“Jesus is Lord” 1Cor12:3
Year 202 AD.
Roman State Official: “Declare your allegiance to Caesar! Say, ‘Caesar is lord’ and burn your incense on the altar to the gods of Rome!”
Christian: “No! I refuse. Jesus is Lord!” (declared with joy)
Roman Official: “Die Christian scum! You are guilty of sacrilege and treason against the Empire!”
Christ followers 202 AD: willing to die.
Year 2012 AD.
Roman State Official: “You have been approved. Sign here on the dotted line for your 501c3 State Incorporation Contract so you can have limited liability, financial gain and State permission and oversight.”
Pastor: “Yes sir!” (submissively)
Roman State Official: “Congratulations! Welcome to the Corporation. You are now duly incorporated with the State. By the power vested in me by the State, I pronounce you a Government Incorporated registered Church. Here is your manual of obligations, rules, regulations, requirements, and restrictions. Have a nice day!”
Churchianity 2012: willing to compromise
Witnessing Encouragement 
The subject in 202 and 2012 was and is, “Allegiance” and “Loyalty”. And also, to *whom* the honor and glory are given.
Here is a story of how it was for the saints in the “early church”, in the Pagan Roman Empire, where it was required to honor the pagan gods, Rome and Caesars of the State.
http://thingswhichremain.blogspot.com/2012/03/jesus-is-lord.html
Hey, thanks for linking to my blog post on this topic… It’s a very convicting realization when we understand what early Christians endured. Our time may yet come soon.
hi Vincent, I was trying to find that text or video where Paul Washer tells that story of the workers and the Romans coming up to them with the portable “altar”. I actually remember hearing PW tell that story live at a conference in 2009 and was wondering if it was on video somewhere. That’s how I found your post, which was so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you. And yes I very much agree with you, what you wrote above. Thank you again, and i’m glad to meet you. love, Loretta
Hi Loretta, very nice to meet you as well. I believe if you search on Youtube for Washer’s sermon “Decisional Regeneration” or “The Idolatry of Decisional Regeneration”, you will find the sermon where he tells that story. He preaches about Rom 10:9 and how we don’t understand the cultural context for 1st century Christians and what making a public confession of Jesus Christ really meant then — that is, certain death — and how we have watered that down to a simple decision without proper emphasis on the cost of discipleship.
God bless you,
Vince
hi Vincent, oh yes thank you. Yes I remember listening to that message on sermonaudio when it came out, I’m guessing 2009? I just forgot which message I heard that story in. Thank you! I love what you wrote (summarizing the message) and I agree very much. Thank you and God bless you also, love, Loretta
Willing to die VS willing to compromise.
Are you willing?
Hello, Loretta. It’s good to see the new posts as well as the old..very encouraging! You stay encouraged as well!!!! 🙂
I am looking up 501 c3 now and I am wondering if you(OR ANYONE) have enough time (not mandatory lol) could you explain 501 c3 to us folks that don’t really know what it is…you know on some websites they speak in jargon …professional so young people like me don’t fully understand what they are saying lol… Could you break this down
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.
Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.
The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.
Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct. For a detailed discussion, see Political and Lobbying Activities. For more information about lobbying activities by charities, see the article Lobbying Issues; for more information about political activities of charities, see the FY-2002 CPE topic Election Year Issues.
This is all I could find on it…