Reception of Peter at Cornelius’ house and a baptism of Gentiles

As the apostles went around proclaiming the Good News, they sometimes came across brethren who went with them. For example, six brethren went along with Simon Peter to a man who had in his house a messenger from God (an angel) who had said to invite someone. Cornelius had thus heard that this Peter had something to say to him that would save him and all his household members. (Acts 11:12-14) Peter lets us know:

“15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them even as upon us also at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said,

John baptised with water, but *ye* shall be baptised with [the] Holy Spirit.

17 If then God has given them the same gift as also to us when we had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who indeed was *I* to be able to forbid God? (Acts 11:15-17 Darby)

However, when Peter announced the good news of those newly baptised, who were not Jews, many objected. Several believers were shocked because Peter had eaten with Gentiles and even enjoyed things which a Jew considers unclean. To admit gentiles into the Christian community without circumcising them has been the subject of much controversy in apostolic times. But Luke makes it very clear to us that the apostles were on Peter’s side.

In the earlier Scriptures, the prophets had often prophesied that after the coming of the Messiah, the congregation of God would be gathered from all nations. In those days of the apostles, however, this will first have been interpreted to mean that the Gentiles would join the Law of Moses to find a place in the community of faith. As more Gentiles wished to join « The Way« , they appeared to face an unprecedented dilemma. Could they simply allow those goy or Gentile without circumcision to also join the brotherhood in Christ.

To many, it did at first seem like a blot on God’s holy covenant when the Gentiles united with the children of Abraham in one body while abolishing certain Jewish customs. These people were not so quick to understand the mystery that Paul teaches was hidden from the angels from the creation of the world.

“and to enlighten all [with the knowledge of] what is the administration of the mystery hidden throughout the ages in God, who has created all things,” (Ephesians 3:9 Darby)

Everyone was supposed to be aware that God has a Plan with the world and in it all people fit. Thus, even Gentiles will be able to hear God’s voice and come to Him.

18 And when they heard these things they held their peace, and glorified God, saying,

Then indeed God has to the nations also granted repentance to life.” (Acts 11:15-18 Darby)

That conversion continues into our time where Gentiles still wish to join that community that wants to devote itself faithfully to Jehovah. Thus, last weekend we were able to receive confirmation that here in Belgium too, three men like Cornelius want to get into the boat with us to come under Christ.

We may now look forward to their baptism, where they will be immersed in water as a symbol of dying in the old worldly life with then rising in the new world of Christ.

 

++

Come also to read

1. Matthew 12:9-21 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Is It Lawful to Cure on the Sabbath?
2. God who knows the heart
3. Examples of Living Faith
4. Cornelius
5. Who Am I That I Could Hinder God?
6. Today’s thought “We are witnesses of all that he did” (May 02)
7. Today’s thought “Your prayers … ascended as a memorial” (May 2)
8. Today’s thought “God who knows the heart …” (May 05)
9. Today’s thought “Things known from of old” (November 4)
10. Religion and believers #7 Independent and organised form of existence of a religion

Participants bonded together into one body

In the ecclesiae of Christadelphians, members meet regularly to pray with each other and share bread and wine together.
There is also an annual high day commemorating Jesus’ last supper. This year, that commemoration celebration will take place on Monday 22 April. That evening, 14 Nisan is commemorated in recognition of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ ransom offering, offering Himself as a Lamb before God and instituting the Last Supper as an event to be repeated regularly.

At the service of remembrance Jesus Christ initiated at the “last supper” on Nisan 14 he broke bread and asked his disciples to do that likewise in the future. Jesus commands us to do this (eat bread and drink wine) in remembrance of him, until he comes. For followers of Christ, it is an important message and an act of connection with the master teacher.

As Paul expounds later, doing this is a participation (communion, fellowship, partnership) in the body and blood of the lord.  He also emphasises that this is a communal act, and the participants are bonded together into one body. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

“16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not [the] communion of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not [the] communion of the body of the Christ? 17 Because we, [being] many, are one loaf, one body; for we all partake of that one loaf.” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Darby)

As brothers and sisters, we want to go through life united and testify for the Nazarene teacher who declared himself willing to stand up for us and even die for us.

