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”The book of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matt. 1:1.
The angel said to Joseph, the husband of Mary, ”Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1:20. Thus, Jesus’ Davidic kingship was known even in the angelic realm. Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:1), which was also the birthplace of King David. And he was born into the line of David spiritually and legally, Joseph being his adoptive father.

Jesus’ position was recognized among the first disciples in the time of the apostles. ”Hosanna to the Son of David!” the children sang. Matt. 21:15. Rom. 1:3. He is the eternal King of Israel.
“Remember Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, raised from the dead according to my gospel.” 2 Tim. 2:7,8.

Pilate wrote an inscription on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” John 19:19.

“Two blind men were sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet. But they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” Then Jesus stopped and called them to him and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” Jesus was moved with compassion for them, and touched their eyes. And immediately they received their sight, and followed him.” Matt. 20:30–34. Thus this sign of the Messiah’s identity was fulfilled. “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk.” Matt. 11:5.

The kingship and dominion given to David continues (2 Sam. 7:16,29), although it sometimes collapsed. The kingship now continues in Jesus, who is the successor and King of David’s eternally established throne. Thus David is still the King of all Israel and of the kingdom of God, and he has one kingdom, WE, who received Jesus as the propitiatory sacrifice for our sins. 2 Cor. 6:1,2. Col. 1:13,14. “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” Matt. 28:18.
JESUS ​​IS OUR KING FOREVER. Amen.

The angel Gabriel announced to Mary the birth of Jesus: ”Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Look, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30-33.

The prophets taught this hundreds of years before Jesus was born: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will take the house of Israel from among the peoples among whom they have gone, and I will gather them from all the nations (now in the end times) and bring them into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will be king over them all. … … They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live there forever, they and their children and their children’s children. And My servant David will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them.” Ezek. 37:21-22 and 25, 26.

“Now that he raised Jesus from the dead, he will no longer return to corruption. As he has said, ‘I will give you the sure and holy promises made to David.’” Acts 13:34.

DAVID’S FOUNTAIN WILL BE REPAIRED
This prophecy is reaching its final goal now in the end times. The repair work began at the cross, where sin was atoned for and the new covenant was established. Jer. 31:31. John 2:19:22.

“I will return and rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David.” Acts 15:16. “In that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David (!) and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem because of sin and impurity.” Zechariah 13:1. “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplications; and they will look on me (=Jesus) whom they have pierced (on the cross). They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and will be in bitterness for him as one grieves for a firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10.

We who have been converted from paganism will also participate in the restoration of the fallen tabernacle of David. It will soon burst forth in its full glory. This is what we expect and pray for. Ezek. 37:12.

”Afterward the children of Israel shall return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king: and they shall come trembling unto the LORD, and unto his goodness, IN THE END OF THE TIMES.” Hosea 3:5. This is happening now, about 3,000 years after the birth of David, and about 2,000 years after the birth of Jesus.

The Eternal Kingdom
Thank God for every dear brother and sister who has been cleansed by the atoning blood of Jesus, and who has since been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and thus become members of the ONE congregation of God. WE are His flock, ”the sheep of His pasture.” John 10:9. Acts 2:41. Our King is Jesus, “who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his own blood and has made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5,6.

We have come under the influence of the eternal throne of David; both Jew and Gentile. Eph. 2:11-22. Jesus is our common King. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.” Gal. 3:27-29. We acknowledge that we are working for ONE congregation founded on the cross against division. 1 Cor. 1:2,10. And WE want the best for Israel and its capital, Jerusalem, which is “the city of the great King.”

David—a type of Jesus
The shepherd boy David grew up among the sheep of Israel some 3,000 years ago. There he learned his shepherding duties and was trained to be a great shepherd and king of the people of Israel. God said of him: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will.” Acts 13:22.

Even as a young man, David took good care of his sheep. He defeated a bear and a lion that attacked the flock. Then God led him to the camp of Israel, which is God’s flock. There he faced the duelist Goliath, who was taunting the armies of Israel with his taunts. David said to Goliath, ”You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. The Lord will deliver you into my hand today, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God. All this assembly will know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear, for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.” When the Philistine set out and approached David, he quickly ran to meet him. David put his hand in his bag, took a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and the Philistine fell on his face to the ground. Thus David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. David struck the Philistine down, although he had no sword in his hand. David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword, drew it from its sheath, killed him with it, and cut off his head.” 1 Sam. 17:45–51.

Thank God! This is still happening to the enemies of Israel. It is also happening to the enemies of the congregation. Those cruel wolves who are tearing God’s congregation to pieces will meet the same sad end. Acts 20:29,30.

Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, OUR GOOD SHEPHERD, continuing the mission of King David. He cares for God’s sheep, the flock that He purchased with His blood, and leads us to our heavenly home. John 10. Jesus is the Lamb of God who took away our sins.

“Therefore we are buried with Him through baptism into death (after our faith), in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. If indeed we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be in a resurrection like His.” Rom. 6:4,5.

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become servants to God, your fruit leads to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 6:22,23.

Finally, the completed Israel and the congregation will be united so that “there will be one fold and one shepherd.” John 10:16, under one King. The King is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Hallelujah! Jesus, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered.” Rev. 5:5.

Blessings from the God of Israel upon us.

Weijo Lindroos
Turku,
Suomi Finland

The old covenant ended at the cross, where the new covenant began through the blood of Jesus. “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:20. The new covenant was made with the descendants of Jacob. But later, into THAT covenant, we who have turned from paganism also became included. This is the covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31-33.

