greeting shalom, it not only refers to the peace the believer has with God through the cross of Jesus Christ (i.e., the war between God and the sinner is over), but also includes the blessing of spiritual prosperity. When these words are pronounced in Christian worship, God is greeting us, extending to us his grace in Jesus Christ, as well as declaring all of the covenantal blessings of his shalom. Christians have used these words to open worship since the apostolic age. In many ways, the religious