Every time you come here, refresh the page… maybe I’ve written some more thoughts to ponder with you!
First of all… my wife and I, she is Cheryl, and here’s some photos of us. Maybe some day you can meet her!
Here’s that verse that came up when I noticed you were listening to 106.5 on the radio… I’d heard one of my favourite worship songs, and wondered if I’d left my own music playing!
“You’re a Christian?” I asked… you hesitated at that label, and then said you are Catholic. And then hesitated again… this reminded me of my own resistance to being labeled and thereby unseen. A definition of terms is needed!
You stated you believe in God, and the son… so you are a believer! And perhaps of I might reiterate… that is not to exclude others…
So my mind went to the beginning of the story… up there on the Mountain… those 12 were “the church”
Here’s that passage >
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
ἐκκλησία
Transliteration: ekklēsia Pronunciation: ek-klay-see’-ah
Part of Speech: feminine noun
Here is an online scripture study resource > Blue Letter Bible
I took 1 year of Bible college in early 1980’s… and first year biblical Greek… so it helps me to look at words, to help begin to understand better what God’s word is teaching us.
Here – the word translated “church” in the scripture>
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The word translated church is ekklēsia
And a simple translation is “the called out ones”
Called out of the world, and into Him!
John 1:12
If you click on the scripture link there, it will take you to an online Bible website:
And the link Matthew 28:16-20 NIV will open up to that scripture in particular, the whole chapter.
I’ll ask you a question – I put a verse in bold letters – what comes to mind about that, in the context of this chapter, and the Bible?
Another scripture that came to mind as we spoke:
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
All for now… I don’t want to overwhelm you!
God Bless
Running Down Vimy 