Before Jesus was betrayed, he had prayed that there could be unity among his followers. He said:

“20  And I do not demand for these only, but also for those who believe on me through their word; 21 that they may be all one, as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou hast given me I have given them, that they may be one, as we are one; 23 I in them and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one [and] that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and [that] thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:20-23 Darby)

Note in which directions this unity extends. There is unity between Jehovah God and His son Jesus Christ. Likewise, there is unity between Jesus and his followers. These followers should be one with Jesus and His heavenly Father as Jesus is one with His heavenly Father. Some wrongly see Jesus’ unity with God as a reason to assume that Jesus would then be God. They then forget the text that people should also be one with Jesus and with God as Jesus is one with his heavenly Father. Their way of thinking would then mean that people are also God and would even be God. (So that mindset is more likely to invalidate their Trinitarian thinking.)

We must even recognise that Jesus expects that « All » his followers should be one, not only those who lived then, but that it also concerns those who, by their word — that is, by the word of his disciples — in him would put faith, so that this unity extends into the future and includes all true Christians living today.
At the same time, that unity reaches into heaven to enclose Jesus Christ and Jehovah God, so that his followers could be — as Jesus put it — „in us be one”. And that being one is what will now be commemorated and highlighted next Monday on Nisan 14.

This memory is not merely a ritual, it is something to think about, and it is a time for self-reflection. It is a look back at what Jesus received from his heavenly Father, Jehovah God. But also what Jesus did with those received gifts, such as performing miracles. In addition, it is also a special commemoration of the Lord’s Supper, when Jesus and his apostles were together around the table and saw Jesus break bread and say a blessing over it. Then Jesus indicated that he would hand over his body and that blood would flow. But from then onwards, his blood would be a sign of a New Covenant between God and people.

We cannot imagine a stronger and closer unity than that which exists between Jehovah God and his son, Christ Jesus.

“23  For *I* received from the Lord, that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, in the night in which he was delivered up, took bread, 24 and having given thanks broke [it], and said, This is my body, which [is] for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 In like manner also the cup, after having supped, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye shall drink [it], in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye shall eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye announce the death of the Lord, until he come. 27 So that whosoever shall eat the bread, or drink the cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty in respect of the body and of the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man prove himself, and thus eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. 29 For [the] eater and drinker eats and drinks judgment to himself, not distinguishing the body. 30 On this account many among you [are] weak and infirm, and a good many are fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, so were we not judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-31 Darby)

Jesus asked whether his disciples could be included in the closest family association of God, a privileged sonship. The apostles should have seen „the glory as of a Only Begotten of the Father”.

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we have contemplated his glory, a glory as of an only-begotten with a father), full of grace and truth;” (John 1:14 Darby)

They learned how to be one with each other and with Christ. They also proclaimed that their followers should take care to be one. So they had to

„preserve the unity of the mind in the unifying bond of the peace”

and had to be aware that there is one body and one spirit, as those who call themselves followers of Christ were called

« in one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, by all and in all.

Given the many things they jointly possessed, what a closely connected and contiguous body its followers must have become!

The apostle Paul compares the community of followers of Christ to a human body. That body has several limbs, but they still belong to that one body.

Our religious community also consists of many people from different nations. Each ecclesia in turn, has many members, and all its members belong to the same body of that religious community. That body of Brothers and sisters in Christ, however many, form one body. Together they are connected to and in Christ, baptised with one Spirit soaked, absorbed into that one body.

This coming weekend and Monday to Tuesday, we remember, that through Christ and through one Spirit, we have all become one body in the name of Christ.
These special days we are thinking in particular that there should be no division in the body, but that we, as brothers and sisters, as the members of that one body, care for each other equally.

“12  For even as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also [is] the Christ. 13 For also in [the power of] one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit. 14 For also the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot say, Because I am not a hand I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body? 16 And if the ear say, Because I am not an eye I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body? 17 If the whole body [were] an eye, where the hearing? if all hearing, where the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, according as it has pleased [him]. 19 But if all were one member, where the body? 20 But now the members [are] many, and the body one. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee; or again, the head to the feet, I have not need of you. 22 But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those [parts] of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour, these we clothe with more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness; 24 but our comely [parts] have not need. But God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to [the part] that lacked; 25 that there might be no division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern one for another.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-25 Darby)

Let us not lose sight of that message, of that last meeting of Jesus and his apostles around the table in the upper room in Jerusalem, and grow in love for each other with the truth, under the watchful eye of one shepherd, Christ Jesus our lord, so that we will not be ashamed when we have to appear before his judgment seat.

As brothers and sisters of each other, we listen to Jesus’ voice as we unite as one flock with one shepherd.

“15 but, holding the truth in love, we may grow up to him in all things, who is the head, the Christ: 16 from whom the whole body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, according to [the] working in [its] measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the body to its self-building up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16 Darby)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep:” (John 10:11 Darby)

 

+

Preceding

1. The Gathering and Meeting for God
2. Faithful to God are baptised
3. God’s Words for the Pilgrimage #2 Words of God for life
4. Questions to be posed by a baptism
5. Brothers and sisters as one family
6. The intentions of our Brussels ecclesia

++

Find also to read

1. Feast days in Belgium and these in our Belgian ecclesia
2. 10 Nisan An entrance for a king
3. Entrance of a king to question our position #2 Who do we want to see and to be
4. Most important day in Christian year
5. “Let My People Go, that they may serve me!”: The Passover & The Exodus.
6. Today’s Thought (August 19): “Watch and pray”
7. The son of David and the first day of the feast of unleavened bread
8. The Anointed One and the first day of No Fermentation
9. Day of remembrance coming near
10. 14 Nisan a day to remember #1 Inception
11. 14 Nisan a day to remember #2 Time of Jesus
12. 14 Nisan a day to remember #3 Before the Passover-feast
13. 14 Nisan a day to remember #4 A Lamb slain
14. 14 Nisan a day to remember #5 The Day to celebrate
15. Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #1 Matthew 26:1-2 – Two Days Before Execution
16. Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #5 Matthew 26:17-19 – Passover Preparations
17. Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #7 Matthew 26:26-30 – Keep Doing This in My Memory
18. On the first day for matzah
19. Most important weekend of the year 2016
20. Preparing for 14 Nisan
21. Preparing for the most important weekend of the year 2018
22. The Most important weekend of the year 2018
23. Soon it shall be Erev Pesach and Passover 2019
24. Another year of 14 Nisan with restricted access
25. Celebrating the evening of 15 April 2022 as a festival to Jehovah God
26. Preparation for Passover
27. Days of Nisan, Pesach, Pasach, Pascha and Easter
28. Observance of a day to Remember
29. Observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal
30. Coming together for a meal to remember a special lamb
31. Passover 7 days of meditation opening a way to conversion
32. The Last Supper was a Passover meal
33. Bread and Wine
34. How should we worship God? #7 The Breaking of Bread
35. A new exodus and offering of a Lamb
36. New Covenant Possesses
37. Jesus the suffering man who called to God
38. Imprisonment and execution of Jesus Christ
39. Lost senses or a clear focus on the one at the stake
40. Death of Christ on the day of preparation
41. Ransom
42. Ransom for all
43. After the Sabbath after Passover, the resurrection of Jesus Christ
44. When Belonging to the escaped ones gathering in Jesus name
45. Those who Jesus can call friends
46. Be Honest
47. A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus
48. Being one in Jesus, Jesus in us and God in Jesus
49. Bible Students and House Churches
50. Fellowship over meals
51. En Soma: One Body
52. Unity
53. To whom do we want to be enslaved
54. a Strong Family doesn’t just happen
55. United people under Christ
56. Commitment to Christian unity
57. Atonement And Fellowship 4/8
58. Atonement And Fellowship 6/8
59. The Ecclesia
60. #Peace . . . Praying together

What does it mean to be engaged or to be involved in the ecclesia?

 

En‧gage:

• [intransitive always + preposition] to be doing or to become involved in an activity engage in/on/upon > If you engage in an activity, you do it or are actively involved with it.
  
• [transitive] to attract someone’s attention and keep them interestedengage somebody’s interest/attention
• [transitive] to attract someone’s attention and keep them interestedengage somebody’s interest/attention

in the sense of participate in

Definition

to take part or participate > Synonyms:

participate in 

join in  

take part in 

undertake  

practise  

embark on  

enter into  

become involved in 

set about  

partake of 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Foto door Julia Filirovska op Pexels.com

Engagement or involvement

When we talk about being committed or involved here, we are committed to something in mind or cooperating or cooperating.

If a person is expected to be « engaged » or « engaged », that person is expected to actively participate in or be immersed in a particular activity, event, or relationship.

It means that you can be found for something and want to participate in it without being rude. Before one is committed, there must be an interest in the matter and it is important to join a specific group, which one wants to join.

The person concerned is interested in the case and even wants to invest there. He or she wants to contribute (give – be conducive to) and participate.

To become a member of an ecclesia, it is expected that one will go for the same faith and even wish to commit oneself to it. The tasks or situations that are available are then prepared not to shy away from.