The Bible does not teach that those who come into the new covenant should still observe the commandments and ordinances of the old covenant. From the cross began the NEW covenant, which changed the whole world. The time of the law covenant, which was intended to be temporary, ceased. Galatians. 3:16-18. The sacrifices ordained by the law of Moses, the temple rituals, the priesthood, the food regulations, etc., ended. Heb. 9:10. It is good for those who teach the law covenant to know that they are leading people into the chains of bondage.

The law of Moses is one whole, and its partial observance is the breaking of the law. If you keep only the Ten Commandments but reject the hundreds of other parts of the law, you are a transgressor of the law. Not one jot or one tittle shall pass from the entirety of the law before it is fulfilled. Matt. 5:17-19. / John 19:30.

A more detailed explanation of this is given in the text.

Here are some “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” ordinances and commandments, all of which must be kept if one says that one holds the Law of Moses and the commandments of God:

– All male children must be circumcised. Gen. 17:10-14. Ex. 12:48.
– The feast times prescribed by the law must be kept as they are, in the appointed manner and at the appointed time, without altering any part of them. Ex. 12. 34:18-26. The Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of the First Sheaf, the Harvest Feast, the Great Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the fast. Lev. 23:26-32. Num. 29:1.
– The Passover vigil night must be kept: “It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.” Ex. 12:42. / Matt. 26:38-41.
– The appointed fast days must be kept. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth…” Zech. 8:19.
– The sabbatical rests of the cultivated lands must be observed. Ex. 23:10-17. Likewise concerning the fruit trees. Lev. 19:23.
– “A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it.” Lev. 25:11.
– The purification ordinances after childbirth must be observed, as also, for example, the ordinances concerning sexual uncleanness. Lev. chapters 12–15. !
– The Day of Atonement must be kept as Lev. 23:24- teaches.
– The Day of Trumpet blowing with a burnt offering must be kept. Lev. 23:23-25.
– Tithes must be paid of all income. Deut. 14:23.
– A garment woven of two different kinds of thread must not be worn. Lev. 19:19.
– The beard must not be trimmed. Lev. 19:27.
– “Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.” Deut. 22:12.
– Bible verse case must be worn on the forehead. “And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.” Deut. 6:8.
– The ordinances of the water of purification must be kept. Num. 19.
– Only a virgin may be taken as a wife. Deut. 22:13-21.
– The dietary laws commanded by the law must be strictly kept: “Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.” Deut. 14:3.
– The firstborn must be given unto the LORD. Ex. 13. Etc., and more besides…
– The examination of a wife suspected of adultery. Num. 5:12…
Etc.

The law includes as an inseparable part also the measures of punishment, Leviticus 24:20: “Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.” And so on. But in the covenant of grace Jesus, as the substitutionary sacrifice, took upon Himself to suffer the punishment that belongs to us, and merited for us a new mind, so that we desire to live together with Him. The will of God is written into our inner being as part of our new nature. In the new covenant we may be in that state of blessing of which it is written, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.

The main content of the new covenant was already depicted through the prophets of the old covenant: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:31–33.

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:12–13.

The old covenant written on tablets of stone DOES NOT belong to the believers of the new covenant. Moses is proclaimed in the synagogue, not in the congregation. Acts 15:21.

The first Christians of the new covenant, Jews, did not teach the old covenant. But from those of the sect of the Pharisees who had come to faith, there arose some who began to oppose the teaching of the apostles, saying: “That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15:5.
It was decided that the matter would be examined in Jerusalem under the leadership of the apostles, and the result was that “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us” that the law of Moses does not belong to the new covenant. Read Acts chapter 15.
Peter said that those who supported the covenant of the law were tempting God. “Now therefore why tempt ye God..” Acts 15:10, 28–29.
This, then, was the decision of the highest leadership of the congregation, which the Holy Spirit gave to the congregation founded at the cross, and which was given as instruction to all who had newly come to faith, both Jews and Gentiles. Acts 16:4. Ephesians 2:11–22. = “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.”

The new covenant has filled our hearts with joy: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8 (KJV).

Partly or entirely?
But if someone therefore teaches that the covenant of the Law should be observed only partly, then who in that case would be qualified to say what must be observed and which parts of the Law may be rejected? In the Old Testament there are about 600 legal commandments. Which of them would belong to us, and which could be dismissed? James 2:10–11 teaches thus: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”

THE LAW IS FULFILLED
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8–10.

And everyone who has come into the new covenant knows that this does not mean freedom to practice sin, because God’s will is in our new nature, in our hearts. “We have the mind of Christ.” 1 Cor. 2:16.

The whole of the Law of Moses therefore includes also the Law of the Ten Commandments, which is now fulfilled from the first commandment to the last. The first commandment forbids making an image of God. This is fulfilled, because the true “express image of His being” was revealed in Jesus. “Who is the image of the invisible God.” Col. 1:15. “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.” Heb. 1:3. The “glorious gospel of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:3–4) removed the shadow-pictures brought by the law. Heb. 10:1. 2 Cor. 3:6–18.

Breaking one part breaks the whole law: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them… Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Galatians 3:10,13 (KJV).

Jesus said that no one has been able to keep the law: “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law?” John 7:19 (KJV). The apostles said the same: Acts 15:10.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 (KJV). This continues the message of Galatians 4, which speaks of deliverance from the enslaving covenant of the law: “Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” Galatians 4:30. Abraham’s wife Sarah represents freedom; the bondwoman represents the covenant of Moses’ law: “But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants.” Galatians 4:23–24.

