saviour Jesus Christ – Kanisa la Christadelphian huko Anderlecht

Looking at our shepherd and leader

Mai 4, 2024avril 29, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Jesus Christ - son of God, Prayer for today

Dear God,

The shepherd sent by You was welcomed with song and shouts like a king.
Afterwards, however, he was betrayed, extradited, tortured and killed.

We want to look beyond all of this and say:

this is the Son of God,

our shepherd and guide;

This is our Saviour in whom we hope and trust!

We want to imitate him as proud and loving Christians.

We ask You, the Almighty Supreme Shepherd,
to count us as the sheep of the Good Shepherd sent by You.

Through Jesus Christ,
Your Son and our teacher,
who lives with You forever.
Amen.

Preceding article

A Chief Shepherd Who gave us a shepherd who laid down his life for us.

What is expected of a Christadelphian?

avril 10, 2024avril 10, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans ??? Questions asked, Almighty God, Behaviour or attitude towards others, Bible text quotes, Christadelphian, Faith, Jesus Christ - son of God, Questions & Answers

What obligations should a Christadelphian fulfil?

Endorsing Biblical teachings

It is essential that the person who wishes to join the Christadelphians subscribes to Biblical teachings.

Believing in only one God and imitating His Laws

Baptismal candidates are expected to bear witness to their faith in only one True God, Jehovah the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. It is also to That One True God that the Christadelphian will direct his prayers with confidence.

“And Jesus answering him said, It is written, Thou shalt do homage to [the] Lord thy God, and him alone shalt thou serve.” (Luke 4:8 Darby)

“(however, Jesus himself did not baptise, but his disciples),” (John 4:2 Darby)

A Christadelphian is expected to love the Only True God and to fulfil His Laws with full sense. The Laws of Christ are enclosed in the Law of God and as Jesus did the Will of God we must also do the Will of God and adhere to the Laws of Christ and the Laws of God.

“For when [those of the] nations, which have no law, practise by nature the things of the law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves;” (Romans 2:14 Darby)

“But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up to faith [which was] about to be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23 Darby)

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfil the law of the Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 Darby)

“If indeed ye keep [the] royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.” (James 2:8 Darby)

“The secret of Jehovah is with them that fear him, that he may make known his covenant to them.” (Psalms 25:14 Darby)

“Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence;” (Proverbs 3:5 Darby)

“And he said to him, Thou shalt love [the] Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy understanding.” (Matthew 22:37 Darby)

“Because this [is] the covenant that I will covenant to the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: Giving my laws into their mind, I will write them also upon their hearts; and I will be to them for God, and *they* shall be to me for people.” (Hebrews 8:10 Darby)

Cleaned by the blood of the unloader, we must also keep ourselves clean

In addition to believing in Jehovah as the one true God, one must also believe in God’s sent son Jesus Christ as the promised Anointed Son of Man and Redeemer, the Messiah or Saviour.

“and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight.” (Matthew 3:17 Darby)

“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)

“as indeed the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 Darby)

“who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony [to be rendered] in its own times;” (1 Timothy 2:6 Darby)

“Christ has redeemed us out of the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, (for it is written, Cursed [is] every one hanged upon a tree,)” (Galatians 3:13 Darby)

“that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive sonship.” (Galatians 4:5 Darby)

“whom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood, for [the] shewing forth of his righteousness, in respect of the passing by the sins that had taken place before, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:25 Darby)

“What then [is] the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision?” (Romans 3:1 Darby)

“And Jesus also, and his disciples, were invited to the marriage.” (John 2:2 Darby)

Cleaned by Jesus’ blood, we must also keep ourselves clean and do everything we can not to sin. Even if we were to pretend to be angry, we should get rid of that anger as quickly as possible and let us certainly not become culprits ourselves or do wrong things.

“and almost all things are purified with blood according to the law, and without blood-shedding there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22 Darby)

“But if we walk in the light as *he* is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 Darby)

“Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear.” (2 Corinthians 7:1 Darby)

“Be angry, and do not sin; let not the sun set upon your wrath,” (Ephesians 4:26 Darby)

“Flee fornication. Every sin which a man may practise is without the body, but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18 Darby)

“Let none of you suffer indeed as murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or as overseer of other people’s matters;” (1 Peter 4:15 Darby)

Living rules and norms of God

It is therefore important to bear the name Brother in Christ with dignity, by trying to be an image of Jesus Christ. As he did the Will of God, Christadelphians must also observe the Will of God. Those who want to belong to the religious community of Christadelphians must thus be prepared to comply with the rules and norms of the Christadelphians, such as avoiding immoral behaviour, smoking, drug use and other sinful practices.

Being a Christian not only means that one must believe in Christ Jesus, the son of God, but that one must also imitate him and build his life accordingly.

“For to this have ye been called; for Christ also has suffered for you, leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps:” (1 Peter 2:21 Darby)

“for I have given you an example that, as I have done to you, ye should do also.” (John 13:15 Darby)

“He that says he abides in him ought, even as *he* walked, himself also [so] to walk.” (1 John 2:6 Darby)

“5 For let this mind be in you which [was] also in Christ Jesus; 6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God;” (Philippians 2:5-6 Darby)

“Be my imitators, even as *I* also [am] of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 Darby)

Excellent behaviour is important, so that no one can speak negatively about the believer. Correct behaviour is also important, to honour God and His people, without any blemish or slander on the ministry. We should even be examples in our behaviour.

“having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that [as to that] in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may through [your] good works, [themselves] witnessing [them], glorify God in [the] day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12 Darby)

“and many shall follow their dissolute ways, through whom the way of the truth shall be blasphemed.” (2 Peter 2:2 Darby)

“3 giving no manner of offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves as God’s ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,” (2 Corinthians 6:3-4 Darby)

“1 Laying aside therefore all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyings and all evil speakings, 2 as newborn babes desire earnestly the pure mental milk of the word, that by it ye may grow up to salvation,” (1 Peter 2:1-2 Darby)

“4 that they may admonish the young women to be attached to [their] husbands, to be attached to [their] children, 5 discreet, chaste, diligent in home work, good, subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be evil spoken of. 6 The younger men in like manner exhort to be discreet: 7 in all things affording thyself as a pattern of good works; in teaching uncorruptedness, gravity, 8 a sound word, not to be condemned; that he who is opposed may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us:” (Titus 2:4-8 Darby)

“Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 Darby)

“Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;” (James 3:13 Darby)

As believers not formed by the world but by God’s Word and focusing on the right, under a new guise

If one wants to become a Christadelphian, one must dare to distance oneself from the desires of this world and no longer allow oneself to be formed by this system of things, but to be changed by the reform of one’s mind, while the old personality one had in the time of ignorance, travels for good.

“And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [your] mind, that ye may prove what [is] the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 Darby)

“14 as children of obedience, not conformed to [your] former lusts in your ignorance; 15 but as he who has called you is holy, be ye also holy in all [your] conversation; 16 because it is written, Be ye holy, for *I* am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16 Darby)

“22 [namely] your having put off according to the former conversation the old man which corrupts itself according to the deceitful lusts; 23 and being renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 and [your] having put on the new man, which according to God is created in truthful righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 Darby)

“9 Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and having put on the new, renewed into full knowledge according to [the] image of him that has created him;” (Colossians 3:9-10 Darby)

For example, the Christadelphian has no room for wrong behaviour and feelings, and avoids this wrong attitude, such as jealousy, envy, greed, jealousy, selfishness, hypocrisy, laziness, contempt, pride, quarrelsomeness, drunkenness, gluttony, foolishness, debauchery, impurity, fornication, adultery, fornication, sweeping, ridicule, and other bad qualities. We must focus on the right things and those things that can be discussed favourably.

Going together in a community full of love for each other

We must adhere to the golden rule that we will not do anything to anyone else that we would not want anyone to do to us. It must be paramount that we love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Outsiders must recognize the Brothers by the way they follow Christ and share love with each other while adhering to the truth and serving with loyalty.

“By this shall all know that ye are disciples of mine, if ye have love amongst yourselves.” (John 13:35 Darby)

“And to all these [add] love, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3:14 Darby)

“For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things [are] true, whatsoever things [are] noble, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] amiable, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue and if any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 Darby)

“74 to give us, that, saved out of the hand of our enemies, we should serve him without fear 75 in piety and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1:74-75 Darby)

“24 and [your] having put on the new man, which according to God is created in truthful righteousness and holiness. 25 Wherefore, having put off falsehood, speak truth every one with his neighbour, because we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:24-25 Darby)

“but in everything commending ourselves as God’s ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,” (2 Corinthians 6:4 Darby)

“in [the] word of truth, in [the] power of God; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left,” (2 Corinthians 6:7 Darby)

“13 For *ye* have been called to liberty, brethren; only [do] not [turn] liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; 15 but if ye bite and devour one another, see that ye are not consumed one of another. 16 But I say, Walk in [the] Spirit, and ye shall no way fulfil flesh’s lust. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire; 18 but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, disputes, schools of opinion, 21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you beforehand, even as I also have said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit God’s kingdom.” (Galatians 5:13-21 Darby)

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity, 23 meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law. 24 But they that [are] of the Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us walk also by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become vain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26 Darby)

Members full of reasonableness, orderliness and satisfaction

In the community of Christadelphians, everyone is expected to show respect for each other and be ready for each other, while showing affection even to people who do not belong to the community.

“He hath shewn thee, O man, what is good: and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8 Darby)

“Obey your leaders, and be submissive; for *they* watch over your souls as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this [would be] unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17 Darby)

“To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.” (Proverbs 28:21 Darby)

“Put on therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;” (Colossians 3:12 Darby)

“and be to one another kind, compassionate, forgiving one another, so as God also in Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 Darby)

“And when ye stand praying, forgive if ye have anything against any one, that your Father also who is in the heavens may forgive you your offences.” (Mark 11:25 Darby)

“21 Then Peter came to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? until seven times? 22 Jesus says to him, I say not to thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22 Darby)

Don’t hesitate to meet

A Christadelphian is expected to live a godly life and to regularly read and study the Bible. It is also expected that the Christadelphian will participate in community life and regularly attend the meetings and services of the Brothers. At these meetings, everyone must be open to each other and help each other to grow further in their faith.

“But piety with contentment *is* great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6 Darby)

“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom [is] with some; but encouraging [one another], and by so much the more as ye see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 Darby)

“For where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20 Darby)

“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.” (Acts 2:40 Darby)

Finally
Fear Jehovah and bear the fruit of His Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity,” (Galatians 5:22 Darby)

“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 Darby)

“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do [his precepts]: his praise abideth for ever.” (Psalms 111:10 Darby)

“The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13 Darby)

“Let all the earth fear Jehovah; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” (Psalms 33:8 Darby)

“For the rest, my brethren, rejoice in [the] Lord: to write the same things to you, to me [is] not irksome, and for you safe.” (Philippians 3:1 Darby)

“Rejoice in [the] Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 Darby)

Additional reading

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How to find out that you belong to God’s people and are a chosen one

mars 22, 2024mars 21, 2024 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Almighty God, Faith, Jesus Christ - son of God, Thought for today

In many churches, people hear talk about God’s People. There are those who claim that these are no longer the Jews but the Christians. By this they mean those Christians who worship the Trinity. those Trinitarians then say that preaching is only for God’s people and that only the elect are saved.

The question here is who they see as chosen ones. The fact is that one can agree that only « elect » may acquire salvation and be blissful who will be allowed to reside in the Kingdom of God.

However much certain Christians may want it, one cannot exclude the Hebrew People from their role. The believing Jews belong to the People of God anyway – undeniably!

All people on earth are given the opportunity to know about God. They can see around them and find the wonders of the Lord. In more developed areas, people can also come into contact with the « written Word of God« . For example, one can say that many people can read the Bible. That Book of Books talks about a saviour who would come. That leader of trust is also said to be the Christ and the Bread of Life. That life-giving bread is at everyone’s disposal. It has been given to the whole world.

The question is who is hungry for it. Are those around us hungry? Are you hungry for what seems so elusive to many?

However, the sent of God is not as elusive or incomprehensible as many think. God is understanding and knows the needs of man. He wants to go into it, but he does want people to look for it.

God wants to satisfy you. He made His son pay the ransom for you and I, even all humanity. Christ Jesus was not haughty, but humbled himself and let sinners come to him. He received and ate with them.

Jesus Christ can be seen as the only mirror of election and the only ground of salvation. Our concern and need do not save us, but only faith in him. Jesus is the chosen one of God who was authorized to act as the ruler of the mentor and completer of faith.

True faith is a gift of grace from God. In this world there are many who call themselves Christians and claim that as believers they belong to that People of God. But when we speak to them and hear how they do not worship the God of Christ, but a deity they call the « Holy Trinity, » we realize that they have deviated far from the truth and still have a long way to go. to be counted with that People of God.

As a community of believers, or ecclesia, we can only act as servants and invite everyone to become a participant in the pilgrimage to the narrow gate of the Kingdom of God. By opening our doors to everyone who wants to hear, we will be able to help people hear and allow the Spirit to penetrate them. For it is God’s Spirit who determines everything. It is He who calls people to Himself and gives them insight. We as servants of God can only position ourselves in such a way that we give people direction to get to know both Jesus Christ and His Heavenly Father.

We must be ready for the hungry and thirsty. As brothers and sisters, we must welcome outsiders and make them as pleasant as possible without going against the Will of God. Brotherhood with Christ must always come first and that family, being a child of God, must persuade people to also want to become children of God.

Only when the conditions described in the Bible are met can one proceed as a child of God and become part of the blessed People of God.

