Concentric Core of the Church (1)

“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