followers of Jesus Christ – Kanisa la Christadelphian huko Anderlecht

No place for injustice, partiality or corruption

juin 21, 2024juin 19, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Almighty God, Behaviour or attitude towards others, Christadelphian, Thought for today

From the previous publication, we can conclude that we are dealing with a righteous God. Therefore, we must be guided by that awe of Jehovah. For this we must proceed with precision, for Jehovah our God is strictly just, impartial and incorruptible.

“Therefore let the fear of Jehovah be with you, and heed what you do; for with Jehovah our God there is no injustice nor respect for the person, nor acceptance of gifts.” (2 Chronicles 19:7)

Some may question the way God behaves. Critics often say that God is not honest. In his letter to the Romans, Paul shows that God is super honest – After all, He has made us all and gives everyone equal opportunities.

As our Maker, He doesn’t actually need anyone’s permission to do whatever He wants with His creation. He can create, destroy and recreate His living creatures when He pleases and how He pleases.

“29 Hide Your face, they are overcome with terror, take away their breath, give up the spirit and return to their dust. 30 If You send out Your Spirit, they will be created and You will renew the face of the face of the face of the earth.” (Psalms 104:29-30)

“19 You will then say to me, What then does He have to say? For who has resisted His will? 20 But, O man, who are you to contradict God? Shall also the workings say to him who made it, Why have you made me this way? 21 Or does the potter have no power over the clay, to make from the same lump of clay one object an honorable one, the other a dishonorable object?” (Romans 9:19-21)

We must not forget that the first people God created had gone against Him. God had warned them that death would come upon them if they ate from the « Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil ». So since the fall of Adam, humanity has deserved to die.

“Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death came upon all men, in whom all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

But Jehovah has invited people to live in His mercy. He had Jesus in mind from the beginning. God’s mercy is centered in that Nazarene man.

“He is known beforehand, before the foundation of the world, but revealed in recent times for our sake (1 Peter 1:20)

First He chose a people as His inheritance (Deut 7:6; Psa 32:11). Then His invitation extended to the pagans. Jehovah then called both Jews and Gentiles to life in Jesus. His invitation has gone out to everyone.

“And the Gospel must first be preached to all nations.” (Mark 13:10)

Christadelphians and many other Bible students have been proclaiming the Good News for several years now. Over the centuries, serious Bible explorers or Bible researchers have entered the world as faithful followers of Jesus to preach Jesus. But few follow their preaching and have accepted God His offer of salvation; most chose the sacrifices of the world rather than eternal life.

“13 Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate, and wide is the way that leads to destruction, and many are there who enter through it; 14 but the gate is narrow, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

As members of an ecclesia, we fully realise our position and hold on to our bondage in Christ. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we ensure that injustice, partiality or corruption cannot take place in the ecclesia. Furthermore, together we share the love that Christ has also shown for us and we realise that God’s decisions are always just and good.

The Righteous and Kind God

Additional reading

A house with fertile soil full of plants of love

juin 15, 2024juin 14, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Behaviour or attitude towards others, Christadelphian, Thought for today

When we come together, be it in a house, hall, temple or kingdom hall, and intend to exchange our thoughts in community about God, His word and commandments, our attitude towards each other must be according to the standards of God.

The ecclesia is a house of God and there is no room for jealousy, envy or jealousy, but there must be mutual love for each other.

Those who gather to attend a service for God are committed to delving into the Word of God, but also into the love of God. Thus they study the character of the Most High and see the character of His sent son. It does not escape their attention that Jesus had an unselfish love. He had a love that « doesn’t envy ». In front of us we see a man who radiated a love that was generous. So must our love be, so that we may see others flourish and rejoice in their prosperity, even if our own affairs are not so prosperous for a while.

It may be safe that we experience difficult days. Days we can even hate. But these must not undermine us. They must not drag us into the depths. Above all the inconveniences and difficulties, we must have such confidence in God that we rise above these difficulties and continue to act as a peacemaker who wants to share his love with many.

