Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

230 | Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

B. Because it is a community of faith, the Church is also a community of grace. 1. The Church exists by grace-through faith rather than through human merit or works (Galatians 2:21; Ephesians 2:8). 2. The Church announces, in faith, the grace of God to all humanity (Titus 2:11-15). 3. The Church lives by grace in all actions and relationships (Ephesians 4:1-7). C. The Church is a community where the Scriptures are preached, studied, meditated upon, memorized, believed, and obeyed (Ezekiel 7:10; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119; Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:13; James 1:22-25). 1. The Church preaches the Gospel of the Kingdom, as revealed in Scripture, and calls people to repentance and faith which leads to obedience (Matthew 4:17; 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-40). 2. The Church studies and applies the Scriptures through teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that all members of the community are equipped to live godly lives characterized by good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 4:2). 3. The Church intentionally reflects on the Scriptures in light of reason, tradition, and experience, learning and doing theology as a means of more fully understanding and acting upon truth (Psalm 119:97-99; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:15). 4. The Church functions as a listening community which is aware of the Spirit’s presence and relies upon him to interpret and apply the Scriptures to the present moment (John 14:25-26). D. The Church contends for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3). III. A community of witness A. The Church witnesses to the fact that in the incarnation, life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, God’s Kingdom has begun (Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43; 6:20; 11:20; Acts 1:3; 28:23; 1 Corinthians 4:20; Colossians 1:12-13). 1. The Church proclaims Jesus as Christus Victor whose reign will: