The Kingdom of God, Student Workbook, SW02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

regeneration and new life, the wholeness of God in righteousness and peace, and the powers of the age to come, all in a community of love. This theme of the Church as locus of the Kingdom is the Church’s gift and task. As gift, it is made manifest through the grace of God in the Spirit. As task, the Church is called to give witness to God’s rule through its life together and its interactions with the lost in the world. The Church is not only the locus of the Kingdom; it is also the agent of the Kingdom, firstly and primarily, in its worship of Almighty God. This is the fundamental identity of the Church, a Kingdom of royal priests called to show forth God’s excellencies and deeds through its life and worship. The Church is the agent of the Kingdom in its apostolic witness. The Church is called to defend and safeguard the apostolic testimony about Christ, as well as give faithful witness to the Gospel of the Kingdom among the lost throughout the world. The Church is the agent of the Kingdom in its zeal and continuance of good works, especially in works of justice and compassion on behalf of the poor. As Jesus inaugurated and gave validity to his kingdom call through his ministry to the poor, so the Church continues this kingdom witness through its works on behalf of the poor, who are rich in faith and called to be heirs of the Kingdom. The Church is the agent of God in being God’s vessel for prophetic signs and wonders which confirm its kingdom ministry in the world. The Church in the present age is the Church Militant, engaging the powers of darkness with the weapons of God’s warfare. As she gives witness to God’s rule in the world, the Church can expect the Holy Spirit to confirm his Word with signs of transformation, justice, healing, deliverance, and salvation. Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about how the Church is both the locus and agent of the Kingdom. Your questions are of the utmost importance. The ideas, questions, and concerns that you have now must be discussed and debated. The truth regarding the Church in this lesson is full of important implications, and undoubtedly you now have questions regarding the significance of these truths for your work in the Church, and for your life and

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Student Application and Implications