The love of and imitator of Christ is one of generosity, the reverse of jealousy and envy, which arise from a perverse nature. This world is overflowing with people who want to reflect on others. Social media is excellent proof of this, how people even go so far as to no longer be themselves towards others. All around us we see people looking forward with jealousy to what others have already achieved or are envious of what they already have and they do not. There, we clearly see the roots of envy, which is selfishness. We must realise that envy will not grow on the root of love.

And to build a good ecclesia we need to plough a fertile soil and sow good seeds on it, choosing to raise only loving plants. In this way, we will keep our thoughts open to warmly welcome everyone who comes by, and have a taste of our hospitality. In doing so, our love will rejoice with those who rejoice, in the prosperity of every good word and work, and in the progress in Christian grace and in the divine service of all who are driven by the divine Spirit.

Additional reading

A meeting place to share peace and love with each other

juin 12, 2024juin 11, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Behaviour or attitude towards others, Christadelphian, Faith, Jesus Christ - son of God, Thought for today

Love, peace, gathering, greeting — Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

As imitators of Jesus Christ, we try to obtain wisdom from above. For us, the most important thing is that all members of our community feel willing to obey the laws or commandments of God and the regulations of Christ Jesus.

“Wisdom that comes from above is pure above all, but also peaceful, accommodating, saying, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, unfeigned;” (James 3:17)

Jesus asked his apostles to go out to towns and cities to bring the Good News. There they had to find someone to stay with. And where they were warmly received they had to be friendly and could wish peace to those where they were welcome. It was in such places where they obtained shelter that they could spread the faith further. Likewise, we can consider ourselves fortunate that we can contact a family to discuss our faith further. We wish that family peace.

“11 In whatever city or village you come, examine who is the most worthy; and remain with him until you travel again. 12 When you enter that house, it brings your greeting. 13 And if the house is worthy, your peace descends upon it; if not, your peace returns to you.” (Matthew 10:11-13)

All too soon, when we get in somewhere, we forget to say:

« Shalom » [‘Shalom aleikhem!’]

« Peace be upon you! »

However, it is important that we wish each other peace.

“Peace to you, peace to your family, peace to all who belong to you!” (1 Samuel 25:6)

Within the walls between which we can find ourselves there must be love and peace. It is in such sheltered places that we must find each other as brothers and sisters.

“7 Peace be within your walls, Hail within your fortresses! 8 For my brethren and friends I pray peace on you;” (Psalms 122:7-8)

“5 When you enter a house, first say, Peace to this house! 6 And if a child of peace dwells there, your peace will rest on him; if not, he will return to you.” (Luke 10:5-6)

In the house or temple where we are welcome to meet, adults and children, baptised and unbaptised can find each other in peace and taste the love that brothers in Christ share among themselves. For the baptised act as envoys of the Nazarene teacher, Jeshua ben Josef (Jesus Christ) who is lord over us. We ask all around us to reconcile with God while they still can.

“This is the word he proclaimed to the children of Israel. when he brought the glad message of peace through Jesus Christ, He is the lord of allen.” (Acts 10:36)

“So in Christ’’s name we act as envoys, as if God himself admonishes us. In Christ’’s name we beg you: Rejoice with God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

“For if we are reconciled to God by the death of His son, when we were enemies, how much more shall we be saved by his life, now that we have been reconciled to him.” (Romans 5:10)

“to reconcile both with God in one Body through the piece of wood, and thus kill the enmity.” (Ephesians 2:16)

“, however, I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak from mouth to mouth. (1-15) Peace be to you! The friends greet you. Greet the friends one by one!” (3 John 1:14)

Greetings among themselves is a sign of kinship and love for each other. Being together with such a feeling of trust and community means that we also pay attention to each other to encourage love and right works.

“23 Let us cling unwaveringly to the confession of hope; for He who made the promise is faithful. 24 Let us watch one another, to provoke us to love and good works; 25 do not neglect community life, as some tend to do; but admonish one another, all the more, as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

If we truly love the entire community of brothers, we will find that we cannot separate ourselves from them. Even though we may be in a very small community or house church, there remains that connection with other brothers and sisters around the world. Love always seeks the object of her affection; she cannot remain alone.

We must also open the doors to all those who would find us and show that Christadelphians are welcome. Those who want to come visit us must feel that we are not excluding anyone. We must deal with all who pass by, and do so with positive thoughts, to do good to others, to be beneficial and not just to be personally favoured by just wanting to receive.

Coming together in an ecclesia, be it a house church, kingdom hall, hall or temple, we must make everyone feel that we are open to receiving and receiving them. In that space of meeting we must be fully open to growing in appreciation for each other.

Previously published articles in line with this topic:

Additional articles

Participants bonded together into one body

avril 18, 2024 par Christadelphians, publié dans Behaviour or attitude towards others, Christadelphian, Faith, Jesus Christ - son of God, Thought for today

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

Find also to read

Reason to absorb knowledge of Jesus Christ

avril 12, 2024 par Bijbelvorsers, publié dans Bible text quotes, Faith, Jesus Christ - son of God

More than 2,000 years ago, there was a Jewish Nazarene in Palestine named Jeshua ben Josef (Yeshua the son of Josef), better known here as Jesus Christ, who was declared by God himself as His only begotten beloved son. After his childhood, of which we know little, he became a great master teacher who began his ministry „ to bear witness to the truth”

“Pilate therefore said to him, Thou art then a king? Jesus answered, Thou sayest [it], that I am a king. I have been born for this, and for this I have come into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.” (John 18:37 Darby)

“21 And it came to pass, all the people having been baptised, and Jesus having been baptised and praying, that the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove upon him; and a voice came out of heaven, *Thou* art my beloved Son, in thee I have found my delight. 23 And Jesus himself was beginning to be about thirty years old; being as was supposed son of Joseph; of Eli,” (Luke 3:21-23 Darby)

The fact that ‘witnessing’ (martureo) and ‘witnesses’ referred to ‘explain’, ‘to make it clear’, ‘explicate’, ‘confirming’ and ‘favourably speaking about’ The one who sent Jesus to this world. Jesus testified to and proclaimed truths of which he was convinced. But in addition, through his way of life, he confirmed the truth of the prophetic word and the promises of his heavenly Father.

“For whatever promises of God [there are], in him is the yea, and in him the amen, for glory to God by us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 Darby)

God’s purpose in connection with the Kingdom and its Messianic Ruler was foretold in detail. Throughout his life on earth, which ended in his sacrificial death, Jesus fulfilled all prophecies about him, including the shadows or prefigures in the covenant of the law.

“16 Let none therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in matter of feast, or new moon, or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17 Darby)

“For the law, having a shadow of the coming good things, not the image itself of the things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually yearly, perfect those who approach.” (Hebrews 10:1 Darby)

So it can be said that Jesus in word and deed ‘witnessed the truth’.

For Jesus, the earthly son of the craftsman Joseph from the family of Eli, it was not about truth in general, but about the truth in connection with God’s purposes. An important element of God’s purpose is for Jesus, the ‘son of David’, to serve as High Priest and Ruler of God’s Kingdom.

“Book of the generation of Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1 Darby)

Jesus explained that revealing the truth about that Kingdom was a major reason for his coming to the human world, his life on earth, and his ministry. The angels proclaimed a similar message before and at the time of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem in Judea, the city where David was born.

“31 and behold, thou shalt conceive in the womb and bear a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. 32 *He* shall be great, and shall be called Son of [the] Highest; and [the] Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father; 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for the ages, and of his kingdom there shall not be an end.” (Luke 1:31-33 Darby)

“10 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people; 11 for to-day a Saviour has been born to you in David’s city, who is Christ [the] Lord. 12 And this is the sign to you: ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good pleasure in men.” (Luke 2:10-14 Darby)

So we see that Jesus was born, so he has a beginning (while God has no beginning nor end). Regarding his last three and a half years of residence on earth, we have recorded witnesses defeated by his chosen disciples (the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

During his ministry, Jesus trained his 12 apostles so that they could continue his work after his death. In a sense he indicated that everything revolves around love. In one of the best-known speeches in history, called the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his disciples how to show love for fellow human beings. In that speech, for the followers of Christ, lies the most important doctrine they must adhere to.

