Grace, Faith, Rituals, Forgiveness, Ordination
Grace empowers us, enhancing our faith and rituals like baptism and ordination. These practices, enriched by personal faith, ensure a transformative spiritual journey and deeper engagement with God's grace.
Grace, Faith, Rituals, Forgiveness, Ordination
Grace empowers us, enhancing our faith and rituals like baptism and ordination. These practices, enriched by personal faith, ensure a transformative spiritual journey and deeper engagement with God's grace.
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1. Harmonious Interpersonal Relationships:
We are not only made in the image of an eternal God, but also in the image of a triune community. God created us to exist in community (as He is relational within Himself), as a family (as He is family within Himself), and in unity (as He is united in Himself). Just as the relationships within the Trinity function seamlessly, our relationships with one another should reflect this unity. Everyone carries a unique expression of Christ to offer and impart to the rest of the body, with no one being more valuable in the Kingdom. In God's Kingdom, there is no concept of better, only different. One crucial aspect to observe is that the relationships within the Trinity
operate perfectly without compromise, argument, or confusion. The
harmony arising from their diversity is what makes God perfectly effective.
2. Equality in Personhood, Importance, and Value:
At the core of comprehending how a structure can function healthily is the understanding that we all are saved by grace, equal in standing, beloved sons and daughters of God, regardless of ethnicity, social standing, gender, giftings.
“There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”
- Gal: 3:28
Any role one assumes thereafter is functional and temporal in terms of an earthly representation that’s serves towards a heavenly mandate of an effective, fruitful and unified body. Each member of this body is essential, unique, diverse and gifted. No one’s worth is diminished, each one takes a load of the other in due season and surrenders their gift to Servant Leadership, which is both valued and effective in momentum and direction; all of which is useless without each members support.
3.Difference in Role and authority:
God is all in all. God is one. Yet for us to fathom God’s vastness and character in our humanity we understand God through the triune, familial nature of the trinity. All persons of the trinity are equal in nature; yet when the Father sent the Son, the Son displayed submission to the Father; honour and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
– John 5:19
The submission of Jesus to the Father is temporal; and relevant whilst Jesus was on earth. In glory Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit are one. This is the perfection of God's design, the Son obeys the Father not because He is less important, but because He is the Son. Similarly, the Father holds the leadership role not because He is more important, but because He is the Father. Our relationships with one another should mirror this dynamic, with some individuals taking on roles akin to fathers, and others to sons. In the past, the structures that may have caused harm resembled a pharaoh ruling over servants, rather than a father offering guidance,
protection, and resources to his children.
The anthropomorphic or familial language used is to help us as humans understand and relate to our invisible God in our social context. God in fact has no gender and does not regard any one gender superior to the other for all are made in Imago Dei
(the image of God).
4. ORDINANCES:
Understanding Ordinances in the Light of Grace
Does the Doctrine of Grace Lead Us to Neglect Prayer, Scripture, and Holiness?
Some people worry that focusing too much on grace might make us pray less, study the Bible poorly, or see holiness as unimportant. But does grace actually make us alive and capable of good works?
Romans 6:14 says, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." Grace frees us from sin and empowers us to live righteously.
Hebrews 9:14 also reminds us, "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ... cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death so that we may serve the living God!"
The Role of Rituals and Ordinances
It's worth thinking about the importance of religious practices. Does grace make rituals like baptism and marriage unnecessary? Do we need to speak Jesus' name aloud, or is it enough to believe in our hearts? This can be confusing, but it's important to remember that faith and works go hand in hand.
As James 2:17 says, "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
The Work itself vs The Work of the person
Two key ideas in Christian tradition help us understand how ordinances work: "ex opere operato" (the work itself) and "ex opere operantis" (the work of the person). By combining these ideas, we can see that both the sacraments themselves and our attitudes are important. This approach can make practices like Baptism, Confirmation, Forgiveness, Ordination, and Marriage more meaningful. AGC supports this integrated view, believing that both faith and actions are essential for a full spiritual life.
