Concentric Core of the Church(3)

“God gave a person, then a proclamation, and then a people. This is the historical and theological order” (page xvii).



Ferguson, Everett. 1996. The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today. Grand Rapids, MI:Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.


The quote above from Ferguson’s book provides what I call “The Concentric Core of the Church.” His comment about the historical and theological order of what God gave is vital. Additionally, his reference to God being the Giver of them is significant as well. Last week’s article focused on God’s ultimate gift to humanity in the person of Jesus as the incarnation of His love. This week we continue the concentric core of the church with the following affirmation:


• God’s ultimate gift of proclamation to humanity is Jesus as the incarnation of His love.


The proclamation of the gospel actually begins in Acts chapter 2 and continues to the end of the book of Revelation. The four Gospel writers provide the content of Jesus’ ministry and teaching which later form the content of the proclamation. The good news is that Jesus has arisen from the dead, and is now seated on the right hand of God. This proclamation goes in two directions at once:


The good news of Jesus is proclaimed to those who otherwise would perish.


The good news of Jesus is proclaimed to those who need ongoing transformation into the likeness of his image.


This all reminds me of the apostle Paul’s declaration about the place of proclamation in the spreading of the gospel: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). The proclamation of Jesus leads to belief and calling on the name of Jesus. Such expression by Paul can be taken to mean a totality of life where heart, mind and soul are given over to the Risen One. No wonder the good news needs proclaiming! This is a message that is hard to take, and it certainly bears repeating over and over to all who need and want to hear it. It is a joyous thing to think of the proclamation of the gospel as a gift from God!


In Christian love, Curtis

Concentric Core of the Church

“God gave a person, then a proclamation, and then a people. This is the historical and theological order” (page xvii).



Ferguson, Everett. 1996. The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.


The quote above from Ferguson’s book provides what I call “The Concentric Core of the Church.” His comment about the historical and theological order of what God gave is vital. Additionally, his reference to God being the Giver of them is significant as well.


• God’s ultimate gift to humanity is the person of Jesus as the incarnation of his love.


According to the Gospel of John, this gift of Jesus is offered because God so loved the world. The


little adverb “so” demonstrates the depth and breadth of that love. All four Gospel writers attempt to look at the gift from various angles, thus providing a rich and textured masterpiece of Jesus.






• God’s ultimate gift of proclamation to humanity is Jesus as the incarnation of his love.


The proclamation of the gospel actually begins in Acts chapter 2 and continues to the end of the book of Revelation. The four Gospel writers provide the content of Jesus’ ministry and teaching which later form the content of the proclamation. The good news is that Jesus has arisen from the dead, and is now seated on the right hand of God.


• God’s ultimate give of His people is the gift of community as Jesus incarnate to the world as a demonstration of His love.


Do you think it would make a difference if we saw the church as a gift of God for the world? Would it make a difference if the world saw the church as gift to itself? Are we living out our daily Christian life with a strong sense of this “giftedness?” I need to share this gift with others. My good news is shared with any and all who are deprived from enjoying this gift.


When the church emerges from the core of the person of Jesus, with a proclamation of the love of God in the risen Jesus, and demonstrates the power of that risen Lord in the presence of its people—no greater witness in the world can be found! May we realize such giftedness!


In Christian love, Curtis

A STRANGE PHRASE FROM PAUL

We encounter almost daily strange phrases. “It will cost you an arm and a leg!” What does that mean, and where does it come from? “Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water!” What does that mean? “Shoot the breeze.” What does this mean? “Barking up the wrong tree.” So, what does this mean?

The Apostle Paul uses a strange phrase in his letter to the Christians at Rome. It is found twice: “for/unto the obedience of faith” (1:5 and 16:26). What does this strange phrase mean? It seems that there are basically two options: either Paul is talking about obedience that comes from faith, or essentially faith is obedience. Which one is it, and what is Paul trying to say?

Probably it is both. Paul cannot separate faith from obedience, and obedience springs from faith. This is the two sides of Paul’s missionary zeal. He wants and desires people to respond faithfully out of a heart of obedience. He wants this to happen among all the nations for the sake of Christ’s name. Paul also wants this to happen by being made known to all the nations, anticipating his future evangelistic endeavors and proclamation.

A strange phrase from Paul. Yet powerful. Here is what is translates for us today:

The gospel is for all who obey God out of faith.

The gospel is to be made known and proclaimed so all CAN faithfully respond to the good news.

Inclusiveness and powerful proclamation. The church must never tire of its gospel mandate with these two aspects. The gospel is for all. Young and old. Rich and poor. Male and Female. Slave and free. Black, Hispanic, Caucasian, etc. And it is the proclamation of the good news powerfully testifying to the risen Lord that makes it possible for all who have sinned to be forgiven!

Paul understood his calling as an apostle and he called upon others who were the “saints” at Rome to remember their calling. Conversion is a calling to claim our identity as “beloved” and “holy” and to share such good news with others. May we faithfully and obediently respond!

In Christian love, Curtis