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New names
Saul of Tarsus was fully devoted to arresting and condemning Christian
believers. But Jesus had other plans for him. As Saul traveled to Damascus
to have more Christians arrested, Christ met him in a blinding light and
turned him into a believer. The change the risen Jesus worked in Saul was so
profound that from that point forward, the Bible refers to him by a new
name: Paul.
A cunning schemer, Jacob knew how to look out for himself. But God met
this grandson of Abraham at the ford of the Jabbok River and wrestled with
him all night. When he saw Jacob’s tenacity, he changed Jacob’s name to
reflect who he was – one who struggles with God.
Abram and Sarai were skeptical of God’s promise to make them the
progenitors of many nations. But God’s promises are sure, so God changed
their names to reflect what he was making them to be – Abraham, father of
many nations, and Sarah – princess.
You might have noticed that the name of the denomination that sponsors
this program has also changed to Grace
Communion International – and I’d like to take a moment to explain why.
Our church is a changed church, and our new name, Grace Communion
International, was chosen for the same reason that Saul’s, Jacob’s, Abram’s
and Sarai’s names were changed: to reflect a new identity after a profound
transformation.
Grace lies at the heart of our values and mission as a transformed
church. The gospel is the message of God’s grace to humanity revealed in
Jesus Christ.
Communion is a word that refers to the spiritual unity and
positive relationships in the love of God, the grace and peace of Jesus
Christ and the life of the Holy Spirit.
International refers to the worldwide, multicultural character of
our denomination. We value and respect one another, and we exist not as a
single, national church in any given country, but as a unified body of
believers who span the globe, sharing a common history and journey of faith.
You can read the details about the inspiring journey of spiritual renewal
our church has experienced on our website at www.wcg.org.
I praise God, as I know you do, for all he has done for us, in us and
through us. Our new name, Grace Communion International is simply an
acknowledgement and reflection of the great love, mercy and power our loving
God has displayed in our fellowship.
I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.
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