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God's Purpose Revealed: Reconciliation & Unity in the Body of Christ

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GOD’S PURPOSE REVEALED: RECONCILIATION & UNITY IN THE CHURCH
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
THE SUPREMACY OF THE HEAD:JESUS CHRIST 1
CHRIST IN HIS PEOPLE:THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 2
THE EKKLĒSÍA:THE BODY OF CHRIST 3
THE PURPOSE OF THE EKKLĒSÍA:UNITY & RECONCILIATION 4
CONCLUSION 8
BIBLIOGRAPHY 10
INTRODUCTION

We begin with the fact that God: . . .[R]aised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come, and God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

In Ephesians 1:20-23, we see the exalted Christ, reigning in heaven, having put all things under His feet. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, which is His body. In the eyes of God, the church (ekklēsía) is so much more than traditionally thought. The church is destined for so much more than just to be saved from the wrath of God. God has purposed that the ekklēsía, his called-out body of believers, be His agents or representatives on the earth during this present age to reconcile all things to Himself. He therefore has filled his people with Himself, through the Holy Spirit. The purpose of this paper is to discuss God’s mystery revealed, unity and reconciliation.
THE SUPREMACY OF THE HEAD: JESUS CHRIST
The purpose of God is to reconcile all things to Himself. By “all things” God means the whole universe, heavenly as well as earthly things. This Jesus did by shedding his blood on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made peace. God’s further aim is to make that peace and reconciliation evident to all using His ekklēsía. For God was pleased to have

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