Churches around the world have wonderful and beautiful names driven by their aspirations and visions. Truth however is, irrespective of what names we assign – if the experience is lacking, then “Whats in a name”?. However that is not the view that our Lord takes.
Jacob was a supplanter and after he had an encounter with God at the brook of Jabok, his name was changed to Israel. Abram was changed to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah. So obviously names are of importance to God of the Bible because so He writes their destiny.
We named our church to include the term Pentecostal however we realise that without the Spirit transforming and leading us, well – “What’s in a name?”. This is neither meant to be an endorsement nor a propagation of some man-made ideas. This is only an humble aspiration in the minimum of emulating how the first century church walked. We aim to make people into followers of Christ and not Pentecostals.
- You could have Grace in your church name but have no personal experience of it – making it fruitless.
- You could have Faith in your church name but have an experience of only living by sight.
- You could have God in in your church name but have an experience of Jesus only standing at the door and not being let in.
- You could have Fellowship in your church name but carrying root of bitterness in your heart or calling the brother sitting next to you a “fool”.
- You could have Church in your church name but still not being known by God ever.
- You could have Kingdom or Bride or Life or Love or any other term in your church name but …………
Jesus says “I know your works” and we know everything will not stand the test of fire.
The Kingdom of God had been preached by Jesus and He asked the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem till they were endued with power from above. On the day of Pentecost, when they were gathered in one accord , the Spirit came upon the 120 who were gathered in the upper room. This event recorded in the Book of Acts – started off the church era. We understand that our gathering is only a localised section of the Church that God has planted worldwide . Membership in the heavenly invisible church is what we aspire for and not propagate increase in local memberships.
To our church :-
- Having the term Pentecostal in our Church name – is not a legalistic binding or show of spiritual superiority. All such notions are fleshly and in no way contribute to the spiritual edification of any person.
- Pentecost has the meaning of only a STARTING Point for our walk with Jesus and not the end of our journey.
- Pentecost has the meaning of an EXPERIENCE of Spirt filled life and not imposing limitations or affiliation to man-made denomination.
- Pentecost has the meaning of a SPIRIT LED HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT LIFE and not a symbol of any spiritual superiority.
- Pentecost has the meaning of manifesting and using SPIRITUAL GIFTS as a means to building and preparing people towards the perfection in Christ and not intended as tools for self-exaltation or meeting temporal needs.
- Bible teaches us to become FOLLOWERS AND DISCIPLES of Christ and not Denomination followers.
So…the summary of the whole matter is – it is not the name of the church that sets us apart but the experience of a personal relationship with the Living God. The real name that we will receive is as per our Lords promise – “I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.” Then our true names will be revealed.
Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus!
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