The Church as the New Covenant Community

Abstract

This project explores the new covenant community, identified by ἐκκλησία, and translated as church. Chapter 1 introduces the new covenant community which consist of all new covenant recipients. Chapter 2 surveys biblical covenants which provide the basis for the physical rule of Christ on earth. Chapter 3 explains the sacrifice of Christ and Spirit baptism as the foundations of the new covenant and its community. Chapter 4 relates new covenant foundations to congregational ordinances; the Lord’s Supper symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice and water baptism symbolizes Spirit baptism. Chapter 5 studies the participatory government authority inherent in ἐκκλησία. Chapter 6 develops new covenant community authority in the kingdom, both now and the future. Chapter 7 interacts with dispensational thought, while chapter 8 discusses covenant theology. Chapter 9 provides concluding comments concerning those who were not Spirit-baptized during their lifetimes.