Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

310 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

b. Even the Corinthians are called to be saints of the Most High God, 1 Cor. 1.2 (ESV) – To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours. c. There are no second class movements of the Spirit, James 2.5 (ESV) – Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 4. Identity: The NT churches shared a fundamental oneness in apostolic faith and practice (i.e., shared the same colors, codes of conduct, and characteristics). a. 1 Cor. 4.17 (ESV) – That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. b. 1 Cor. 7.17 (ESV) – Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. c. 1 Cor. 11.2 (ESV) – Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

d. 1 Cor. 11.16 (ESV) – If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

e. 1 Cor. 14.33 (ESV) – For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.

f. 1 Cor. 16.1 (ESV) – Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.

5. Answerability: incorporation, membership, promotion, demotion, and excommunication