It is clear from the Bible that names are frequently intended to mean something. Over and over again, we see that a name is given (or changed) in order to communicate a deeper meaning. For example, Abram’s name was changed to Abraham. Why? In Genesis 17:4-5, God says to Abram, “this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram, your name will be Abraham.” Abraham means ‘father of many.’ Abraham’s name reflected the covenant God made with Abraham.

We see this throughout the Scriptures. A couple of the more prominent examples are when Jacob’s name was changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28) and when God instructed Joseph to give the child the name Jesus (Matt. 1:21).

A name can give significance and meaning. It can reflect purpose or identity. It tells us who we are or what we are about. If a person does not pronounce or spell our name correctly, we feel like they have somehow misunderstood or misrepresented us. Our name is important to us because it somehow reflects who we are.

Likewise with the church. What you name a church will reflect some aspect of that church – location, mission, theological conviction, etc.. A church’s name gives the community an ‘identifier’ to hold onto.

So, why are we called “All Souls”?

First, our connection to historical Christianity. The name ‘All Souls’ is one that has been historically used by many churches from many different traditions throughout the history of the Christian faith. While we may have some disagreements with each of those traditions, we join them in valuing the ‘faith of the Apostles’. As a Reformed church, we stand in the stream of faith that has its basis in the person of Christ and the teachings of the Apostles. We stand on the shoulders of the ‘catholic’ church fathers that have gone before us.

In our relativistic age, people are looking for an anchor. They have lived through many abuses of Modernity. They want to know that a church is more than just hip and contemporary. They want to know that we have not made this stuff up all by ourselves, but that we are rooted in the faith of the Apostolic Church.

Second, the universal offer of the Gospel. Our message and mission is illustrated by Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd always goes after the lost sheep. Jesus says, “In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” (Matt. 18:14) Who are the lost sheep? While God knows them by name, we do not. As his ‘under-shepherds’, we have no choice but to call ALL PEOPLE into a love relationship with the Father, through the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Our offer of the Gospel of Christ MUST be universal and free, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come faith in Jesus Christ.

In a very real sense, the name ‘All Souls’ is the most biblical reflection of the true power of the Gospel. Surely the blood of Christ is sufficient to save all of mankind! Surely the Bible says that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13). And, it is with great confidence that we can say to each and every one of our friends and neighbors, “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom.10:9)

Our mission is to call ALL SOULS to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone, that they too might be saved! We will offer the Gospel universally and freely, and trust God to draw unto himself those that will be saved.

Third, nobody feels left out. This is pure pragmatics, but with the heart of the Gospel. We want EVERYBODY to be welcomed in our midst, with the hope that they too will hear the Gospel of Christ, experience the love of Christ through us, and come to know to know Him as their Savior. A common response to our name is “Wow, ‘All Souls!’ That includes me!”

OK, what’s the deal with “Fellowship”?

It’s a term that is grossly over-used and has come to be misused in today’s culture. When we speak of “fellowship” in the church, we only have some vague notions of superficial gatherings of small talk and ‘safe’ prayer requests. Or, it conjures up images of barbecue picnics and family reunions, where we catch up with people we haven’t seen in a while and then we leave and forget about them the very next day.

In our day and age, “fellowship” has no sense of commitment, authenticity, or responsibility. We have largely lost the true, biblical meaning.

In the New Testament, the work most often translated “fellowship” is the Greek work koinonia -- one of the favorite words used to describe marriage as the most intimate of all human relationships.

In the Bible, there are many expressions of koinonia:

1 – Fellowship with Jesus Christ (1Cor. 1:9) 1 Corinthians10:16 speaks of the Lord’s Supper being an expression of our ‘koinonia’ in the blood of Christ.
2 – Fellowship with/of the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:1; 2Cor. 13:14)
3 – Identification (fellowship) with the Gospel (Phil. 1:5)
4 – Fellowship reflective of unity (Acts 2:42; Gal. 2:9)

Koinonia, in general, refers to relationships that are deeper, lasting, stronger and more intimate because they are based upon our koinonia with Christ.

The point is this: koinonia brings us into true relationship with others only when we are in right relationship with God. In other words, our fellowship with one another is driven by our fellowship with God, through Christ. We will be reconciled to one another only inasmuch as we are reconciled to God.

Taking it from the reverse perspective, the fact that we are in fellowship with Jesus Christ compels us to be in more intimate fellowship (koinonia) with one another.