Religion & Spirituality
The Children of God Hebrews 13:15 The Pentateuch (Genesis – mankind as God’s special creation, the fall of man.) Exodus – means of becoming children of God (redemption Leviticus – means of approaching God. Numbers – means of serving God. Deuteronomy – means of continuing in obedience to God Emphasis: on the CORPORATE. ALL All under the blood. All passed through the sea. All wandered. All saw the vista with reminders of principles of success. TOGETHER The Blood? Our greatest need is the same, we are soteriologically levelled. The Sea? We have shared a very important experience. The Wandering & Worshipping? Endured & learned together. The Vista? Marvelled at together. Acts 2:3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. Historical beginning of fulfillment of John 14 and 15. NEW TESTAMENT PARADIGMS Body Family ‘Polity’ I Corinthians 12 18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” Family 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. I Tim. 3:15 ...but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Idea that is transitional between family and polity: Household (oikos) Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying (οἰκοδομὴν), that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph. 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens (synpolity) with the saints, and of the household of God; Matt. 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city (polis) that is set on a hill cannot be hid.