Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

A P P E N D I X 1 6

A Theology of the Church Don L. Davis and Terry Cornett ©1996 World Impact Press

The Church Is an Apostolic Community Where the Word Is Rightly Preached

I. A Community of Calling

A. The essential meaning of Church is Ekklesia : those who have been “ called out ” in order to be “ called to ” a New Community. 1. Like the Thessalonians, the Church is called out from idolatry to serve the living God and called to wait for his Son from heaven. 2. The Church is called out in order that it may belong to Christ (Rom. 1.6). Jesus speaks of the Church as “my ekklesia ” that is the “called out ones” who are his unique possession (Matt. 16.18; Gal. 5.24; James 2.7).

3. The components of God’s call:

a. The foundation is God’s desire to save (John 3.16, 1 Tim. 2.4).

b. The message is the good news of the Kingdom (Matt. 24.14).

c. The recipients are “whosoever will” (John 3.15).

d. The method is through faith in the shed blood of Christ and acknowledgment of his lordship (Rom. 3.25; 10.9-10; Eph. 2.8). e. The result is regeneration and placement into the body of Christ (2 Cor. 5.17; Rom. 12.4-5; Eph. 3.6; 5.30).

B. The Church is called out .

1. Called out of the world:

a. The world is under Satan’s dominion and stands in opposition to God. b. Conversion and incorporation in Christ’s Church involves repentance ( metanoia ) and a transfer of kingdom allegiances.