manifesto on christian community

There are a host of “one-another” scriptures dealing with what might be described as the building blocks of authentic Christian community life: The Gospels distinguish between the Kingdom of God and earthly kingdoms, between a life nourished within a Christian community and a life lived apart from caring, faithful friends. There are significant differences in these two realities: differences in leadership style (John 13:12-17); differences in interpersonal relationships (John 13:34-35); differences in unity (John 17:11-23); differences in the expectations of discipleship (Luke 14:26-33); differences in finding life through personal sacrifice, even death (John 6:53-57). As the years passed, and the early church spread through Asia Minor and further west, there was some falling away from the revolutionary intensity of the life-principles taught originally by Jesus. This helps us understand why the New Testament Epistles are concerned with reinforcing the qualities of Kingdom-living affirmed by Jesus. Much of the New Testament is a kind of manifesto on Christian community, addressing relational concerns among faithful members of the Body of Christ – the church. Here is the briefest of outlines:Devoted to One-another (show visible love): The basis of all the authentic relationships is being devoted to one another in love. And, since this love is to be a mark of the Christian, it must be visible to those outside the community. It must be demonstrable.

“…Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all…will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)“…over all ... virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Col. 3:14 NIV)“…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Heb. 10:24)

Accepting One-another (be open): Accepting one another involves: greeting, being open and honest, and not judging, envying, showing favoritism or being selfishly ambitious, and it involves faith or trust.

“I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” (John 13:20 NIV)

“Accept one another...just as Christ accepted you,...to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7 NIV)

Serving One-another (give more than you take): Serving one another involves: honoring, avoiding any wrong or offense, acting in the other’s best interest, doing good, helping, sharing, bearing burdens, being kind. Our gifts are used best in serving one another.

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be...the servant of all.” (Mark 9:34-37 NIV)“Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10 NIV)“...serve one another in love.” (Gal. 5:13 NIV)“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph. 4:1-2 NIV)

Encouraging One-another (reassure and refresh): The word used in the New Testament, “parakleo,” means coming alongside to help, encourage, comfort, and exhort.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15 NIV)“See to it,... that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart... But encourage one another daily,... so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Heb.3:12,13 NIV)

Being Accountable to One-another (live with integrity): Being accountable to one another includes submission, confronting and disciplining in love. This also includes the calling out of giftedness, and being accountable for using wisely both gifts and other resources.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives... Husbands ... Children ... Fathers ... Slaves ... masters.” (Eph. 5:21-6:9 NIV)“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 NIV)

Forgiving One-another (experience joy): C.S. Lewis reminds us that: “to be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

“’Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors...’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt. 6:12-15 NIV)“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32 NIV)

Agreeing with One-another (embrace unity): Agreeing with one another includes seeking peace, harmony, and unity.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3 NIV)“Live in peace with each other.” (1Th. 5:13 NIV)

The seven keys to the life of a Christian community are adapted from Norman Lea’s unpublished paper, “Christian Community” (1992), as drawn in part from the 4th chapter of John Stott’s One People: Laymen and Clergy in God’s Church. Inter-Varsity Press (1968).

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