The Seoul Statement | Full Audio Reading

This is the complete audio reading of The Seoul Statement, presented at the Fourth Lausanne Congress in Incheon, South Korea. The Seoul Statement builds on foundational Lausanne Movement documents like the Lausanne Covenant, Manila Manifesto, and Cape Town Commitment. It addresses essential theological gaps and emerging global challenges facing the church today.

To read the full text, visit lausanne.org/statement/the-seoul-statement

Episode Transcript

(00:04):
The Soul Statement was designed as a companion to the State of the Great Commission report and other lanne foundational documents, such as the Lanne Covenant, Manila Manifesto, and Cape Town commitment with the intent to offer a resource to help the global church reflect and engage on essential theological gaps that have emerged over recent years.
To learn more about the Anne movement, visit our [e-mail].

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Preamble, the fourth Anne Congress held an inch on South Korea, marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of a remarkable movement committed to global mission.
The first Luanne Congress in 1974 brought together 2,700 church leaders from over 150 countries who affirmed their shared conviction that the whole church must take the whole gospel to the whole world.

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Following the first Congress, the global church did more to collaboratively accelerate worldwide evangelization than at any other period in history, resulting in unprecedented growth of the church.
As millions in previously unreached regions embrace the gospel and experience its transforming power.
We rejoice over what God has done through the church's commitment to the great apostolic priority of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in order to bring salvation to people lost in sin.

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Even so, the task of evangelization remains urgent as billions remain outside the reach of the message of God's love and grace in Christ.
Moreover, in the face of this expansive growth, the church in many parts of the world has struggled to effectively nurture the faith and discipleship of millions of first generation Christians in the commission of the Lord Jesus to the apostles in Matthew 28, 18 through 20, he made clear that the mandate given to the church to make disciples of all nations.

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Involved two equally important priorities.
The evangelistic task of baptizing them into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and the pastoral task of teaching them to obey all that Christ had commanded.
Both these priorities are evident in the Apostle Paul's mission strategy in the Book of Acts, and in his many epistles.

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He was passionate about reaching the lost with the message of salvation, and he was equally passionate about strengthening the faith of believers so that they lived lives worthy of the gospel and were able to oppose false teachings that threaten to undermine the truth of the gospel as he summarizes in Colossians 1 28, we proclaim him warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

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We regret that during the last 50 years of evangelistic harvest, the global church has not adequately provided the teaching necessary to help new believers develop a truly biblical worldview.
The church has often failed to nurture new believers to obey Christ's call to radical discipleship.
At home, at school, in the church, in our neighborhoods, and in the marketplace.

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It has also struggled to equip its leaders to respond to trending social values and to distortions of the gospel, which have threatened to erode the sincere faith of Christians and to destroy the unity and fellowship of the church of the Lord Jesus.
Consequently, we are alarmed by the rise of false teachings and pseudo Christian lifestyles leading numerous believers away from the essential values of the gospel.

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For 50 years, the Anne Movement has been guided by the 1974 Lanne Covenant, the 1989 Manila Manifesto and the 2010 Cape Town Commitment.
The sole statement of the fourth Lanne.
Congress fully affirms those earlier Congress documents and builds on their firm foundation by renewing our commitment to the centrality of the gospel as seen in section one of the statements.

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To the faithful reading of scripture as seen in section two.
Only in this way can we meet the specific challenges that now face the global church as seen in sections three to seven as we seek to bear faithful witness to our crucified and risen Lord from everywhere to everywhere for the sake of generations to come.

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Let the church declare and display Christ together.
Section one of the soul statement, the gospel, the story we live and tell at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus.
He said in Mark one 15, the time has come.
The kingdom of God is at hand.

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Repent and believe the gospel.
In Romans one 17, the Apostle Paul wrote, I'm not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God, for salvation of everyone who believes.
This gospel is not a formula or set of religious ideas, but rather a story that conveys good news and the power to transform lives.
In the Book of Acts, the apostles preach the gospel to diverse audiences, and we hear them tell a story.

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This is the reason that the apostles and countless Christians down the ages have embraced the gospel as the story we live and tell.
From the 2010 Cape Town commitment we read it is the story that tells us who we are, what we are here for and where we are going.
This story of God's mission defines our identity, drives our mission, and assures us that the ending is in God's hands.

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Introduction.
In the beginning, God created the universe as a wondrous interdependence of spiritual and material reality, filled with meaning and mystery.
All that God made was ordered and beautiful and good.
God blessed all he made, that each part would exist for the flourishing of the whole, for every sphere, earth and sky and sea, God made creatures giving them the breath of life and the ability to reproduce as the culmination of creation.

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God made human beings, both male and female in the image of God, enabling them to form relationships with himself and one another and giving them authority to care for his world.
The work and play of God's human creatures, their marriage and child raising their arts and industry and patterns of collective life were to be for the benefit of all and for the glory of God.

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Blessing received was to become blessing shared between peoples and blessing returned as worship.
First, God accomplished this awesome act of creation by His word through his spirit.
When God blessed human beings, he warned them that the ongoing flow of life would cease where they ever to seek independence from him.

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Since God alone his life, that choice would be death.
Adam and his wife Eve joined in the Satan led rebellion, and so sin and death entered the world, commissioned to fill the earth with culturally diverse peoples united in the worship of God.
Humanity filled the earth with violence, fracturing the unity for which they were made exiled from God's holy presence and cut off from life.

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Humans found themselves in bondage to self-will and enslaved to a meaningless existence, but God is rich in mercy and love and would not abandon his sinful human creatures to their self-chosen bondage, nor as a just God could he leave their rebellion unpunished.
He set in motion his plan to rescue humanity from its helpless state through a coming savior and to restore them as one holy people made up of all peoples united in worship.

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Second, God would transform his creation by His word through his spirit to bless all the nations of the earth.
God made a covenant with Abraham promising to restore the blessing of his life-giving presence to one people within whom he would again, unite all peoples.
In a relationship of mutual blessing, this people would become God's home.

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The new humanity for God's new creation.
In a preliminary way, God chose Abraham's descendants.
A nation of 12 tribes named after the 12 sons of Jacob, formed to be a holy people.
They were enslaved and oppressed under Pharaoh.
God, however, did not forget his covenant.
He brought his people out of slavery to declare his excellencies to all peoples.

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He brought them to Mount Sinai and spoke words with power to give life to those who kept them in their hearts power to form a people who loved God with undivided hearts and loved one another from hearts life with God's life, but God's people rebelled against him.
They chose death rather than life.
Had God not shown himself to be full of grace, that people would've perished in his mercy.

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He ordained kingship so that Israel would live by God's rule.
He sent prophets to interpret the word spoken at Sinai and to correct his people when they strayed from him.
He sent sages and hymn writers to sustain Israel in the way of life.
Still, God's people rebelled their kings and priests turned away from God, and the people rejected the prophets.
So God sent them away from their land, condemning the nation to exile.

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God, however, did not forget his covenant.
Even as the prophets warned of national death, they prophesied that God would raise the nation to new life as indeed he did when Israel returned from exile.
But this dying and rising of the nation was only a foretaste of a dramatic escalation yet to come in God's dealings with a rebellious humanity, the restoration of God's rightful rule.

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Third, it was not yet time for God to renew creation by His word through his spirit.
And then it came.
God sent the prophet John to prepare for the imminent arrival of his appointed king and to call the people to turn from their sin.
In order to live under God's rule, John baptize those who turn from their sin, but also spoke of a baptism yet to come.

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The one who is coming after me will baptize you with fiery spirit.
Baptism of spirit by the Lord Jesus Christ would form the promised people of peoples.
Just as John had said, the coming one came, but in the most unexpected way.
Four, through the spirit of God, the son of God, who is the eternal word, became a human being in the womb of a Virgin Mary.

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As the beginning of God's new creation, the restored rule of God for told by the prophets, began when John baptized Jesus.
As Jesus came up from the water, A voice from heaven declared, this is my beloved son.
Like Israel, Jesus was tested in the wilderness, but he proved faithful and taught his followers to obey the word.
Spoken to Israel at Sinai from the heart, he healed the sick and cleansed the defiled.

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He raised the dead and rescued the perishing.
He cast out demons in all these ways.
He showed his power to restore blessing to people.
A people cleansed from sin saved from death and freed from Satan's rule.
Jesus declared that the time had come to renew God's blessing to the poor.
And humble in heart.
The blessing he pronounced was not wealth or health, but God's own life as the transforming power of new creation.

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The time had come for Jesus, the Messiah, to build his church, but this would require his voluntary sacrificial death.
This was because the offense of sin that stood between humanity and God had brought death to everyone.
When Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he died as our representative substitute.
The God sent Adam of the new creation in Christ.

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God was taking the punishment for our sin onto himself.
The one who has life in himself, gave his life for the life of the world.
He was condemned.
While his ransomed, people were freed, freed from slavery to sin, to love, and to serve the Lord.
Though he pour out his life in death, Christ could not be defeated by death.
God resurrected him and so proved him innocent, and just after he was raised, Jesus appeared to his disciples with a transformed body.

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This was a body his disciples could touch, but death could not.
The father exalted the son to reign with him until he subjected everything and everyone to Christ's rule.
Then the Holy Spirit was sent to all who through repentance and faith participated in the renewal and reconciliation of all peoples.
In the one people of God.
They received new life and power to bear witness to the good news of God's salvation among all peoples.

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Therefore, anyone who is in Christ belongs to God's new creation, formed by His word.
Through his spirit, God will complete his work of new creation.
When Christ returns to judge the living and the dead, then all who are in Christ will share in his bodily resurrection, and the whole of God's creation will be transformed.
His people will live under the rule of the Messiah as a unity of peoples whose distinct ways of living.

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God's gift of eternal life are offered to God as worship.
In this way, God's people will care for God's world.
In a community of blessing with God at the center as the source of all that is good.
By faith, we take our place within Christ's church, the one people of the one God, the people of peoples, of the triune God.

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By faith, we are baptized into Christ's death for the forgiveness of sins raised to new life and incorporated into the one body of Christ.
By faith, we are declared righteous by the righteousness of the resurrected one.
By faith, the church becomes the dwelling of God in Christ through his spirits, and he our never ending source of life.

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By faith we live under and for God's reign, by faith, we steward and care for God's creation and one another, work for his justice in our societies, and seek to live peaceable lives of faithful service.
By faith, we live as those whom death cannot destroy because we are in Christ and have our life within the life of God.
As we gather in local churches, we live, rehearse, and remember the gospel.

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The true story of everything we celebrate.
Its gracious author and his works.
In our worship, we clarify and distill its key moments In our doctrine, we teach God's people to obey by conforming their lives to its pattern and commands.
We express its effects in our practice of love, justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
We pray for its ends.

