Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

A Theology of the Church (continued)

E. The Church is a Kingdom of priests which stands in God’s presence (1 Pet. 2.5, 9): 1. Ministering before the Lord (Ps. 43.4; Ps. 134.1-2). 2. Placing God’s blessing on his people (Num. 6.22-27; 2 Cor. 13.14). 3. Bringing people before the attention of God (1 Thess. 1.3; 2 Tim. 1.3). 4. Offering themselves and the fruit of their ministry to God (Isa. 66.20, Rom. 12.1; 15.16). F. The Church lives in God’s presence through prayer. 1. Prayer as access to the Holy of Holies (Rev. 5.8). 2. Prayer as communion with God (Ps. 5.3; Rom. 8.26-27). 3. Prayer as intercession. a. For the world (1 Tim. 2.1-2). b. For the saints (Eph. 6.18-20, 1 Thess. 5.25).

4. Prayer as thanksgiving (Phil. 4.6; Col. 1.3). 5. Prayer as the warfare of the Kingdom. a. Binding and loosing (Matt. 16.19). b. Engaging the principalities and powers (Eph. 6.12,18).

The Church Is a Holy Community Where Discipline Is Rightly Ordered

VII. A Community of Reconciliation

A. The Church is a community that is reconciled to God: all reconciliation is ultimately dependent on God’s reconciling actions toward humanity.