Symbols. 1st Thessalonians 5:26 Assemblies of God's people serve as testimonies that He raises up in communities to represent Him and demonstrate His characteristics through His followers. This way, those in darkness can see the light of "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." God is glorified when they observe that grace reflected in the attitudes and actions of His people. Expressions of fellowship, appreciation, thankfulness, and love vary across countries and cultures. Warm greetings are always appropriate when we are pleased to meet others. When Paul wrote this epistle, greeting each other with a holy kiss was acceptable for both men and women. Our handshake today closely resembles what that gesture meant to them.
Hopefully, our handshakes mean more than just a superficial greeting. A sincere handshake, whether for greeting or departure, signifies spiritual brotherhood, openness, and reconciliation when needed. It's important that we have no reason to hesitate to shake a person’s hand in personal matters, spiritual dealings, or business interactions. Handshakes should show no bias based on social, financial, or cultural differences. Church life can be upheld when believers can look at each other and shake hands without hypocrisy or deceit. We are equal in God's eyes and share in the blessings of being part of His family.
Symbolism in the assembly plays a vital role in our gatherings. We come together as a spiritual family to meet with our Lord Jesus Christ, our gathering focus. He is holy, unstained, and separate from sinners, yet He meets with us when we gather in His name. He is completely pure in His thoughts, words, and actions and desires the same in us.
We worship in His awesome presence as He speaks to us through His word and respond to Him in our hymns and songs of praise and thanksgiving. The bread we break together at the Lord’s supper symbolizes His body, which we are part of. The cup of wine we share symbolizes His precious blood that cleansed us from all sin and the eternal life He gave us when He redeemed us with His blood. These symbols are important for maintaining fellowship with Him and each other.
Baptism symbolizes our death, burial, and resurrection in Christ. In a lesser way, a holy kiss, an honest handshake, and an “embrazzo” represent our appreciation, love, and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.