Scripture says that the covenant of the law is useless: “For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.” Heb. 7:18 (KJV). Therefore Scripture gives a serious warning not to return ( Galatians 5:1) to the covenant of the law: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:4 (KJV).

The new covenant is based on the mercy that Jesus merited on the cross: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.” Heb. 8:12–13 (KJV).
From this began the life-union with Jesus for us who have received Him as our Savior. Now, “For the love of Christ constraineth us.” 2 Cor. 5:14. It is a holy desire in the Spirit of freedom, a willing of the heart toward all good and right. In our hearts is God’s gracious instruction, which works in us so that we live according to His will by the influence of the Holy Spirit. We have come to know Jesus in a heart-to-heart fellowship.

And the truth is, no one in our time keeps the law. Even the best attempts fall short: “none of you keepeth the law?” John 7:19 / Acts 15:10–11.
We live under the New Covenant, in the very fulfillment of the Law, in the Holy Spirit.

Scripture also does not set before us the man-made church-year cycle of the pagan churches with their daily themed observances and the daily words/devotions.

NEW COVENANT
The substitutionary sacrifice of the cross brought into our hearts the new covenant. “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:20 (KJV). The old ended when “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” Mark 15:38 (KJV). The way into “the holiest”, before the mercy seat, was opened by the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 10:19 (KJV): “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”

The new covenant is not like the old covenant, but entirely NEW (Jer. 31:32), whose constitutional law is the commandment of love:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34,35 (KJV).
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Galatians 5:14 (KJV).

Thanks be to God! The law of the Ten Commandments is therefore fulfilled. We live in the New Covenant, in the substance of the fulfillment of the Law. John 8:31–36.

None so-called church feast days (hypocritical holy days) belong to Christians according to the Scripture.
They are all unbiblical inventions of the churches, having no divine value whatsoever. Therefore those who are truly in the faith do not celebrate, for example, Easter with Palm Sunday and such, nor Pentecost, etc. Isa. 1:14.

“For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. …
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” Hebrews 7:18–22 (KJV).

Jesus is the founder of the new covenant. He has all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore He had authority to establish an entirely new covenant and to give to it a NEW constitutional law. John 13:34,35. Luke 22:20. Jer. 31:31.

Thus the Scripture teaches that the new covenant is LIFE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, a life-union with Jesus.
“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:18 (KJV).
The Holy Spirit does not lead one to act against the will of God.

The liberating and blessing teaching of the Scripture to all who are saved under the new covenant is that:
“For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Galatians 2:19,20 (KJV).
“But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held.” Romans 7:6 (KJV).

This message of freedom is directed especially to those who have turned from Judaism to God, the “graffed in again”. Romans 11:23. Acts 2:38,41. But the same message belongs to all who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, to us who are born again, God’s holy ones.
“And put no difference between us and them.” Acts 15:9 (KJV). Eph. 2:11–22. – Read the entire chapter of Acts 15.
The congregation is one, to which everywhere belongs the same doctrine of the Scripture.

Welcome therefore into the blessing of the covenant of grace. Jesus is the ONLY Savior. He is full of grace and truth.
“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:16,17 (KJV).

Jesus is eternally the same, the good Redeemer, who saves, heals, and fills with the Holy Spirit. He also delivers from binding legalism. Our hearts rejoice and already now taste the blessedness of heaven.

The fulfillment of the Sabbath is perhaps the greatest source of blessing in this matter. In it the chains of slavery have been finally removed. Each of our days has now become equal and thus sanctified to the Lord. We have a continuous state of rest, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. So all days of the week are rest, even when working. The eternal Sabbath rest is in effect NOW. Hebrews 4 teaches this clearly in the original language. ”For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath rested from his own works, as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:10.

”Therefore NOW there is a Sabbath rest in effect (apoleipetai) for the people of God.” Apoleipetai = IS in effect. Hebrews 4:9 (Novum). And Hebrews 3:18,19!

The Greek word “Apoleipetai” in verse 9 sets Hebrews chapter 4 into an understandable and coherent whole. So we are in the same state of rest as God Himself. Thank God for the state of freedom and rest. The Sabbath is a state, not a day, for New Covenant Christians.

Jesus died away from the Sabbath and took the Sabbath with Him into the tomb. He rose from the dead on the first day of the week without the Sabbath. From that moment on, the New Covenant was in effect. Compare Rom. 6:4. All the requirements of the law have been fulfilled so that we could receive them. When we abide in the teachings of God’s Word, we are in the freedom, the state of rest, of the New Covenant. “Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free?’” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. And the slave does not remain in the house forever, but the Son remains forever. If the Son therefore sets you free, you will be truly free.” John 8:31–36.

But you can also choose the days, as long as they do not bring back the shackles of slavery into your life: “One person esteems one day above another, another esteems all days alike. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards the day as important, regards it as important to the Lord…” Rom. 14:5–6. So choosing the days is not important, just as not choosing them is not important. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29. = Inner rest.

It is finished!

