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 Theology of the Church (continued)

B. The Church witnesses by:

1. Functioning as a sign and foretaste of the Kingdom of God; the Church is a visible community where people see that:

a. Jesus is acknowledged as Lord (Rom. 10.9-10).

b. The truth and power of the Gospel is growing and producing fruit among every kindred, tribe, and nation (Acts 2.47; Rom. 1.16; Col. 1.6; Rev. 7.9-10). c. The values of God’s Kingdom are accepted and acted upon (Matt. 6.33). d. God’s commands are obeyed on earth as they are in heaven (Matt. 6.10; John 14.23-24).

e. The presence of God is experienced (Matt. 18.20; John 14.16-21).

f. The power of God is demonstrated (1 Cor. 4.20).

g. The love of God is freely received and given (Eph. 5.1-2; 1 John 3.18; 4.7-8). h. The compassion of God is expressed in bearing each other’s burdens, first within the Church, and then, in sacrificial service to the whole world (Matt. 5.44-45; Gal. 6.2, 10; Heb. 13.16). i. The redemptiveness of God transcends human frailty and sin so that the treasure of the Kingdom is evident in spite of being contained in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4.7). 2. Performing signs and wonders which confirm the Gospel (Mark 16.20; Acts 4.30; 8.6,13; 14.3; 15.12; Rom. 15.18-19; Heb. 2.4)

3. Accepting the call to mission

a. Going into all the world to preach the Gospel (Matt. 24.14; 28.18-20; Acts 1.8, Col. 1.6). b. Evangelizing and making disciples of Christ and his Kingdom (Matt. 28.18-20; 2 Tim. 2.2).