Being involved or committed requires giving time, energy and effort to contribute to or make a difference in a situation and in the case of an ecclesia or religious community, contributing constructively to connecting with that religious group in order to build it and expand.

Being involved also means caring, helping, providing services or offering. This also includes offering others a helpful hand and helping them move forward, helping someone get started or getting them going. This can be done with advice or provided with advice and assistance. Furthermore, it keeps a ready stand for support and to be ready as support for others such as undercarrier, protector and right hand.

It also means being present, attentive and responsive in interactions with others and willing to pave the way for others or help them out of need. This can even go as far as helping others out of the brine or even pulling out of a deep swamp. It may happen several times that someone will have to be taken in tow, even though it may be that one will have to walk the soles of one’s shoes.

Overall, commitment or being involved means a sense of commitment, connection, and contribution to a common goal.

Involvement or commitment in the ecclesia

Involvement or commitment in a church community means actively participating in the various aspects of the life and ministry of the church. This can include attending worship services and prayer meetings, volunteering for service opportunities, participating in small groups, supporting outreach and mission efforts, and contributing financially to the work of the church.

It is a willingness to work together in connection or with feeling to shape and support faith. The involvement in the ecclesia brings with it a feeling of solidarity among the alliance, where all members want to focus on deepening and spreading the Word of God. In solidarity, they want to move together with the same party spirit or esprit de corps.

Engagement also includes building relationships with other members of the church, providing support and encouragement to each other, and seeking to live up to the values and teachings of faith in everyday life.

Being involved in a church community means that people want to be accomplices and parties to a fact that was started many centuries ago and must be continued. As fellow oaths, one adheres to living up to the brotherhood and, as a keeper of the faith, to further proclaim that faith. Such involvement often leads to a feeling of connection, purpose and spiritual growth.

 

+

Previous

1. Necessary formalities for the trek
2. The non-traditional church born from spiritual life
3. Whether or not you feel at home in a church
4. Housechurch is about a new way of life
5. Whether or not you feel at home in a church
6. What does it mean to belong to a church community
7. Our house church is an organic church
8. The intentions of our Brussels ecclesia
9. Work in the family home and garden

 

++

Additional reading

1. How should we react against the world
2. After 2,000 UK Church Buildings Close, New Church Plants Get Creative
3. Decrease in church attendance not only a recent feature #5 Necessity of attendance
4. An other trait for faith in Jesus and his God
5. Commit your self to the trustworthy creator
6. Consider your own journey in life
7. Our Sense of Belonging
8. Invest in Faith working together arm in arm
9. Faith a commitment to the promises of Christ and to to the demands of Christ
10. Willing to do and we willing to learn everything that the Elohim has spoken
11. The work I do, let it be done good
12. It’s the Little Things that Matter
13. Whom can we trust to govern us?
14. Commitment to Christian unity
15. Symptom of tzara’at a white spot on the flesh
16. Messages leading to an earthly utopia
17. Today’s thought “Through many tribulations” (November 4)
18. Today’s thought “To carry my name” (May 01)
19. Today’s thought “… with all your heart” (May 09)
20. With all your heart
21. Today’s thought “Clothing yourselves with the right attitude” (May 16)
22. Being Religious and Spiritual 8 Spiritual, Mystic and not or well religious
23. a Strong Family doesn’t just happen
24. How should we worship God? #8 Love one another
25. Sharing your big scriptures for tough times
26. United helping to spread the Good News
27. Evangelizing in the “Time of the End”
28. Being asked about Tithing
29. How to become a Christadelphian

House church is about a new way of living

Cregneash Village – Church Farm House by Joseph Mischyshyn is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

A willful choice to live a new focused life of leaning into Christ and his word.

In the institutional church it is easy to go unnoticed as a churchgoer and not have to be active, but in a small community or house church one cannot simply ignore oneself and active participation is expected.

The key is to look for your inner self and be aware of the relationship you want to enter into with the Nazarene preacher Jesus, who gave his life for you.

Only if people are willing to surrender themselves to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ will they be able to be full participants in a living community of faith.
To remember:

People need a new fresh connection with Christ, not a new method. Not a new “experience” but a “reconnection.”
The only way that can happen is to eliminate the clutter choking the Holy Spirit and word out.

When The Spiritual Patriarch & Matriarch Are Tired!

