The Church
Overview
The church is the new covenant people of God gathered around Jesus Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and sent as witness to the nations.
Canonical Development
The church is born publicly at Pentecost, grows through apostolic witness, and is explained in the epistles as Christ’s body, bride, temple, household, and holy people. It does not erase Israel’s story; it is formed by the Messiah who fulfills Israel’s promises and gathers Jew and Gentile into one body.
Key Anchors
- Pentecost and the Birth of the Church - The Spirit-filled beginning of the church’s public mission
- The Mystery of the Church - Jew and Gentile made one body in Christ
- Living Stones and Holy Priesthood - The church as spiritual house and priestly people
- Letters to the Seven Churches - Christ’s address to actual churches in Revelation
- The New Creation - The church as firstfruits of the renewed creation
Key Books
Notes
The church is not merely an institution or gathering. It is a Spirit-created people whose life together displays the wisdom, holiness, and reconciling work of God.