02/22/2023
The Blessing of Community. The word for church in the New Testament occurs 77 times in 76 verses in the King James Version. It is the Greek word ekklēsia. ἐκκλησία ekklēsía, ek-klay-see'-ah; from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, church. Strong's Concordance of the Bible.
And the word for community in the New Testament is not used in the KJV but it is translated in many other Versions in verses like:
[Exo 12:3 NLT] 3 Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household.
So we can easily see that The Lord Jesus used the same concept of Church for the New Testament as he did for the entire nation of Israel which was "called out" of Egypt and is the same vein of promises the Apostles of the Lord themselves taught that the Church is the inheritors of the COMMON Wealth of Israel and all the promises of the Fathers. The Apostle Paul spoke of the blessing of Community in Christ this way.... [Gal 3:17-18, 22, 26-27, 29 KJV] 17 And this I say, [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise. ... 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. ... 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ... 29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
So we can see that to be called out of the world and into the Church or Community of Faith in Jesus there are many blessings associated with that. Including all the blessings of Abraham the Father of The FAITH. When the Apostles encountered persecutions and opostion of men they resorted or returned to thier own company ... [Act 4:23 KJV] 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
The blessings of a Church Community are many but one of the most comforting blessings is the fact that you are not alone. I encourage you to get back ... go back... reconnect with The Church in the flesh ... don't stay home! Go back to church this weekend.
Christ Temple Pentecostal/Templo De Cristo has service on Sunday Morning at 10:30 nursery is provided! We also have Wednesday Evening Bible Study and Prayer Ministry at 7:30 each Wednesday evening.
We love God and we love People! Blessings today!
