The nature of the Redeemed Community is as ‘ called out ones’, the ecclesia (church).
Because the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – are within themselves a covenantal community, the ground for all human community is found in him. Humankind, made in his image, cannot help but be relational and communal—we are hardwired for it.
Accordingly, only authentic community will be discovered when humankind, and in particular the church (ecclesia), returns to the covenant God. By disregarding the covenantal nature and purpose of God the church has not only violated its relationship with God, but also with itself. The church has thus become a community of covenant-breakers. This explains the historic divisions and sectarianism within the Christian church. Accordingly, for the church to rediscover authentic community, and thereby unity, it must first return to the covenant God and ethical obedience to his commands.
This will play out in continuous reformation and thus recovery of the life and principles of the primitive church as seen in Acts 2:42 and 4:33-35—in fact, an ‘apostolic architecture’.