Values
Grace empowers us, freeing from sin and enabling righteous living.
1. Harmonious Interpersonal Relationships:
We are not only made in the image of an eternal God, but also in the image of a triune community. God created us to exist in community (as He is relational within Himself), as a family (as He is family within Himself), and in unity (as He is united in Himself). Just as the relationships within the Trinity function seamlessly, our relationships with one another should reflect this unity. Everyone carries a unique expression of Christ to offer and impart to the rest of the body, with no one being more valuable in the Kingdom. In God's Kingdom, there is no concept of better, only different. One crucial aspect to observe is that the relationships within the Trinity operate perfectly without compromise, argument, or confusion. The harmony arising from their diversity is what makes God perfectly effective.
2. Equality in Personhood, Importance, and Value:
At the core of comprehending how a structure can function healthily is the understanding that we all are saved by grace, equal in standing, beloved sons and daughters of God, regardless of ethnicity, social standing, gender, giftings.
“There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”
- Gal: 3:28
Any role one assumes thereafter is functional and temporal in terms of an earthly representation that’s serves towards a heavenly mandate of an effective, fruitful and unified body. Each member of this body is essential, unique, diverse and gifted. No one’s worth is diminished, each one takes a load of the other in due season and surrenders their gift to Servant Leadership. Which is both valued and effective in momentum and direction; all of which is useless without each members support.
3.Difference in Role and authority:
God is all in all. God is one. Yet for us to fathom God’s vastness and character in our humanity we understand God through the triune, familial nature of the trinity. All persons of the trinity are equal in nature; yet when the Father sent the Son, the Son displayed submission to the Father; honour and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
– John 5:19
The submission of Jesus to the Father is temporal; and relevant whilst Jesus was on earth. In glory Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit are one. This is the perfection of God's design, the Son obeys the Father not because He is less important, but because He is the Son. Similarly, the Father holds the leadership role not because He is more important, but because He is the Father. Our relationships with one another should mirror this dynamic, with some individuals taking on roles akin to fathers, and others to sons. In the past, the structures that may have caused harm resembled a pharaoh ruling over servants, rather than a father offering guidance,
protection, and resources to his children.
The anthropomorphic or familial language used is to help us as humans understand and relate to our invisible God in our social context. God in fact has no gender and does not regard any one gender superior to the other for all are made in Imago Dei
(the image of God).
4. ORDINANCES:
Understanding Ordinances in the Light of Grace
Does the Doctrine of Grace Lead Us to Neglect Prayer, Scripture, and Holiness?
Some people worry that focusing too much on grace might make us pray less, study the Bible poorly, or see holiness as unimportant. But does grace actually make us alive and capable of good works?
Romans 6:14 says, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." Grace frees us from sin and empowers us to live righteously.
Hebrews 9:14 also reminds us, "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ... cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death so that we may serve the living God!"
The Role of Rituals and Ordinances
It's worth thinking about the importance of religious practices. Does grace make rituals like baptism and marriage unnecessary? Do we need to speak Jesus' name aloud, or is it enough to believe in our hearts? This can be confusing, but it's important to remember that faith and works go hand in hand.
As James 2:17 says, "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
The Work itself vs The Work of the person
Two key ideas in Christian tradition help us understand how ordinances work: "ex opere operato" (the work itself) and "ex opere operantis" (the work of the person). By combining these ideas, we can see that both the sacraments themselves and our attitudes are important. This approach can make practices like Baptism, Confirmation, Forgiveness, Ordination, and Marriage more meaningful.
AGC supports this integrated view, believing that both faith and actions are essential for a full spiritual life.
Sacramental Power Balanced with Faith
Integrating Personal Faith with Sacramental Grace and Ritual
BAPTISM
Faith, Sacrament, Salvation
Baptism holds inherent power, yet personal faith and repentance enrich this sacramental experience, ensuring salvation.
CONFIRMATION
Openness, Grace, Confirmation
Confirmation enriches spiritual life, requiring openness and readiness to fully embrace the Holy Spirit's gifts.
FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness, Confession, Transformation
Divine forgiveness and personal repentance are balanced through confession, leading to transformative, genuine spiritual renewal.
ORDINATION
Grace, Worthiness, Balance
Balancing objective grace with personal worthiness ensures sacraments are transformative, integrating heart and ritual effectively.
This approach underscores the importance of combining sacramental grace with personal faith, ensuring rituals are both spiritually meaningful and transformative, aligned with both divine power and individual commitment.
Sacramental Power Balanced with Faith
Integrating Personal Faith with Sacramental Grace and Ritual
BAPTISM
Faith, Sacrament, Salvation
Baptism holds inherent power, yet personal faith and repentance enrich this sacramental experience, ensuring salvation.
CONFIRMATION
Openness, Grace, Confirmation
Confirmation enriches spiritual life, requiring openness and readiness to fully embrace the Holy Spirit's gifts.
FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness, Confession, Transformation
Divine forgiveness and personal repentance are balanced through confession, leading to transformative, genuine spiritual renewal.
ORDINATION
Grace, Worthiness, Balance
Balancing objective grace with personal worthiness ensures sacraments are transformative, integrating heart and ritual effectively.
This approach underscores the importance of combining sacramental grace with personal faith, ensuring rituals are both spiritually meaningful and transformative, aligned with both divine power and individual commitment.
BAPTISM
The Balance of Sacramental Power and Personal Faith
Some worry that emphasizing personal faith (ex opere operantis) might lead to doubts about the validity of baptism, making it seem dependent on one's moral state and contradicting God's inclusive grace. Early church leaders like Cyprian of Carthage warned that focusing too much on personal worthiness could create divisions. Baptism, as the sacrament of initiation, imparts grace and brings individuals into the Christian faith.
St. Augustine highlighted its power by stating, "When Peter baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes; when Judas baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes."
However, considering personal faith and repentance adds depth to the sacrament. Tertullian emphasized, “Faith and repentance in the recipient of baptism are as necessary for salvation as is the sacrament itself.”
The AGC recommends teaching baptism has inherent power while also encouraging personal faith and repentance.
CONFIRMATION
Ensuring Readiness and Openness
Focusing on the recipient’s readiness might exclude those still growing spiritually.
Augustine argued, “It is not the unworthiness of the servant that hinders the efficacy of the sacrament.”
Confirmation completes baptism by bestowing the Holy Spirit's gifts. Cyril of Jerusalem stated, “The Holy Spirit comes upon you; the soul is sanctified and raised to new dignity.”
The recipient’s openness is also crucial, as Gregory Nazianzus noted, “Let us receive with faith the gift, for without faith, it is impossible to please Him.”
The AGC recommends Confirmation, encouraging personal reflection and prayer. This helps candidates be open and ready to receive the Holy Spirit’s gifts, ensuring the sacrament’s grace is fully embraced.
FORGIVENESS as an Ordinance
Balancing Divine Forgiveness and Personal Repentance
While Christ’s finished work offers complete forgiveness (Hebrews 10:10), humans still struggle with unforgiveness and accusations (Hebrews 12:24). The New Testament priesthood helps absolve these burdens, as James 5:14-15 suggests. Grace empowers individuals to confess boldly, knowing God’s mercy and grace are abundant (Hebrews 4:16).
Focusing too much on personal worthiness can lead to excessive worry. Tertullian warned against thinking one can be cleansed without correcting faults. The sacrament of forgiveness balances "ex opere operato" and "ex opere operantis," as Thomas Aquinas explained: “The sacrament of Penance produces its effect by the power of the keys, exercised in the absolution pronounced by the priest.”
Genuine sorrow, confession, and a desire to change are essential, as Augustine stated, “No one can begin a new life unless he repents of the old.”
ORDINATION
Maintaining Balance Between Objective Grace and Personal Worthiness
Focusing on personal readiness can lead to excessive scrutiny. Cyprian noted that church leaders must be irreproachable, balancing objective grace and personal worthiness. Ordination consecrates individuals for ministry, with its power not depending on the candidate's personal holiness.
