Jesus and YOU!

YOU have decided to follow Jesus? Fantastic.

You are a forever member of God's Kingdom. You all are in God's own household. You have given your allegiance to Jesus. You have rejected and renounced the opposition. Wonderful! Below is an expansion of an earlier post.

Well then, where to from here(there)? Jesus had you in mind when he prayed: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:20-21, NIV). You are one of "those". You believe through the word of the followers - they brought you(me) Jesus' word. Thank you, God.

You are God's appointed representative. Not alone, but here and now, God's representative, no less.

So now, all one in God, then? Yes, and, no. I am afraid not easily shown and known, and, where I live (Metropolitan Melbourne), scarcely suggested, except, now and then, in fine words. Sad. We, however, can personally know it, and try to live it.

 

What of community or fellowship? Jesus was part of a small community and participated in the larger entity of his community. (That entity had a long history.) Jesus spoke about followers' mutual care in their community, and about sorting offences between them, about his special promise of presence, about remembering him in his sacrifice, about continuing to learn and about sharing the news of God's mercy, about being one. So, that indicates to me your (and my) anticipated engagement with some other followers as his expectation! Agree? (See below for expansion.)

   

There are practical problems at this point, and it is a bother! There are confusions and fakes! It is necessary to take seriously the warnings Jesus gave (see below). Unfortunately I can not see any way to give you a clear blanket recommendation. I wish it were not that hard. If you can only find one or two more people who have made similar decisions, you may find your solution.

Briefly, the most likely opportunity to make "face-to-face" connections with other people following Jesus is with a "church"*. Regardless of "brand name", you may well find people in just about any group, anywhere. (They may or may not use the word "Church" in their label; labels are not always helpful.) I am sure you will be welcome. If over time you find the group is not "true to label", you are not being indelibly marked, and can move on.

Nothing in human enterprise, unfortunately, including my blog, is perfect (!), but a day by day open online community from Scripture Union UK may help a lot:

https://content.scriptureunion.org.uk/resource/word-live

The standard for individual followers is high, of course. (I know I fall short.) Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:43-48, NIV).

Where would I be, apart from the mercy of God? The answer is quite clear.

I can echo Paul, at least in part: But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ[a]—the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not[b] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly[c] call in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:7-14, CSB). It is not what I have but who is my Saviour. His the righteousness, mine the gain. (The above is substantially from my "About" page.)

Where do I see the idea that Jesus anticipated (formed) gathering?

First, let me say, neither Jesus nor his Biblical followers (ancient interpreters) gave any clear instruction on the formation of a replacement entity for ancient Israel. No central Temple (nor equivalent). No organisation. No institution. Jesus recruited to the kingdom of God, which is not of this world: 

Jesus answered (Pilate), “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true” (John 18:36-37, NLT). God's kingdom  has no politics, nor control, nor entitlements, nor real estate, nor bank accounts, and only the one Lord. He told us to pray:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be revered as holy.
May your kingdom come (Matthew 6:9, NRSVUE). His kingdom will come, ushered in by his judgement. But not up till now! His kingdom is unique - there never was another like it. (If you see power struggles, exploitation, and manipulation, just like in everyday - whatever it is, it is not God's kingdom.)

Meantime, while time remains, people are joining, being incorporated. 

Jesus said: Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world (Matthew 28:19-20, CEV). People respond to become disciples - that is, learners. They get trained (Message Version). The implication in Jesus' words was for hearers getting to know him and his way better, in their own heart language (all nations). The implementation would be purposeful gatherings in many, many, many locations. These days the published Bibles and the internet offer many resources. Size of gathering is not the point. The purpose is the point, and ought to drive the activity. 

Jesus said: “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter[c] or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:17-20, CSB). People who want to know the way to live are to be taught. Taught accurately. God has laid down the Way. Similar application as above.

Jesus gave the serious alert: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20, ESV). “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23, NIV).

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash” (Matthew 7:24-27, NLT). People who gather may encounter false prophets. They (you) may encounter people who lay claim to working for Jesus but, truly, are unknown to him. The solution is recognising the facts of experience. The issue is not media persona, nor formal/official title, but known behaviour. That implies modest size connections I think. How else can you know?

And what if there has been transgression? If the prophet has borne bad fruit? Can they be made good again? Jesus thinks not.

There is a judgement day coming on the ravenous wolves. That wolves may attack also implies the existence of flocks to be attacked! Why would the servants of the Evil One want to attack Christ's flock? Attack you?

At that time the church in Jerusalem suffered terribly. All of the Lord's followers, except the apostles, were scattered everywhere in Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:2, CEV). So there, in describing the consequences of attack on Jesus' people, the word "church" comes up to describe the followers considered as a grouping. That is not for the first time for "church" in the "Acts" document, which is earlier -

Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things (Acts 5:11, CSB). Clearly the author is talking about people; people considered as an entity with members, like a club.

