Did Jesus or His apostles teach organized religion?
When Jesus walked the earth, the religious and political powers feared He would try to set up a kingdom. He said, "My kingdom is not of this world." And, "The kingdom of God is in your midst." It's a spiritual kingdom, not a physical one composed of religious or political bureaucrats.
Jesus said: "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition." (Mark 7:6-9)
You can read the whole drama in any good translation of the Bible.¹ Jesus condemned the organized religion of His day (ie. Pharisees and Sadducees) because, among other things,² the doctrines and traditions of men had transformed 1500-year-old biblical Judaism into a business enterprise.³
So-called "Christian" organized religion has done the same thing. Do you know which doctrines and traditions of men have been added over the last 2000 years?


