A Free Church

Christian Churches operated in America for over 300 years before the 501(C)3 system was even created. Churches have always been treated as non-taxable (a vastly superior status to tax-exempt) and tax-deductible, by virtue of a centuries-old portion of English Common Law known as "the Law of Charities. A 501(C)3 listing merely duplicates these positions. But most importantly, along with duplicating what has already been established, when a church accepts a 501(C)3 identity it simultaneously accepts restrictions that prevent it from spreading the Gospel unencumbered as Yeshua instructs us to do.

The 501(C)3 entity wasn't even created until 1954. At that time as presented the 501(C)3 entity was created by the American government to help it control the communist organizations that were popping up around the country. Although never required, when the 501(C)3 system was created, churches were granted by congress the option of being added to the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)3 list of organizations. However, as granted by the First Amendment (above), this inclusion into the 501(C)3 system has always been voluntary; it has never been mandatory.

Unfortunately, as time went by "churches" began to think that they were somehow required to be "licensed" as a 501(C)3 entity and so they began to voluntarily enroll into the system. Eventually we arrived to the point to where we are today. Most of us have heard that if you tell a lie enough times people begin to accept it as truth. Well as more and more churches accepted the 501(C)3 program and the associated restrictions (which were originally intended to thwart communism), more and more people began to think it was necessary for all churches to enlist into the program. Amazingly this occured despite the fact that churches had been operating very nicely for over 300 years; before 1954 when the 501(C)3 entity was created. The churches were wrong; very seriously wrong by doing this. As previously mentioned, the founders of the great nation of America had already made a provision for "churches" in the First Amendment of the American Constitution and no other licensing was or is needed.

In summary; after over 300 years of operating as non-taxable (a vastly superior status to tax-exempt) and tax-deductible, without the 501(C)3 system, churches did not suddenly become tax-exempt and tax deductible in 1954 when the entity was created. The 501(C)3 entity which was originally created in 1954 as a means of controlling antiamerican communist organizations, and is merely a reflection (or an admission / confirmation) of the Law of Charities {which exists and stands alone separate from the 501(C)3 entity} except with some added restrictions placed upon the organization which is enrolled in the program. For a "Church" to enroll in the 501(C)3 program is completely unnecessary, voluntary and very contrary to all that America was founded upon, has fought for and stands for. More importantly; for a church to enroll into the 501(C)3 program is completely contrary to the fulfilling of the "Great Commision" of which every believer is responsible.

It is very, very important to understand that being an established "Free Church" is not in any way an act of rebellion against the government. On the contrary, as explained above, it is a way operating as clearly designed, intended and encouraged by the American government. It is a way to execute A God given mandate that the founders of America sought to guarantee the ability to fulfill.

The free-church was one of the most influential, and certainly one of the most common, institutions in American history; both distant and recent. Indeed the "Free Church" was the only form of a "church" up until very recently.

There is no Good reason for a "church" to be registered as a "501(c)3

A "Free-Church is not some radical, fringe, concept.   The fact that a church is not enrolled into the 501(C)3 system in no way infers that it is antigovernment.  Like the founders of America we very much support the institution of a righteous, Godly, government.  As a matter of fact, in early America, it was members of the Free Church who were extremely influential in forming the American government.

Many of the early American church leaders were part of what King George referred to as The Black Regiment"    They had an uncompromising belief that Yahweh God's church is not an underling, a vassal, or in any way subordinate to any king or parliament. This is the reason, the very purpose, that America was founded in the first place. This is why the colonies broke away from Britain.  It was to avoid licensor, to avoid having to submit to King George in England who considered himself to have authority over the church. King George's abuse of authority over the church (Christians / God's people) of England in those days was similar to the abuses practiced by countries like china, Africa and saudi arabia today.

This is the very reason that so many sacrificed their property, their health, their homes, their families and their lives during The War of American Independence / The Revolutionary War. Early American believers who were faithful to Yahweh, the God of the Bible, personally experienced the control, torture and abuse that they had left behind in England and they were determined to not allow that to happen again in the new land of America.  And so today when a "church" voluntarily and unnecessarily places itself under the authority of the 501(c)3 system it abrogates everything the War of American Independence was fought to gain and then places itself back under the authority of the government.

If you are a member of a church that has been established as a 501(c)3 we strongly, strongly urge you to talk to your pastor and tell him about the information you have read here. Strongly encourage the church leadership to remove themselves from those restrictions so that they are free to preach and spread the gospel in it's entirety, uncensored, as Yeshua (Jesus) intended it to be.   Since the response to your request, in effect, will probably be that your "Pastor" places a higher priority on his financial security then the gospel, he will probably refuse to come out from under the restrictions of the 501(C)3   system.  If that happens we encourage you to at least remove yourself from unnecessary restrictions so that you might be found blameless.

For more information regarding the "Free Church" and the bondage placed upon churches that are registered as a 501(c)3 please click here. Pastor Garrett Lear is the leading expert in the area of "The Free Church"