we do not go to ourselves. We are not a thing or process – we are a people. The flesh requires us to see something; to do something in order to make our faith seem more real. Satan has thrown our eyes off of Jesus Christ, and has presented us with an idolatrous substitute for Him. There is an obligation from God, however, about partaking in idolatry and that is what the “institutional church” is based on. “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.” Revelation 18:4
God tells us we are now free through His death and resurrection. He tells us the priesthood has now changed, and we are all now priests unto Him. He tells us He no longer dwells in temples made by the hands of men. He tells us there is only One who is in authority over every believer. He tells us not to have titles of preeminence over other believers, or submit to those with such titles. He tells us He wants us to worship Him in Spirit and Truth. His Word on every level tells us why we are to remove ourselves from this man-made idolatrous system.
In my opinion, the lyrics are written in a way to invoke guilt. It feeds into people’s fears and emotions that are unwarranted because it is based on a law based gospel – a false gospel. But than that is what the “institutional church” does. It perpetuates guilt and duty to man-made laws Jesus never intended or desired for us. The lyrics also carries the implication that one is abandoning their fellow believers if they do not worship in man-made “church” buildings and organizations. Irrespective of the song – anything that points a believer’s primary focus unto anything other than one’s relationship with Jesus Christ – that thing serves as idolatry in his or her life. This is what is at the very heart of this thing we call “church.”
The lyrics assert that “church” is our foundation – this is false. “Church organizations” are not our foundation – the Word of God is our foundation. Jesus is our foundation. God never intended the Body of Christ to be fragmented into thousands of denominations and catapulted into millions of “church organizations.” Yes, we need each other and should have fellowship with other believers – but not if it violates the Word of God. Again, the “institutional church government” is a violation of Scripture at its’ very core.
In conclusion, the underlying current of the lyrics asserts going to “church” is required to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is a deception perpetrated from the god of this world. The concept of going to “church” started with inception of the Roman Catholic Church. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the song’s entire emphasis is to drive people to “church” first – even taken precedence over driving them to a relationship with Jesus. Those who wrote the lyrics think they are preaching life, but they are preaching death by perpetuating a false gospel that keeps others in bondage to the law.
The lyrics state returning to one’s first love which the artists refers to as “church” – Jesus should be our one and only first love – not the “church organizations” created by man. Jesus should be your first love in your life – not your relationships with others or the “church” you attend. Satan had done a real number on the Body of Christ and most believers are unable to see this. They can no longer hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and are unable to tell truth from error. Only truly delving into God’s Word and letting it take precedence over man’s word will you come to see this. Otherwise, you will continue to remain one of many on the broad road of destruction.
“Enter through the narrow gate, For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14