Kerk in die Nuwe Testament

Abstract

The article explores the documents of the New Testament in search of the concept 'church' and finds that, in a nutshell, the answers are as follows: the Spirit-controlled, charismatic togetherness of people 'in Christ' (Paul); cross-bearing followers of Jesus (Mk); the people of God on their way through history (Lk-Ac); the faithful locked in battle with Satanic powers, but with the expectation of occupying the heavenly Jerusalem (Rv); the community with which Christ became solidary, and which is heading for its heavenly place of rest (Reb); the poor but pious community, putting their faith into practice (Ja); the body of Christ in which his universal reign can be experienced (Col); the sphere in which salvation is realized (Eph); disciples following Jesus as God-with-us, experiencing the rift between synagogue and church (Mt); friends and confidants of Christ, living at loggerheads with the synagogue (Jn); the household of God, governed by householders (Pastorals); and the socially ostracized elect of God whose way of life should be a demonstration of their otherness as Christians (1 Pt).