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We reflect its values in our individual and collective life.
Through our presence, our practice, and our proclamation.
We tell the story of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
All the while with all creation.
We groan for the consummation of new creation and cry.
Come Lord Jesus, come.
We pray, oh God, our Father, by your son, and through your spirit, bring the fullness of new creation. 130 00:14:29,113.33333333 --> 00:14:36,973.33333333 Section two, the Bible, the holy scriptures, we read and obey introduction. 131 00:14:38,743.33333333 --> 00:14:50,293.33333333 A pillar of the Losan movement from its inception has been an unwavering commitment to the Bible as God's authoritative word, the only rule of faith and practice for the church, its mission and the Christian life. 132 00:14:50,863.33333333 --> 00:15:02,923.33333333 However, this high view of scripture has not always produced the kind of faithful biblical interpretation that upholds the gospel and strengthens the mission of the church to make Christ-like disciples worse. 133 00:15:03,253.33333333 --> 00:15:09,943.33333333 The often conflicting interpretations threaten the church's effectiveness to bear witness to God's glory and gospel truth. 134 00:15:10,663.33333333 --> 00:15:30,73.33333333 Affirmations of a high view of scripture, therefore require a way of reading the Bible that is attentive to its historical, literary, and canonical contexts illuminated by the Holy Spirit and guided by the interpretive tradition of the church, the crucial affirmations about the Bible that the church needs most today concern. 135 00:15:30,73.33333333 --> 00:15:33,73.33333333 Not only the Bible's nature, but its interpretation. 136 00:15:33,613.33333333 --> 00:15:37,963.33333333 How to read the Bible faithfully with the communion of saints of all times and places. 137 00:15:40,183.33333333 --> 00:15:42,313.33333333 One, the Bible is God's word. 138 00:15:42,313.33333333 --> 00:15:47,143.33333333 In human words, we affirm that the Bible is God's word written. 139 00:15:47,563.33333333 --> 00:15:53,293.33333333 A divinely inspired God-breathed collection of writings consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. 140 00:15:53,923.33333333 --> 00:16:04,153.33333333 Through a diversity of human authors and literary genres, the Bible forms a unified and coherent testimony to the story of God's electing a people for himself in Jesus Christ. 141 00:16:04,723.33333333 --> 00:16:08,413.33333333 The Bible is God's self revelation and therefore, the church's scripture. 142 00:16:08,953.33333333 --> 00:16:14,293.33333333 It's authoritative unring set apart text that gathers and governs God's set apart people. 143 00:16:14,803.33333333 --> 00:16:26,773.33333333 It is wholly true and trustworthy, and the supreme norm for the church's life, the same spirit who inspired the Bible continues to illuminate it, communicating God's light and life truth and grace. 144 00:16:28,423.33333333 --> 00:16:31,993.33333333 Two, the Bible's central message is the good news of the kingdom of God. 145 00:16:33,883.33333333 --> 00:16:50,23.3333333 We affirm that the central message of scripture is the gospel of the kingdom of God, the proclamation of Jesus', incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension, and return, which is the fulfillment of God's promise to bless all peoples through the seed of Abraham. 146 00:16:50,653.3333333 --> 00:16:55,123.3333333 Therefore, we read the whole of scripture in accordance with and guided by this gospel. 147 00:16:55,873.3333333 --> 00:16:56,683.3333333 In the gospel. 148 00:16:57,73.3333333 --> 00:17:04,63.3333333 God offers the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Spirit, an eternal life to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. 149 00:17:04,783.3333333 --> 00:17:14,473.3333333 It is the good news that Jesus is building his church to serve God, who is reconciling and renewing his creation, ridding it of sin and its effects, and so displaying his glory. 150 00:17:14,893.3333333 --> 00:17:23,293.3333333 This same gospel demands that we submit to Christ's authority so that by faith in the gospel, we are transformed by the spirit in our reading of the Bible. 151 00:17:23,983.3333333 --> 00:17:30,523.3333333 For reference, the Isaiah 52, 7, mark one 14 to 15, Genesis 12, one to three. 152 00:17:31,123.3333333 --> 00:17:35,803.3333333 Genesis 18, 18 to 19, and Galatians three, 16 and 19. 153 00:17:38,203.3333333 --> 00:17:38,563.3333333 Three. 154 00:17:38,953.3333333 --> 00:17:43,33.3333333 The Bible's purpose is the formation of disciples and the building up of the church. 155 00:17:44,833.3333333 --> 00:17:50,593.3333333 We affirm that God speaks in the Bible for the purpose of generating and governing the people of God, the church. 156 00:17:51,163.3333333 --> 00:17:57,733.3333333 The Bible summons the faithful to conform to Christ who is the image of God and exhorts them to live lives worthy of the gospel. 157 00:17:58,273.3333333 --> 00:18:02,803.3333333 The Spirit works through the Bible to form the body of Christ and the mind of Christ in the body of Christ. 158 00:18:03,403.3333333 --> 00:18:11,653.3333333 God uses scripture to form the people of God, a people of peoples who participate in his mission as communities that do His will on earth as it is in heaven. 159 00:18:12,373.3333333 --> 00:18:14,623.3333333 For reference, see Colossians one 15 and three 10. 160 00:18:15,73.3333333 --> 00:18:19,603.3333333 Ephesians 4 24, and Matthew 6, 10, 4. 161 00:18:20,263.3333333 --> 00:18:23,413.3333333 We read the Bible faithfully by attending to the Bible's contexts. 162 00:18:25,393.3333333 --> 00:18:27,973.3333333 We affirm that to read and interpret scripture faithfully. 163 00:18:28,318.3333333 --> 00:18:32,998.3333333 The church must read it in its historical, literary, and canonical contexts. 164 00:18:33,658.3333333 --> 00:18:39,148.3333333 Reading in its historical context means attending to the world behind the text and the occasion of its composition. 165 00:18:40,108.3333333 --> 00:18:47,878.3333333 Reading in a literary context means paying close attention to the kind of literature it is and to the flow of words and ideas within the wider text. 166 00:18:48,778.3333333 --> 00:18:53,338.3333333 Reading in canonical context refers to reading each part in light of the whole of scripture. 167 00:18:53,908.3333333 --> 00:18:55,438.3333333 Old and New testaments together. 168 00:18:56,428.3333333 --> 00:19:04,708.3333333 Situating any biblical text in its proper historical and literary context is a necessary step for discovering its original meaning intended by its authors. 169 00:19:05,278.3333333 --> 00:19:15,778.3333333 Situating it in the canonical context enables the church to read it as the word of God and the unified narrative God has given to his people throughout history, culminating with the coming of Christ. 170 00:19:17,398.3333333 --> 00:19:17,848.3333333 Five. 171 00:19:18,418.3333333 --> 00:19:21,598.3333333 We read the Bible faithfully by being illuminated by the Holy Spirit. 172 00:19:23,518.3333333 --> 00:19:30,88.3333333 We affirm that the Holy Spirit, who superintendent the composition of the scriptures continues to guide the church in its interpretation of the scriptures. 173 00:19:30,568.3333333 --> 00:19:39,118.3333333 As the church in prayerful dependence seeks the help of the spirit, the spirit's guidance is part of his active ongoing presence in the church. 174 00:19:39,538.3333333 --> 00:19:48,298.3333333 The community of Bible hearers, readers, interpreters, and doers to empower and inform its commitment to declare and display Christ in the world. 175 00:19:49,108.3333333 --> 00:19:56,248.3333333 The Spirit provides internal testimony to the scripture's, authenticity, reliability, sufficiency, and credibility. 176 00:19:57,118.3333333 --> 00:20:01,648.3333333 The spirit enables the believer to understand and submit to the word and will of God. 177 00:20:02,728.3333333 --> 00:20:07,468.3333333 For reference, see two Peter 1, 21 6. 178 00:20:07,918.3333333 --> 00:20:18,58.3333333 We read the Bible faithfully by remaining connected to tradition, we affirm that evangelical, gospel centered interpretation of the Bible is not a recent development. 179 00:20:18,658.3333333 --> 00:20:19,318.3333333 It continues. 180 00:20:19,318.3333333 --> 00:20:23,128.3333333 The long interpretive tradition that stretches back to the apostolic church. 181 00:20:23,728.3333333 --> 00:20:33,508.3333333 Faithful interpretation of scripture belongs to the universal church and calls for a conversation of Christians from different contexts, regional, historical, and denominational. 182 00:20:33,868.3333333 --> 00:20:35,398.3333333 In search of gospel unity. 183 00:20:35,668.3333333 --> 00:20:50,38.3333333 Amidst diversity, we affirm the necessary and positive role of tradition, which passes on a continuity of faithful reading from past generations who are led by the same spirit and believed in the same gospel of Jesus Christ through the same scriptures. 184 00:20:50,578.3333333 --> 00:20:57,628.3333333 For an evangelical approach to interpretation, to be faithful, it must honor this tradition and let it be a spirit enabled guide. 185 00:20:57,958.3333333 --> 00:21:10,888.3333333 In our reading of the Bible seven, we read the Bible faithfully by being sensitive to local contexts, we affirm the importance of cultural context for the faithful reading of the Bible. 186 00:21:11,398.3333333 --> 00:21:13,828.3333333 Interpretation of the Bible never happens in a vacuum. 187 00:21:14,398.3333333 --> 00:21:16,318.3333333 Culture and language play an important role. 188 00:21:17,143.3333333 --> 00:21:25,633.3333333 Interpreting scripture is challenging because our presuppositions, personal experiences and culture exert a powerful and potentially distorting influence. 189 00:21:26,233.3333333 --> 00:21:32,653.3333333 Yet local communities provide positive resources from within their respective context for deepening the overall understanding of scripture. 190 00:21:33,313.3333333 --> 00:21:45,73.3333333 Each local church both represents the whole church in reading scripture, faithfully in and for its own context, and contributes from its local culture, distinct insights that benefit the whole church. 191 00:21:46,333.3333333 --> 00:21:46,513.3333333 Eight. 192 00:21:47,173.3333333 --> 00:21:51,763.3333333 We read the Bible faithfully by forming local churches into reading and listening cultures. 193 00:21:53,743.3333333 --> 00:22:03,163.3333333 We call local churches to devote themselves to the public reading of scripture and to form faithful Bible readers and listeners as individuals, groups, and worshiping communities. 194 00:22:03,883.3333333 --> 00:22:07,393.3333333 In forming such cultures, we must allow the word of God and the gospel. 195 00:22:07,393.3333333 --> 00:22:10,363.3333333 It proclaims to shape our worldview and our lives. 196 00:22:10,783.3333333 --> 00:22:15,193.3333333 We therefore affirm the need for the global collaboration of all members of Christ's body. 197 00:22:16,318.3333333 --> 00:22:20,278.3333333 For attention to the ancient creeds, confessions and ecclesial traditions. 198 00:22:20,818.3333333 --> 00:22:33,778.3333333 Reading and listening in the Communion of Saints, guided by the spirit across space and time served to keep local communities anchored to the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints for the church to flourish. 199 00:22:33,778.3333333 --> 00:22:44,668.3333333 In the coming decades, we must form ourselves into faithful Bible reading and listening communities that faithfully declare and display in many ways and places the one lordship of Christ. 200 00:22:45,268.3333333 --> 00:22:45,988.3333333 For reference. 201 00:22:46,258.3333333 --> 00:22:57,831.6666667 See Jude three, section three of the soul Statement, the church, the people of God we love and build up introduction. 202 00:22:59,451.6666667 --> 00:23:07,71.6666667 The 1974 Losan Covenant declared world evangelization requires the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world. 203 00:23:08,1.6666667 --> 00:23:15,291.6666667 The 2024 fourth Losan Congress has as its theme, let the church declare and display Christ together. 204 00:23:16,236.6666667 --> 00:23:19,86.6666667 Therefore, how we imagine the church matters greatly. 205 00:23:19,926.6666667 --> 00:23:34,536.6666667 We recognize that the doctrine of the church has received little attention during these decades of extraordinary Christian expansion in the world, and there is little consensus about what the church is, its importance in the life of the Christian and its relevance to our world. 206 00:23:35,196.6666667 --> 00:23:40,926.6666667 The resulting confusion has opened the way for aberrant forms of church that distort the values of Christ and his gospel. 