Page 313 - Bible Writers Theology Original

Discipline is necessary for the ministry of the word (U Thessalonians 3:1), the proper use of resources (Titus 1: 5), and the salvation of the saints (I Corinthieins 5:3-5; 11 Corinthians 2:6-10; I Corinthians 6:1-6). Paul taught how to deal with "unreasonable and wicked men" (H Thessalonians 3:2), 2indwith a unruly brother (U Thessalonians3:6,14-15).
9.6 Church Life
A The Quality of Christian Living
The New Testament writers have dedicated a significant part of their work to magnify the quality of life that Christ has imparted to His bom- again believers (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-14; Colossians 1:10-14; I Corinthians 6:19-20; 11 Corinthians 5:17; I John 2:27; I Peter 2:9-10). They claimed that oneGod, good, loving, upright, and creator of the whole world, was manifested in the flesh; seen and touched in the person ofJesus Christ to reconcile the world unto Himself (II Corinthians 5:19; I John 1:1-2). Through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, a new relationship with God was made available for all men who wished to have it (Ephesians 2:13- 14,18-19;Hebrews10:19-23;John1:12-13;IJohn3:1). HisSpiritwasavail able to enter human lives and morally transform them from within, while at the same time binding Christians together in a loving fellowship, to which there was no parallel (Romans 8:1-2; I Corinthians 122-13).
The early Church's example of fellowship, joy, endurance, power, and transformed character went a long way in spreading the Christian message- Christianity is enshrined in the life, and not merely a "form ofgodliness. The quality of Christian living must back up the proclamation of the gospel(1Peter1:13-19;IICorinthians7:1). Itishighlysignificantthatthe apostle Paul's favorite expression for the Church is a reference to men who are "in Christ". (See also II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1-2; Colossians 3:34; 10-11;Colossians1:27.) TheChurchisnotanearthlysociety. Itistheembod imentofJesustheMessiah. ChrististheOneinwhomallbom-againbeliev ers are incorporated (John 1:12-13; 3:5; Acts 2:38). Whatever the Church is, itisbyvirtueofitsLord'spresence,action,andpower (ICorinthians1:29- 31). What we read in I Corinthians 12:12 is remarkable: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ." Paul did not say "so also is the Church," but"soalsoisChrist,"whichisunparalleledinotherreligiouslit erature.
Now, as the life of Christ is in His body (the Church), we should expect to see the reconciliation of men with God (Ephesians 1:22-23; II Corinthians 5:18,20; Acts 17:30-31; Mark 16:15; Titus 2:11-13; John 15:5). The Church should be a place where unity is kept, fellowship is sincere and honest, and worship is deep, real, alive, and shared throughout the whole body of
Ecclesiology - The Church ♦ 297