The Polity, Explained

Line by Line

ARTICLE I - Congregations

Line 1. Each congregation's board and constituency consists of the entirety of the body of elders of that congregation.

In the Old Testament we see reference to the tents of the congregation.

Numbers 3:7 And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.

The first appearance in Numbers 3:7 of the word tabernacle is from the word 'ohel [lha]. The second appearance of the word tabernacle is the word mishkan [Nkvm]. Mishkan is the word often used to describe the Tabernacle built by Moses to house the ark of the covenant

The word 'ohel means tents. It can mean literally a nomad's tent, a dwelling, home, habitation but intrinsically it carries the idea of covering. The tents of the congregation were the homes of the people. The family supplied the coverture of the people under the sacred union of matrimony.It is in that Godly institution that the dominion of man on earth resides.

The first place you see the word congregation it is translated from `edah [hde]. It is from the word `ed [de] meaning witness and is most often translated congregation, but also company, assembly, multitude and people.

The second congregation in Numbers 3:7 is translated from a form of mow`ed [dewm]. It is translated many different ways.

Mow`ed is translated congregation 150 times, feast 23, season 13 times, appointed 12, time 12 times, assembly 4, solemnity 4, solemn 2, days 1, sign 1, synagogues 1.

Some of these words are similar but some are very different. The word is from ya`ad [dey] which means to fix, appoint, assemble, meet, set, betroth

What is the author really trying to tell us that the translator is neglecting to distinguish? We have different words translated into one English word while the same Hebrew word is often translated into numerous different English words.

The Sadducees, Scribes and Pharisees had the old text and they two had their differences about its meaning. The Essenes who numbered as much as those other political factions and also had a few opinions as to the interpretation of the old books. These words of Moses are very specific and yet the translators and historians shift about their translation to form many different words and phrases. Although the Bible and its authors may have been divinely inspired I am not always convinced that translators and learned interpreters are as pure in their efforts.

Numbers 18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, [even] the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

The Levites were to serve the tents of the congregation. One Levite family for every ten or eleven families of Israel. In the Polity we mention 'The board and constituency are one in the same." The constituency is the families or tents of the congregation. Each are autonomous units sanctioned by God in Holy Matrimony. They are Husband and Wife, children both natural and adopted and their domestic servants.

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

This board is composed of the head or representative of the family group. In the old text they chose their ministers from the amongst the Levites. It was not a democracy but more a republic where the gathered elders or representatives must come to agreement to maintain the congregation.

Consensus

Can six rule over five or eight over three?

Since the board is not a democracy where a majority may rule over the minority a consensus is required. If the congregation does not come to an acceptable consensus they will not remain together as a body. If they are divisive they will not remain strong as a group and will become divided and vulnerable. The effort, charity, patience and sacrifice required for consensus can bring a humble and loving congregation closer together and stronger as a people.

There are few precept repeated more often in the teachings of Jesus Christ than "to love one another". By this charitable precept the life blood of the congregation is realized. ^[1]

Line 2. The only authority of the minister of the congregation is in his choice to sanction by service the decision of the whole body of elders in assembly.

The prime directive of the minister does not allow him to exercise authority one over the other. They are to serve those of the kingdom according to the perfect law of liberty. [See Article 10]. The Minister of the families of the Kingdom are those that compose His Holy Church, as the Levites before them, belong to God. They are separate and are His possession. The Ministers must always seek to serve God by serving the needs of the congregation and the people at large.

That service may come in many forms. Health and well being of the Family, in all its endeavors is the paramount interest of its ministers. They are also the nervous system of the community at large through their networking system of Ministers of Ministers..

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Although, Ministers should seek the council of others, it is their own God given conscience they must adhere to. Their job is also, at least in part to aid in the consensus of the congregation through arbitration and counsel. To help unite the congregation with all other congregations in Spirit and Truth.

The self governing aspect of their relationship with others is built into the liberty and free choice of this relationship. The stronger the congregation the better the condition of the Minister who receives voluntary gifts and donations from the congregation according to his service.^[2]

Altars of earth and stone

Line 3. The assembly of ministers forms an altar of living stones upon which the sacrifices of the congregation are delivered in the name of the LORD:

The congregation has the liberty to exercise charity directly or through its chosen Minister. The free will offerings for the poor through the Minister are managed at his discretion. Once given the congregation no longer has control of those funds or items of value but only after they have donated them to the Minister or their chosen Trustee.

If they see a Minister misusing those donation they may bring it to others of the Church according to Protocols of disputes and they may stop supporting his efforts as a Minister. The poor is not just those who have no money but includes, but is not limited to, those who do not have understanding, good health, knowledge, virtue, grace... Etc..

Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

The ministers of the kingdom include all the constituency as a whole who form an altar made of red clay, adamic earth. The Ministers of His Holy Church form an altar of living stones of faith and divine revelation and cannot be carved or shaped by the hands of men, their rules, statutes and ordinances. They do not stand one on top of the other but each struggles to be of greater service to all men in the sight of God the Father, Ruler of Heaven and Earth..

Tents, houses and churches

Ephesians 4:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

According to Philip Schaff, Bishop John Chrysostom (347-407), of Constantinople, "urged that every house should be a church, and every head of a family a spiritual shepherd, remembering the account which he must give even for his children and servants" ^[3]

Each household is a part of the kingdom whether in bondage or free. Within every household as far as the Church is concerned their is a prince of the Kingdom and a Highpriest. In the consistency of God we find the same principles of God manifested in the kingdom at large. Each family remains autonomous with the ministers as servants. Those ministers are also existing with in families that are autonomous under God. Though they are leaders they are titular. They do not rule by force and violence, contract and control, covenants and pledges of allegiance. The operate upon Faith, Hope, Cahrity and Love.

The Polity of His Holy Church is separate and distinct from the polity of the gentiles or other nations being Holy unto the LORD. ^[4]

Complete ARTICLES I-X Explained and Terms defined
Complete Polity by References and Terms defined
http://www.hisholychurch.info/study/polity/articles.php

Line by Line
ARTICLE I - Congregations
ARTICLE II - Seat of Authority
ARTICLE III - Conscience of the Church
ARTICLE IV - The Church is the possession of God
ARTICLE V - Servants of the Kingdom and Mankind
ARTICLE VI - Bishops and Archbishops
ARTICLE VII - Church RITUALS AND CEREMONIES
ARTICLE VIII - The objective of the Church
ARTICLE IX - Preaching the good news of the Kingdom.
ARTICLE X - The prime directive of the Church.

Footnotes:

¹ Matthew 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

John 15:12 "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

Romans 12:10 "[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"

Galatians 5:13 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

Ephesians 4:2 "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;"

1 Thessalonians 3:12 "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you:"

Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:"

1 John 3:11 "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."

1 John 3:23 >"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."

1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

1 John 4:11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."