207 00:23:41,766.6666667 --> 00:23:50,196.6666667 It has also increased disillusionment among baptized believers, leading them to distance themselves from the formal or institutional church. 208 00:23:51,36.6666667 --> 00:23:57,36.6666667 Christians today, especially first generation believers, need a more comprehensive, biblical understanding of the church. 209 00:23:57,576.6666667 --> 00:24:15,216.6666667 One that can inspire in them deep appreciation and loyalty as they conduct themselves in God's household, the Church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth, as instructed by Paul in one Timothy 3 15, 1. 210 00:24:15,741.6666667 --> 00:24:17,811.6666667 The church is the communion of God's people. 211 00:24:19,941.6666667 --> 00:24:23,961.6666667 The ancient apostles creed professes our common faith in the communion of saints. 212 00:24:24,441.6666667 --> 00:24:32,121.6666667 Through the saving work of Jesus Christ, the triune God is gathering and uniting his people as one communion of saints by the Holy Spirit. 213 00:24:32,781.6666667 --> 00:24:37,311.6666667 This fellowship with God and with our brothers and sisters in the church is not our doing. 214 00:24:37,611.6666667 --> 00:24:38,751.6666667 It is God's gift. 215 00:24:39,561.6666667 --> 00:24:42,471.6666667 On the day of Pentecost, God revealed this unity. 216 00:24:42,831.6666667 --> 00:24:57,411.6666667 As Jesus poured out from the Father, the promised Holy Spirit upon his people, he sent them out to announce the good news and draw others into his new community, to be baptized as members of the body of Christ, and to be in dwelt by the Spirit as the temple of God. 217 00:24:57,891.6666667 --> 00:25:07,581.6666667 Still today, the Lord Jesus continues to pour out the Holy Spirit upon the church, and the Holy Spirit continues to glorify the Lord Jesus in and through the church. 218 00:25:08,271.6666667 --> 00:25:13,251.6666667 For reference, see one Corinthians 1227 and two Corinthians six 16. 219 00:25:13,821.6666667 --> 00:25:22,101.6666667 All those who are united to Christ through personal repentance, faith, and the grace of God, have him as their head and together form his body. 220 00:25:22,881.6666667 --> 00:25:28,71.6666667 Therefore, though we are saved as individuals, we are not saved alone, but together with one another. 221 00:25:28,611.6666667 --> 00:25:35,61.6666667 As disciples of Jesus, the Spirit incorporates us into Christ as members of his body through faith in his shed. 222 00:25:35,61.6666667 --> 00:25:35,331.6666667 Blood. 223 00:25:35,931.6666667 --> 00:25:38,481.6666667 Christian baptism is a sign and seal of God's grace. 224 00:25:38,871.6666667 --> 00:25:43,911.6666667 A public declaration of our new allegiance to Christ and our new identification with his church. 225 00:25:44,421.6666667 --> 00:25:56,751.6666667 For reference, C one Corinthians 12 13 2, the church is one holy, Catholic and apostolic with Christ people through the centuries and around the world. 226 00:25:57,81.6666667 --> 00:26:10,941.6666667 We confess in the words of the ine creed that the church is one holy, Catholic and apostolic in all the world and throughout history, the church is one people of God, one body of Christ, and one temple of the Holy Spirit. 227 00:26:11,361.6666667 --> 00:26:17,991.6666667 Through one baptism by the spirit and the one bride of Christ across time, space, culture, and language. 228 00:26:18,261.6666667 --> 00:26:25,311.6666667 We are one church, united by Christ and his finished work in dwelt by the Holy Spirit and joined together in the love of God. 229 00:26:26,211.6666667 --> 00:26:33,711.6666667 For reference, see Ephesians four, four to six and two Corinthians 11, two, as the visible expression of Christ in the world. 230 00:26:33,981.6666667 --> 00:26:44,331.6666667 The church is called to Christ-like holiness, displayed by our determination to live as those who have been set apart for God and demonstrated by Christ-like character and behavior. 231 00:26:44,931.6666667 --> 00:27:04,731.6666667 For reference C two Timothy 2 21 and one Peter one 14 through 16, the church of Jesus Christ is Catholic, universal, and all embracing in that all who belong to Christ irrespective of ethnicity, gender, region, status, or ability, belong equally within his new community, the church. 232 00:27:05,211.6666667 --> 00:27:10,311.6666667 Therefore, there is a place for every member, because each part is needed to make up the wholeness of the church. 233 00:27:10,716.6666667 --> 00:27:22,386.6666667 There is a place for boys and girls, for women and men, for ministers and missionaries, for homemakers, educators, laborers, professionals, and marketplace leaders in the church. 234 00:27:22,386.6666667 --> 00:27:22,776.6666667 Catholic. 235 00:27:22,776.6666667 --> 00:27:24,966.6666667 No human culture can claim preeminence. 236 00:27:25,446.6666667 --> 00:27:36,36.6666667 All human cultures must bow in submission before the God of all wisdom, and as they do so, they each make their contribution to our understanding of scripture and proclamation of the gospel. 237 00:27:36,756.6666667 --> 00:27:42,546.6666667 In this way, God unites us together to declare and display his glory in all our diversity. 238 00:27:43,506.6666667 --> 00:27:47,346.6666667 The local church is the only visible manifestation of the Catholic church. 239 00:27:47,766.6666667 --> 00:27:57,666.6666667 It reveals the glory of God's temple in which all those who belong to Jesus Christ, like living stones, have their rightful place for reference C one Corinthians three. 240 00:27:57,666.6666667 --> 00:27:59,736.6666667 16 to 17 and 12. 241 00:27:59,736.6666667 --> 00:28:00,816.6666667 12 to 27. 242 00:28:01,476.6666667 --> 00:28:05,946.6666667 Ephesians two, 20 to 21 and one Peter two, four to 10. 243 00:28:06,966.6666667 --> 00:28:09,996.6666667 This one Holy Catholic church is also apostolic. 244 00:28:10,581.6666667 --> 00:28:13,431.6666667 It began its public witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. 245 00:28:13,431.6666667 --> 00:28:22,581.6666667 With the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost and ever since has proclaimed the same message to all the world throughout history and in every place. 246 00:28:22,881.6666667 --> 00:28:38,601.6666667 The church is apostolic standing in continuity with Christ's 12 apostles by holding fast to their teaching once for all entrusted to God's people and handed down from generation to generation through the gift of this living an active word. 247 00:28:39,51.6666667 --> 00:28:45,261.6666667 God builds his church by giving us faith a new life, and so forms his church into the likeness of Christ. 248 00:28:46,251.6666667 --> 00:28:53,571.6666667 For reference, see, Romans 10 17, 1 Peter 1 23 and Jude three, three. 249 00:28:54,261.6666667 --> 00:29:07,71.6666667 The pilgrim church faces challenges from without and threats within the church has always faced crises, as our Lord said in this world, there will be many trials as evidenced throughout history. 250 00:29:07,506.6666667 --> 00:29:16,446.6666667 God's faithful saints have faced and continue to face persecution and severe opposition, often risking their lives for the sake of the Lord they love. 251 00:29:17,196.6666667 --> 00:29:19,296.6666667 The church is built on the blood of the martyrs. 252 00:29:19,836.6666667 --> 00:29:25,296.6666667 Even so, the church's struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. 253 00:29:25,896.6666667 --> 00:29:28,476.6666667 The evil one conspires against the Church of Christ. 254 00:29:28,476.6666667 --> 00:29:38,76.6666667 But as Jesus has promised, he continues to build his church and even the gates of Hades cannot prevail against it For reference, see John 1633. 255 00:29:38,706.6666667 --> 00:29:39,726.6666667 Ephesians six 12. 256 00:29:40,236.6666667 --> 00:29:42,996.6666667 Matthew 1618, revelation one 18. 257 00:29:43,896.6666667 --> 00:29:52,866.6666667 The church carries the treasure of the gospel in earth and vessels in vulnerability and humility, not looking to point to itself, but to the all surpassing power of God. 258 00:29:53,496.6666667 --> 00:30:05,371.6666667 Therefore, it does not resist its opponents according to the powers or armaments of this world, but perseveres through adversity and suffering by the power of God, fully armed with spiritual weapons of righteousness. 259 00:30:06,636.6666667 --> 00:30:27,636.6666667 Empires rise and fall, but the church sustained by its Lord is called to remain steadfast and conduct itself as the household of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth for reference, C two Corinthians four seven, John 18 36, 2 Corinthians 6 7, 1 Timothy three 14 to 16. 260 00:30:28,956.6666667 --> 00:30:32,166.6666667 Yet we are grieved that the church has not always stayed true to this calling. 261 00:30:32,676.6666667 --> 00:30:39,366.6666667 Scripture is clear that the greater risk to the church's vitality and the integrity of its message comes from within. 262 00:30:39,996.6666667 --> 00:30:50,46.6666667 It has all too often succumbeded to the allure of political power, of cultural approval, and of the world's pleasures, abandoning its mandate to be God's prophetic witness in the world. 263 00:30:50,736.6666667 --> 00:30:58,536.6666667 In such instances, the church becomes an instrument of oppression, complicit in acts of injustice and loses its credibility in the world. 264 00:30:59,226.6666667 --> 00:31:05,316.6666667 These compromises are either consequences of or causes for the church moving away from biblical authority. 265 00:31:05,676.6666667 --> 00:31:09,126.6666667 By distorting the scriptures to satisfy mere worldly desires. 266 00:31:09,756.6666667 --> 00:31:17,316.6666667 The twin pillars of faithful belief and practice, orthodoxy and orthopraxy erode as the church takes its eyes away from Christ and the cross. 267 00:31:18,66.6666667 --> 00:31:26,646.6666667 We lament these failures and sins of our past and repent from ways in which we continue to ignore the conviction of the spirit and the instructions of our Lord. 268 00:31:27,216.6666667 --> 00:31:32,196.6666667 For reference, see one Timothy 4 16, 4. 269 00:31:32,676.6666667 --> 00:31:34,806.6666667 The church grows as it gathers for worship. 270 00:31:36,786.6666667 --> 00:31:52,956.6666667 The Lord Jesus summons his church to gather together regularly to worship God the Father, through the Son by the Holy Spirit, by these gatherings, he invites us to grow in our intimacy and knowledge of him as the scriptures are read and proclaimed and to see, feel, and taste His grace in baptism and the Lord's Supper. 271 00:31:53,376.6666667 --> 00:31:58,866.6666667 For reference, see Acts 2 42 as the one body of Christ and one temple of the Spirit. 272 00:31:59,346.6666667 --> 00:32:03,606.6666667 The church manifests its corporate identity, primarily through its worship. 273 00:32:04,476.6666667 --> 00:32:08,886.6666667 In corporate worship, we are practicing church and showing what it means to be the church. 274 00:32:09,336.6666667 --> 00:32:11,766.6666667 This means that worship is essentially a corporate event. 275 00:32:12,456.6666667 --> 00:32:17,556.6666667 Corporate worship, therefore is not primarily about cultivating a personal relationship with God. 276 00:32:18,66.6666667 --> 00:32:26,376.6666667 It is the royal priesthood and holy nation proclaiming the excellencies praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 277 00:32:27,6.6666667 --> 00:32:29,886.6666667 For reference, see one Peter 2, 5 9. 278 00:32:30,936.6666667 --> 00:32:36,6.6666667 The church distinguishes itself as God's people through its worship of the triune God in word and sacrament. 279 00:32:36,606.6666667 --> 00:32:40,626.6666667 These two basic components of worship are marks which define the church. 280 00:32:41,226.6666667 --> 00:32:51,516.6666667 Worship, therefore, is not just one of many other church practices, but the church's foundational practice worship is the ultimate end to which all our mission endeavors are directed. 281 00:32:51,996.6666667 --> 00:32:56,826.6666667 The work of mission will end when Jesus returns, but worship will continue forever. 282 00:32:57,666.6666667 --> 00:33:03,186.6666667 So we call on all churches to give greater attention to worship as a foundational practice. 283 00:33:03,606.6666667 --> 00:33:08,76.6666667 And to make worship a more corporate experience through their preaching prayers and songs. 284 00:33:08,676.6666667 --> 00:33:13,476.6666667 Properly ordered worship takes place under the authority and discipline of the local church. 285 00:33:13,926.6666667 --> 00:33:19,206.6666667 This is vital for the wellbeing of not only the individual believer, but of the church as a whole. 286 00:33:19,866.6666667 --> 00:33:25,746.6666667 So we call upon all Christians to submit to the authority of a local church just as individuals grow. 287 00:33:25,746.6666667 --> 00:33:34,776.6666667 Because local churches grow in health and maturity, so too local churches grow because individuals grow in knowledge, intimacy, and accountability. 