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)

D. The Covenant binds us to those who have gone before.

1. It recognizes that the Church is one (Eph. 4.4-5).

2. It reminds us that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who have participated in the same covenant (Heb. 12.1).

3. It reminds us that we are part of a sacred chain:

God-Christ-Apostles-Church.

4. It reminds us that we share the same:

a. Spiritual parentage (John 1.13; 3.5-6; 2 Cor. 1.2; Gal. 4.6; 1 John 3.9).

b. Family likeness (Eph. 3.15; Heb. 2.11).

c. Lord, faith and baptism (Eph. 4.5).

d. Indwelling Spirit (John 14.17; Rom. 8.9; 2 Cor. 1.22).

e. Calling and mission (Eph. 4.1; Heb. 3.1; 2 Pet. 1.10).

f. Hope and destiny (Gal. 5.5; Eph. 1.18; Eph. 4.4; Col. 1.5).

5. Causes us to understand that since we share the same covenant, administered by the same Lord, under the leadership of the same Spirit with those Christians who have come before us, we must necessarily reflect upon the creeds, the councils, and the actions of the Church throughout history in order to understand the apostolic tradition and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 11.16).

VI. A Community of Presence

A. “Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Church” - Ignatius of Antioch (Matt. 18.20).