2. Importance of Lay Formation Vatican II recognizes that “formation is not the privilege of a few, but a right and duty of all.” To become a Christian, every faithful needs to receive proper formation. Good formation is the right of every baptized Christian and is critical to his or her fulfillment and effectiveness as a follower of Jesus. Speaking of the importance of lay formation, the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity Apostolicam actuositatm clearly affirmed: “The laity in fact cannot assume their vocation and mission unless they receive training at once many-sided and complete. Such training is required not only by the continuous spiritual and doctrinal progress of the lay person himself, but also by the variety of circumstances,
Christology explains Christ’s role of salvation, his acts and teachings, and his ministry, in other words it helps us understand his nature. “Son of Man” is a known term used to refer to Jesus’s divinity, meaning how he was the Son of God. “For the Son of Man is Lord even on the Sabbath day” (Bible, Matthew 12:8) this statement is proof of the one nature of Christ, human. Founded by Jesus Christ and named throughout
He instruct, equips and inspires the congregation to assume its own evangelistic and edificational ministry” (344). It is evidently clear that a pastor’s role includes equipping and teaching which resonates with the Great Commission of Jesus to make disciples and to teach “them to obey everything” (Matt 28:20) that he has commanded. 2.5 Congregational Discipleship The congregation or the body of believers as a body has an active role to play in discipleship as well. Discipleship is not a prerogative of the pastors or leaders but it is a responsibility of every individual who has been saved. However in this section the discipleship means of a corporate nature as well as an individual will be discussed.
Luke also highlights the behavior and deeds of certain characters as role models of Christianity. In addition, he emphasizes the innocence of Jesus and other characters against Roman accusations. The Acts are in fact, the narration of the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Israelites through the acts carried out by Jesus and his disciples. This biblical book covers the idea of universal salvation by accentuating that Christianity is a means of deliverance for all communities. On that same note, the author goes further by providing examples of God’s promises being fulfilled for non-Jewish people which began in Samaria and Syria.
(Web Bible Encyclopedia) Likewise, biblical inspiration is the doctrine in Christian theology that credits the authors and editors of the Bible as ordained or influenced by God thus rendering their writings the word of God. When we speak of the Bible as inspired, we are simply acknowledging God divine influence on the human authors of the Scriptures. As members of the faith community, our belief in this divine inspiration is solid, and that the writings were/are the very Word of God. In the context of the Scriptures, the word “inspiration” simply means “God. The Bible is the will of God; it is His authoritative word.
Through the incarnation, Christ has shown us the inner life of the Most Holy Trinity which is a communion of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Just like the Trinity, the Church too is a communion of persons sharing in the life and love of the Trinity. The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them.
Christ and his work help define the Spirit and his work in the Christian life (Fee, 32). In Paul’s view, Christ is the main character in the act of salvation, but salvation is initiated by the Father and goes together with the activity of the
In fact, Paul wants us to see ourselves as the Body of Christ as he emphatically wrote: “Ye are the body of Christ and members in particular.” (I Cor. 12: 27). In previous chapters, it is well demonstrated how the human body is built to reveal the plan of salvation of God for humanity. What the apostle had learned from the doctor fit so well with his vision and understanding of the things of God. Besides the plan of salvation, there is also a Body of Christ with its modus operandi (its way of operating).
It is also reveals God as an eternally relational being. Today’s believer join with believers centuries past in worshipping “ one God in trinity and trinity in unity.” The Christian Gospel of redemption is from the first to last directly connected to the Triune God. As the theologian Bruce Milne notes: “Just about everything that matters in Christian hangs on the truth of God’s three- in- oneness.” Bingham said for us the significance is this, that God is known by his action and
Heaven must be our greatest motivation! The prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus! Christ Strengthens Me (Part 2) Philippians 4:13, “I can Do all things through Christ that strengthens me.” The Apostle Paul refused to look at himself as a victim but rather as a victor! Even though he was now incarcerated in a jail cell he refused to look at himself as a mere prisoner! But rather he looked at himself