+

Preceding

1. How to Start a House Church?
2. How do you organise a house church?
3. Our house church is an organic church
4. The non-traditional church that is born out of spiritual life

How do you organise a house church?

Photo by Andreea Ch on Pexels.com

 

In “How to Start a House Church?” we have investigated how we can best proceed to start a house church.

We must realize that to honour God we do not need to have a specific building, but we can freely gather in private homes or even in public places to bring glory to God.

Organising a house church can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

If we want to start a house church, we must first find like-minded people who want to take that step. If we have started looking for a group of like-minded individuals who are interested in starting a house church, we can arrange with those friends, family members, acquaintances, coworkers, or neighbours to meet at someone’s home at regular intervals. That doesn’t even have to be every week. There is also no obligation at all to hold those meetings on a Sunday. Any day of the week is just as good.

It is important when starting up the house church or ecclesia that clear boundaries are defined of what the beliefs are and where they want to go. What is acceptable in the community and what is not considered appropriate, such as the worship of multiple gods or so-called saints.

It is also wise to determine what purpose and vision one wants to consider for the house church.

What are your goals, values ​​and beliefs?

What kind of community do you want to create?

To properly manage the organisation of the house church, it is recommended that you choose a leader or leadership team to help guide the group. This person or team will be responsible for planning and leading meetings, organising events, and ensuring that the house church runs smoothly.

Once one has planned to establish a house church, it is important to determine the format and structure of the meetings.

Do you have a worship service, a Bible study, a prayer meeting or a combination of these?

How often do you meet, and where? Do you have a snack or a meal together?

In order for house church meetings to run smoothly, it is advisable to draw up a schedule for meetings and events. For example, it may be advisable to determine in advance a fixed day and time to meet, as well as to indicate any special meetings or activities you want to plan. For example, a good arrangement could be to meet on the first and third Saturday of the month, so that everyone knows clearly when they can drop by or invite friends to come to those meetings as well.

It is also best to develop a system for communication and coordination. This may include setting up a group chat or email list, creating a social media page, or using a platform like Google Calendar to share updates and information. For example, we have provided the ecclesia website and a WhatsApp group for the ecclesia in Anderlecht, and further reporting can be done via e-mail.

Once the house church has been formed and is starting to take shape, it can also be interesting to consider inviting guest speakers or musicians to enhance the meetings. This can help create a new perspective and a sense of excitement and diversity within the group.

In the religious community, an effort must be made to form a lively family spirit. By the way, one is a « brother » or « sister » in Christ to one another. Everyone in the group must be encouraged to contribute to the group.

Encourage active participation from all members. This may include sharing personal testimonies, leading prayers, facilitating discussions, or organizing service projects in the community.

Create a sense of community and responsibility within the group. Encourage members to support and care for each other, ask for help when needed, and hold each other accountable in their faith journey.

Stay open to feedback and suggestions from members. As your house church grows and evolves, be willing to adapt and change to better meet the needs of your community.

Overall, the key to organising a successful house church is creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in which members can grow in their faith, build meaningful relationships, and serve others in love.

 

+

Find also to read:

1. Women in the First Century Church
2. Looking on what is going on and not being of it
3. Many looking for the church of the world instead of the Church of God
4. Looking for a biblically sound church
5. Good or bad preacher
6. When not seeing or not finding a biblically sound church
7. God’s forgotten Word 5 Lost Lawbook 4 The ‘Catholic’ church
8. Disciple of Christ counting lives and friends dear to them (Our World) = Disciple of Christ counting lives and friends dear to them (Some View on the World)
9. Personal thoughts, communication, establishing ecclesia and guest writings
10. Germinating small seeds, pebble-stones, small and mega churches and faith
11. Reasons why you may not miss the opportunity to go to a Small Church
12. As a small church needing encouragement
13. Small churches of the few Christadelphians
14. Who are the Christadelphians
15. An ecclesia in your neighborhood
16. Everyone Welcome in our open Ecclesia
17. The Ecclesia in the churchsystem
18. Reasons to come to gether
19. Preaching in a modern UK or modern Europe
20. How to Form an Ecclesia
21. The Big conversation – Antagonists

 

++

Additional reading

1. The strugles of Taipei Ecclesia
2. Explosive growth of Christianity in Iran (Our World) = Explosive growth of Christianity in Iran (Some View on the World)
3. Persecution follows suit as the church in Iran multiplies
4. Wagner the NAR and new wineskins
5. Shall Biblestudents in Belgium be able to celebrate their 200th birthday

We must be faithful to God

 

Just as the Jews were supposed to be faithful to the One True God, today it is still expected that those who want to belong to God will be faithful to the Only True God, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah.

