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298 ♦ Bible Writers' Theology Chapter Nine
believers. (See Ephesians 4:3-6; Acts 2:42-47; 4:32; 5:12.) Here, evangelism has a high priority for the individual, as well as the congregation (Matthew 9:37-38; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Romans 15:20-21; I Thessalonians 1:8). The work of the Spirit is manifested in the interdependence of the Church mem bership; where love controls attitudes and where gifts are used for the good of the members, not for the gratification of the individual (I
Corinthians 14:12).
Another important message of the New Testament is that the Church is active in building up its members in obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Paul's command is, "seek that you may excel to the edifying of the Chmrch" (I Corinthians 14:12; cf. Ephesians 2:20-21; I Peter 2:2-5; Matthew 16:18). The Church, the body of Christ, lives as it continues to be built up by
the Spirit of Christ. In His love, it finds edification.
In his instruction to the Christians, Paul identifies four important aspects as marks of spiritual excellence in the Church. They are made conspicuous in his first epistle to the Thessalonians 5:12-24 and are: respect for spiritual leadership, service to one another, worship, and seeking "to excel to the edifjdng of the Church." (See also I Corinthians 14:12.) The first mark has been dealt with in examining the principles of authority in the body of Christ. The others will be addressed now.
B Christian Service and Ministry of Each Believer
Paul's appeal in I Thessalonians 5:14 is not only to ministers, but also to the whole body of believers. To fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2), the
apostle exhorts the members of the Church to:
• "warn them that are unruly" (I Thessalonians 5:14; Galatians 6:1; Romans 15:14).
• "bear one another's burden" (Galatians 6:2; I Corinthians 16:15).
• "not to be a stumbling block to them that are weak" (I Corinthians 8; Romans 14:1; 15:2; I Corinthians 10:19-33).
Paul instructed the strong not to "judge" the weak (Romans 14:3,4). He said "let us not judge one another any more" (Romans 14:10-13). Christians have "to be patient toward all men" (I Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22; Romans 5:3,4). Paul stands against the desire for revenge and the spirit of retaliation (I Thessalonians 5:15; Matthew 5:39; Revelations 2:19; I Peter 2:23; Matthew 6:14). He encourages everyone to "overcome evil with good"
(Ronnans 12:21; Matthew 5:40-45).
God had in mind "the perfectingof the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," when He provided the five-fold min istry to the Church (Ephesians 4:11-12). Properly trained by the Church lead-