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2/19/2010 Only fifty days after the death of Jesus that Peter found himself standing before a large crowd. In the streets of Jerusalem, he fearlessly proclaimed that God’s kingdom had arrived and that Jesus was its King and Messiah. At that time Jerusalem was full of pilgrims who had come from all parts of the empire for the festival of Pentecost. As Peter spoke, they not only understood His message, but when he invited them to become disciples of Jesus 3,000 accepted his challenge and declared their willingness to live according to the values and standards of God’s kingdom, (see Acts 2:14-47). The transformation that came about in the lives of Jesus’ followers can be seen in Peter’s sermon within the text quoted. A new relationship was set up between God and people. In this relationship God did not only ask for obedience, but gave people new moral power that enabled them to be what they are intended to be, (see Jeremiah 31: 31-34; Joel 2:28-32). This new power for living had been associated with the gift of God’s Spirit… Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, ordinary people could enjoy a new level of personal relationship with God. Peter testified to that on the basis of his new experience. For Peter and the others, that day began like any other, but as they forced the enormity, and the apparent impossibility, and the thought that Jesus had abandoned them; they were taken by surprise when a new life-giving power burst into their lives. It is not easy to describe in words what they experienced, but they identified it as the power of the Holy Spirit. As a consequence of what happened to them, their hesitation and uncertain trust in Jesus and His promises are remarkably confirmed and from that moment onward they had no doubt that God’s promises to previous generation actually came to pass in their lifetime. The Church was born and in reality they themselves were reborn. This church of baptized people, (baptized by the Holy Spirit) is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. This is what the apostles and their converts thought and demonstrated by their love of Jesus and their desire to serve Him, so that the humdrum concerns of everyday life were forgotten. Christians spent their time learning from the apostles. They took part in the fellowship and sharing in the common meal and prayer, (Acts 2:42). As first step toward oneness, that of which Jesus spoke, the early Christians sold their goods and pooled the proceeds. Making money was no longer the most important thing in life; the only thing that really mattered was serving God, and taking care of life changing message to other people. From its birth the church has been forced to make a distinction between its relationship with God and its relationship with the world. The Church’s example was its leader Jesus Christ. He got His priorities right from the very onset of His ministry. The wilderness experience made Him put those priorities in proper perspective as the world’s deliverer and Messiah. It is true that satan offered another way. That way was to circumvent His suffering and humble service for His earthly pilgrimage. In the temptations the devil had his suggested purposes: 1) Jesus would share sovereignty with him. 2) Jesus was to recognize his power as ruler of the world. Of course this was to totally deny that ultimately power belongs to God and 3) Jesus was to accept the devil’s kingdom and not inaugurate God’s new society which was superior to all else. The new society that Christ ushered in is one in which God is the ruler from the heart of His people. They experienced God in new ways and they found themselves empowered to be the kind of people who would carry forward the vision to transform the world through the power of love and caring service. To do this effectively, the church has organized itself with self-inflicting disciplines. It has demarked its year with various seasons, so that it can take stock and give God His rightful place as its Leader Jesus did. These seasons are as follows: Advent is the first four weeks of the Christian year. The community celebrates the Lord’s first coming to the earth in Human form. Christmas is the time when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus upon earth. Epiphany is the communication of the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. Ash Wednesday , the first day of Lent; on this day ashes made from the palms which were blessed on the previous Palm Sunday Service are placed on the forehead while the Priest say “Remember, o man , that you are dust and unto dust you shall return”. Gen3:19. Ashes are a symbol of purification (Numbers 19:9, 17; Heb.9:13) and repentance (Luke 10:13; Matt11:21). Lent is a six -week period of Spiritual discipline before Easter. During this time Christians thank God for Jesus Christ who was in all points tempted like we are tempted, yet without sin; by whose grace we are enabled to subdue the sinful desire of the flesh, and live no longer unto our selves but unto Him who died and rose again.(See Matt4:1-11; Mark 1:12-15; Luke 4:1-13). Festivals during Lent are: Mothering Sunday, Christians thank God for the Church which is Mother of us all. Refreshment Sunday the Lord’s feeding of the five thousand and over. Passion Sunday and Palm Sunday are the fifth Sunday in lent; it is the time when Christians remember our Lord’s suffering in penitence; we also remember Christ triumphant entry into Jerusalem where the people spread palm branches along the pathway. Maundy Thursday was first observed as the day when Christians were given a summary of the Law commonly called the “New Commandment”. (See John13:34) This day is observed with great solemnity in commemoration of the first Communion Service. On Maundy Thursday (Latin Mandatum) Jesus was stripped of His garments in preparation for His crucifixion. It is also on this day that Jesus washed His twelve disciples’ feet. Good Friday, in ancient times this day had a few names viz: Bad Friday, Great Friday, Paschal Day, Day of the lord’s Passion and Long Friday. The day is called Good Friday Because of the Blessing which Christians receive from the death of Christ. The veil of the temple was rent giving new access to God, an opportunity Christians never had before. This day helps us to understand the meaning of the crucifixion, (Mark 15:38). Holy Saturday, nothing is done on this day. The Church prepares to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Easter Day, this is Resurrection Day when Christians celebrate the Joy of Christ’ resurrection (See Matt. 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20) Ascension Day, This forty days after Easter. Christians rejoice that God’s Son ascended on high where He mediates for them, (Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1: 6-11) Penticost or Whit Sunday, This period comes 10 days after ascension, fifty days after Easter. It is the day when Christians thank God for the promised Holy Spirit upon the Church, (John14:16-26; Acts 2: 1-11). Trinity, This is a long period that lies between Whitsuntide and Advent. It is the longest of the Christian’s year. The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible but it is used to express God’s three-fold role as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Now that you are knowledgeable as to what the Church is and its practices, I invite all to respect this institution and its values. Radio Stations, Television stations, Party lovers, Schools officials, Sports Lovers and homes, turn tone their lyrics and music. Let us bring back our Christian values to leave with those who will continue to build our Nation under God. Humbly Submitted by Alson B H Percival (Rev’d Canon Dr) |
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