Dear COA Family,
Blessed New Year to you and your family!
The Greek word for church, “ekklesia”, first appears in the Greek Old
Testament for Israel’s assembly as God’s people (Deuteronomy 9:10).
Jesus then reappropriates the word to refer to God’s people formed
by and for Himself. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “And I tell you that you
are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church (ekklesia), and the
gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
What does this word “ekklesia” mean? It is actually made out of two
Greek words:
ek = “out of”
kaleō = “to call”
It literally means “the called-out assembly”.
In other words, we the church are a people called by God through Christ
to gather together to worship and praise our Lord as well as to build up
one another to grow in our faith!
What is then the significance of the church for us?
Firstly, we do not belong to ourselves only but to God and then to one
another. I have frequently heard Christians saying that our faith is a
private one where we decide for ourselves whether to believe in God
or not. No one else can make the decision for us. Ultimately, we are
responsible to God for our own faith.
The above statement is only partially true. While it is our responsibility to
respond to Christ’s invitation, we are also baptised into the body of Christ
(1 Corinthians 12:13, 27). We are joined into the community of believers
intimately. We have a duty to one another.
Secondly, this communion within the body of Christ calls us to gather
together physically. The word “ekklesia” calls us to assemble together in
praise and worship of God and to hear His word. God is pleased and
glorified as His people gather together in Christ’s name. As Christians,
we are not saved to live out our Christian lives privately.
Therefore, in this new year, may I encourage all of us to prioritise meeting
together for our Sunday worship services, fortnightly cell meetings and
seasonal celebrations in obedience to Christ’s command. You will find
that, as your Vicar, I do not compromise by cancelling any church service
but make all opportunities available for God’s people to gather. This is
because ultimately, we live for God’s glory and not for our interests and
conveniences.
Let us intentionally set aside the sacred time of service to assemble
together to praise, pray and pursue the presence of God in this new year,
and so receive the blessings of God fully in our lives.
God bless,
Revd Ian