Water, War and the Word
A side note to our Sunday school class on Acts this morning in which it was mentioned that the Kingdom of God is expanded through the preaching of the Word. Looking at the new covenant, we see the kingdom of God on earth as the church. Not only that, but we can see the Church expand rapidly through the preaching of the word and baptism. Notice that both are "bloodless". When a new Israelite was born, he was brought into the community via circumcision - bloody; and, when the Israelites were given the promised land, they conquered it with the sword - bloody.
In God's mercy, the new covenant is expanded with water and the word. Just as there is no longer blood in the inclusion of members into the covenant, so there is no longer blood in the conquering of the land of the kingdom. This also seems to fit with the word of God being a two-edged sword as spoken of in Hebrews.
Preaching the word of the Lord is a two-handed swing with the sword, but I think there is also a wielding of the sword in other ways as well. As Christians seeking to live out a life in accordance with a biblical worldview, we are, through faithfulness, working to see the world through the lens of the Bible. When we look at the world in this manner, we live biblically. In Acts 1:8 Christ is quoted as saying, "...you shall be my witnesses..." How we live our lives is a major part of how we are a witness (after we enter the covenant community), especially if we are not preaching. The Lord's kingdom is expanded not only by the preaching of the word, but also by the way we live.
Preaching is not a peaceful activity, but neither is living out our lives day-to-day. The first sermon after Christ drew for is texts upon not one, but 2 imprecatory psalms (69 & 109). The church started strongly aware of her enemies. Christ had enemies and so does the church - as the rest of Acts and History shows. The Bible gives us the means to fight those enemies and indeed it is in a way that is foolishness to the world.
Preaching and being a witness is bloodless war.
In God's mercy, the new covenant is expanded with water and the word. Just as there is no longer blood in the inclusion of members into the covenant, so there is no longer blood in the conquering of the land of the kingdom. This also seems to fit with the word of God being a two-edged sword as spoken of in Hebrews.
Preaching the word of the Lord is a two-handed swing with the sword, but I think there is also a wielding of the sword in other ways as well. As Christians seeking to live out a life in accordance with a biblical worldview, we are, through faithfulness, working to see the world through the lens of the Bible. When we look at the world in this manner, we live biblically. In Acts 1:8 Christ is quoted as saying, "...you shall be my witnesses..." How we live our lives is a major part of how we are a witness (after we enter the covenant community), especially if we are not preaching. The Lord's kingdom is expanded not only by the preaching of the word, but also by the way we live.
Preaching is not a peaceful activity, but neither is living out our lives day-to-day. The first sermon after Christ drew for is texts upon not one, but 2 imprecatory psalms (69 & 109). The church started strongly aware of her enemies. Christ had enemies and so does the church - as the rest of Acts and History shows. The Bible gives us the means to fight those enemies and indeed it is in a way that is foolishness to the world.
Preaching and being a witness is bloodless war.
posted by Charlie at 9:27 PM
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