Blessings,
Weijo Lindroos, from the Turku Congregation

The various stages of the Jewish nation throughout their chronological history: It began with Abraham. God called him to fulfill His plan. He blessed Abraham to be His servant and the patriarch of His chosen people. The covenant relationship began with Abraham and continued with his son Isaac, then with Isaac’s son Jacob and in the descendants of his twelve sons. They were the first Israelites chosen by God. The grandson of Abraham, Jacob, received from God the name Israel, in connection with the so-called “wrestling of Jacob”: “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28, KJV). God blessed them and their descendants and gave them the great and wonderful land of Canaan. How vast it is: Genesis 15:18-21: From the region of present-day Turkey a straight border line to the river of Egypt, from there to the river Euphrates, and thence directly back to the middle region of present-day Turkey, near the city of Hattusa, which was the capital of the Hittite kingdom in the time of Abraham. These, then, are the boundaries of Israel as set by the Bible. The blessing given by God to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4; 22:15-18) continued in Isaac (Genesis 26:4) and then in Jacob (Genesis 28:14). At the end of his life Jacob blessed his twelve sons to carry out God’s plan (Genesis 49). From that time, about four thousand years ago, Israel has been God’s peculiar people, “the apple of his eye.” (Zechariah 2:8, KJV).

In the time of Jacob, because of famine, the people of Israel came into bondage in Egypt for about four hundred years. But under the leadership of Moses the people departed from there back toward their own land. “He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.” (Deuteronomy 32:10, KJV). Then Joshua divided the land of Canaan to the twelve tribes “according to the number of the children of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:8, KJV). A symbolic victory was first gained when the walls of Jericho fell: “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.” (Joshua 1:3-4, KJV). But the original borders of Israel were already declared in Genesis 15:18-21.

For the last time, the descendants of Jacob were from about the year 70 A.D. until 1948 in the diaspora, scattered among all the nations of the world and at the same time apart from the goodness of God. The blessing hand of God had for that time been withdrawn from upon them. “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you…” (Matthew 21:43; 24:1-2; Revelation 2:9; 3:9, KJV). But that was not the final state. Neither were they forgotten by God, but were waiting under all His promises for a new time of blessing. God has never cast away His people (Jeremiah 31:35-37, KJV). About three thousand years ago, Israel’s great king David made Jerusalem the undivided capital of Israel. It remains so to this day.

NOW is the era in which God is gathering ALL the Jews of the world into Israel (Ezekiel 37:21-22, KJV) and into His blessing. The good hand of God is thus again upon them. The final fulfillment is in Romans 11:25-27. Then “all Israel shall be saved” and shall receive the forgiveness of sins in Jesus and in the grace of His atoning sacrifice. They will not receive any church-religion or the like, but the same faith and doctrine which Jesus and the apostolic congregation gave to us all (Ephesians 2:11-22, KJV). Follow the faith of the first Christians. (Hebrews 13:7; 1 John 2:24-25, KJV). The love of God encompasses the whole Jewish nation and, among them, also us who have turned from heathendom (Ephesians 2:11, 22, KJV). And when Israel has received her Messiah Jesus, the word shall be fulfilled: “there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16, KJV; Galatians 3, KJV).  

Weijo Lindroos, from the Turku Congregation

Congregation Name

We do not use unscriptural names for the congregation because the congregation belongs to God. This means that we have been purchased for Him with the precious blood of Jesus. (Revelation 1:5–6) We are His one flock (John 10:16), without name tags, is equal to His congregation.

So notice the ownership:
– “To the congregation of God which is at Corinth.” (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1)
– “.. or to the congregation of God.” (1 Cor. 10:32; 11:16; 15:9)
– “…nor to the congregations of God.” (1 Cor. 11:16)
– “Have you no houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the congregation of God?” (1 Corinthians 11:22)
– “… (Gal. 1:13)
– “You, brothers, became followers of the congregations of God which is in Judea in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 2:14)
– “…so that you may know how you ought to behave in the household of God, which is the congregation of the living God.” (1 Timothy 3:15)

Congregation is therefore God’s! That is why we use only this biblical name for it.

It is also biblical to name it according to its location. For example, 1 Thessalonians 1:1: “to the congregation of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” In the same way, we can say, for example, the Turku congregation, the Helsinki congregation, the Tampere congregation, and so on.
We who live in the same city, having come to faith and then baptized according to the Bible, are the congregation of our own place. (Tit. 1:5; Rev. 1:11) — And NOTE! According to the Bible, the unbaptized are not part of the congregation. They have not yet come to the same faith that the first Christians were. (Acts 2:41) —

So what should you join? — Join Jesus as the Bible teaches! Then you will belong to His congregation.

Man-made nameplates in meeting places are divisive elements that every believer should remove from his own life so that he no longer operates under them.
WE are not Lutherans, Pentecostals, Baptists, Adventists, Free Church members, ecumenicals or other -ists and -isms. We are not Catholics or Protestants… We are simply children of God, bought with the blood of Jesus. We belong to the same congregation as the first Christians. (John 2:19–22; 1 Cor. 3:16–17; 1 Pet. 2:15, etc.)

The Bible does not teach Lutheranism, Pentecostalism, or any other -ism..

Blessings to us!

Weijo Lindroos, from the Turku congregation

In this activity we are not – Lutheran – Pentecostal – Baptist – Adventist – etc.
We are just Christians, children of God bought with the blood of Jesus. Therefore, we do not advertise or recommend denominations.
We are building a congregation founded on the cross of Calvary, which was completed at the end of the apostolic era around 100 AD. We continue the same work that the first Christians started. We do not belong to churches, etc.
We are building a congregation WITHOUT congregational boundaries.

Welcome to the events!

The restoration of the congregation to God’s original plan

God still speaks to people through the Word of the Bible, opening our understanding to comprehend His will. Luke 24:45. “He wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.” Isa. 50:4.
One subject that has been opened to those who pray is the biblical truth concerning the congregation. This subject now contains the message of Heb. 12:26,27: “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.” The subject of this writing shakes religious structures.
The congregation according to the original model is the worst threat to the devil. Therefore he resists with the fury of his wrath the restoration of the congregation to God’s original plan. 1 John 2:24,25. But God will give us the mind of Caleb: “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Num. 13:30.