Especially those who want to belong to a community of believers that bears the name of the son of God must do everything they can to be as faithful to God as possible. All who want to be members of an ecclesia.

10 not stealing from them,+ but showing complete trustworthiness, so that in every way they may adorn the teaching of our Savior, God.+ (Titus 2:10)

Impeccability is expected from ecclesia members.

16 Likewise, let your light shine before men,+ so that they may see your fine works+ and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.+ (Matthew 5:16)

Such persons do not lie and behave as best as possible towards others, full of love for the fellow brothers.

5 A faithful witness will not lie, But a false witness lies with every breath.+  (Proverbs 14:5)

But there may be moments when someone will have to reprimand in the ecclesia if they do something wrong. That will have to occur as an act of love for that person.

19 “‘All those for whom I have affection, I reprove and discipline.+ So be zealous and repent.+ (Revelation 3:19)

Our zeal in the ecclesia will have to be as a testimony of our faithfulness to God. Because we are convinced that later we will be able to sing along with the Israelites that we will also have a « strong city. Jehovah who has exalted himself high will look to us. As Brothers in Christ, we want to make known everywhere on earth Who is our Most High and how He is faithful to us and how His loyal love lasts forever.

106 Praise Jah!*  Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good;+ His loyal love endures forever.+  (Psalm 106:1 )

 4 And in that day you will say: “Give thanks to Jehovah, call on his name,Make his deeds known among the peoples!+ Declare that his name is exalted.+  (Isaiah 12:4)

26 In that day this song will be sung+ in the land of Judah:+  “We have a strong city.+ He makes salvation its walls and its ramparts.+

 2 Open up the gates+ so that the righteous nation may enter, A nation that is keeping faithful conduct.

 3 You will safeguard those who fully lean on you;* You will give them continuous peace,+ Because it is in you that they trust.+

 4 Trust in Jehovah forever,+ For Jah* Jehovah is the eternal Rock.+

 5 For he has brought low those inhabiting the height, the lofty city. He brings it down, He brings it down to the earth; He casts it down to the dust.  6 The foot will trample it, The feet of the afflicted, the steps of the lowly.”  7 The path of the righteous one is upright.* Because you are upright, You will smooth out the course of the righteous.

 8 As we follow the path of your judgments, O Jehovah, Our hope is in you. We* long for your name and your memorial.*

 9 In the night I long for you with my whole being,* Yes, my spirit keeps looking for you;+ For when there are judgments from you for the earth, The inhabitants of the land learn about righteousness.+ (Isaiah 26:1-9)

That Father in heaven is a trustworthy God we can count on.

 4 For the word of Jehovah is upright,+ And everything he does is trustworthy.  (Psalm 33:4)

To Him we want to entrust ourselves and be faithful to Him.

19 So, then, let those who are suffering in harmony with the will of God keep on entrusting* themselves* to a faithful Creator while they are doing good.+ (1 Peter 4:19)

Whatever may happen to us and our loved ones will not blow us away. We realize that even though we may be baptized and see the world in the fellowship of brothers and sisters, we will not let ourselves be reduced by the inconveniences of this life.

10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer.+ Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison so that you may be fully put to the test, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.+ 11 Let the one who has an ear hear+ what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers+ will by no means be harmed by the second death.’+ (Revelation 2:10-11)

28 And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;+ rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Ge·henʹna.+  (Matthew 10:28)

6 And he will pay back to each one according to his works:+ 7 everlasting life to those who are seeking glory and honor and incorruptibleness+ by endurance in work that is good; (Romans 2:6, 7)

There is reason enough to persist in goodness and in our faithfulness to the Supreme Creator of heaven and earth.

12 Happy is the man who keeps on enduring trial,+ because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life,+ which Jehovah* promised to those who continue loving Him.+ (James 1:12)

+

Preceding

There were also loyal persons among the Jews

Fulfilling formalities for the trek

Foto door Element5 Digital op Pexels.com

Foto door Vinta Supply Co. | NYC op Pexels.com

Those who have decided to go on a hike must have their luggage packed in time. Once they have collected the necessary items, they must ensure that they have their passports in their pockets, so that they can always prove at the checkpoints that it is them and that they belong to the group of walkers.

As who do people want to do business?

What nationality do people want to take?