Jesus indicated that we should adopt an attitude towards others that we would prefer to adopt towards us. He said:

“Therefore all things whatever ye desire that men should do to you, thus do *ye* also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 Darby)

This principle is called the Golden Rule. The „people” that Jesus mentioned here even includes one’s enemies. In the same speech he said:

“But *I* say unto you, Love your enemies, [bless those who curse you,] do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who [insult you and] persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44 Darby)

This attitude is expected of everyone who dares to call themselves Christians. Unfortunately, we don’t find that much in many who call themselves Christians. Things would go a lot better in the world if believers adhered to that golden rule. The Indian lawyer and politician, Mohandas Karamchand Mahatmi Gandhi, also held this opinion. He said:

„If [we] were to agree on the basis of the teachings laid down by Christ in this Sermon on the Mount. . . the problems. . . of the entire world are solved.”

Jesus’s teachings on love, when applied, can heal the plagues of humanity.

Jesus completely adhered to the wishes of His Heavenly Father and spread that love without wishing anything in its place. Christians must also put Jesus’ teaching into practice and demonstrate their love to others.

Jesus had a strong sense of pity that moved him to help others. What Jesus did for the benefit of others was not limited to spiritual instruction. He also provided practical assistance by healing people and providing food. Jesus performed most of his miracles in public. Even his opponents, who tried to remark on him at every opportunity, could not deny that he performed miracles (John 9:1-34). Moreover, his miracles had a purpose. They helped people identify Jesus as the one announced and sent by God.

“The men therefore, having seen the sign which Jesus had done, said, This is truly the prophet which is coming into the world.” (John 6:14 Darby)

Yet people oppose that prophet of God. Many even shouted that he should be killed.

God had said that the wage sin pays is death. But God wished that man could live wonderfully. Because God loves us a lot, he sent His son Jesus to pay for that ‘wage’ for us. Through Jesus’s sacrificial death, God has made it possible for people to live forever in a paradise on earth. Jesus said:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him may not perish, but have life eternal.” (John 3:16 Darby)

So Jesus’ death is not only a testament to God’s righteousness, but even more so, to His love for people.

“12 For this [cause], even as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death; and thus death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (for until law sin was in [the] world; but sin is not put to account when there is no law; 14 but death reigned from Adam until Moses, even upon those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is [the] figure of him to come. 15 But [shall] not the act of favour [be] as the offence? For if by the offence of one the many have died, much rather has the grace of God, and the free gift in grace, which [is] by the one man Jesus Christ, abounded unto the many. 16 And [shall] not as by one that has sinned [be] the gift? For the judgment [was] of one to condemnation, but the act of favour, of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by the offence of the one death reigned by the one, much rather shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the free gift of righteousness, reign in life by the one Jesus Christ:) 18 so then as [it was] by one offence towards all men to condemnation, so by one righteousness towards all men for justification of life. 19 For as indeed by the disobedience of the one man the many have been constituted sinners, so also by the obedience of the one the many will be constituted righteous.” (Romans 5:12-19 Darby)

That which Jesus has done for mankind, to offer himself as a ransom sacrifice to God, to redeem us, is reason enough to find out more about him and to be grateful to him for that ransom and the possible reconciliation with God, as well as through our faith in him, the opportunity of a free gift of justice and a future blissful life without end.
To love God and His sent one leads to justification.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was resurrected and that he has now been placed on the throne as King of God’s kingdom.

“And the seventh angel sounded [his] trumpet: and there were great voices in the heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world of our Lord and of his Christ is come, and he shall reign to the ages of ages.” (Revelation 11:15 Darby)

Jesus said:

„This means eternal life, that they continually absorb knowledge of you, the one true God, and of him whom you sent out, Jesus Christ” (John 17:3; 20:31).

