Topical Bible: Reconciliation With God: The Ministry of Committed to Ministers

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Topical Encyclopedia

Reconciliation with God is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the restoration of the broken relationship between humanity and God due to sin. This reconciliation is made possible through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, who, by His death and resurrection, provided the means for humanity to be restored to a right relationship with God. The ministry of reconciliation is a divine mandate entrusted to believers, particularly those called to serve as ministers of the Gospel.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of reconciliation is rooted in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul articulates its significance and the role of ministers in this divine mission. In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 , Paul writes, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

This passage highlights several key aspects of reconciliation:

1. Divine Initiative: Reconciliation is initiated by God. It is through His grace and mercy that He seeks to restore the relationship with humanity. The work of reconciliation is not based on human effort but on God's sovereign will and love.

2. Christ-Centered: The reconciliation process is accomplished through Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice on the cross is the means by which sin is addressed, and the barrier between God and humanity is removed. Romans 5:10 states, "For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!"

3. Ministry Entrusted to Believers: The ministry of reconciliation is a responsibility given to believers, particularly those called to be ministers. They are to proclaim the message of reconciliation, urging others to be reconciled to God. This involves preaching the Gospel, teaching the truths of Scripture, and living out the implications of reconciliation in their own lives.

Role of Ministers

Ministers play a crucial role in the ministry of reconciliation. They are ambassadors for Christ, as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:20 : "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God." As ambassadors, ministers represent Christ and His kingdom, carrying the message of reconciliation to a world in need.

1. Proclamation of the Gospel: Ministers are tasked with proclaiming the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of reconciliation. This involves teaching about sin, repentance, and the redemptive work of Christ.

2. Pastoral Care: Ministers provide pastoral care, guiding individuals in their spiritual journey towards reconciliation with God. This includes counseling, prayer, and discipleship, helping believers understand and apply the truths of reconciliation in their lives.

3. Modeling Reconciliation: Ministers are called to model reconciliation in their own lives, demonstrating forgiveness, love, and unity within the body of Christ. Their lives should reflect the transformative power of reconciliation, serving as a testimony to others.

Theological Implications

The ministry of reconciliation has profound theological implications. It underscores the nature of God as loving and merciful, willing to forgive and restore. It also highlights the seriousness of sin and the necessity of Christ's atoning work. Furthermore, it emphasizes the responsibility of believers to participate in God's redemptive mission, sharing the message of reconciliation with others.

In summary, reconciliation with God is a divine initiative accomplished through Christ and entrusted to ministers as a sacred duty. Through the proclamation of the Gospel and the modeling of Christ-like love, ministers are called to lead others into a restored relationship with God, fulfilling the ministry of reconciliation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 5:18,19
And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious ...
... because the promise is annexed to the word of God in their ... for this work, and to
them he hath committed the ministry and word of reconciliation; by their ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/the sick person ought now.htm

Letter cviii. To Theodore, Bishop of Forum Julii.
... died, seeing that the Lord our God, whose judgments ... own decision that which our priestly
ministry could not ... And yet penitence and reconciliation must not be ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter cviii to theodore bishop.htm

Walking with God
... This is the great errand that gospel ministers are sent out upon. To us is committed
the ministry of reconciliation; as ambassadors for God, we are to beseech ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... when he says that the embassy of reconciliation has been ... exhort the people to be
reconciled to God (2:Cor.5 ... sins are constantly forgiven by the ministry of the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

Appendix. An Ordination Charge.
... Our calling is emphatically "the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was
in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/appendix an ordination charge.htm

The Life of Mr. James Durham.
... given to us the ministry of reconciliation, &c.; and ... magistrates and some of the
ministry who were ... sensibly, through the strength of God's grace, triumphantly ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 2.htm

The Life of Mr. John Davidson.
... in order to a general and personal reconciliation (they were ... laird's brother, ere
a few days pass, God shall give ... who shall succeed me in the ministry of this ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 3.htm

American Congregational Declarations of Faith.
... sufficient ground of forgiveness and of reconciliation with Him ... of holy rest and
worship; in the ministry of the ... the glorious appearing of the great God and our ...
/.../american congregational declarations of faith.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... the Word of God"when he compares it with the ministry of the Gospel. ... Christ made
satisfaction for our sins, effected a reconciliation with God and gave ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

2 Cor. v. 11
... For seeing he had said, "Who gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;" he here
used ... we are ministers; and He that doeth the whole is God, Who reconciled ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xi 2 cor v.htm