Origins of Faith: Peace
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser, Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town, 30th April 2023

Anchor Scripture
Gen 15:13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.
Gen 15:14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. (Also Substance)
Gen 15:15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.
Gen 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

Origins of peace that will establish you in God’s kingdom.

SUBSTANCE H7399 rekûsh (Pronounced: rek-oosh’)
BDB Definition:
1) property, goods, possessions
1a) property, goods
1a1) general term for all movable goods
1a2) of livestock
1a3) of stores, utensils, etc
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from passive participle of H7408
Same Word by TWOT Number: 2167b

Peace in Old Testament
H7965
שׁלם / שׁלום
shâlôm
BDB Definition:
1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
1a) completeness (in number)
1b) safety, soundness (in body)
1c) welfare, health, prosperity
1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
1e) peace, friendship
1e1) of human relationships
1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship
1f) peace (from war)
1g) peace (as adjective)
Part of Speech: noun masculine

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Peace in New Testament G1515
εἰρήνη
eirēnē
Thayer Definition:
1) a state of national tranquillity
1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war
2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
4) of the Messiah’s peace
4a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)
5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is
6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death
Part of Speech: noun feminine

We are sent into all the world to preach the Gospel of Peace
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!”

Gospel: G2097 euaggelizō
Thayer Definition:
1) to bring good news, to announce glad tidings
1a) used in the OT of any kind of good news
1a1) of the joyful tidings of God’s kindness, in particular, of the Messianic blessings
1b) in the NT used especially of the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ, and of what relates to this salvation
1c) glad tidings are brought to one, one has glad tidings proclaimed to him
1d) to proclaim glad tidings
1d1) instruct (men) concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation
Part of Speech: verb

Peace in the Marriage of the Lamb and the Church
Interesting that the words for peace are male and female either side of the Covenant.
This reminds us of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb where Jesus the Bridegroom has fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the Law and the Bride of the New Covenant Church is ready for His return.
Luk 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
Luk 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The Gospel of the Kingdom includes Peace
Rom 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Rom 14:18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Rom 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus’ ministers bring peace into a home
Mat 10:11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.
Mat 10:12 And when you go into a household, greet it.
Mat 10:13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Peace has power over nature
Mar_4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Healing brings physical peace to the afflicted and tormented.
Luk 8:43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,
Luk 8:44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
Luk 8:45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
Luk 8:46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”
Luk 8:47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
Luk 8:48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Deliverance brings peace to the oppressed:
Mar 5:15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

Mar 5:18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.
Mar 5:19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

Meekness unlocks peace:
Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.