Indeed, taking in knowledge of Jesus Christ can mean endless life in Paradise.

Connecting messages

Prayer to God for the fulfillment of the baptismal candidates

avril 6, 2024avril 6, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Christadelphian, Faith, Prayer for today

Lord God,

Today we will meet here for the last time before some members will undergo the baptism interview.

We ask You, dear God,
that You will fill the baptismal candidates with Your Spirit
so that they will be able to answer all questions properly
so that we can also be sure that they are ready
to be received into our community as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Give baptismal candidates sufficient insight
to be ready like this
to enter into the community of followers of Christ.

We ask you that in Jesus’ name,
in the hope of soon incorporating them into our community as full brothers and sisters.

Brothers and sisters as one family

mars 23, 2024mars 23, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Behaviour or attitude towards others, Christadelphian, Jesus Christ - son of God, Thought for today

If one forms a community of people who go for Christ, it is like forming a close-knit family.

While one usually views family as those who come from the same blood bond or are married to those born from the blood, the kinship in the church or religious community has the deeper blood, namely that shed blood of Jesus Christ, who has surrendered in the laundering of the people.

Full of love, Jesus gave himself to His Heavenly Father, so that he would also take the other people back to himself as His children. So are the followers of Christ as brothers and sisters, children of God. Therein lies their kinship and so there is the family bond for them.

Family members can be your best friends, you know. And dear friends, whether they are related to you or not, can be your family.” {Trenton Lee Stewart}

The non-traditional church that is born out of spiritual life

mars 19, 2024mars 6, 2024 par Guestspeaker, publié dans Almighty God, Behaviour or attitude towards others, Christadelphian, Faith

house church — Photo by Artu016bras Kokorevas on Pexels.com

God’s clear desire is for the earth to be filled with the

“knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).

Rather than build buildings and organisations that require tremendous time, finances, and energy to reproduce, The Kingdom of God multiplies organically: one seed produces fruit, that produces more seed that produces more fruit.

If there is a true follower of Christ anywhere on earth, he is aware of the commission that Jesus gave to his apostles. Such an awareness therefore requires following Christ’s teachings and the necessary spreading of his word, the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God.
Provided that there are several true followers of Jesus walking around on earth, they can ensure the further spread of faith in the One True God and in His sent only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who has brought us salvation.
One after another passes on the Good News and thus makes hope flourish for that coming kingdom.

The principle of multiplication is far more powerful than we realise.

What we often hear is that if we do not have our own recognisable church buildings, then we must be a sect. Clearly indicating that many people do not know the meaning of a « cult« .

Born out of spiritual life instead of constructed by human institutions and held together by religious programs, people all over the world find they should come together to worship the Only One True God.
For them, it is much more important to live and act according to the Bible and thus to practice true worship of God and not to worship multiple gods, as in many institutional churches.

Organic church life is a grass roots experience that is marked by face-to-face community, every-member functioning, open-participatory meetings (opposed to pastor-to-pew services), non-hierarchical leadership, and the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ as the functional Leader and Head of the gathering.
Put another way, organic church life is the “experience” of the Body of Christ. In its purest form, it’s the fellowship of the Only One True God instead of a Triune God brought to earth and experienced by human beings.

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A world where one must make oneself clearly known #1 From the first to the 19th century

février 15, 2024février 7, 2024 par obligingworldviewer, publié dans Christadelphian, Faith, History & news feed, Jesus Christ - son of God, World events & environment

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com

In this world where there is a lot of commotion, there is little room for the Divine Maker, and the majority of the people in our region are busy collecting money and material goods.

Yet there are certain people, who are often looked at as madmen, who afford to look beyond this earthly world. They are firmly convinced that in the future, after a terrible war (World War 3 or Armageddon), there will be a much better will develop a world in which people will be fully happy.