In the world of Christianity there are the majority who worship a triple deity. However, those who go on a journey must realize very well that this does not fit a deity into the context of this important journey that must take us to the narrow gate of God’s Kingdom.

To enter that Kingdom you must have the correct passport.

Foto door Dom J op Pexels.com

Even if you want to make progress a little faster during the trip or have to drive a car or drive a boat, you will have to have the appropriate driver’s license.

How do you wish to be known in the world?

That’s why you didn’t give yourself that much in the past. But it is very important in this journey to succeed in building a good religious community.

Where you may have been content to report that you were a Christian before, it now comes down to specifying this better For there are so many Christians who believe very diverse things But most of calling themselves Christians are not actually a true follower of Christ Jesus, but is an idolater, because he believes in more than one god, God the Father, god the son and God the Holy Spirit, along with also often adorns other by-deities or sub-deities or saints.

You will notice that what may have seemed very unimportant in the past now turns out to be important, it is now many small things, previously considered trivial, that have now suddenly become very important, or will have a major impact on the success or otherwise of this important journey.

You will notice that many of those apparent trivial or minor things were right, that you continued to walk in the dark. It is by coming to see more clearly what is or is not responsible that you will experience more and more light during your journey.
The longer you walk and will have to overcome difficulties on this important trek, you will find that you used to carry far too much ballast with you in your life, and there were far too many false doctrines to which you clung and which you are now supposed to reject.

If one examines what the majority of Christians adopt as their beliefs and how they serve their god or gods, one can safely ask whether it is responsible to go on the same path as those Christians.

As one makes this pilgrimage, one will increasingly be confronted with the teachings of those ‘false Christians’ and one will learn the true facts of true faith in Jesus Christ.

 

+

Preceding

1. What is a Pilgrimage?
2. Encouraging eachother
3. Prayer at the beginning of our pilgrimage
4. Beginning of a Pilgrimage
5. God’s Words for the Pilgrimage #1 Twentieth Century Man and the Pilgrimage Process
6. God’s Words for the Pilgrimage #2 Words of God for life
7. God’s Words for the Pilgrimage #3 A road on a global scale littered with obstacles
8. A pilgrimage not exactly without obstacles or obstacles #1 Embarking on an important journey
9. A pilgrimage not exactly without obstacles or obstacles #2 Not a cheap or easy flight but a life journey
10. A pilgrimage not exactly without obstacles or obstacles #3 Availability, encounters and exposure to change
11. A pilgrimage not exactly without obstacles or obstacles #4 A good plan or guide to discover the Source of life
12. Necessary formalities for the trek

A new ecclesia = a new beginning

It is great that we have found a family in Anderlecht who wants to open their house to holding meetings.

Following the example of the early Christians, we can now come together in communion under the care of Christ to serve the God of Abraham and the God of Christ.

In Anderlecht, the seed may now be planted to grow a community of faith. Some people have decided to reach out to each other to strengthen each other in faith. Together they want to set out to start a fascinating pilgrimage.

With many questions and expectations, the first pebbles have been thrown on the path, so that without too many sliders we could go together to a fixed road that gives security and life. Together we want to move towards that light that shines in the distance and from where the call rings.

Each on his own can hear the voice of God and know that the decision taken is good. Those who go out together to face the great adventure will not be ashamed or shy that they were willing to take this journey together.

The great adventure started at the beginning of this year. On this website you (reader) will be able to follow the account of our wanderings, hopes and expectations. We are aware that not everything will always go as we wish. The fellow travellers will also have to contend with the reality of this life, births, school results, job offers but also loss of work, healthy trips, but also sad things like illness and even death. But anyone who goes out is willing to carry the burdens of the other person and support them, so that everyone can achieve the end goal.

Those who come together in Anderlecht believe that they belong together and want to go for the same goal, form a community worthy to continue as a community of followers of Christ Jesus, the sent of God, whom they view as their promised Messiah or Saviour.

With suit and pocket, loaded with good intentions, hope and a range of Bibles in multiple languages, they will take the Bible as their primary Guide on the path they are not afraid of and the people who will try to discourage them will not succeed in their purpose. All who plan to go on a trek will put on a firm step of shoes and set off completely boldly.

Emerging for Christ, they will not fail to make their goals known to others. Along the way, they won’t stop talking about that Nazarene man whose footsteps they want to follow. It was a man of words and deeds who submitted completely to Heavenly Father, Jehovah, the Only True God. And that is also what the walkers want to do during this trip: straight ahead of the charity, even though we know that it will not always be an easy course and that the gate to that Kingdom, where we are heading, is narrow. The road that leads to a narrow gate that we will have to go through. Although, it is said that it is more difficult for a camel to pass through that gate than to put a thread through the eye of a needle.

