The Higher Liberty
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The Higher Liberty
by Gregory HHC, d
Minister of His Holy Church
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Union and Discipline
In Gibbon’s Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire, he praised “the union and
discipline of the Christian republic.” He also pointed out that
“it gradually formed an independent and increasing state in the
heart of the Roman Empire.” The early Christian church was a republic, but how was that union and
discipline maintained without exercising authority like the
governments of the world.
Centuries before and after
Christ voluntary free governments formed with ten families gathered
together to choose one minister of virtue and trust, then ten of
these ministers would chose a minister of ministers, repeating the
pattern to form a national group.
This common system of self
government was known by Abraham and Moses and used by many nations
for centuries. The early Church was no different. It was based on the
liberty of charity. Investment in the government was not in central
treasuries that financed war and corruption, sloth and avarice, but
was in the support of the virtuous people of society, which was the
true treasure of a nation.
This network of tens, hundreds,
and thousands could attend local needs or national problems quickly
and efficiently, and the greatest among them were the best servant of
servants, of servants.
The 12 apostles and 120 families
in the upper room represented the foundational form of the early
Christian Church seen throughout its early history. This pattern of
Tens or Tuns with Tithingmen, and Hundredsmen, Decurius, and then the
Hundertschaften was common. It was a key element of free governments among those who
sought to be ruled by God in faith, under the perfect law of liberty.
“And in those days Peter stood up
in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names
together were about an hundred and twenty,)” Acts 1:15
The Latin “deacanus”
was a military term. It was used by many people to describe leaders
of ten. If you create offices of power men who seek power will seek
office. The officers of the Church did not seek to rule over the
people, but like Christ, were officers of service.
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Related Articles and Audio:
Romans 13 part 1
http://www.hisholychurch.org/media/audio/rm/Romans131.ram
ROMANS 13 verse 1 the higher liberty
Does God want us to be subject or to be free?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/romans13.php
Romans 13 and I Peter 2,13-14
Is the Bible consistent about setting men free or does it contradict itself?
http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/romanspeter.php
Romans 13, NN Video Series:7-10 4:32
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SEMYx6affo
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