288 00:33:35,406.6666667 --> 00:33:49,716.6666667 For reference C one Corinthians five, one through six 11 and Hebrews 10 25, Christ as the head of the church has placed gifts of ministry and service within his church for the maturing of his people and for their upbuilding. 289 00:33:50,676.6666667 --> 00:33:55,626.6666667 A wide variety of spirit empowered gifts are distributed among the members of the church for the common good. 290 00:33:56,196.6666667 --> 00:34:06,156.6666667 The body of Christ grows as individual believers take responsibility to do the work of ministry and exercise their God-given gifts to serve their sisters and brothers with Christ-like love. 291 00:34:06,756.6666667 --> 00:34:16,56.6666667 This ministry empowers all the people of God to honor Jesus Christ in the workplace, the marketplace, the home, the school, and the local community. 292 00:34:16,506.6666667 --> 00:34:26,286.6666667 Wherever they are called to serve, they fulfill their various callings, being fully assured that the Lord Jesus cares for his church and constantly intercedes for its protection and wellbeing. 293 00:34:27,216.6666667 --> 00:34:37,116.6666667 For reference, see Romans 12, six to six, one Corinthians 12, four to 11, and Ephesians four to seven dash 16 five. 294 00:34:37,626.6666667 --> 00:34:40,596.6666667 The church displays Christ in diverse yet faithful ways. 295 00:34:42,486.6666667 --> 00:34:48,366.6666667 The church has been called to express its common life by forming local countercultural communities in every society. 296 00:34:49,86.6666667 --> 00:34:54,636.6666667 Local churches vary in form from small bands of believers, meeting in secret to house churches. 297 00:34:54,726.6666667 --> 00:34:57,606.6666667 It's to much larger congregations that gather in public view. 298 00:34:58,596.6666667 --> 00:35:03,456.6666667 The emergence of digital spaces has provided Christian believers yet another means to come together. 299 00:35:03,846.6666667 --> 00:35:08,466.6666667 Prompting ongoing theological reflection on the nature and form of the local church. 300 00:35:09,156.6666667 --> 00:35:22,86.6666667 Local churches throughout history and across the world display spectacular diversity in traditions and forms which are shaped by the influence of their distinctive cultures and by the unique contextual challenges they face. 301 00:35:22,596.6666667 --> 00:35:37,626.6666667 Nevertheless, what such Christian communities have in common and what makes them authentic manifestations of the body of Christ is their worship of the triune God in response to their shared faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the faith that Christ calls them to share with the world. 302 00:35:39,516.6666667 --> 00:35:42,876.6666667 Six, the mission of the church is to make disciples of Christ. 303 00:35:44,796.6666667 --> 00:35:48,66.6666667 The church therefore, is called to declare and display Christ together. 304 00:35:48,726.6666667 --> 00:35:53,16.6666667 The Great commission summons all believers everywhere to participate in our lord's will. 305 00:35:53,331.6666667 --> 00:36:02,481.6666667 To make disciples of all peoples by baptizing those who believe in the gospel message and teaching them true obedience to Jesus Christ in the power of his word and spirit. 306 00:36:02,901.6666667 --> 00:36:08,601.6666667 God sends us out into the world as a holy people to bear witness to the gospel before a watching world. 307 00:36:09,231.6666667 --> 00:36:14,871.6666667 We do this through our Christ filled presence, our Christ-centered proclamation, and our Christ-like practice. 308 00:36:15,321.6666667 --> 00:36:17,421.6666667 See Matthew 28, 18 to 20. 309 00:36:18,441.6666667 --> 00:36:29,931.6666667 Jesus urged his disciples to see the powerful influence of their presence in the world by describing them as the salt of the earth that must maintain its integrity and so never lose its potency. 310 00:36:30,621.6666667 --> 00:36:38,661.6666667 The apostle Paul explained how the gospel inspired Christian is the very aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 311 00:36:39,441.6666667 --> 00:36:49,971.6666667 This makes the presence of a Christian individual or community in any society, in families, neighborhoods, schools, the workplace or the public square, a cause for hope. 312 00:36:50,421.6666667 --> 00:37:04,461.6666667 As God uses his redeemed people to signal his favor and make known his nearness to a world long alienated from him For reference, see Matthew 1 23 and five 13 and two Corinthians two 15 through 16. 313 00:37:05,571.6666667 --> 00:37:09,51.6666667 The Bible says, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. 314 00:37:09,861.6666667 --> 00:37:15,501.6666667 Therefore, the faithful proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ is essential to the witness of the church. 315 00:37:15,951.6666667 --> 00:37:23,991.6666667 And for this task, the Lord has poured out the Holy Spirit to empower the members of the church for evangelism by His word and through his spirit. 316 00:37:24,351.6666667 --> 00:37:30,591.6666667 The church displays God's saving power of the gospel and sends Herolds to declare his gospel where Christ is not known. 317 00:37:31,551.6666667 --> 00:37:42,981.6666667 Through daily witness at home and at work, God continues to gather to himself people from every tribe and tongue, saving them through the atoning blood of Jesus and joining them as members of the body of Christ. 318 00:37:43,251.6666667 --> 00:37:48,81.6666667 See Romans 10 17, the church also witnesses through its Christ-like practice. 319 00:37:48,606.6666667 --> 00:37:59,586.6666667 Just as the world hears Christ in gospel proclamation, it can also see Christ through our love for one another and our neighbors through how we care for his creation and do excellent work in our daily callings. 320 00:38:00,156.6666667 --> 00:38:04,296.6666667 Just as faith comes by hearing, faith is always accompanied by works. 321 00:38:04,746.6666667 --> 00:38:13,266.6666667 These works promote the common good, prioritize care for the poor and most vulnerable, and advance the cause of justice following the example of our Lord. 322 00:38:13,986.6666667 --> 00:38:19,776.6666667 For reference, see Matthew five 16, John 1335, Ephesians two, eight through 10. 323 00:38:20,346.6666667 --> 00:38:33,546.6666667 Luke four 18 to 19 until that final day when Christ will come again, the church as the bride gathers in anticipation of her bridegroom's return when the saints of past generations will also be raised to life. 324 00:38:34,176.6666667 --> 00:38:47,946.6666667 We therefore wait longing for the consummation of the church's hope, when God himself will dwell with us, when we will know the Lord God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and offer him eternal worship, giving glory to God. 325 00:38:48,291.6666667 --> 00:38:51,771.6666667 In the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. 326 00:38:52,491.6666667 --> 00:38:52,941.6666667 Amen. 327 00:38:53,331.6666667 --> 00:38:55,521.6666667 For reference, see Revelation 21 3. 328 00:38:55,881.6666667 --> 00:39:04,388.3333333 Ephesians 3 21, section four, the human person, the image of God, created and restored. 329 00:39:06,698.3333333 --> 00:39:07,358.3333333 Introduction. 330 00:39:09,8.3333333 --> 00:39:17,78.3333333 Today the world is absorbed with the question, what does it mean to be human? This makes the Christian doctrine of the human person critically important. 331 00:39:17,678.3333333 --> 00:39:23,528.3333333 How we answer this question has profound implications for our witness in the world and our life in the church. 332 00:39:24,68.3333333 --> 00:39:33,878.3333333 It goes to the very heart of the great upheavals in the world with regard to issues such as identity, human sexuality, and the implications of advancing technologies. 333 00:39:34,358.3333333 --> 00:39:43,358.3333333 A sound doctrine of the human person is also vital for dealing with the growing phenomenon of leaders that claim superhuman powers and God-like authority within the church. 334 00:39:44,588.3333333 --> 00:39:47,408.3333333 One, the image of God is the essence of being human. 335 00:39:49,313.3333333 --> 00:39:52,883.3333333 Scripture teaches that human beings are uniquely created in God's image. 336 00:39:53,453.3333333 --> 00:39:56,933.3333333 This uniqueness includes stewardship, roles and responsibilities in the world. 337 00:39:57,473.3333333 --> 00:40:12,863.3333333 The gift of image bearing provides all human beings with inherent dignity, equality, and worth, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, cast, age, physical and mental capacities, and socioeconomic and cultural contexts. 338 00:40:13,403.3333333 --> 00:40:21,923.3333333 The triune God created human beings to be relational, including personal relationships with God and the formation of communities for reference. 339 00:40:22,193.3333333 --> 00:40:25,223.3333333 See Genesis 1 26 to 28 and two 15. 340 00:40:25,913.3333333 --> 00:40:33,53.3333333 Human beings are an integrated physical and spiritual unity, possessing a spiritual dimension that compliments the physical. 341 00:40:33,713.3333333 --> 00:40:38,63.3333333 We therefore reject any privileging of body or spirit over and against the other. 342 00:40:38,903.3333333 --> 00:40:44,123.3333333 We acknowledge that sin affects the degree to which human beings can fully reflect the image of God. 343 00:40:44,588.3333333 --> 00:40:51,278.3333333 Sin corrupts our inherent human nature and capacities, our relationships with others and our human vocation in the world. 344 00:40:51,788.3333333 --> 00:40:57,608.3333333 Sin adversely influences people to treat other humans as objects, not as persons of intrinsic worth. 345 00:40:58,298.3333333 --> 00:41:05,528.3333333 At times, even Christians have sinfully misinterpreted the image of God out of self-interest to marginalize and dehumanize others. 346 00:41:07,88.3333333 --> 00:41:09,68.3333333 Two, the image of God is restored. 347 00:41:09,68.3333333 --> 00:41:14,558.3333333 In Christ, we affirm that Jesus Christ, the son of God, is the image of God. 348 00:41:15,98.3333333 --> 00:41:18,38.3333333 By his incarnation, he became fully human as the second Adam. 349 00:41:18,758.3333333 --> 00:41:28,718.3333333 Unlike the first Adam, he lived a sinless life and thus qualified to redeem humanity from sin and its alienation from God as the preeminent and perfect image of God. 350 00:41:29,168.3333333 --> 00:41:34,58.3333333 Jesus Christ is the human ideal to which every believer is being transformed by the Holy Spirit. 351 00:41:34,838.3333333 --> 00:41:39,758.3333333 As we partake in God's nature, we are being conformed to Christ's likeness by grace. 352 00:41:40,313.3333333 --> 00:41:51,143.3333333 This Christ likeness is revealed in the renewing of our character practice, desires and aspirations, and at is second coming in the transformation of our bodies into the likeness of Christ's resurrected body. 353 00:41:51,863.3333333 --> 00:41:53,843.3333333 For reference, see Colossians one 15. 354 00:41:54,323.3333333 --> 00:41:57,563.3333333 Hebrews one, one to three, John 1, 1 14. 355 00:41:58,193.3333333 --> 00:42:08,513.3333333 Philippians two, one to 11, Ephesians one 10, Romans five, 12 to 14, one Corinthians 15, 45 to 49, and verse 50 to 54. 356 00:42:08,993.3333333 --> 00:42:14,573.3333333 The church's God's new humanity created by Christ who reconciles believers to God and to each other. 357 00:42:15,533.3333333 --> 00:42:21,743.3333333 This new humanity is being transformed to bear the image of Christ, the one who defines true and full humanity. 358 00:42:22,463.3333333 --> 00:42:25,13.3333333 For reference, see Ephesians two, 14 to 16. 359 00:42:25,583.3333333 --> 00:42:29,363.3333333 Romans eight, nine, Romans 12, one to two. 360 00:42:29,363.3333333 --> 00:42:31,493.3333333 Two Corinthians three 18. 361 00:42:32,813.3333333 --> 00:42:41,153.3333333 As bearers of God's image redeemed, human beings are endowed with gifts and ministries in order to serve the common good of the church and bring glory to God in the world. 362 00:42:41,663.3333333 --> 00:42:49,973.3333333 Every Christian has been granted the privilege of participating in and being an ambassador for the kingdom of God through their various gifts and callings. 363 00:42:50,603.3333333 --> 00:43:02,273.3333333 However, all of these manifestations and practices are to be weighed against the apostolic witness to the gospel and scripture so that no one is deceived by a false gospel or participates in the robbing of God's glory. 