Carrubbers' Blog

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LIFE AND SOUL OF CHURCH part 5

Two words are used in the New Testament, which grows our understanding of the church; Ecclesia and Koinonia.
Ecclesia - Gathering and Assembling.
Koinonia -  Fellowshipping and Sharing. 

While we are unable to gather and assemble together in a place or building, we are still sharing together in fellowship. The life and soul of the Church are alive and well.

In Acts 2, there are a number of characteristics that Luke wanted to share with Theophilus to help grow his understanding of the Church - the fellowship of believers.

Can I encourage you to continue considering how these characteristics are still alive and well in our fellowship during a period of extended lockdown?

 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. Acts2:43

Everyone was filled with awe. NIV

Reverential awe came over them. NET; a deep sense of awe came over them. NLT 

At the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. NIV

and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ESV; and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. NLT; and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. NET

Whether there is a direct connection either implicit or implied between the awe and the wonders and signs performed by the apostles. The reality is the believers lived in reverential awe!

A number of years ago, I was reading the bible one to one with a Spanish friend, ( this dear friend is responsible for my padel tennis exploits) we were reading through Acts. The recurring question we kept asking, again and again, was; What is it that Luke wants Theophilus to see and not to miss so that he would know for certain the things he was being taught? [Luke1:1-4]. Here in Acts and seen especially in Acts2:43, the answer is clear, Jesus is alive and well!

The wonders and signs performed by the apostles are reminders that Jesus is alive and well and working wonders through the person and work of the Holy Spirit and on this and other occasions through the apostles. Acts is all about the continuing work of the risen and living Jesus, this should result in reverential awe for all believers in Acts and beyond.

Read and ponder these verses.

Genesis 28:17. He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.

Exodus 15:11. Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

Nehemiah 1:5. Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments.

Psalm 65:5. You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.

Psalm 65:8. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

Matthew 9:8. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

Luke 5:26. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Acts 2:43. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

Hebrews 12:28. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

During this extended period of lockdown, what have you gained that you don't want to lose and what lost that you want to gain when it comes to your reverential awe of Jesus and his saving, justifying, sanctifying, transforming and glorifying work?

Join me in praying, that more reverential awe will become a natural part of your daily life and our church.

How well is it, with the life and soul of our local church?

Watch, listen to. A mighty fortress.


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