The New Testament Church: Part 8 (Identity precedes function)
Introduction
In this series of articles we are inevitably drawing comparisons between distinctive elements of the vibrant, Holy Spirit-led Church established in the book of Acts, (of which there has always been and still is a remnant today) and the institutional Church which has evolved over the centuries and bears little ressemblance to the organic Body of Christ.
Whilst the institutional Church relies on its function to give it credibility and authority, the New Testament Church was called into being with a specific identity (the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ), and it was out of security in this identity that everything she did flowed.
She developed as a corporate entity, as a number of distinct congregations (local fellowships of believers). All the individuals called by the Lord to be part of it were clear in their identity. They also knew that identity must precede function - everything they did must result from who they were, not the other way around.
Here in Part 8 of this series we will address this principle, which incidentally, applies as much to individuals as it does to congregations. Lose sight of this and sooner or later institutionalism inevitably follows.
The importance of a name
Today, particularly here in the West, we struggle with the issue of identity, both personal and corporate. We've lost sight of the importance of a name to identify character, which is why in conversation we quickly move to the questions, 'Where do you come from?' or 'What is your job?' We so readily see people as 'human doings' rather than 'human beings.'
Even Church congregations boast about the number of different groups or clubs they run, functions they fulfil or converts they make, and find their identity in what they do and their achievements rather than in what God says or thinks of them.
From the Bible however we see that names had enormous importance and significance, and the giving of a name in biblical times endowed the person with both personal and spiritual identity. Even before Jesus had begun his ministry, his Father said:
This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matt 3:17).
These words launched Jesus on his mission. His identity as a son, preceded his function. Before he had done anything his father commended him as his son. The many names by which God revealed himself in the Bible released layers of understanding to do with his character and nature. The most well known being: 'I am who I am' or 'I will be what I will be (Ex 3:14). He also bestowed identity on the nation of Israel:
Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:5-6)
Abraham
There are many instances in the Bible of individuals being given names to call forth their identity. A good example is the changing of Abram’s name (meaning ‘exalted father’) to Abraham (meaning’ father of many’). This illustrates the point made earlier that the identity given by God always precedes functioning in that identity.
As an old man of 90 with a barren wife also in old age, it took faith on Abram's part to enter into his identity, but many generations later the apostle Paul could say of him:
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’ (Romans 4:18).
Gideon
Another example is Gideon, who defeated the Midianites with an army of just three hundred men. The angel who commissioned him for the task, addressed him as a ‘mighty warrior’ (Judges 6:12) even though at the time he was cowering in fear in his father’s wine-press. At first Gideon struggled to accept his identity, but as he put his trust in God, he functioned powerfully in it.
A Christian's identity
It's the same for us now as Christians. When we're born again we're adopted into God's family and he bestows on us a new identity - the family name if you like - our identity as a son or daughter of God.
This identity has many facets. The Bible tells us for example that we're seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph 2:6); we're citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20); we're heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17); we're living stones (1 Peter 2:5); a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5); a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5); aliens and strangers (Heb 11:13); ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20); the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19); the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27); Salt and Light (Matt 5:13-14), etc.
Sin and its relationship to identity
When someone sins we tend to focus on performance (what they have done) and make judgements based on their failures. The apostle Paul's way, by contrast, was focused around the question; 'Don't you know who you are?' and he made judgements based on position (who they were). In other words, he reminded them of their identity. We need to know both who we are and whose we are!
Because the institutional Church relies on its function to give it identity, those within it tend to try to rise through the ranks to positions of power in an attempt to find identity and significance through their function. We see this mirrored in institutions of all kinds.
Identity precedes function
As our security in our true identity increases and as we grow in the grace and favour of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), our function also develops:
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:8-10).
This scripture clearly indicates that there's work for us to do, but knowing our identity as sinners saved by grace comes first. Unless we know we please our heavenly Father and that he loves us for who we are, even before we serve him, we'll simply be serving out of a sense of duty.
Ministry and identity
An individual Christian may also have a specific identity in terms of their own ministry and this can often be called forth through a prophetic word or given directly to that person from the Lord by means of a dream, vision, angelic visitation, his audible voice, strong impression or whilst reading the Bible.
Church and congregational identity
The identity of the Church as a corporate entity worldwide is the ecclesia, the 'called out ones.' Each individual congregation however, must also be clear in its unique identity if it's to understand its mission and destiny. In other words, we have to know why God first called each specific congregation or community into being. As each individual is unique with his or her own DNA, so too is each congregation.
As we explore this we may even discover that the specific purpose for which God called it into being has been fulfilled and it is now time for a review. We should not be afraid to face this possibility since it could lead us to discovering a fresh mandate - a new calling and identity from the Lord to take us forward.
We do well to remember that the Church is a living, moving, developing body through which God expresses himself. Since God is not static, neither can the Church be.
If the Church is to partner a God who will not be tied down or boxed in, it must itself take on similar characteristics. The new wine will always require a flexible wine skin. Is our congregation flexible? When congregations become inflexible, staid and tied to tradition, God's Holy Spirit has little or no room to operate and eventually they function by going through the motions, or may even cease to exist.
What has God said about your Church or community?
So what has God said about your congregation or community? As we have said, in order to really understand what it is you're called to do, you first need to know what God has specifically said about you. What kind of DNA do you have? What was your original mandate from the Lord? What did your founding fathers understand it to be? Is it still valid in the context you now find yourself in? Has it been fulfilled?
Only as you explore the answers to these questions will you be able to interpret the events of your congregation clearly. Then you will more fully understand what has happened, what is happening now and what could happen in the future. This can lead to very exciting discoveries!
Like some help?
If you would like help to explore these issues with someone from outside your situation which, from our experience, can be most helpful - sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees - we would love to hear from you. Here at Christian Spectrum we've a heart to see congregations established in their true identity. Feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.
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Mutually beneficial characteristics
It's important to bear in mind the overlap and relationship that exists between the different characteristics of the New Testament Church:
General introduction to series . . .
Part 1 in this series discusses Eschatological focus . . .
Part 2 in this series discusses Prophetic mandate . . .
Part 3 in this series discusses Meeting in houses and community living . . .
Part 4 in this series discusses Leadership . . .
Part 5 in this series discusses Discipleship . . .
Part 6 in this series discusses Spiritual gifts . . .
Part 7 in this series discusses Pioneers or settlers . . .
Part 8 in this series discusses Identity precedes function . . .
Part 9 in this series discusses Relational unity . . .
Part 10 in this series discusses Kingdom message and proclamation . . .
Part 11 in this series discusses The persecuted Church . . .
In this series of articles we are inevitably drawing comparisons between distinctive elements of the vibrant, Holy Spirit-led Church established in the book of Acts, (of which there has always been and still is a remnant today) and the institutional Church which has evolved over the centuries and bears little ressemblance to the organic Body of Christ. Whilst the institutional Church relies on its function to give it credibility and authority, the New Testament Church was called into being with a specific identity (the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ), and it was out of security in this identity that everything she did flowed . . .