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