Church of God: Renewal and New Testament Teachings

Church of God: The New Town Council and Renewal

The Church of God The New Town council is renewing the image of the church ahead of itself and the church as defined in the world of God. The church appears as a concerted model in the community with God and men, accompanying people in their sufferings and their joys, delivering the message of the gospel, and working with all in favor of a fairer world.

Vatican Council II: A New Image for the Church

Vatican Council II was the most important event of the church in the 20th century. The Council Fathers strove to give the church a new image. It was the first time that Orthodox churches from around the world met together. The conciliar documents contain 4 constitutions, making clear the new community's new comprehension of itself, new decrees, and 3 declarations.

Main Literary Genres of the New Testament

Acts of the Apostles

These accounts describe the life of Jesus. They are narratives intended to frame the importance of Jesus's life.

Stories of Vocation (Calling)

These are brief stories describing Jesus's calling of his disciples. A look or a phrase is enough: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Letters of St. Paul

There are 13 letters from St. Paul. A Jew, a Pharisee born in Tarsus, he persecuted Jesus Christ until he met the risen Lord. He then became the best preacher of the good news. Jesus writes these letters to sustain their faith and urge them to be faithful to the gospel message (e.g., Letters to the Thessalonians, Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians). These letters describe information on the life circumstances of the various Christian communities.

Apocalypse (Revelation)

This genre awaits God's intervention at the end of time to save humanity, filled with symbols targeting the Christian message. Its message is optimistic.

Master and Disciple

The four Gospels tell how Jesus called people to be with him and lived his entire process of preaching. The disciple lives with and accepts the Word, making it their life. These people are the intimate group around Jesus; they account for their concerns and share their inner mood and life. Among this group of disciples are many women, like Mary Magdalene. At one moment in his life, Jesus gathers 12 of his apostles/disciples and calls them; they are those closest to him and have the charge of spreading the word of God.

Pentecost: Birth of the Church

The Holy Spirit pours into the hearts of the disciples, and they receive the necessary strength to witness God. They begin to preach and bear witness to their faith, which is manifested in different languages, indicating the mandate to preach to all peoples. The disciples have the help of the Holy Spirit, who is the close presence of God, giving them strength and helping them understand the message of Jesus. In Pentecost, the community of disciples of Jesus is born—the church that sweeps the world.