The Church: A Blueprint for Followers Of Jesus
What does it mean for a church to be pure? It’s more than just a catchy phrase. The church, the body of Christ, is called to a high standard. It’s a community of believers striving for holiness, reflecting the image of Jesus in the world. In his book,Sojourners and Strangers, Dr. Gregg Allison outlines seven essential characteristics of a pure church. Let’s explore these characteristics and see how they apply to the local church.
What is a Pure Church?
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s establish a foundation. The church is made up of people who have turned from their sin and placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are united into one body, empowered to display God’s glory in the world. A pure church seeks to live out this calling, striving for holiness and unity.
Seven Marks of a Pure Church
Seven key characteristics of a pure church:
- Doxological: A church oriented towards the glory of God, grounded in Scripture.
- Pneumadynamic: A church created, gathered, gifted, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- Covenantal: A community bound together in covenant with God and each other.
- Confessional: A body united by a common confession of faith in Christ and the historic Christian faith.
- Missional: A church focused on proclaiming the gospel and advancing God’s kingdom.
- Spatio-Temporal/Eschatological: A church grounded in the present, yet living in light of Christ’s return.