For some years now there have been such people in Belgium who also try to convince others that there is a better future ahead, for a long time it was just lonely goons or lonely trekkers who moved from « Jet » to « Jar » to proclaim the Good News for a long time they had to feel lonely in a world where there was little obedience to that special news.

But things started to stir in the capital of Europe during the previous year. Some people indicated that they no longer wanted to move up alone, but that they wanted to join others who had also traveled a bit here in Europe. had travelled away. Some islanders who saw their land torn away from the European Union did not give up the courage to continue talking about their faith on the mainland, they had already managed to pull a pioneer to the New World to walk down the steppes there From there from that United States it went back to Europe where seeds were planted in Great Britain in the late 19th century, but also on the Western European mainland.

They were followers of Dr. John Thomas who wished to make it clear to others that almost two millennia earlier a Nazarene preceptor had brought about a change in the world of faith Yeshua ben Josef, better known here by the name of Jesus Christ, had the way been cleared there in the Middle East for goyim or non-Jews to now possibly come under that large umbrella and be included as members of God’s People.

But to be able to join that People of God one must be willing to do something for it Already from the first century of our era, that was made clear by that Jewish rabbi who had come to fulfill the prophecies as the son of God, his faithful followers too, the apostles, were aware of the importance of what their teacher had to say and why it was necessary for them to explain this further.

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Choose the right name for your travel registration

février 13, 2024février 6, 2024 par jeshuaist, publié dans Christadelphian, Faith, History & news feed, Jesus Christ - son of God, Thought for today

plannen van een reis of trektocht - planning of a voyage or trekking - passport on map, paspoort op landkaart - photo camera on map - fototoestel op landkaart — Foto door Element5 Digital op Pexels.com

We start our pilgrimage during the dark hours of dawn, wanting to put that world of despair behind us, we realize that there is a lot going wrong in that world we want to turn our backs on.

The People of God, who were largely made up of itinerants, knew all too well that one had to turn away from that world which had no eye for the Great Designer of this earth. They too, knew that one had to turn away from sin. In their journeys they did all they could to succeed, but like every man they were also sometimes weak and fell into sin. We too, we too, during our journey, we must be aware that this will also be part of our lives.

About two thousand years ago there was also another man of God who came to explain the Heavenly Father and who called on people to follow him as the light in the darkness. It was a sent one from God who spoke to humanity and asked them to follow him. He was a Nazarene Jew who knew the Scriptures very well and loved his Heavenly Father above all the worldly lords, many of these spiritual leaders were not served, which also turned them against that man who received more attention than them and who dared to call himself son of God.

It is following that Jewish teacher that we want to join those who believe in the long-awaited son of God whom we want to accept as the Kristos – the Anointed of God – or Christ. We believe that he is the Messiah that people have been looking forward to for so many centuries.

It is important to know under what name one wishes to be known in the world.

passport - paspoort — Foto door Ekaterina Belinskaya op Pexels.com

Before the trek, one could say that those who are interested in walking would also like to be regarded as his followers or brothers and sisters, which is why they would be happy to bear his name and record it on their passport.
That important preacher mentioned Yeshua or Jeshua ben Josef and that is why we want to continue to travel the world under his name as « Yeshuaist » or « Jeshuaist« , which means « follower of Jeshua« .

While the many ‘name Christians‘ do not follow the authority of Holy Scripture at all, we want those who go on a trek with us to take the Bible as a guide and recognize the Word of God as the highest authority.

Those who go with us through the fields, mountains and valleys and cross the waters with them will continue to see together how important it is to get rid of a name that covers the wrong charge. If one pretends to be a Christian, most will think of all those other Christians who believe in the Holy Trinity. But one does not want to belong if one wants to end the trek together in the place where we must arrive, which is why it is important that you indicate from the beginning that you want to go through life as a Jeshuaist or follower of Jeshua, and even in that capacity that you are a Brother in Christ, or for the women and Sister in Christ.

During our journey we will make it very clear to the outside world that we as Brothers and Sisters in Christ want to continue through life.

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It is important to know under what name one wishes to be known in the world.

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