Soul: Relationship with Others
"you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, SOUL,
mind, and strength"
The second aspect of Narkis Street Congregation is our relationship
with others. The greatest commandment is to love God and
the next greatest commandment is to love your neighbor or friend
as yourself.
Our Identity for Our Relationship with Others
After Jesus affirmed that the greatest commandment
was to love God and one’s neighbor as one’s self
(Luke 10:25-37), he was then asked, Who is my neighbor (friend)?
Jesus responded with a parable of a traveling Samaritan who found
a man robbed and beaten along the roadside. The Samaritan took
the wounded man to an inn and cared for him. Although belonging
to a despised ethnic minority during the time of Jesus, the Samaritan
was the only one to stop and show mercy. The Samaritan was a
true friend. Likewise, we are to be friends to the wounded of
our world. Regardless of one’s gender, race, status, or
religion, we esteem every person as precious because they have
been created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27, Luke 20:25).
We recognize God’s redemptive work throughout
history in the election of Israel for the benefit of all the
peoples of this land (Gen. 12:2-3; Isa. 60; Isa. 20:23-25; Amos
9:7). Since our congregation is centrally located in Jerusalem,
we especially desire to be a part of God’s healing process
between Jews, Arabs, and all who live in the land. We believe
no one knows when the great and terrible Day of the Lord will
come, except God. (Matt. 24:36-44; Mark 13:32-37). We believe
that God is the judge and He will judge justly and not according
to our theological presuppositions.
Narkis Street Congregation is known as a House
of Prayer for all Nations (Isa. 56:7). Our congregation is an
open door for all followers of Jesus from every nation, language,
and denomination (1 Cor. 12:4-26); we celebrate Communion with
all who call Jesus Lord. We strive for unity among all believers
while celebrating our diversity in the Spirit’s freedom.
Read More of Our Identity
Our Vision for Our Relationship with Others
People at Narkis Street Congregation seek to be peacemakers,
to accept all people, and to build a community centered on Jesus:
serving , encouraging, sharing, and spurring on to love and good
works (Heb. 10:24-25).
• We are commanded to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9, 43-48;
Heb. 12:14; Ps.34:14; Rom.14:19). Living in Jerusalem in the
21st century, we stand at a threshold of reconciliation among
Jews, Arabs, and all who reside in this land. By striving to
remain impartial without favoritism, a bridge of dialogue and
forgiveness can be built on the principles of Jesus to be “pro-people.”
• We intend to build up Jerusalem with contrite and humble
hearts (Ps. 51:17-18; Mic.3:8-11; Ps. 122:6) ideally without
any self-serving, political, or eschatological agendas.
We are commanded, as we have opportunity, to do good to all, especially to
those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Our personal decisions
to follow God have united us as a extended family through Jesus.
• We have supportive home groups that meet during the
week for prayer and fellowship.
• We support the defenseless and needy in the community
(James 2:14-17; I Tim. 5:8).
• We have a prayer chain which lifts up the needs of the
community.
• We participate in congregational retreats to renew and
equip the community.
• We joyfully strive for unity with all believers and
congregations. We share facilities with two other congregations
at Narkis Street. We also fellowship and partner with other congregations
in Jerusalem and around the world.
Read More of Our Vision |