364 00:43:02,993.3333333 --> 00:43:23,513.3333333 For reference, see one Corinthians 12, four through seven, Romans 12, four through eight, Ephesians four, 11 to 16, one Corinthians one, four to eight, one Peter four, 10 to 11, Matthew seven, 15 to 16, Galatians one, six to nine, one John two 19, and Jude three to four. 365 00:43:24,458.3333333 --> 00:43:38,528.3333333 We lament any false notions of the new humanity that contradict the Christ-like ideal and grieve for Christian leadership that moves away from Christ-likeness as is evident in prosperity and fame based ministries where some even make claims to possessing divinity. 366 00:43:39,128.3333333 --> 00:43:45,938.3333333 Christ's leadership example challenges such claims and the manipulation of others as a sign of spiritual authority. 367 00:43:46,868.3333333 --> 00:43:52,478.3333333 Life in the kingdom of God is characterized by humility, repentance, and reliance on God's grace. 368 00:43:53,618.3333333 --> 00:43:55,688.3333333 For reference, see Luke 9 23. 369 00:43:56,78.3333333 --> 00:43:59,228.3333333 Philippians two, eight through 11 and three 18 through 19. 370 00:43:59,858.3333333 --> 00:44:03,398.3333333 One Corinthians 15, nine to 10, one John one, eight to 10. 371 00:44:03,878.3333333 --> 00:44:06,488.3333333 We await the resurrection of the body and the consummation of the new creation. 372 00:44:06,788.3333333 --> 00:44:15,38.3333333 When the image and likeness of God and human beings will be fully renewed, then God's people will enjoy fullness of life and communion with God, with each other and with all creation. 373 00:44:15,758.3333333 --> 00:44:19,598.3333333 For reference, see Isaiah 65 17, 6, 6 22. 374 00:44:20,168.3333333 --> 00:44:23,468.3333333 Two Peter three 13, revelation 21. 375 00:44:24,113.3333333 --> 00:44:25,13.3333333 One to four. 376 00:44:26,3.3333333 --> 00:44:28,523.3333333 Three, the image of God and human sexuality. 377 00:44:30,863.3333333 --> 00:44:31,763.3333333 3.1. 378 00:44:32,123.3333333 --> 00:44:34,283.3333333 The Christian understanding of sexual identity. 379 00:44:35,993.3333333 --> 00:44:46,733.3333333 The biblical account of creation recognizes that humans are created as sexual beings with clearly identifiable physical characteristics as male and female, and relational characteristics as man and woman. 380 00:44:47,693.3333333 --> 00:44:59,663.3333333 The sex of an individual refers to the biological characteristics that distinguish male from female, whereas gender refers to the psychological, social, and cultural associations with being male or female. 381 00:45:00,713.3333333 --> 00:45:09,743.3333333 The Bible unambiguously affirms that human beings, both male and female, bear the image of God representing the creator in the care of his created earth. 382 00:45:10,223.3333333 --> 00:45:16,163.3333333 For reference, see Genesis 1, 26 to 28 and 2 22 to 23. 383 00:45:17,633.3333333 --> 00:45:19,523.3333333 We lament any distortion of sexuality. 384 00:45:20,288.3333333 --> 00:45:25,118.3333333 We reject the notion that individuals may determine their gender without regard to our creativeness. 385 00:45:25,628.3333333 --> 00:45:29,798.3333333 Although biological sex and gender may be distinguished, they are inseparable. 386 00:45:30,368.3333333 --> 00:45:36,368.3333333 Maleness and femaleness are an inherent fact of human creativeness, a fact to which cultures give expression. 387 00:45:36,698.3333333 --> 00:45:41,198.3333333 In distinguishing between men and women, we also reject the notion of gender fluidity. 388 00:45:41,558.3333333 --> 00:45:48,878.3333333 The claims are fluctuating gender identity or gender expression, depending on situation and experience throughout history. 389 00:45:48,878.3333333 --> 00:46:01,28.3333333 However, persons whose sex is not observably clear at birth, broadly designated today as intersex individuals have faced significant psychological and social challenges in the scriptures. 390 00:46:01,28.3333333 --> 00:46:13,838.3333333 God expresses his deep concern for eunuch in their experience of alienation and pain, and has prepared a better future for those who put their trust in God, promising them the restoration of their dignity in this same way. 391 00:46:14,183.3333333 --> 00:46:19,763.3333333 The people of God are called to respond with compassion and respect towards those who face similar circumstances. 392 00:46:19,763.3333333 --> 00:46:26,543.3333333 Today, for reference, see Isaiah 56, 4 through five, 3.2, 393 00:46:27,173.3333333 --> 00:46:29,633.3333333 the Christian understanding of marriage and singleness. 394 00:46:31,373.3333333 --> 00:46:38,603.3333333 The first reference to marriage in the Bible indicates that marriage is God ordained and depicts marriage as the exclusive bond of one man and one woman. 395 00:46:39,473.3333333 --> 00:46:43,343.3333333 This results in a new entity that the Bible refers to as one flesh. 396 00:46:43,973.3333333 --> 00:46:56,543.3333333 We affirm therefore, that according to God's design, marriage is a unique and exclusive covenant relationship between one man and one woman who commit themselves to a lifelong physical and emotional union of mutual love and sharing. 397 00:46:57,353.3333333 --> 00:47:02,123.3333333 For reference, see Genesis 2 24, Matthew 19, four through six. 398 00:47:02,723.3333333 --> 00:47:08,783.3333333 Furthermore, the biblical teaching is consistent that covenant marriage is the only legitimate context for sexual intercourse. 399 00:47:09,233.3333333 --> 00:47:15,593.3333333 Sex outside The bounds of marriage is declared to be a sinful violation of the creator's design and intent. 400 00:47:16,283.3333333 --> 00:47:21,923.3333333 We lament all attempts in the church to define same-sex partnerships as biblically valid marriages. 401 00:47:22,553.3333333 --> 00:47:31,433.3333333 We grieve that some Christian denominations and local congregations have acquiesced to the demands of culture and claim to consecrate such relationships as marriages. 402 00:47:31,943.3333333 --> 00:47:39,893.3333333 We affirm that marriage is intended by God to serve human flourishing by providing the necessary context for the nurture of succeeding generations. 403 00:47:40,433.3333333 --> 00:47:49,793.3333333 Faithful marriages allow for strong bonds of family life, appropriately, delimiting freedom, and creating the bounded and nurturing environment that enables children to thrive. 404 00:47:50,423.3333333 --> 00:47:58,373.3333333 The biblical vision of marriage includes the fulfillment of the creator's mandate to procreate, and simultaneously provides companionship and pleasure. 405 00:47:58,373.3333333 --> 00:48:08,333.3333333 For the couple we are saddened that the pursuit of sexual freedom as a perceived personal and social good has downplayed the procreation aspect of marital sex. 406 00:48:08,753.3333333 --> 00:48:13,373.3333333 Which has often led to the devaluing of children and the dramatic increase in abortions globally. 407 00:48:14,333.3333333 --> 00:48:19,373.3333333 For reference, see Genesis 1 28 and Genesis two 18 to 25. 408 00:48:20,303.3333333 --> 00:48:34,253.3333333 Uh, the Christian marriage is modeled on the relationship of Christ and the church, and therefore constitutes a unique means of witness to the outworking of the gospel as the husband and wife fulfill their responsibilities to one another as disciples under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 409 00:48:34,883.3333333 --> 00:48:44,963.3333333 Therefore, Christians who choose to marry must invest the necessary effort to care for their marital relationship and for the upbringing of children who may be born to them or adopted by them. 410 00:48:45,533.3333333 --> 00:48:47,843.3333333 See Ephesians 5 22 to 31. 411 00:48:48,713.3333333 --> 00:48:54,593.3333333 While marriage has been the assumed ideal for adults in all societies and in marriage, husband and wife compliment each other. 412 00:48:55,103.3333333 --> 00:48:58,403.3333333 Marriage is not an essential step to make a person complete. 413 00:48:59,93.3333333 --> 00:49:06,713.3333333 Both married and single persons are fully able to fulfill the creator's will and bear witness to Jesus Christ each individual. 414 00:49:07,88.3333333 --> 00:49:14,48.3333333 Created in the image of God is a complete person with maximum potential within the context of other human relationships. 415 00:49:14,408.3333333 --> 00:49:19,178.3333333 The Lord Jesus, the ideal human, exemplified this truth about the life of singleness. 416 00:49:19,688.3333333 --> 00:49:31,208.3333333 The Apostle Paul positively argued that singleness, where the circumstantial or vocational offered the Christian unique opportunities to serve the cause of the kingdom of God in ways not possible for those who are married. 417 00:49:31,958.3333333 --> 00:49:34,478.3333333 See one Corinthians 7 32 to 35. 418 00:49:35,558.3333333 --> 00:50:03,278.3333333 We call all local churches to support both singles and married couples within the community of Christian believers through teaching, mentoring, and networks of mutual encouragement and practical support such a community witnesses to the power of the gospel by modeling the biblical values of deep friendships, love and faithfulness in marriage, the honoring of parents and the dedicated nurture of children within the context of loyalty to the lordship of Jesus Christ and to the glory of God. 419 00:50:05,348.3333333 --> 00:50:06,218.3333333 3.3. 420 00:50:07,58.3333333 --> 00:50:17,648.3333333 The Christian understanding of same sex, sexual relations, sexual intimacy between persons of the same sex is a phenomenon that is as old as human civilization. 421 00:50:18,98.3333333 --> 00:50:22,898.3333333 And the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments shows its awareness of such practices. 422 00:50:23,828.3333333 --> 00:50:28,238.3333333 On six occasions, we find the explicit mention of same sex sexual behavior in the Bible. 423 00:50:28,928.3333333 --> 00:50:43,808.3333333 Because of the extraordinary importance of the subject for society and the church today, it is vital that Christians become familiar with all the references to same-sex, sexual intimacy in the Bible and their meanings in context for reference to these scriptures. 424 00:50:44,138.3333333 --> 00:50:48,878.3333333 See Genesis 19, one through three, Leviticus 18, 20 and 2013. 425 00:50:49,448.3333333 --> 00:50:55,958.3333333 Romans 1 24 to 27, 1 Corinthians six, nine to 11, and one Timothy one to nine to 11. 426 00:50:56,528.3333333 --> 00:51:02,768.3333333 The Old Testament refers to sex between persons of the same sex in the account of Genesis 19, one through three. 427 00:51:03,203.3333333 --> 00:51:22,583.3333333 Where the life of Abraham and his family intersected with the culture of Sodom, which God had declared to be grievously, wicked soms notoriety had been due to multiple forms of social evils, including the attempted male rape of lots guests by all the townsmen being highlighted in the narrative as evidence of the abysmal moral condition of the city. 428 00:51:23,303.3333333 --> 00:51:35,603.3333333 For reference, see Ezekiel 1649 to 50, Genesis 18, 20 to 21, and 19 1 13, and Jude seven in the apostolic witness of the New Testament. 429 00:51:35,933.3333333 --> 00:51:46,643.3333333 Same sex behavior is referenced in Romans one 18 to 27, 1 Corinthians six, nine to 11, and one Timothy won nine to 11 against the backdrop of Greek and Roman culture. 430 00:51:47,153.3333333 --> 00:51:57,83.3333333 The historical record makes clear that sex between persons of the same sex was a well-known practice during this period having been normalized, especially in the upper strata of society. 431 00:51:57,818.3333333 --> 00:52:12,728.3333333 In this context, it is striking that Paul places sex between persons of the same sex in the same category of sexual sin as fornication and adultery, and within a broader list of sins that included thieving, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling. 432 00:52:14,228.3333333 --> 00:52:24,188.3333333 In first Timothy one, nine to 11, the list that prescribes same sex behavior includes petro side murder, fornication, slave trading, and perjury. 433 00:52:25,178.3333333 --> 00:52:31,448.3333333 All who do such things are called lawbreakers rebels, ungodly, sinful, unholy, and irreligious people. 434 00:52:31,868.3333333 --> 00:52:49,658.3333333 In one Corinthians six, nine, Paul coined a term to describe sex between men from two references in Leviticus 18, 20 and 2013, these texts state that sex between persons of the same sex violates God's standards for the Israelites who have been bound by their covenant to God. 435 00:52:50,438.3333333 --> 00:52:55,958.3333333 When Paul refers to sex between people of the same sex in Romans 1 24 to 27. 436 00:52:56,393.3333333 --> 00:53:06,983.3333333 He does so to express how humanity's rebellion against God has led to the rejection of his created order as indications of humanity's total moral bankruptcy. 437 00:53:07,343.3333333 --> 00:53:14,633.3333333 He cites the widespread practice of idle worship and sexual immorality with regards to sexual impurity. 