Good Example Of Pauline Writings Critical Thinking

Section 1

This mission of the church is first, to promote the message of the cross, which states that all are saved by grace through faith in Christ (DeSilva, 2004). Next, a Christian community should be focused on living through the spirit, in accordance with Christ’s commands. Finally, being part of a Christian community means living together in unity, supporting each other to spread the gospel (Johnson, 2010).

Section 2

The guiding values of the Christian church should be those of living in the Spirit. Love is the highest priority, both of God and the church, and this is the primary value of Christian living. Lives lived in love reflect the fruits of the Spirit, which is the mark of true Christians (Gal. 5: 22-23 NIV). Peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control are a few of many values that should be evident inside the church. As such, great leadership is needed to help carry out and teach these values. It is through those in authority in the church that the Gospel message and values should be preached (1 Timothy 1-2). These values will also be spread through the reading of God’s word and reflection on the sacrifice of the cross, which made these gifts of the Spirit possible for all people.

Section 3

Above everything else, a Christian community should be united it its mission to serve God and love others (Eph. 4:1-16). There will be many struggles that come into the Christian community, and it is the duty of those within the church body to uphold the scriptural truths and hold fast to the principles laid out in the letters. The duties of those living in this Christian community are to work for each other in service to God. Encouragement and service are the key attributes of those living within the community of believers and it is the role of the church to accept and work peacefully and fruitfully with everyone encountered, whether it be the government, society, themselves, or God (Rm. 12-15).
One of the struggles faced by the church is who exactly should lead. There are many competing voices throughout the Christian church, and too much debate will be put into who should follow whom. Therefore, in spite of all the division that is sure to happen, remember that through Christ, everyone in the church is united, and should remain together on the message of salvation and the Holy Spirit (1 Co. 1-4). However, there were many other issues that the Christian church struggled with early on in its foundation. Due to conflicts with the Jews, they had to look out for false teachings that denounce the divinity and resurrection of Christ. They also struggled with how to maintain sexual purity in light of the new moral code given through Christ (1 Co. 5-9). There was also a struggle between those strong in the faith exercising too much freedom and hindering those still beginning to understand the message of God. Paul makes sure to show how the law does not save, only Christ, and because of this, Christians are now free to live in service to God (“The Pauline Epistles”). As such, each person has their own temptations, and Paul makes sure to point out how, in a united body, everyone should live with others in mind. Selfishness is destructive to the body of Christ (Rm. 14-15). Furthermore, every person in the body of Christ has distinct purpose and role. Not everyone is made to be preachers or teachers. Spiritual gifts differ from person to person, and everyone has a role (1 Co. 12-13).

Works Cited

Barker, Kenneth L. Zondervan NIV Study Bible: New International Version. Fully Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2002. Print.
DeSilva, David Arthur. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity ;, 2004. Print.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation. [Pbk. ed. Philadelphia: Fortress, 2010. Print.
Senior, Donald. The Catholic Study Bible. New York: Oxford UP, 1990. Print.
"The Pauline Epistles." Bible.org. Web. 20 Feb. 2015. <https://bible.org/seriespage/4-pauline-epistles>.