Jesus Cropped from the Picture

Appendix 2: The Church as Agent of the Kingdom

The Church is a community of people—past, present, and future, who have been called out of the kingdom of darkness through saving faith in Jesus Christ. One family, made up of all peoples, tribes, nations, and tongues (Gen. 12.1-3, Rev. 7.9) The people of God who will be blessed to be with him forever in glory (Rev. 21.3-4) The bride of Christ for whom he gave his life as a ransom (Rev. 21.2, Mark 10.45) The body of Christ over which Christ is head (Rom. 12.5, Eph. 1.22-23) Foreshadowed as far back as the Promise to Abraham (Gen. 12.3) An example of the blessings and wholeness of our fellowship in heaven. People can experience a glimpse of what heaven will be like by observing the Church’s fellowship and good works (1 Pet. 2.9-10, Col. 3.12-16).

We are saved into a community. Christianity is a team sport.

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