438 00:53:14,993.3333333 --> 00:53:24,83.3333333 Paul specifically condemns sex between women and sex between men, which were clearly well-known practices in what was considered the sophisticated culture of the time. 439 00:53:24,803.3333333 --> 00:53:39,773.3333333 All the biblical references to sex between persons of the same sex lead us to the inescapable conclusion that God considers such acts as a violation of his intention for sex and a distortion of the creator's good design and therefore sinful. 440 00:53:40,343.3333333 --> 00:53:52,733.3333333 However, the gospel assures us that those who have by ignorance or knowingly given into temptation and sinned, will find forgiveness and restoration of fellowship with God through confession, repentance, and trust in Christ. 441 00:53:53,243.3333333 --> 00:53:54,863.3333333 We recognize that a number of people. 442 00:53:55,253.3333333 --> 00:54:17,813.3333333 Both within and outside the church experience same-sex attraction, and that for some, this is the only or dominant attraction, the biblical insistence that Christians must resist temptation and so maintain sexual holiness in both desire and behavior applies equally to heterosexually attracted individuals as it does to same-sex attracted persons. 443 00:54:18,563.3333333 --> 00:54:23,963.3333333 We acknowledge, however, that Christians who are same-sex attracted face challenges even in Christian communities. 444 00:54:24,443.3333333 --> 00:54:28,493.3333333 We repent of our lack of love towards our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. 445 00:54:29,93.3333333 --> 00:54:42,593.3333333 We urge Christian leaders and local churches to recognize within our communities the presence of believers who experience same-sex attraction and to support them in their discipleship by pastoral care and by developing healthy communities of love and friendship. 446 00:54:45,16.6666667 --> 00:54:51,136.6666667 Section five, discipleship, our Calling to Holiness and Mission Introduction. 447 00:54:52,876.6666667 --> 00:54:56,716.6666667 In his mercy, God has worked through the Losan movement over the past half century. 448 00:54:57,106.6666667 --> 00:55:07,456.6666667 To catalyze evangelism, to unreached peoples and communities around the world, and to inculcate a sense of social concern in the face of injustice, oppression, and discrimination. 449 00:55:08,26.6666667 --> 00:55:12,856.6666667 These dual emphasis have often been held together within the concept of integral mission. 450 00:55:13,366.6666667 --> 00:55:20,206.6666667 But integral mission has not always fully integrated the command of our Lord to be disciples and his commission to make disciples. 451 00:55:20,956.6666667 --> 00:55:21,586.6666667 As a result. 452 00:55:21,586.6666667 --> 00:55:30,526.6666667 Despite our claim to be followers of our crucified Lord, we have often failed to live in keeping with the holy pattern of life he gave to us and to teach others to do the same. 453 00:55:31,66.6666667 --> 00:55:48,886.6666667 The result has been a steady stream of reports of financial mismanagement, of sexual misconduct and abuse, of abuse of power among leaders of efforts to cover up these failures while ignoring the pain of those who have suffered because of them and of spiritual anemia and immaturity in evangelical churches around the world. 454 00:55:49,606.6666667 --> 00:55:50,716.6666667 We grieve these failings. 455 00:55:51,106.6666667 --> 00:55:52,66.6666667 We lament our sin. 456 00:55:52,696.6666667 --> 00:56:05,896.6666667 We humbly repent and confess our profound need for the ongoing grace of the gospel to produce in us the holiness without which no one will see the Lord as described in Hebrews 1214, we therefore commit ourselves to the following affirmations. 457 00:56:07,486.6666667 --> 00:56:11,566.6666667 One, A disciple is a follower of Jesus formed by the gospel. 458 00:56:11,566.6666667 --> 00:56:36,136.6666667 For a life of loving God and loving others, we affirm that to be a disciple is to be formed in the pattern of life that conforms to the good news of Christ's incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension by which God and His love has saved his people from their sins and through the outpouring of the Spirit, by the ascended Christ graciously granted them the power to live under his holy and righteous rule. 459 00:56:36,826.6666667 --> 00:56:44,446.6666667 As a result, mission is properly aimed toward the formation of disciples whose love for God and love for others are united in an undivided heart. 460 00:56:45,436.6666667 --> 00:56:49,726.6666667 This outcome is properly understood as the work of God to write his law in human hearts. 461 00:56:50,251.6666667 --> 00:57:03,121.6666667 A work that enables us to live as God's one holy covenant people made up of all peoples who continue the work of Jesus, the servant of the Lord, to bring life and light to the world as the embodiment of this divine achievement. 462 00:57:03,481.6666667 --> 00:57:07,471.6666667 The local church is both the means and the end of mission pursued in this way. 463 00:57:08,401.6666667 --> 00:57:16,201.6666667 For reference, see, Jeremiah 31, 31 to 34 and Matthew 22, 36 to 42. 464 00:57:16,561.6666667 --> 00:57:20,911.6666667 Our Lord Jesus commands us to be disciples and commissions us to make disciples. 465 00:57:22,741.6666667 --> 00:57:34,321.6666667 We affirm that the mission of God's people is to fulfill the commission that the Lord Jesus gave to his disciples to make disciples through the announcement of what God has achieved in sending his son into a rebellious and broken world. 466 00:57:34,861.6666667 --> 00:57:49,351.6666667 Those charged with the task of announcing God's good news to all peoples must themselves live as disciples and understand that the proper aim of our mission is the transformation of those who hear and believe the good news to live as disciples who obey all that the Lord taught. 467 00:57:49,906.6666667 --> 00:58:00,496.6666667 Through this transformation of individuals, God achieves his mission to restore humanity through the gospel into the image of Christ, and with it to renew and restore all creation. 468 00:58:00,976.6666667 --> 00:58:12,886.6666667 The fulfillment of God's purpose to renew humanity is the local church, the manifestation of the heavenly gathering of God's people, of every time and place from every nation and people. 469 00:58:13,666.6666667 --> 00:58:19,756.6666667 As such, the formative power of the gospel has both individuals and the local church as its object. 470 00:58:20,296.6666667 --> 00:58:31,666.6666667 The formation of mature disciples is inextricably bound up with the growth and maturity of churches into the fullness of Christ's likeness through the spirit empowered ministry of its individual members. 471 00:58:32,866.6666667 --> 00:58:41,266.6666667 For reference, see Matthew 22, 37 to 40, and Matthew 28, 18 to 20, and Ephesians four, 11 to 14. 472 00:58:42,166.6666667 --> 00:58:42,496.6666667 Three. 473 00:58:42,916.6666667 --> 00:58:48,526.6666667 We cannot make disciples without announcing the good news and cannot be disciples without a deep engagement with a broken world. 474 00:58:50,236.6666667 --> 00:59:03,166.6666667 We affirm that those formed as disciples, both individually and corporately, will invariably find themselves deeply engaged with a world broken by injustice and sin in their families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and societies. 475 00:59:03,916.6666667 --> 00:59:10,276.6666667 Our task and mission, therefore, is not simply one of announcing a message in order to secure professions of Christian faith. 476 00:59:10,966.6666667 --> 00:59:38,506.6666667 Rather, our evangelistic task is to announce the message of a crucified messiah as we live lives that accord with that message, with the aim of seeing others formed in the same pattern of life, the pursuit of righteousness in our personal lives, our homes, our churches, and in the societies in which we live can no more be separated from the announcement of the gospel than being a disciple can be separated from making disciples four as disciples. 477 00:59:38,506.6666667 --> 00:59:43,876.6666667 We experience transformation as both an initial and ongoing experience of the gospel, grace. 478 00:59:45,691.6666667 --> 00:59:49,261.6666667 We affirm that a disciple is a person whose life has been transformed by the gospel. 479 00:59:49,741.6666667 --> 00:59:53,791.6666667 This transformation begins when we repent of our sin and believe the good news. 480 00:59:54,361.6666667 --> 01:00:02,971.6666667 However, like seed planted in good soil, the good news does not bring the fullness of transformation or bear the fruit of transformation all at once. 481 01:00:03,421.6666667 --> 01:00:13,591.6666667 Rather, this transformation takes place gradually over the course of a lifetime in which the increase of holiness and love demonstrates the reality of the gospel's transforming power. 482 01:00:14,551.6666667 --> 01:00:26,611.6666667 Both the initial experience of transformation and its ongoing realization of the work of God's spirit by grace through faith to unite believers to the life of Christ and to one another within the body of Christ. 483 01:00:27,901.6666667 --> 01:00:28,291.6666667 Five. 484 01:00:28,831.6666667 --> 01:00:38,341.6666667 Local churches play a vital role in our formation as disciples by ministering the means of grace in the gospel and experiencing its transforming power in their corporate life. 485 01:00:40,186.6666667 --> 01:01:01,216.6666667 We affirm that a local church grows and matures as it seeks to ensure that its corporate life reflects the pattern of life that conforms to the message of Christ crucified churches do so through the proclamation of the gospel, through regular rehearsing of the gospel in baptism and the Lord's table, and by gratefully responding to the gospel in prayer and praise within the church. 486 01:01:01,246.6666667 --> 01:01:13,96.6666667 Individual believers learn to conduct themselves as citizens of heaven, who live lives worthy of that citizenship by mediating the grace conveyed to them by the spirit to their fellow believers within the church. 487 01:01:13,426.6666667 --> 01:01:18,676.6666667 Individual marriages are conformed to the loving union between Christ and his people within the church. 488 01:01:19,6.6666667 --> 01:01:23,746.6666667 Individual families are strengthened in the way of the Lord by life within the household of faith. 489 01:01:24,376.6666667 --> 01:01:37,756.6666667 In this way, both the church and its members are built up in the most holy faith, conformed to the image of Christ by the spirit, and encouraged to live lives of holiness, faith, and the purifying hope of our Lord's return. 490 01:01:38,566.6666667 --> 01:01:51,946.6666667 Prepared by the ministry of the Gospel within the church, and prompted by the compassionate example of Christ, we learned to see the whole of life as worship, to seek the good of those outside the church and to work for the restoration of wholeness to the world. 491 01:01:51,946.6666667 --> 01:01:56,26.6666667 In all we do, for reference, see Ephesians two 19. 492 01:01:56,476.6666667 --> 01:01:58,606.6666667 Philippians 3 21. 493 01:01:58,606.6666667 --> 01:01:59,716.6666667 Thessalonians two 12. 494 01:02:00,316.6666667 --> 01:02:05,146.6666667 Jude 21, John, 3, 3, 6. 495 01:02:05,446.6666667 --> 01:02:20,116.6666667 Local churches also play a vital role in providing accountability and modeling healthy patterns of leadership and governance for ministry leaders, missionaries and ministry partners, we call ministry leaders and missionaries to remain in vital fellowship with and accountability to local churches. 496 01:02:21,106.6666667 --> 01:02:34,996.6666667 While this is true of all disciples, those called to forms of ministry outside of their local churches must remain vitally connected to the life of Christ within the church and reflect the ongoing work of God's spirit within a local church. 497 01:02:35,551.6666667 --> 01:02:44,71.6666667 In his providence, the Lord has raised up ministries and mission partnerships to collaborate with the local church to sharpen and equip his people to be and make disciples. 498 01:02:44,911.6666667 --> 01:02:55,861.6666667 We affirm the importance of these ministries, but also the importance of maintaining a clear focus on and connection to the local church as the embodiment of the new humanity that God is forming in Christ. 499 01:02:56,371.6666667 --> 01:03:06,631.6666667 Such ministries honor Christ when they draw on the instruction given to local churches in scripture for their patterns and principles of accountability, transparency, and oversight. 500 01:03:07,291.6666667 --> 01:03:16,861.6666667 In doing so, they will adopt structures of plural, leadership and governance that preserve the location of spiritual authority in the gospel rather than any single individual.