Read the entire text. Only in this way can you understand the teaching of the writing. I often repeat the same things so that the teaching will surely get through. The matter in question is God’s vision concerning His congregation. Therefore this work of restoration of the congregation must not drift into happening under any organization. Nor is the putting into practice of this vision of God to remain the work of “great” people.

ON THE WAY TO THE BLESSINGS OF THE EARLY DAYS

God desires to restore His congregation to the glorious fellowship of life with the Lord of the congregation, Jesus. The Holy Spirit leads Christians living in that Life into mutual fellowship and activity, in which Jesus is present, saving, healing and filling with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2. He sends those who have come to faith to proclaim the gospel, to help those who suffer and to heal the sick. etc. Mark 16:15-20. Acts 1:8. After the gracious work of the cross, the main emphasis should therefore be on knowing the power of the Holy Spirit. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 5:18. Acts 2.
The most important thing in human life is to have one’s sins forgiven and thus become a child of the God of the new covenant. “For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” Rom. 11:27. This most important matter must not be hidden in the shadow of other important biblical teachings.
Thanks be to the Lord! “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5,6. Thank You, Jesus! “For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” Rev. 5:9,10. The congregation is therefore a people purchased with the blood of Jesus, ONE congregation, His kingdom, whose purposes are exclusively spiritual.

Everyone who reads the Bible is able to understand what the true congregation is. The answer given by the Bible is very simple: PEOPLE who have come to faith are God’s congregation. Religions, denominations, church denominations, associations, etc. are not congregations. The born-again people in each locality form the local congregation of their place of residence. This must be the confession of everyone who has come to faith. From there begins the understanding of the matter as well as practical activity.
The Bible therefore mentions congregations in the plural only on the basis that believers are in many localities. = One city, one congregation. Titus 1:5. Two cities, two congregations. Seven cities, seven congregations. Rev. 1:11. etc. etc. But in the Bible the whole congregation is nevertheless mentioned in the singular, as one body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27), because Jesus is the only founder of the congregation! He founded the first and last congregation on the cross of Calvary. John 10:16.

The teaching CONCERNING THE NATURE OF THE CONGREGATION is a subject that has been badly distorted throughout mankind. The majority of people have swallowed the deceptive teaching that the congregation would be some church or institution founded by men. Along with that teaching, people have drifted outside the original Christianity in doctrine. And although the matter of the congregation is not a matter of salvation, its division is a serious fall. “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.” Jer. 23:1. Acts 20:29,30. By establishing new denominations, those “pastors” have broken the biblical fellowship (unity) and mutual love of believers. Therefore, thus saith the LORD: “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.” Jer. 3:22. In this way God calls His own back to everything good and right, including the original practices of congregational activity.
John 17:21-23. The teaching mentioned concerning us will be fulfilled: “That they may be one.” We shall therefore be “perfectly one.” It is not yet visible, but it must happen in this age. Otherwise the prayer of Jesus would have been empty words. – But awakening to reality and fellowship will CERTAINLY take place! Jesus says so. Matt. 25:6-12. It will happen by returning to the path of biblical teachings mentioned in this writing. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17. The congregation’s return to the faith and truth of the apostolic age will take place before Jesus’ return: “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:21. Heb. 13:7-14.
– Genuine repentance also includes the cleansing of the congregation from so-called “great men” who exalt themselves above others (including ordained clergy with their bishops, etc.). There is only one Great Person in the congregation. He is Jesus, the Chief Shepherd of the congregation. The time of the great prophets ended with John the Baptist. Matt. 11:7-14.

WHO BELONGS TO THE CONGREGATION

Only those who are genuinely born again and who, after coming to faith, have been baptized with baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus belong to the congregation. Acts 2:41. Genuine coming to faith means that you begin to live together with Jesus. From there the truth concerning the congregation begins to open. God desires to lead us, in experiencing this, onto the way of the blessings of the early days. Thus we understand that everyone who has come to faith belongs to one and the same flock of God, that is, the congregation. Nothing else is possible, because belonging to Jesus is the same as belonging to His congregation! Having one’s name in a membership register does not determine belonging to the congregation. Nor are membership registers needed in that sense. Luke 10:20.
Joining oneself to Jesus is joining the congregation. The Bible knows no other way of joining. It contains no concept that someone could genuinely be in faith but supposedly not belong to the congregation. Acts 2:38,41,42. You belong to His congregation if you live together with Jesus, that is, if you are in Christ and no longer in Adam. Being in fellowship with believers is another matter. And God desires His own to gather and work together in their localities. Heb. 10:25. / Acts 2:41,42.
Biblical fellowship is God’s will!
In every locality there is only one body of born-again people (John 3:3. 1 Peter 1:23, 2:9,10 / Titus 1:5), which has been redeemed “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” 1 Pet. 1:19. We may begin to build this congregation founded at the cross, locality by locality, continuing from where the apostles left off! Everyone may begin to carry out in biblical fellowship the tasks received from God. All forms of work received from God can and should be done in this fellowship mentioned here.