The word is also seen later several times, in its essential original meaning, in a time of riotous gathering:

Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together (Acts 19:32, ESV; emphasis added). A spontaneous mob (="church") collected together; assembled, because they wanted to settle a threat to their community. The "church" word means mob, assembly, or gathering, even in honour and support of ancient gods of wood, stone or metal! (The story is interesting - you can look it up.)

Jesus might have used the word "synagogue"? It is similar to assembly. However, their synagogues had rules about their composition and perhaps segregation, as in their Temple. That was not Jesus' way.

What about God's one true church? It does exist, known to God! It is merged with mixed earthly entities or represented in solo members. As to those who constitute the self-labelled "Churches" we encounter day by day, consider what Jesus said:

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop (Luke 8:11-15, NIV). So - the message falling on a lot of ears; some ears belong to fruitful hearers. So it was then; so it is now. Jesus wants you to persevere and be fruitful/productive for him, to follow his way. (That includes prayer.) 

Matthew goes on to relate an even more cogent, and grim, and relevant, parable: Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’
“‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.
“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

“‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn’” (Matthew 13:24-30, NLT). I note the sad fact of God's crop irreversibly contaminated. I also note God will do the separating, which will happen in God's harvest time. These are word pictures of the gathering or gathered followers of Jesus. Is there a perfect group?

During the "walk-abouts" of Jesus and his band of followers (hearers), there was this moment: Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter,[a] and on this rock[b] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was[c] the Messiah[d] (Matthew 16:17-20, NRSVUE). So - Peter being the rock? (See also John 1:42.).There is a play on words, Peter and rock. Surely it is Peter representing all who accept and know Jesus as their Christ. (We need the rock; the bedrock of knowing Jesus is Christ, Son of the living God!) In that moment, Peter had it right, but unfortunately his wisdom was short-lived. They were all at hand to see Jesus' approval of Peter's confession and to hear Jesus' order. And then, so soon after, they heard Peter called "Satan" by Jesus - read on in the chapter to see. (The above unique passage has been used to justify human structures.)

All three synoptics agree Jesus forbade the disciples announcing he was Christ.

We know that forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in Jesus' name to all those who want to accept God's mercy. So in the closing pages of John: Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said,[a] “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:21-23, CSB). "Breathed on them": I wonder if "them" included women? Empowered by the Holy Spirit they all will take the message of eternal life being offered. (Peter had no monopoly!)

Earlier on: And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin[a] are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.[b] Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (Luke 17:1-4, ESV). Reads as one-on-one does it not? Also implies connectedness...

As does this imply connectedness: “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:15-20, NIV). No light matter to the one who gathers? Notice Jesus gives these directions to the wide group. Again the "church" word - it simply means the gathering or assembly. It is not saying something about a formal and legal structure. Interesting that in these few lines we have together the decision role of a gathering or assembly along with the "two or three" promise.

Most definitely these days, a "Safe" system needs to be in place in our organisations and institutions. People need to know what avenues are open to them. There are laws in the land. Crimes have been committed; crimes need to be prevented and perpetrators brought before the court. (Organisations here are likely to have a formal "complaints" procedure; an independent receiver of reports.) 

Additionally, in this Pandemic era, it is also wise, unfortunately, to bear in mind prevention of respiratory disease infection, protecting yourself and others. It always was so, especially in indoor, and larger, gatherings, but it has had an emphasis added in this decade. Mutual care is so important. However, even with the best will in the world, the unwitting carrier of COVID-19 may spread contagion. A great deal depends on the physical arrangements. Many are the practices on this. (I hold with "follow medical advice". Discuss with your doctor.)

"Two or three" may be gathered in Jesus' name...that is, in relationship with Jesus; because of Jesus. That is a (mini-)church! Jesus is always with his people, he said. However, there is something special about 2 or three gathering, or being gathered (by Jesus). Could the two or three be the basic unit?

Did Jesus expect his followers to agree in prayer? Did he expect his followers to be gathered as 2 or three? I think so. The important thing from what Jesus said is the gathering or assembling, and the relationships amongst those who gather or assemble. I do not know where the above words of Jesus are taken absolutely seriously. Nothing grandiose about brothers and sisters meeting together in unity and sorting anything that needs sorting.

Then there is the memorial "meal", instituted by Jesus during their final Passover observance together. During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this. It is my body.”
Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He gave it to his disciples, and they all drank some. Then he said, “This is my blood, which is poured out for many people, and with it God makes his agreement. From now on I will not drink any wine, until I drink new wine in God's kingdom” (Mark 14:22-25, CEV). Seems simple? We would need also to consider 1 Corinthians 11 for implementation and John 6 for understanding. Jesus gave his followers the celebration of unlimited and timeless deliverance from God's judgement, of debt settled, and entry into The Life. (I wonder if "the twelve" ever again celebrated Passover, their ancient memorial of judgement and deliverance... I suppose so - for that deliverance in Egypt was still their history, and their Temple stood still.)

