Doctrines and Practices of the Church
Part 2

 The Tax Exempt Status of the Church 

      When a church is formed it applies for and receives IRS status as a 501(c)(3) corporation. This status allows contributions made to the church to be deductible by the donors, and the church to be exempt from paying taxes.  This is seldom questioned except in cases where churches cross the line between Church and State usually by overt support or opposition to political candidates or issues.  The very concept that a church has the right to be exempt from paying taxes is never questioned, but the Bible is very clear on the issue.  Jesus was asked the question, answered it very clearly, and his answer is completely ignored by the church.  Three of the four gospels recount the incident that brought this question before the ultimate judge of all things related to the church.  Here is the answer from Matthew, Mark, and Luke:
♦  Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
♦  Mark 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
♦  Luke 20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

      Consider a simple question.  If one could stand before Jesus and ask the question, "Should those who follow Christ pay taxes to the government currently in power?” What would be his answer?  You be the judge of whether the church is correct in seeking tax exemption.    

A Holy Spirit – A Holy Ghost

The Church View:
      The Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is a supreme eternal being separate from either the Father or Jesus and is part of a equal trinity with those two beings.

The Bible View:
      The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is the essence of God the Father, and is the source of all love, life, and faith. There is no scriptural evidence to support the concept that the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is an individual being. There is clear historical evidence that the belief in a "Trinity" is a traditionally accepted concept rather than a doctrine supported by scripture.

      The concept of the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost as an individual entity that is part of a Trinity, including the Father and Jesus, is a dogma not supported in biblical text. A "trinity" was never mentioned by the prophets, or the apostles, and was actually contradicted by the words of Jesus himself.  The concept of the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost as a force projected by God, and as a form of spiritual contact and power, is well supported in Biblical text, and clearly described as a source of power and guidance by prophets and apostles alike.  It is well documented in theological environs that this doctrine is shaky, at best, and only accepted as doctrine through a constant presence in doctrinal development; it is a tradition, not biblical doctrine.  In simple terms, it is from man, not the Bible.  Such a powerful entity with equal status to the Supreme Elohiym would certainly have at least a name or some description of its individual personality.  It is almost always described as the device of the will of the Elohiym rather than a supreme partner in an exclusive triad of this supreme race.   The names Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are from the same words.

A Gross Mistranslation
      Evidence of the dogmatic directives driving the King James translation can be found in this glaring example:
♦  1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
      In verse 7, the phrases “the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost:” and “and these three are one” have both been added by the translators, as was the phrase “And there are three that bear witness.” in verse 8.  This was a blatant attempt by the Bishop of London, the supervisor of the translation project under King James, to inject the human based tradition of the Trinity into biblical text.  No words that can be translated into these added phrases could be found in the original text.  It is a fraud.  The words are not found in any of the oldest, and most reliable manuscripts, nor in any of the ancient translations.
           The concept of a triad in the godhead was not known in the original church the Christ established, and only appeared in "church" doctrine when the Emperor Constantine began his wholesale overhaul of biblical doctrine.  It was made official in 381 A.D by the Council of Constantinople, which defined the godhead as three gods in one.  From the Council transcripts we find this statement: "You, we and all who are not bent on subverting the word of the true faith should give this creed our approval. It is the most ancient and is consistent with our baptism. It tells us how to believe in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit: believing also, of course, that the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit have a single Godhead and power and substance, a dignity deserving the same honour and a co-eternal sovereignty, in three most perfect hypostases, or three perfect persons."  The Council of Nice refers to this “institution” of the trinity into church doctrine as backing concepts formed in 325 A.D.  This Council, convened by the Emperor Constantine, formulated the Nicene Creed.  In every form, and from every aspect, the concept of the Holy Spirit / Ghost as an independent entity, or personality, and part of a "trinity" is a human, not a biblical, doctrine.
      In truth, the doctrine of the "Trinity" is one of the most blatant, and easily documented examples of the hypocrisy Jesus spoke of when he stated:
♦  "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.", (Matthew 15:7-9).