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.

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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.

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