Augustine asserted, “The validity of the sacrament does not depend upon the merit of the minister.”
Gregory the Great emphasized the importance of personal preparation, stating, “No one presumes to teach an art unless he has learned it through assiduous practice.”
Combining "ex opere operato" and "ex opere operantis" in Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, and Ordination honours both the sacraments’ power and the participants' attitudes. This approach makes sacraments more meaningful and helps participants engage deeply with God’s grace. By providing clear teaching, support, and ongoing formation, church families can successfully integrate heart and ritual, ensuring sacraments are both valid and transformative.
BAPTISM
The Balance of Sacramental Power and Personal Faith
Some worry that emphasizing personal faith (ex opere operantis) might lead to doubts about the validity of baptism, making it seem dependent on one's moral state and contradicting God's inclusive grace. Early church leaders like Cyprian of Carthage warned that focusing too much on personal worthiness could create divisions. Baptism, as the sacrament of initiation, imparts grace and brings individuals into the Christian faith.
St. Augustine highlighted its power by stating, "When Peter baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes; when Judas baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes."
However, considering personal faith and repentance adds depth to the sacrament. Tertullian emphasized, “Faith and repentance in the recipient of baptism are as necessary for salvation as is the sacrament itself.”
The AGC recommends teaching baptism has inherent power while also encouraging personal faith and repentance.
CONFIRMATION
Ensuring Readiness and Openness
Focusing on the recipient’s readiness might exclude those still growing spiritually. Augustine argued, “It is not the unworthiness of the servant that hinders the efficacy of the sacrament.”
Confirmation completes baptism by bestowing the Holy Spirit's gifts. Cyril of Jerusalem stated, “The Holy Spirit comes upon you; the soul is sanctified and raised to new dignity.”
The recipient’s openness is also crucial, as Gregory Nazianzus noted, “Let us receive with faith the gift, for without faith, it is impossible to please Him.”
The AGC recommends Confirmation, encouraging personal reflection and prayer. This helps candidates be open and ready to receive the Holy Spirit’s gifts, ensuring the sacrament’s grace is fully embraced.
FORGIVENESS as an Ordinance
Balancing Divine Forgiveness and Personal Repentance
While Christ’s finished work offers complete forgiveness (Hebrews 10:10), humans still struggle with unforgiveness and accusations (Hebrews 12:24). The New Testament priesthood helps absolve these burdens, as James 5:14-15 suggests. Grace empowers individuals to confess boldly, knowing God’s mercy and grace are abundant (Hebrews 4:16).
Focusing too much on personal worthiness can lead to excessive worry. Tertullian warned against thinking one can be cleansed without correcting faults. The sacrament of forgiveness balances "ex opere operato" and "ex opere operantis," as Thomas Aquinas explained: “The sacrament of Penance produces its effect by the power of the keys, exercised in the absolution pronounced by the priest.”
Genuine sorrow, confession, and a desire to change are essential, as Augustine stated, “No one can begin a new life unless he repents of the old.”
ORDINATION
Maintaining Balance Between Objective Grace and Personal Worthiness
Focusing on personal readiness can lead to excessive scrutiny. Cyprian noted that church leaders must be irreproachable, balancing objective grace and personal worthiness. Ordination consecrates individuals for ministry, with its power not depending on the candidate's personal holiness.
Augustine asserted, “The validity of the sacrament does not depend upon the merit of the minister.”
Gregory the Great emphasized the importance of personal preparation, stating, “No one presumes to teach an art unless he has learned it through assiduous practice.”
Combining "ex opere operato" and "ex opere operantis" in Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, and Ordination honours both the sacraments’ power and the participants' attitudes. This approach makes sacraments more meaningful and helps participants engage deeply with God’s grace. By providing clear teaching, support, and ongoing formation, church families can successfully integrate heart and ritual, ensuring sacraments are both valid and transformative.
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