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Section six, the Family of Nations, the Peoples In Conflicts we see and serve for peace.
Introduction.
The people of Christ must be known as a people of peace because the gospel we proclaim brings peace between God and individuals, between individuals and between peoples.

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God's.
Purpose is to see diverse peoples flourish as they share their gifts and the Earth's resources in just and generous ways.
We thank God for many examples of Christian communities and individuals who have embodied the Bible's consistent call to be at peace and to make peace in a world ridden with conflict.
We honor them as those who champion the peace of Christ, even at the risk to their own reputations and lives.

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And yet the church has not always honored the peace of Christ as a defining quality of its existence in the world.
There are historical examples of the church's involvement, whether explicit or tacit in activities and enterprises that espouse violence and promote war.
These amount to the scandalizing of the gospel.
It proclaims.

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What does Christ desire from his church? A people made up of all peoples called to declare and display Christ in a world torn by conflict.
One, we affirm God's purpose in Christ to reconcile all peoples through the gospel in a world full of conflict.
The Anne movement has played a key role in encouraging mission to unreached peoples in recognition of the need for individuals of every culturally distinct people to hear the good news of Gods saving rule overall peoples, and hence overall people.

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We pray for the day when states, nations in the modern sense that actively seek to prevent those they govern from hearing the good news and that persecute those who hear and believe will cease doing so.
We pray this not only for the sake of the individuals, but of the peoples of which they are apart.
Central to God's purposes through the gospel is the reconciliation of all peoples in Christ, in a relationship marked by mutual blessing.

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We affirm that this purpose of God can only be achieved as the hearts of individuals are transformed and filled with love.
For those whose cultural identity differs from their own, we rejoice together over the many situations in the world where severe conflict has waned and strange communities have received the opportunity for reconciliation and restoration of harmony.

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Some examples are the conflict in Northern Ireland, apartheid in South Africa, the Rwandan genocide, and the Sri Lankan Civil War among other conflicts around the world.
We celebrate that in some of these settings.
God used churches, Christian organizations, and individual Christians to champion the cause of peace, whether as frontline peacemakers between conflicting parties or through negotiation influence and intercession.

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In the background of the conflict, we are deeply saddened to note that several new armed conflicts and wars, interethnic, inter religious and international, have erupted in every region of the world.
From over 100 current armed conflict in the world, the regions of the Middle East and Africa have seen the highest concentration.

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At this point in time, the Russia, Ukraine War and the war in Gaza have received the most media attention, yet severe conflicts such as those in Syria, Myanmar, Sudan, and Ethiopia are hardly mentioned.
We also acknowledge the forgotten wars around the world, especially the one on the Korean peninsula.
Though they remain outta public view, they are seen by God.

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We grieve the tragic loss of life, these wars exact, and the massive destruction to societies which deny future generations their opportunity to flourish.
Two, we repent of our failures to condemn and restrain violence by remaining silent, by promoting nationalism or by unjustly supporting conflicts through deficient theological justification.

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We condemn those who use their influence in world affairs to promote avoidable conflicts and wars merely to further their economic and political interests.
We are saddened by the immense suffering their actions have caused.
We believe that they will be held accountable before God on the day of judgment.
We call all Christians to serve the vulnerable in context of war by pooling our resources and supporting the relief efforts of churches and humanitarian organizations that are situated near conflict zones.

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We also commit to serve as peacemakers by supporting negotiations aimed at ending conflicts, and by calling for justice and reparation for the innocent victims of violence.
Christians at various times in history have not only promoted violence and war, but also remained silent in the face of such atrocities, rather than speaking with prophetic integrity and courage.

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This is captured in the Cape Town commitment.
We acknowledge with grief and shame the complicity of Christians in some of the most destructive context of ethnic violence and oppression, and the lamentable silence of large parts of the church when such conflicts take place.
Such contexts include the history and legacy of racism and black slavery, the Holocaust against Jews, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, inter Christian sectarian violence, decimation of indigenous populations, political and ethnic violence, Palestinian suffering, cast oppression, and tribal genocide.

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We echo the Cape Town commitment in calling for repentance.
For the many times, Christians have been complicit in such evils by silence, apathy, or presumed neutrality, or by providing defective theological justification.
For these.
Much of this defective theological justification arises from a failure to distinguish between the nations of scripture.

(01:09:04):
And modern nation states, and from a failure to think biblically about nationality in scripture, nations were culturally distinct peoples whose identities were shaped by historical attachment to loosely defined territory.
The worship of a God or Gods whose rule over a people was exercised through a king By contrast, nation states or nations in the modern sense are governments that administer internationally recognized political sovereignty by means of constitutionally ordered institutions and laws over territories with clearly demarcated borders, and the individuals and peoples who live within them.

(01:09:41):
Most modern nation states govern multiple peoples, that is groups within their borders who do not derive their collective identity from nationality alone, but from ethnicity, race, country of origin, and the many other forms of collective identity that enrich the modern world in terms of identity.
These culturally distinct groups are often closer to the peoples that formed the nations of scripture than to modern states.

(01:10:07):
We affirm that every modern state is accountable to the divine demand for the just and merciful treatment of both the individuals and peoples over whom it exercises sovereignty, as well as those of its neighbors.
It is critically important that Christians think clearly about biblical peoples when they're associated by name, history, geography, or ancestry with modern nation states, for example, Israel, Egypt, Syria, and the peoples who live under the political sovereignty of these states, Jews, Palestinians, Arabs, co copped, Drews, Armenians, Kurds, and many more.

(01:10:41):
God is fulfilling his promises to all these peoples, both Jews and Gentiles, through the good news of Jesus, the Messiah.
In the Middle East and elsewhere, Christian leaders must work to correct theological errors that provide ideological justification for unjust violence against innocent civilians or seek to legitimize violations of international humanitarian law.

(01:11:01):
We lament that some Christians have looked to the state rather than the gospel as the key means for bringing about God's intentions for the world.
This takes an especially regrettable form when wed to nationalism here, defined as the belief that every state should have a single national culture and no other, or ethnonationalism, which is the belief that every ethnic group should have its own state.

(01:11:24):
This is a great evil in our world.
We lament that many Christians have been sadly complicit in it, as well as in the claims of ethnic and racial supremacy.
It fosters against this.
We assert that no modern state is able to claim or will ever be able to claim to be the special agent of God's saving Rule three.
We commit to pray and serve peoples in conflict in the world so that the gospel of Jesus Christ might bring true peace to all peoples.

(01:11:52):
As we gather for this historic Congress in ancient South Korea, we commit to pray for the peace and light of Christ to reign over the Korean peninsula and its people who are forcibly divided into the politically separated countries of North Korea and South Korea.
This wrongful separation and the death and trauma of millions of civilians is known as the forgotten war.

(01:12:15):
Despite the ceasefire of 1953, the conflict remains unresolved and instability continues to this day in a vicious cycle of rapprochement, followed by escalating tensions.
Nonetheless, we continue to pray that one day Korea and the Korean people will be one.
We remember the great Pyongyang Revival of 1907.

(01:12:36):
That took place among Koreans in the north and call for an end to the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters by the government of North Korea.
We call the global church to pray that God may open a door for the restoration of long separated families, communities, and churches, and for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be boldly proclaimed and displayed without hindrance or fear in North Korea once more so that the whole peninsula might know the Lord.

(01:13:02):
We call all Christians everywhere to intercede on behalf of those who face the horrors of war and conflict, to pray for the persecuted church and to labor for peace among the peoples and nations of the world as Christ peacemakers we must build Christian communities that exemplify the peace of Christ and promote a culture of peace as a crucial outworking of our faith in and proclamation of the gospel.

