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“[Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything” (Colossians1:15-18).
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                                         Distinctly Eternal

The distinct church of the New Testament did not originate from civic, religious and historic precedent according to the traditions of mankind. As clearly indicated in the Bible, the New Testament church was originated from eternity by creation of God (Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 4:3).

God created the eternal New Testament church with the capacity to accommodate His life (zoe) on earth. By His indwelling life (zoe), He graciously provides animation for its life and practice.

The Bible clarifies that the New Testament church was graciously created with perfect function and form. In support of its predetermined function, its form was established before the foundation of the world. It was designed to follow and facilitate its function.

The original function of the New Testament church was to facilitate intimate, shared life fellowship between God and man. It serves to vindicate the nature of God from angelic challenge and repopulate His kingdom with willing citizens. 
In support of its eternal function, the New Testament church was created in the form of an eternal spiritual body. It accommodates shared life fellowship between spiritual God and redeemed, spiritual man. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). 
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Eternal in nature, the New Testament church is characterized by eternal attributes: 
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Eternal Church
Eternal
​Origin:
  • Originated by God in eternity before the foundation of the world.  
Eternal
Description:
  • “Desired” (Ephesus).
  • Ecclesia or “assembly”.
  • Organic church. 
  • Bride of Christ.
  • Body of Christ. 
  • Pillar and Support of the Truth.
  • Holy Priesthood.
  • Chosen Race.
  • Holy temple of the Lord.
  • Dwelling of God in the Spirit.
  • Eternal church.   
Eternal 
Basis:
  • Eternal Covenant.
        Benefit:
  1. Justification from sin and regeneration of life provided legal suitability and organic compatibility with God.
  2. Spiritual birth furnished new life; life shared with the mediator of the covenant, Jesus Christ.
Eternal
Function:
  • To facilitate shared life fellowship with God.
        As a consequence: 
  1. The vindication of the nature of God to the angelic host.
  2. The repopulation of the kingdom of God. 
Eternal
Form:
  • Designed to follow and facilitate its function:
  1. Spiritual body. ​​
Eternal
Calling: 

  • Before the foundation of the world:
  1. Called out from the condemnation and wrath of God.
  2. Called to enjoy the gracious blessings of God together in intimate, shared life community.  
Eternal Citizenship:
  • Heavenly.  ​
Eternal 
Purpose:
  • For the enjoyment of God and to enjoy God through the practice of intimate fellowship. ​​
Eternal
​Design:
  • Simple.
  • Organic.  ​​
Eternal 
Animation: 
  • ​Established on earth to live and move in faithful cooperation with the indwelling life (zoe) of God.  
Eternal
Governance:
  • Theocratic. 
  • Divine headship.
  • By intimate rule of indwelling, eternal life (zoe); characterized by lavish, unmerited favor.​​
Eternal
Mission: 
  • The cultivation and protection of eternal, shared life fellowship with God.
        As a consequence:
  1. The revelation and sharing of divine life (zoe) on earth through gracious overflow.
  2. Serves as a divinely animated witness of God by grace through faith alone (Acts 1:8).
Eternal
Doctrine:
  • ​Divine in origin.
  • Objective.
  • Absolute. 
  • Purity protected and preserved by God in accordance with collective submission to divine headship, fullness of Spirit, the mutual counsel of brothers and sisters and support of servant eldership.​
Eternal
Works:
  • Prepared by God beforehand.
  • Divine in origin.
  • Living (zoe).​
Eternal
Leadership:
  • Brothers and sisters of equal status in Christ.
  • Prayerful consensus.   
  • Supported by the counsel of Spirit-filled eldership.
Eternal
Body: 
  • Spiritual body comprised of brothers and sisters united by indwelling life (zoe).​
Eternal
Manifestation:
  • ​Dynamic, intimate, interactive, intergenerational small group community moving from house to house.​
Eternal 
Practice:
  • The celebration of shared life with God.
  • The interactive ministry of eternal life (zoe) by the Spirit through the gifted involvement of every member of the body.     
  • Demonstrated through the life (zoe) based practices of purposeful prayer; intentional community interaction; the Lord’s Supper as a full, celebratory meal; participatory praise and worship in song; joyful giving; corrective spiritual discipline; mutual discipleship; and team-oriented outreach.​
Eternal
Growth:
  • ​​Heavenly and spiritual by nature.   
  • Organic, progressive, cooperative, collaborative and exponential.  
  • Divine multiplication of shared life community on earth.
Eternal 
Measure
of Success:
  • Life (zoe).
Eternal
Destiny: 
  • Heavenly.
  • Unrestricted fellowship with God in Christ, face to face. 
  • Glory beyond description. ​
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The New Testament church is an eternal, shared life community. It is eternal in origin, description, basis, calling, function, form, purpose, mission, animation, doctrine, governance, works, leadership, body, manifestation, practice, growth, measure of success and destiny. Truly distinct, the New Testament church is suitable for the fulfillment of eternal purpose within the hostile environment of the fallen earth. 
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                                        Eternally Secure
 
Gloriously and unconditionally joined to God by an intimate union of shared life, there is no amount of deception, difficulty or darkness that can separate the ecclesia from His living (zoe) presence and loving purpose.  “…we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.  What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  Who will bring a charge against God's elect?  God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written, ‘For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:28-39). 
 
The distinct church of the New Testament was established before the foundation of the world.  Its eternal destiny was secured by the love of God, the blood of the Eternal Covenant and the indwelling presence of indestructible life (zoe).
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© 2018 James Hiatt