Ephesians 2:19 (AMPC), "Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household."

In the days of the early church, Peter’s main focus was to witness to the Jewish people in Jerusalem, and to encourage those who had converted to Christianity, in their newfound faith. Although Paul was called to both Jews and Gentiles, he concentrated on ministering in areas that were geographically outside of Jerusalem. For centuries, the Jewish nation saw themselves as superior to other nations because they were God’s chosen people. However, after the finished work of the cross, salvation through Jesus was granted equally to Jews and Gentiles. Regardless of their background, because they were now saved, they were considered fellow citizens of God’s kingdom. They were all members of God’s Own household! Before salvation, under the old mosaic law, Jews were not permitted to mingle with Gentiles. They were not to enter their homes or share meals together with them. Gentiles were considered strangers or foreigner to God’s people. Now all that has changed! Through faith in Christ, Gentiles are no longer considered outsiders. Just the same, Christians all around the world are connected to each other by our faith in Jesus. His indwelling Spirit connects us individually to God, and corporately to each other. Regardless of methodology of worship services, if we share faith in Jesus Christ as being our Saviour, and believe He is the only way to God; and we live our lives to please Him, considering His written Word to be the final authority of our lives - we are of the same family! Our inseparable relationship to our Heavenly Father causes us to share a bond and sense of belonging to each other, because of our shared faith. We are one body, and Christ is the head. As citizens of God’s kingdom, and heirs of His Son, we share kingdom benefits! Praise God! We all have access to the throne room of God; we are all seated with Christ far above every principality and dominion of the devil! We all have the Name of Jesus and have been given His authority to exercise over the devil, and to call all things in our lives to align with what is in heaven!  The next time you see a fellow believer, regardless of their denomination, see them through the eyes of Jesus - the One who snatched us all out of the kingdom of darkness and into His household of faith! See the value of family in them - something that bounds us together for eternity!