It is therefore good to press this fundamental truth into our hearts, that THE PEOPLE REDEEMED WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS ARE THE ONLY CONGREGATION OF GOD. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Pet. 2:9,10. This was therefore written concerning all who “are born again..”. 1 Pet. 1:23. WE therefore belong to this ONE people of God, to the same congregation as all the saved of all ages; including Peter, James, John and Paul and the other Christians of the early days. Acts 20:28. 26:18. “One body!” Eph. 4:1-16. 1 Cor. 12:27.
No one has been given permission to divide this one company of saints by establishing new denominations or other sects with membership registers, “signboard congregations.” Matt. 24:35. Heb. 13:8. Rev. 22:18,19. Therefore we do not accept denominations nor participate in their activities. However, individual believers in them also belong with us to the same congregation of God and are with us in the same work of gathering people to God. In this we are all working together. But we must not accept the false doctrine that institutions founded by men are congregations, and that on this basis we supposedly belong to different congregations! So-called “interdenominational Christianity” is in reality acceptance of division, the ecumenical mixed religion of Babylon. The Bible knows no such thing.

HOW CAN YOU JOIN THE TRUE CONGREGATION?

Joining Jesus is the same as joining His congregation, the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:27. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Gal. 3:26,27. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:41,42.
One cannot therefore join this congregation as one joins worldly associations and religions: “Put your name in the membership register and you belong to the congregation. Remove your name from the membership register and you no longer belong to the congregation.” This is not what the Bible teaches. A person cannot join another person to God’s congregation. Nor can a person remove another person from the congregation. Removal from fellowship (because of sin) is a different matter. The Bible teaches concerning that: “Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Cor. 5:13. But removing someone from the congregation and joining someone to it are solely the work of God.
Now that we understand the nature of the congregation, we understand this as well. Writing a name in a membership register or erasing it does not determine belonging to the congregation! “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20. The Bible teaches no other “membership register.”
For people joined to Jesus, who have been baptized by immersion in water in His name, the next step is coming into fellowship. According to biblical teaching, only those who already belong to the congregation—that is, those who have genuinely come to faith and have been biblically baptized, believers joined to Jesus—can be blessed into fellowship with the local congregation! There are NO so-called “congregationless Christians.” Such false concepts must be removed.

NO NEW CONGREGATION!!!

There is no example or teaching in the Bible that during the apostolic age new signboard congregations were established, for which they invented new names, so that it could have been said, for example, that “there are many congregations in Corinth.” It is a mistake to believe that Paul supposedly went from locality to locality establishing new congregations. Paul did not establish new congregations in that sense; rather, the congregation founded at the cross SPREAD to new localities. Notice the word “spread.” It opens up the matter! / The one eternally undivided congregation of God spread into new areas in this way: Christians proclaimed the message of salvation through the substitutionary sacrifice on the cross and the risen Jesus; people came to faith, repented of their sins and had themselves baptized; and thus they became the congregation of their own locality. Acts 2:38,41. They began to gather together as an independent local congregation of their own locality. And each confessed that we are the congregation of God founded on the cross of Calvary in our own locality. John 2:19-22. It is good to emphasize this again and again by repeating it. The first congregation, founded at the Cross, remains the ONLY so-called ”early congregation”—of which all other local congregations are ”branch offices,” provided they operate according to the Bible. This is what we must all confess ourselves to be. And this is what we are now putting into practice.
Thus the biblical fellowship of believers has been resolved! John 17:23.
At the beginning of our congregation, believers who had come to faith and were under the guidance of the Holy Spirit were chosen from among them for various tasks, including Titus 1:5. Rom. 12:4-8. Eph. 4:11-16. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim. 2:19. 1 Cor. 3:11. They did not accept two or more congregations in the same locality. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 and 3:4,5. But there were many meeting places, as needed. In accordance with the same principle, this must still be done: in Helsinki there is the congregation of Helsinki. In Turku the congregation of Turku. In Tampere the congregation of Tampere. ETC. Rev. 1:11-20. And all these together are one worldwide congregation of God, which should not operate under different signboards (in division).
Every city needs many small groups in which those who have come to faith and have been baptized receive teaching whose direction is: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42. We must continue to remain in this same teaching of the first apostles. Their teaching is in the New Testament. There the biblical view of the congregation operates. 1 John 1:1-3.

– This teaching is therefore not about a new congregation, but on the contrary: leaving the new ones and returning to the oldest. –

Paul’s Commission to Preach the Gospel

“But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:16-18. It was the Great Commission that Jesus gave to Paul and at the same time to all of us. Matt. 28:19,20, Mark 16:15-20. It means that a person who has come to faith and has been biblically baptized has moved from the power of Satan into the congregation of God and from Adam into Christ, and has thus come into the congregation. . Rev. 1:5,6. Rev. 5:9,10. John 3:3. Acts 2:38,41. Gal. 3:26-28. Rom. 8:9. The Great Commission is the principal task of the congregation.

BAPTISM

During the time of the early congregation, everyone who came to faith and received forgiveness of sins was baptized by immersion in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38,41. “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Acts 10:48. 22:16. Col. 3:17. During the early days of our congregation, not one person who came to faith remained unbaptized. The same must continue to be the case.
Baptism is a matter blessed by God. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” Rom. 6:4,5,11. The old life of sin was buried in the grave of baptism, and we began to live in the resurrection life of Jesus.

LOCAL CONGREGATION!!!

