Winning the World

122 Wi nn i ng the Wor l d: Fac i l i tat i ng Urban Chur ch P l ant i ng Movement s

4. Identity: The NT churches shared a fundamental oneness in apostolic faith and practice (i.e., shared the same colors, codes of conduct, and characteristics).

a. 1 Cor. 4.17 (ESV) – That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

b. 1 Cor. 7.17 (ESV) – Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

c. 1 Cor. 11.2 (ESV) – Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

d. 1 Cor. 11.16 (ESV) – If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

e. 1 Cor. 14.33 (ESV) – For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.

f. 1 Cor. 16.1 (ESV) – Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.

5. Answerability: incorporation, membership, promotion, demotion, and excommunication