I am going to say something here that many denominationalists could find blasphemous, but it will be backed up with logic and scripture. Over the years, we have all seen or been involved in situations where people are arguing over who is right. There was one person years ago who suggested that my denomination was not a recognized denomination by their organization and, while I am not one to start an argument over which Christian church should designated as a “properly recognized” church, I am guessing the look on my face prompted the person to proceed to tell me why we were not a true denomination/church. Here comes some of the logic; was it not the Pharisee and the Sadducee who were denying the deity of the Christ? Were they not looking for ways to discredit Him, attack Him and get the nation to turn away from Jesus and only follow the true faith? Did they not realize that when they called Him a heretic, calling for His demise, they were attacking the very God they served? This is my thought; if a faith gathering, a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ, a Koinonia, meet each other in His presence, then we come together in His name, not the name of the denomination.
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. Matt 18:19-20 NLT
This passage is a red-letter passage, Jesus Christ spoke these words and nowhere does it say a denomination. The message plainly says, “where two or three gather together as My followers”, followers of Christ, Christians. He says nothing about being followers of this sect or that group, Jesus says “as My followers”. I spoke at a faith gathering in Nova Scotia not long ago and in that hall, they were not a mixture of Nazarenes, Baptists, Presbyterians, Evangelical, Full Gospel, etc., but rather a collection of Spirit-filled followers of Christ who were on fire for the Lord and declared through songs of worship and a time of fellowship their love for Him and for each other. Some do not recognize this beautiful gathering, this blessed koinonia, as a “proper church”, but I would argue that this group is doing the will of God for the Kingdom, and I will defend them to the end of time.
Those churches that met in the homes of the faithful, met, at times, in secrecy for fear of death by the religious, all came together to praise the King of all kings. The disciple Peter denied Christ three times because he did not want to be found out yet when Christ went forth into Glory to be with the Father, Peter, filled with the Spirit, boldly stood up in front of thousands and declared the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ and thousands were saved. Paul, filled with the Spirit, declared Christ as the Son of God and preached the Good News for all to hear in Damascus (Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” Acts 9:19-20 NLT) and fearlessly spoke of the Son of God throughout the land.
So, here is my question for all not only individually but also as a faith family: who do you say you are? This week, our Minister of Community, Eryn, will dig into how we, as a faith gathering, see ourselves as not only a koinonia but also as a community resource. If you are joining us online, please feel free to converse with us/me in the chat on Facebook as your input is very valuable to us all, remember, you are a part of this family. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
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