The congregation was therefore organized (not founded) to function upon the foundation of the apostles’ teachings. Acts 2:41,42. Eph. 2:19-22. Eph. 4:11-16. “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” Titus 1:5. Do you notice? – First there was the congregation!!! Then the organization into a local congregation was carried out. And the boundaries of the locality were therefore the boundaries of the congregation. Rev. 1:11-20, among other passages, teaches that in Asia at that time there were seven cities, in each of which there was ONE congregation. And an organized local congregation does not break the ONE congregation into many, even though it has many meeting places and even though it is spoken of in the plural: For example, “the congregations of Galatia” is mentioned in the plural because there were many cities in the province of Galatia. Gal. 2:2. Acts 16:6. 18:23. 1 Cor. 16:1.
And the teachings of the Bible have been set as the spiritual boundaries of the congregation. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41 KJV.

Let this be repeated as many times as necessary for it to be understood: All genuine Christians of the same locality who have been baptized belong to the congregation of their own locality on the basis that they belong to Jesus. From this confession practical fellowship and gathering as a biblical congregation can then begin. No kind of fence should be built between believers, even though there are many meeting places. Biblical fellowship IS God’s will? 1 Cor. 1:10.

The Bible does not teach “interdenominational Christianity,” which means building fellowship among believers “across congregational boundaries.” The Bible teaches building fellowship without congregational boundaries. This is what we do!!!
!!!
In Jerusalem there was ONE congregation, which had tens of thousands of members. Acts 21:20. RK. / 2:41. 4:4,32. 5:13-16. Nevertheless, the one congregation of Jerusalem had only ONE eldership. Acts 15:4. 21:18. But this one congregation already had numerous meeting places, in all of which ONE COMMON teaching of the apostles was received. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42. / 1:13-15. 12:12. 1 Cor. 1:10. etc… The same principles must therefore remain to the end: One congregation, one city. Two congregations, two cities. Seven congregations, seven cities. Rev. 1:11-20. etc. Titus 1:5. etc. And one local congregation can therefore have many meeting places, as needed. And meeting places are not congregations.
The early congregation gathered extensively in private homes. It was a good system. But they did not regard the homes as congregations, but as meeting places. Therefore it is not biblically founded to establish, for example, a “house-congregation movement” or a “house church.” May God preserve His own from such things as from all other movements of division founded by men. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 and 3:3-11.
Advice for various matters is still sought from the early congregation of Jerusalem. Acts 15: “Whose faith follow.” Heb. 13:7. 1 John 2:24. Their counsel is in the Bible.

FOUNDATION

Paul preached the gospel, thus laying a foundation in people’s lives. “I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:10,11. Thus, from the people who came to faith, “the congregation of God” was born in the city of Corinth, among other places. This happened when “many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” Acts 18:8. / 1 Cor. 1:2. Acts 2:41. 1 Thess. 2:14. Thus they came onto the Jesus-foundation!
The company of saved people is the temple of the new covenant built of living stones, the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27), the corrupting of which has always been a sin of the gravest kind: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor. 3:16,17. Eph. 2:19-22. Heb. 3:6. We therefore are the “lively stones” mentioned. 1 Pet. 2:5.

JESUS IS THE ONLY FOUNDER OF THE CONGREGATION

He founded His own congregation through His work of salvation in three days:
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
But he spake of the temple of his body.
When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” John 2:19-22.

T H E C O M P L E T E C O N G R E G A T I O N

The congregation was complete at the end of the apostolic age, around AD 100. At that time all the completed Scriptures of the Bible, 66 Books, had been gathered and were in use by the congregation. Also the teachings concerning the practices, doctrines, ministries (so-called offices of the congregation), etc. of the congregation were complete. But above all, everyone understood the nature of the congregation as ONE body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:27. “One body.” Eph. 4:4.
No one has received a task from God to establish new congregations.
Concerning this “one congregation” form it is written: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together..” Heb. 10:25. The teaching means that we are to identify ourselves with one local congregational fellowship, from which we operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, supported by the prayers of our own congregation. This is a teaching given by God to prevent division, for our good. It must now be put into practice again. And one local congregation may gather in as many places as the need determined by the number of members requires; provided that no meeting place separates itself from the other believers of the same locality to become a separate sect. Peter himself also went around with his wife teaching among all. Acts 9:32. 1 Cor. 9:5.
The complete congregation of the early days has been given as such as an example to Christians of all times throughout the world. 1 Cor. 1:10-13. 3:1-11. Heb. 13:7,8,9,13. etc.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN

In addition to individual believers, denominations founded by men can also join the congregational system presented in this writing. HOW? – They must stop acting independently and stop teaching what separates believers from one another, and renounce the principles of division. Among other things, different signboards and membership registers must be removed, and then they must confess themselves to be functioning in fellowship with the ONE congregation of God. “They went out from us.” 1 John 2:19. – Should not those who have gone out return? –

We therefore no longer consent to using unscriptural names for the congregation, because the congregation belongs to God. Notice the ownership:
– “Unto the congregation of God which is at Corinth.” 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1.
– “Give none offence … neither to the congregation of God.” 1 Cor. 10:32; 11:16; 15:9.
– “ .. neither the congregations of God.” 1 Cor. 11:16.
– “ .. or despise ye the congregation of God?” 1 Cor. 11:22.
– “… how that beyond measure I persecuted the congregation of God.” Gal. 1:13.
– “For ye, brethren, became followers of the congregations of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 2:14.
– “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the congregation of the living God.” 1 Tim. 3:15.
Naming according to the locality is also biblical. For example, 1 Thess. 1:1. But man-made signboards over meeting places are elements of division, which every believer must remove from his own life, so that he no longer operates under such things. And amen.
WE are not Lutherans, Pentecostals, Baptists, Adventists, Free Church people and interdenominational Christians, and such people and -ists. We are not Catholics nor Protestants… We are only children of God purchased with the blood of Jesus.
We have separated ourselves from sectarianism.

