RM Value 1 - Word Based
Below is a re-post blog from our dear friends at PLANT NIJMEGEN outlining the key values our network of churches (Relational Mission) holds dear. We recently sent a wonderful couple called Ben and Mikka Parker to be part of the core team that is pioneering the church plant. Ben served as an elder at Redeemer, and Mikka was on staff. They helped plant Redeemer in 2015 and are going again. Head to the PLANT NIJMEGEN website to find out more.
As we pursue our mission to plant churches, it is absolutely vital to clarify on which foundations we seek to build these churches. We identify 3 main doctrinal values. We seek to build churches that are
1. Word based
2. Grace filled
3. Spirit empowered.
Word based because we want to build upon the blueprints of scripture.
Grace filled as this is how God relates to us and we are called to relate to one another.
Spirit empowered as we believe that Jesus builds his church through the work of the Holy Spirit.
In this blog post we will look at what it means to be a word-based church.
The word ‘Bible’ comes from the Greek word for ‘book’. The Bible is not just one book but really a collection of books. It consists of 39 books collated in the Old Testament (that tells the story of God and his people) and 27 books in the New Testament (that tells us the story of Jesus and the church). Together they contain many different genres such as narrative, poetry, law, songs, prophecies, letters, sermons etc. The bible has been written over a period of more than fifteen hundred years by more than forty authors of varying ages and backgrounds across three continents. From prophets to kings, shepherds to fishermen and doctors to scholars.
Although the bible contains writings from many different authors, they were all inspired by God. The bible is God’s word, God spoke through the words of the authors as his own words. The bible is absolutely truthful, without error and provides us with all we need for living in relationship with God. By learning to understand the times and circumstances in which each of the books were written, we are able to understand the meaning of the text, draw principles from it and then apply these principles practically in our lives today.
Over time the different books of the bible were gathered, examined and ultimately put together in one final book. We call this the canon of scripture which happened officially at the council of Hippo in 393 AC and the council of Carthage in 397 AC. In the sixteenth century chapters and verses were added to the bible by monks, for easy use and reference of the bible. The Old Testament is mainly written in Hebrew and the New Testament mainly in Greek. As not everyone speaks these ancient languages the bible has been translated into many different languages to make it possible for us to read it.
As language dynamically develops over time there are regularly new translations that come out. Some seek to translate the bible as literally as possible (making it more literal, but less readable) such as the ESV (English Standard Version). Other translations seek to interpret the meaning of the writings and seek to translate this into our current day (making it less literal but more readable) such as the NIV (New International Version). Also, there are some transliterations that are more like retellings of the original writings in ordinary language rather than actual translations, such as the Message.
We believe that God speaks in general ways through the world around us, showing his existence. Yet He speaks specifically through his word so we may know him and know how we might live in relationship with him. Together all the different books in the bible tell one overarching story. The whole of the bible points us to the Living Word of God; Jesus. In him all the promises of the Old Testament find their fulfilment.
Being a word-based church means that the bible shapes all of our teachings, practices, values and ways we seek to outwork church life. Therefore, you can expect our preaching series to teach through the whole bible both through teaching through books of the bible and addressing cultural topics to which we bring scripture as our foundation.
In our pastoral work we will use the bible as our base and help people to live out what it says in every area of life. From the way we lead our marriages, do family, build relationships to the way we handle finances, leadership and forgive one another. What the bible is clear on we will be clear on and what the bible holds with an open hand, we also hold with an open hand. We will equip every member to make the bible central in their personal walk with God and encourage them to simply take regular time to read it and meditate on it so we may know God better and apply all that we learn in practical ways in everyday life.
We believe that God still speaks today through his Holy Spirit. Whether through words of wisdom from others, impressions, dreams or miracles. Yet all these things are tested and interpreted by comparing them to what the bible teaches. The word of God is not some sort of book of wisdom, but has authority in all matters of life. As someone ones said.
‘The bible is not beside us so we can pull it out of the cupboard for support when we need it. It is not under our feet so we can use it to justify our actions. It is over us, it has the final say in how we live and what we teach’.
Wouter Vertegaal
Team leader at Plant Nijmegen