So then, you are God's representative. Simple enough?

Never alone - just as Jesus promised. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NRSVUE). Thus he explained his post-resurrection promise from a little earlier: 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV). Even if they falter, Jesus never abandons his representatives or leaves them in the lurch. The purpose and the presence.

In society, and in the bodies to which we connect, we rely on others, even unknowingly. The poem by John Donne captured that, when he (almost) wrote that "no woman, or man, is an island, entire unto itself". https://allpoetry.com/No-man-is-an-island.  Leaving behind male rule, we are all connected and can foster connections. We may be a blessing and receive blessing to and through our others. The family of God is a loving family, caring for each member. We may encounter aberrations, which is sad and evokes prayer and perhaps words (see above for Jesus' warning about seeds, and weeds.)

PS: Can it be that simple? How does the impression we get from Jesus line up with what we see around us? With difficulty! How could something simple be turned into the challenging situation of today?

Unfortunately, what we see around us is probably many groupings, each separate and each acting/imagining/pretending as the only ones in the locality (regretfully, I include "my" group). They may hold various trappings of wealth and power. Sadly, they may be rather insular in an otherwise connected world of God at work. Some, or most, of the local entities lay claim to the label, "church".

Did the early churches have disagreements and troublesome issues? Yes. If you read on into the New Testament (NT) you will see some of it clearly stated and you will see how the problems were addressed. Did they follow the instructions Jesus gave? Since "they" were reading or hearing the words we still have, it seems substantially so. Not that we now have a comprehensive report on the "health" of all the uncounted scattered churches over the early decades. We have some.

How did we get to here (where we are today)?

WARNING: I am giving my opinion: 

The world of the early followers had a powerful model. Rome was the centre. Everything worked in favour of that thronging city. Rome demanded and maintained order and their benefits. There was a "career path" for those in public service (office) of Rome. Power was held and (mis)used, almost entirely by males. I deem it easily understandable that, coming finally out of an era of fringe occupancy, and even rejection, into public status and state largesse, the models would be "top down" and bureaucratic. (While they lasted, the "Senate and People of Rome" [SPQR] did provide a highway for expansion.)  

The path to the future was strongly influenced by the adhesion of opportunists, and of decent but unconverted people, and others. People looked to how "the wind was blowing".

It is a mistake to emulate the rulers of this world. Unfortunately, "This world" set the norm more and more.

Come forward many centuries to the eastern part of this continent from 1788 on, and we see government money being directed to the "would-be established" Church of England (aka Anglicans), and large grants of land wrested from the Aboriginal Nations and handed over to that Church. However, within a few years, even the UK Government  and "English Establishment" (here, and there) knew Australia could not be a transplanted England. For a time the Colony had to widen the purse-strings for other Churches. Eventually "State Aid" was reduced and faded, until revived in a different way: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/aid-for-non-government-schools. (I think that State Aid may now be very widely applied and not restricted to "Churches".)

In our era we have seen considerable angst and dissension in organised Churches over issues such as women as ministers (priests) and marriage of same-sex couples. (The last would largely disappear if Churches ceased being marriage agents of the State. The first might fade away if the more primitive model was used - no professional clergy class; power to select pastors in local hands whilst hearing the founders.)

[QUESTIONS and even comments are always welcome. You can also email me.] 

* "church" is a word which presents difficulties, as we give it many meanings (see above). The word "Christian" also presents challenges. (Neither word includes a guarantee!) I may return to the latter in a post. Meantime, I hope you are not troubled by some encounter with them. Many a critical comment is made using those words - warranted critical comment (for example, see documents in our tragic Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse).

God bless you!

Allen Hampton

FOOTNOTE (added 27/03/2023): That "church" word*, as we see it used

One day there was a problem which needed to be sorted. Here the "church" word is used:

Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers (Acts 15:22, NRSVUE).

Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas duly went (north) from Jerusalem, as requested. See how the report (in Acts 15:30) of their arrival is variously translated:

Acts 15:30

So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter (CSB).
The four men left Jerusalem and went to Antioch. Then they called the church members together and gave them the letter (CEV).
So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter (ESV).
So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter (NIV).
The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter (NLT).
So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter (NRSVUE).

Quite a variety! But the meaning is actually constant. I put this collection up because, although the Greek "church" word is in verse 22, it is not in the text of Acts 15:30. Two of the above translator groups decided the English word best conveyed the meaning; two others introduced the connected word, "congregation". Translators make a choice about how, in our age, to convey the meaning of the text. 

Note that the action taken in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22, above) then had the consent of everybody, "the whole church" - could that mean the men and the women?

May you be blessed by God

Allen Hampton

Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked (CSB) are from the Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NRSVUE) are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Note: I retain in the publishers' text where they occur the references [ ] to footnotes, but usually not the notes. You can check them out by viewing the text on-line. Often they are replicated in different translations.

Bible passages accessed via BibleGateway.com

AL 20/01/24