But everyone has been found willing not to be discouraged and to speak to others along the way to go out with us.

So, if you wish to go out with us. Feel free to come along and discover with us the fascinating stories, details and beauties that will be found on the path.

+

Previous

1. The greatest gift that can come to us
2. A new yeshiva or study place
3. The spiritual “ garment ” for our souls
4. Gathering and meeting for God
5. The intentions of our Brussels ecclesia
6. Prayer on the last day of the year
7. Prayer before the start of our first year of operation
8. January 6, 2024 official opening of the Anderlecht ecclesia

++

Additional reading

1. The Divine name of the Creator
2. Archeological Findings the name of God YHWH
3. Jehovah Yahweh Gods Name
4. Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua
5. I am that I am Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh אהיה אשר אהיה
6. Make a joyful noise unto Yahweh, rejoice, and sing praise unto Jehovah
7. The NIV and the Name of God
8. Jehovah in the BASF
9. I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered
10. Blessed be the name of Jehovah
11. Praise be to God
12. For Jehovah is greatly to be praised
13. Praise the God with His Name
14. Praise the most High Jehovah God above all
15. Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation!
16. What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits
17. Without God no purpose, no goal, no hope
18. Jehovah is good unto them that wait for Him
19. Jesus and his God
20. A Triple God or simply a rather simple One God
21. History of the acceptance of a three-in-one God
22. Does there have to be a Holy Trinity Mystery
23. Bible
24. Word of God
25. Bible Word of God inspired and infallible
26. Why choose? And can you choose?
27. Gaining Christ, trusting Jehovah
28. Hebrew, Aramaic and Bibletranslation
29. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
30. Commit your self to the trustworthy creator
31. Being sure of their deliverance
32. Meditation – Pride
33. Where our life journey begins and inheritance of offices of parents
34. Solution for Willing hearts filled with gifts
35. Truth is not a Philosophical discussion
36. Matthew 7:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #1 The Narrow Gate and the way to destruction
37. Teachings, prophets, wolves in sheep’s covering and a narrow gate
38. Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still
39. The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places
40. Repentance and conversion are not milestones which we pass on the way of life and never see again
41. Discovering our narrative, a process we call Life
42. Believe me! Everything is Possible
43. Today’s thought “Our company” (January 01)
44. Journey to begin with one step
45. The Journey Begins
46. …May we encourage each other…
47. God loving people justified
48. Not all will inherit the Kingdom

The greatest gift that can come to us

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Daily writing prompt

What is the greatest gift someone could give you?

View all responses

Days have just passed where people have given each other gifts. However, many do not consider the most beautiful gift for humanity.

Last weeks, many people also sang that they received the most beautiful gift on earth, thinking of a child born in a shepherd’s stable in Bethlehem. More than two thousand years ago, that baby came into the world here in the name of God to preach world peace. It is that world peace that we must look out for.

Peace all over the earth is the greatest gift that can come to us. We must look forward to this, but we must not forget that we must work on it ourselves. It is also up to us to spread the message of peace from our own small circle, the household, the family, the school or the workplace, our community and our religious community.

It is a true gift if we have the opportunity to form a community of faith with others. If brothers and sisters can spread the love of Christ as a blessing and can make it possible to draw others to our circle of believers as well. Whenever someone decides to join us, it is a gift to be thankful for.

By fully appreciating the gift of God and using it to spread the Peace of God, we can also offer others such a wonderful gift, where the message of peace can radiate further.

Whenever we gather in community, let’s pack « gifts » together with multiple believers to send them into the wide world, so that in turn we can make other people happy with the gift of God, which is ultimately the Greatest Gift for the world.

Prayer before the start of our first year of operation

Loving God
We dare to call on you.

Nothing has to stop us,
if we try to approach you.
We dare to come to you
full of expectations
that you will hear our prayers.

We open our hearts to You
so that you can fill it full of wisdom
joy and hopeful expectation,
that we will be able to form a worthy community with many
in the name of Your son and under his control.

Let us step by step
progress and grow thanks to your guidance.

Give us full confidence
to let us be guided and shaped through Your Word.

We ask that in the name of Your son.

+

Also find to read:

Prayer at the opening of the year 2024