Now, in every locality in Finland as well, the congregational activity according to the model of the apostolic age mentioned here must be begun. Meeting places must be obtained which are common meeting facilities for all believers of the same locality. And when biblical congregational activity has then been started, a new “congregation” can no longer be started in that locality. That would then be starting division again. 1 Cor. 1:10-13. 34-17. We will certainly need new meeting places!
Our common task is to gather people into that form of faith and doctrine in which the first Christians were, into the teachings of the Bible. Acts 2:41,42. “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Psalm 50:5. This is the message of the last days. Joel 2:16.
Take part in this by looking at the suffering and dying Jesus and understand that “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” Heb. 10:19.

This is God’s vision of His own congregation.

Blessings,
Weijo Lindroos

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born as a man about 2,000 years ago. He died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for you to free you from sin and the bondage of religion. Only Jesus has redeemed for us access to the fellowship of God : ”I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9.

God is looking for you, his prodigal son. And if you seek Him and want to turn to Him, you will surely become a child of God. ”The seeker will find!” God is waiting to show you mercy. ”Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 ”But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 

God’s will for you is good! He wants you to be in Heaven with Him.

Jesus is a living person, He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords! He is not a religious ideology or just a biblical doctrine. Religions cannot lead you to salvation and gain God’s favor. God has prepared a different way for us – ”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. Only the blood of Jesus washes away your sins! He never told his followers to start churches or other religions. The difference between religion and living faith is that religions are man-made and man-sustained; the Holy Spirit of God is the creator and sustainer of living faith!

The devil accepts different religions. The devil even uses them to achieve his goals for mankind, which are ultimately to keep people away from Jesus. Religion is often placed in the human heart in a place that should belong to Jesus! Religions are a substitute for living faith.
The moment living faith in Jesus is accepted, the human spirit, the centre of the human person, is given new life in the Holy Spirit: ”…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:3-5.
”Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

A new man is born to replace the old. Such a person is converted to a living faith, his sins are forgiven, he has repented and is saved, in other words he is born again of the Holy Spirit. This is a very different process from choosing a religion or congregation. John 1:12.

With the eyes of your heart you can look at the scourged and suffering Christ on the cross of Golgotha. You can repent and ask forgiveness for your sins. Jesus has paid for you the penalty that should have been yours, and He wants to forgive you. Accept Jesus as your Saviour and give your life to Him! ”For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
Mankind is divided into only two groups:
Those who believe in Jesus, who are on their way to Heaven and those who have no part in faith in Jesus, who are still in a state of sin and on their way to damnation.

Belonging to a religion does not change this definition. Being born in the faith is a change of direction that leads to heaven. People who believe in Jesus are the congregation of God. Without a living faith, one does not belong to this congregation , even if one is a subscribing member of any religion.
”He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark. 16:16.
”Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41.

You don’t need religion, you need Jesus in your life.

Weijo Lindroos,
Turku Finland

God is waiting to be merciful to you. He has good will towards you. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. John 14:6: ”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”He atoned for our sins on the cross, thus opening the right way for us to Heaven. ”It is finished!”At the end of our temporal life, an eternal kingdom of glory awaits us:Romans 6:23: ”For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Acts 4:23: ”Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”John 1:12. ”But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

Jesus is the Only Savior and the Atoner for our sins! There is no other way to get to Heaven. Neither man’s own goodness nor religions, ideologies, etc. can save man. No matter how good a person you are, how many charities you belong to, how many of the best religions you belong to, but if Jesus is not in your life, you cannot get there. There is no man so good that he does not need the salvation that comes through the substitutionary sacrifice of the cross; and there is no man so bad that Jesus cannot have mercy on. The blood of Jesus cleanses from sins for every repentant sinner who humbles himself and repents.  His substitutionary sacrifice is our only chance. And the next step is to be baptized. Acts 2:41.

Only those who have come to faith will go to Heaven. The best thing in life is to become a child of God. And in this life, it is enough for us to have our name in the book of life in Heaven. Luke 10:20: ”Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

A simple prayer:
”Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross and rose from the dead to Heaven as the Bible teaches. I receive you as my Lord and Saviour. Have mercy on me, help me to repent and turn to you, forgive my sins and lead me on the right path. Help me to believe in You. Amen. ”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

But man is sinful and separated from God.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Romans 3:23 & Isaiah 59:2.

Jesus Christ is the only way to God.
Jesus died on the cross for you.
Jesus said, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” John 14:6 & Romans 5:8.

You can receive Christ by faith through prayer:
“Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and You
died on the cross and rose from the dead. I receive
You as my Lord and Savior. Forgive me for my
sins and take control of my life. Help me to believe in you.”

Prayer Time

Date and Time: Every Friday from 6-7 PM EET
Location: Wherever you are, alone or with others.

This is for all who believe in Jesus Christ. He is King and Savior.

The Friday Evening Prayer Time has become an international event. We start our weekend around the world with this prayer time, which coincides with the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. (However, participation does not obligate you to observe the Sabbath.)

We are in prayer to pray for each other and to bless each other.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

In prayer, you can cry or laugh, shout out loud or whisper words quietly in your mind. You can dance and rejoice. Your style depends on your current life and emotional state, as well as where you are.

It is wonderful to know that thousands of people are in the prayer chain at the same time around the world. By joining the prayer, you will have many people bless you. The main purpose of this prayer group is to pray for all of us who participate in this around the world.

So let’s make this prayer chain more and more known to everyone!