(01:13:25):
.3333333In this way, we declare and display Christ together in a world deeply wounded by conflicts, section seven of the Soul Statement. 567 01:13:37,248.3333333 --> 01:13:40,308.3333333 Technology, the accelerating innovation we discern and steward. 568 01:13:40,758.3333333 --> 01:13:44,718.3333333 Introduction technology has always been with us. 569 01:13:45,198.3333333 --> 01:13:49,128.3333333 However, the speed at which all technologies are advancing today is unprecedented. 570 01:13:49,698.3333333 --> 01:13:58,878.3333333 As always, such rapid changes to human potential and human behavior raise moral and ethical concerns in terms of their impact on society and on the planet. 571 01:13:59,568.3333333 --> 01:14:09,438.3333333 Several modern innovations lend themselves to the merging of humans with technology or the creation of immersive environments in which humans may become subjected to technology's domination. 572 01:14:10,278.3333333 --> 01:14:21,768.3333333 These potentialities arise from areas such as genetic engineering, cloning, biotechnology, mind uploading digital media, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. 573 01:14:22,308.3333333 --> 01:14:27,708.3333333 The Christian worldview informs our responses to and stewardship of these technological advancements. 574 01:14:28,338.3333333 --> 01:14:34,98.3333333 Biblical wisdom is vital to enable the church to be discerning and definitive about the moral. 575 01:14:34,443.3333333 --> 01:14:46,113.3333333 And ethical implications of emerging technologies, even as it embraces and stewards the fruit of God, given human creativity and innovation, including in ways that accelerate evangelism and discipleship. 576 01:14:47,733.3333333 --> 01:14:53,523.3333333 One technological ability reflects the creativity of human beings created in God's image. 577 01:14:55,203.3333333 --> 01:15:08,73.3333333 Technology refers not only to the tools that help enhance human ability and productivity, but also to the knowledge and processes of invention and innovation, and even to cultures shaped by technological development and usage. 578 01:15:08,583.3333333 --> 01:15:16,143.3333333 We affirm that technological innovation is an expression of the image of God, because human creativity reflects the creativity of God. 579 01:15:16,743.3333333 --> 01:15:19,473.3333333 God created human beings to be technological. 580 01:15:19,833.3333333 --> 01:15:25,593.3333333 That is to reshape the world so as to promote human flourishing and to care for his creation. 581 01:15:26,373.3333333 --> 01:15:30,478.3333333 As a reflection of God's image, technology is integral to the work and vocations. 582 01:15:31,443.3333333 --> 01:15:34,203.3333333 The creator has called all human beings to engage in. 583 01:15:35,13.3333333 --> 01:15:49,983.3333333 In this sense, technological activity is not only about solving particular problems or overcoming human limitations, but more importantly about obeying God's mandate to care for others and the world, and to glorify the creator by our creative abilities. 584 01:15:51,303.3333333 --> 01:15:55,533.3333333 Second sin adversely influences the use and development of technology. 585 01:15:57,273.3333333 --> 01:16:05,913.3333333 We affirm that sin influences all aspects of human activity, and so the influence of sin, Mars, not just the use of technology, but in some cases the innovation itself. 586 01:16:06,453.3333333 --> 01:16:14,793.3333333 We therefore acknowledge that the development and use of technology may hinder human flourishing and care of the natural world in ways that are not immediately obvious. 587 01:16:15,513.3333333 --> 01:16:30,243.3333333 For this reason, technological innovation often gives rise to deep and unsettling anxieties to misplace dependence and focus to harmful manipulation of human fears, to a false sense of security, or to dehumanizing manifestations. 588 01:16:30,693.3333333 --> 01:16:37,983.3333333 Because of sins influence, technology often becomes idolatrous by worship of the created thing rather than the creator. 589 01:16:38,493.3333333 --> 01:16:40,713.3333333 For reference, see Romans 1 25. 590 01:16:41,493.3333333 --> 01:16:46,803.3333333 Many recent innovations have made technology much more manifest in our lives, in society and in the church. 591 01:16:47,343.3333333 --> 01:16:56,433.3333333 Because technology has the capacity to become our immersive environment, it easily distracts us from the fact that we live and move and have our being in God. 592 01:16:57,3.3333333 --> 01:17:09,63.3333333 The development and application of all technologies are motivated and shaped by values, many of which run counter to the biblical admonition to actively focus on what is true, noble and praiseworthy. 593 01:17:09,783.3333333 --> 01:17:18,993.3333333 For reference, see Acts 17, 28, Philippians 4, 8, 3 Christians are called to prophetically critique and engage technology. 594 01:17:20,703.3333333 --> 01:17:24,783.3333333 We acknowledge that media technologies have increased the ease with which people may be deceived. 595 01:17:25,323.3333333 --> 01:17:27,813.3333333 We lament the fact that in their use of these technologies. 596 01:17:28,218.3333333 --> 01:17:37,278.3333333 Christians have not always renounced secrets and shameful ways, or resisted the temptation to deceive their audience or to distort the message of the gospel for personal gain. 597 01:17:38,88.3333333 --> 01:17:44,208.3333333 Instead, Christians must place people first and truthfully share their stories witnessing to the power of the gospel in their lives. 598 01:17:44,658.3333333 --> 01:17:52,128.3333333 It is essential that such use of media and communication technologies be underpinned by the truthfulness found in the very gospel being shared. 599 01:17:52,968.3333333 --> 01:17:54,768.3333333 See, second Corinthians four, two. 600 01:17:55,758.3333333 --> 01:18:08,478.3333333 We recognize that many Christians, especially the young, are addicted to social and digital media and are in effect being discipled by them because of the disproportionate amount of time spent using such technologies. 601 01:18:08,988.3333333 --> 01:18:19,518.3333333 We also acknowledge that while digital technologies have often been adapted for church growth and evangelistic purposes, efforts to do the same for discipleship have lagged behind. 602 01:18:20,148.3333333 --> 01:18:26,208.3333333 We therefore call all churches and leaders to engage technologies of the digital age for disciple making. 603 01:18:26,718.3333333 --> 01:18:39,468.3333333 We call for faithful presence in digital spaces, faithful contextualization through connected devices, faithful teaching of digital literacy and faithful practice of hospitality for forming healthy usage habits. 604 01:18:40,698.3333333 --> 01:18:48,948.3333333 Fourth, Christians must discern technologies that are motivated by the idea that neither nature nor human nature should be allowed to limit human freedom. 605 01:18:50,778.3333333 --> 01:19:05,328.3333333 We call Christians to discern carefully genetic technologies, which are based on increasing human power to reshape the very building blocks of the physical human person and life, and which give rise to very real questions about their ethical use and long-term implications. 606 01:19:06,18.3333333 --> 01:19:13,338.3333333 The potential of genetic therapies to address complex medical conditions is immense, but with this technological application comes significant questions. 607 01:19:13,908.3333333 --> 01:19:20,238.3333333 Are we reduced to being the product of our genes? What are the implications of inheritable genetic modifications? I. 608 01:19:20,778.3333333 --> 01:19:38,658.3333333 How much of our humanity is linked to genetic combinations, and what are the implications if we reshape ourselves away from that? These raise additional ethical questions about how surrender to the sovereignty of God and about access to such technologies and their potential to exacerbate existing forms of discrimination. 609 01:19:39,648.3333333 --> 01:19:46,848.3333333 We also call Christians to discern artificial intelligence technologies, which confront us indifferent but not less significant ways. 610 01:19:47,418.3333333 --> 01:19:54,978.3333333 The development of digital systems that appear to reason, behave and act in ways that we would consider distinctly human raises. 611 01:19:54,978.3333333 --> 01:19:59,208.3333333 Questions regarding the uniqueness of human creativity and rationality. 612 01:19:59,748.3333333 --> 01:20:02,58.3333333 Artificial intelligence raises other questions. 613 01:20:02,628.3333333 --> 01:20:31,353.3333333 Will it become an existential threat to humanity and the wider world? What will its effects be in the workplace and for human work? And how will governments and other actors use it in surveillance and security contexts? As innovation in artificial intelligence accelerates, we call for Christians, especially those who work in this industry, to engage both in the development and use of this technology that honors the creator and human creativeness by promoting safe, equitable, and dignifying applications. 614 01:20:33,573.3333333 --> 01:20:36,903.3333333 Five Christians are called to faithfully steward technology. 615 01:20:38,613.3333333 --> 01:20:46,803.3333333 We call all Christians to pursue technological innovation and use with love, justice, and faithfulness, both before God and toward others. 616 01:20:47,343.3333333 --> 01:20:55,263.3333333 We recognize that technology shapes the environments in which humans live, play, relate, and work, as well as how Christians fellowship with one another. 617 01:20:55,533.3333333 --> 01:21:01,863.3333333 Pray, read scripture, grow in faith and character, worship God and share the gospel. 618 01:21:02,883.3333333 --> 01:21:08,943.3333333 Therefore, Christian development and use of technology must seek the welfare of our neighbors and enemies. 619 01:21:09,393.3333333 --> 01:21:11,283.3333333 Promote human flourishing and dignity. 620 01:21:11,853.3333333 --> 01:21:17,133.3333333 Having fixed our eyes more fully on the future that awaits us in the new heavens and the new Earth. 621 01:21:18,603.3333333 --> 01:21:23,463.3333333 For reference C Micah six eight, Luke 10 25 to 37. 622 01:21:23,883.3333333 --> 01:21:31,293.3333333 Genesis nine, six, James three nine, Genesis 1 31, and Revelation 21, 1 to eight. 623 01:21:32,583.3333333 --> 01:21:42,183.3333333 As digital technology is negotiated and adapted within church communities today, we see existing church life practices shaped by it, along with new church practices emerging from it. 624 01:21:42,813.3333333 --> 01:21:51,783.3333333 Recognizing that digital technology is not monolithic, the church must use its discernment to judge when, how, and where different technologies should be adopted. 625 01:21:52,83.3333333 --> 01:21:57,123.3333333 With the focus always on how the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and honored in their use. 626 01:21:57,633.3333333 --> 01:22:09,363.3333333 We therefore call Christians and churches to explore and adapt digital technologies for the worship of God, the bridging of divides, the shaping of Christ honoring culture and the work of Christian discipleship. 627 01:22:10,38.3333333 --> 01:22:18,618.3333333 Finally, we applaud the church's evangelistic drive that has led to increasing technological adaptation and unprecedented opportunities for sharing the gospel. 628 01:22:19,398.3333333 --> 01:22:32,868.3333333 We delight that technology has extended the reach of the gospel into many regions of the world that have previously been inaccessible, hastened the work of Bible translation and facilitated the movement and ministry of God's people around the world. 629 01:22:33,498.3333333 --> 01:22:43,98.3333333 We pray that gospel motivated, faithful stewardship of technology will help a new generation to follow and bear witness to Christ in our increasingly technological world. 630 01:22:44,88.3333333 --> 01:22:52,8.3333333 Its conclusion of the soul statement, we gather an inch on South Korea for the fourth Lausanne Congress with a high and holy purpose. 631 01:22:52,518.3333333 --> 01:22:57,618.3333333 The mission entrusted to us by Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord of all in the gospel. 632 01:22:57,888.3333333 --> 01:23:07,278.3333333 God is calling all people everywhere to turn from their sins and receive his gift of new life through the forgiveness of sins, through the gospel, God is building his church. 633 01:23:07,668.3333333 --> 01:23:14,988.3333333 Accomplishing his purpose to form one holy people made up of all peoples reconcile to himself and to one another. 634 01:23:15,228.3333333 --> 01:23:23,898.3333333 In Christ by the gospel, we become disciples of the Lord Jesus and delight in the freedom of living under his saving rule by the gospel. 635 01:23:23,898.3333333 --> 01:23:27,288.3333333 We make disciples and teach them to obey Christ Commandments. 636 01:23:27,618.3333333 --> 01:23:38,88.3333333 This is our calling and cause in our pursuit of it, we gladly return to God what he has entrusted to us, our gifts, our resources, our energy, our lives. 637 01:23:38,688.3333333 --> 01:23:43,38.3333333 We humbly profess that any fruit from our labor will be an achievement of his grace. 638 01:23:43,518.3333333 --> 01:23:50,508.3333333 We listen to our Lord speaking to us through the scriptures and calling us to follow him in the way of the cross by the power of the Spirit. 639 01:23:51,228.3333333 --> 01:24:01,158.3333333 We hear him call us to live our lives within the story that culminates in the good news of Christ's death and resurrection and to give our lives so that all may know he is Lord of all. 640 01:24:02,13.3333333 --> 01:24:04,533.3333333 To that end, we hear him call us to be faithful. 641 01:24:04,863.3333333 --> 01:24:07,293.3333333 Interpreters of his authoritative word. 642 01:24:07,833.3333333 --> 01:24:17,103.3333333 We hear him call us to a renewed commitment to the local church as the only visible manifestation of the church of Christ, the people of peoples formed through faith in Christ. 643 01:24:17,103.3333333 --> 01:24:32,943.3333333 From every place and time we hear him call us to faithfulness in the face of challenges new and old, to the faith of the apostles passed down to us from one generation to the next by men and women whose lives bore witness to its truth to follow Christ, we follow them. 644 01:24:33,483.3333333 --> 01:24:39,573.3333333 We return to our places of service in every corner of the world with a renewed commitment to love as he has loved us. 645 01:24:40,23.3333333 --> 01:25:00,363.3333333 To lay aside selfish ambition, to work in gospel partnership and to grow daily in prayerful dependence on his spirit and the knowledge of his will, his ways and his word, so that we may declare with one voice, the excellencies of the one who alone is the hope and light of the world, so that we may display with one heart the holiness and love. 646 01:25:00,813.3333333 --> 01:25:06,693.3333333 Of the one who gave himself the sinners so that we, the church, may declare and display Christ together. 647 01:25:07,443.3333333 --> 01:25:07,893.3333333 Help us. 648 01:25:07,893.3333333 --> 01:25:12,633.3333333 So God, we pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 649 01:25:14,13.3333333 --> 01:25:24,963.3333333 If you have enjoyed this reading of the Soul Statement and would like to engage further with our resources, then we invite you to visit our [e-mail].