Activity 5.

2 New Testament Letters

1 Corinthians 12 and Acts 2:42-47 describe the church as one body. Christians become part of
the body through baptism (1Corinthians 12:12-13). I wasnt sure what makes a healthy church
beyond whats written in the book of Acts. I found a research article that listed the 10
characteristics of a healthy church. The top 5 were God's Empowering Presence in the church,
God-exalting worship, spiritual disciplines, learning and growing in the community and a
commitment to loving and caring relationships. (Miller, 2016). The early church faced the
problem of false doctrines being combined by the Jews and Gentiles. People began questioning if
Christianity was the word of God. (Colossians 2:8-9)
The following two chapters from the epistles speak on forgiveness and temptation. Forgiveness
is spoken of in (Colossians 1:13-14) For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and
brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness
of sins. Temptation is written of in (1Thessalonians 5:22) believers are encouraged to reject all
kinds of evil. Romans 8 reads as words of encouragement for those who believe in Gods word
through Christ Jesus. No condemnation, no amount of guilt from sin will break the bond between
God and the believers.
1Corinthians speaks of Christians to settle disputes among themselves and not the courts. Allow
the wisdom of one wise man whos a believer to settle disagreements instead of the wicked nonbelievers. The balance between faith and works in the bible tilts towards the encouragement of
works and not just faith alone. In the Gospel of Matthew God separates the believers from the
non-believers and the believers are granted eternal life. Free from sin and death.

Barker. K. (2011). New International Version: Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Miller, K. (2016). Church Assessment - Leadership Transformations. Retrieved from
http://www.leadershiptransformations.org/characteristics-of-a-healthy-church.htm