Additional texts

The intentions of our Brussels ecclesia

janvier 5, 2024décembre 30, 2023 par Marcus Ampe, publié dans Behaviour or attitude towards others, Christadelphian, Faith, History & news feed, Jesus Christ - son of God, Reflection - Meditation

Even though we do not have a publicly freely accessible, easily recognizable ecclesia building, we want to open up our ecclesia or church to people of all kinds, race, country nature, culture or language.

In our West Brussels ecclesia in Anderlecht we hope to receive different people and to address them in French, Swahili but also in Dutch and English. By default, the services will take place in Anderlecht in French and Swahili, compared to our other ecclesiae in English, French and Farsi.

Our community of faith consists of members who want to open up to others as brothers and sisters in Christ to make known our Nazarene teacher Jesus Christ.

We are convinced that Jesus through our Heavenly Father, Jehovah God, was sent to earth as a Saviour to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to bring the Kingdom of Christ to life. In our community, we recall how Jesus lived, and preached the Word of God, but also how he was put to death on a stake for the forgiveness of our sins. We also want to express to others our hope of the testimony of many people that Jesus rose from the dead after his death and again promised that he would return as the time will be found ripe by God.

As Jesus was brought back to life by the Only True God, who created everything and made sure that we may be here on earth now, we believe and want to let others know that this resurrection from the dead can and will come to us. For this we have to wait until the end of the times or the end of all things

In our ecclesia, we want to prepare people for the appointed times, when we as humans will be tested and will have to withstand the incredibly severe violence against humanity that will use the adversaries of God to take the people away from God.

Thanks to God the Father, the son is still available to send us and, seated at God’s right hand, he will act as a mediator for us. Through his teaching, we want to be guided and build our community to Biblical standards.

We follow the first-century building of the faith communities of those who wanted to follow Jesus Christ. Although certain Jewish Laws no longer apply to all followers of Jesus, we also realise that certain Jewish laws or rules of life have not disappeared or been abolished at all. The Supreme God who was also the God of Abraham and Jesus made His commandments and rules known to man so that he would have firm guidance. His Words have been recorded for many generations who can follow these Words by reading and studying the Bible. A lot of time is spent on reading the Bible in our ecclesia. Furthermore, in that Book of Books there are also songs and prayers indicated to praise and honour God. We will use these but also contemporary prayers in our faith community to encourage us and ask God to protect us, to train and accept as children of Him.

In the previous article, you could read how the Greek word for « church » is « ekklesia« , and simply refers to that meeting or gathering, meeting of the called ones, or meeting of those who were « proclaimed« . « Church » was an unreligious word referring to a group of people considered to be followers of Jesus. The ecclesia does not really refer to a building but concerns people. It represents the group of people who have decided to come together to praise and honour God.

We in Anderlecht wish to offer such a place where people can feel at home and where we can hold meetings to study the Word of God, praise and honour God as well as commemorate the last supper of Jesus and his apostles and share the bread and wine with each other.

It must be remembered when When Jesus said

« I will build my church »

he was not talking about a literal building he was going to erect, but about a community he would form and support. We thus form a community under Christ and would like to invite others to join that brotherhood of Christ or that Church of Christ as well.

We want to show people that « church » means more than a church building or the Roman Catholic Church or a church of the Pentecostal movement. As ecclesia, we see it as one of our tasks to clarify the confusion of concepts surrounding « church. By the way, it is to avoid confusion that we prefer to use the word « ecclesia » for whatever one might call our society or gathering or brothers or followers.

We pretend to be obedient to the « Supreme Lord who is above all lords » whom we as our Only God uphold. We have also resolved to be stimulated by His Word so that we can grow and continue to work to grow the entire faith community. We therefore expect our members to show their willingness to take up God’s Word together to learn lessons from it and to let themselves through that Word « fertilize ».

As a community of believers, we expect all baptized members to take the right attitude to cultivate the right attitude among anyone who wants to join us in our ecclesia and our brotherhood.
As in a fine family, we want to form a community of willing children, interested in always learning and growing, always with each other’s helping hand and according to the Will of God. To this end, those who commit themselves to the True Faith must be aware of the promises of God and His Plan for the entire world. In this way, we also want to commit ourselves and work together to follow the instructions about joy and suffering and to look joyfully at the reward that God has for His loved ones provided.

As a community, we are willing to share God’s salvation with people around us, in and outside our community.

Although we are all different personalities, unity in the same faith is Jesus the Messiah the driving factor for the whole community and it is that shared hope that gives everyone joy of life and everyone share in the same hope-for-the-future.

Our part is to be faithful ships of the love of God (2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:21). That is why we are committed to being diligent and obedient to the order « to be execution followers ». That is clearly not a passive order that we want to follow up and fulfill together.

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