![]() The elders at Antioch and Jerusalem resolve a problem, under God, and their decision is binding on the churches (Acts 15, 16:4). These churches and these elders were not independent, but were one body united by Christ their head, by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, and by the covenant promise of God. The gospel proclaimed by the apostles as the foundation of the church resulted in establishing churches as covenant communities in various locations, churches which were ruled by elders. This unity includes those people of God in past ages and also looks to the future and includes the people of God who will believe on his name (Jn. No longer are the people of God circumscribed by ethnic, political, or geographical boundaries. In the New Testament this teaching of the unity of the people of God is sustained (see Eph. 7:6-12) and has only one people of the covenant.ĭ. God has given only one covenant of love (Deut. The church, the visible organization, is described in the Bible as one church. The church must recognize, appreciate, and confess this fundamental unity of the covenant people of God, the body of Christ which is a God-given creation and not a human achievement.Ĭ. The ultimate consummation of the promise is the new Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ (Rev. 1:14), who came as the mediator of the covenant of grace to redeem and purchase this people for his dwelling by his blood. This finds fulfillment in Jesus as Emmanuel ("God with us," Matt. The church finds its unifying principle in the covenant promise "my dwelling place will be with them I will be their God, and they will be my people" (Ezek. The Lord governs his church also through the application of his Word to the people by the Spirit as the Word is expounded and applied by the officers of the church (Eph. The work of the church, in fellowship with and in obedience to Christ, is divine worship, mutual edification, and gospel witness ( Form of Government II.4.), under the teaching and rule of elders.Į. The church belongs to her covenant head Jesus Christ and "there is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ" ( Confession of Faith XXV.6).ĭ. All those who believe the promise of God and their children and have had the promise sealed to them in baptism are to be recognized and treated as God's people, as members of the organized church.Ĭ. The church is the covenant people of God in all ages and among all nations.ī. ![]() The church is the covenant people of Godthe body of people to whom God has made the promise to be their God and they to be his people and he to dwell with them. Biblical Principles of the Unity of the Church I.
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