MISSIO DEI

Discipleship Point

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF “ONE HOLY CHRISTIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH” IN LIGHT OF THE MISSIO DEI IN JOHN 17?

For centuries, the Christian community of faith and mission has confessed one holy Christian (catholic) apostolic church in the Nicene Creed. This reflects the Missio Dei. Today we focus on:

Oneness. Christ’s High Priestly prayer in John 17 makes it clear that the church is one. The assembly of believers all over the world are all one in Christ. All Christians are members one of another. We are all one in the Body of Christ. Christ alone has created this oneness, or unity. There is an order to being sent into the world in John 17:18; both believers and those to whom believers are sent become one with Christ and with one another. Oneness does not come through having unity of church polity, structures, or agreement in traditions, rites, or ceremonies, nor does it come through willing collaboration in church functions, activities, or building or property enterprises. Jesus prays “that they may be one as we [the Father and Jesus] are one” (vs. 11 and 22).

See the following Scriptures in your bible or on pp. 262-264 of The Great Sending book: Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Peter 2:9, John 17:20, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 4:3-6, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Peter 2:5, Acts 2:4.