PAULINE’S CONCEPT OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST IN 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-17 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS LEADERS

 PAULINE’S CONCEPT OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST IN 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-17 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS LEADERS

ABSTRACT

The effect of Sin is very devastating. It has brought about the experience of disorder in human life. This includes emotional disorders, dysfunctional families or family disorder, mental disorder, social disorders, economic disorders, personal disorders, work disorders, and finally the most serious of all disorders are moral and spiritual disorders which emanated from what is theologically called the Original Sin. As a result of sin, man became totally depraved and estranged from God. He is totally unable to save himself and his spiritual bankruptcy made him spiritually empty and dead. However, through the saving work of Christ, man was restored into fellowship with God. The atoning work of Christ healed the estrangement and believers are given new life in Christ. The purpose of this thesis is to do an exegetical study of the book 1 Corinthians 5:14-17 and deduce it implications for living in Newness of Life in Christ Apostolic Church Mercy land District Headquarters, Ogun State. Christ apostolic church is mostly refers to as the mother of Pentecostalism in Nigeria and known to have contributed to the growth of the gospel in the entire nation. The spiritual life of Christ Apostolic church members are highly recon with, but recently some strange teachings are gaining there ground in the denomination and some are seen newness of Life in a perspective that is not scripturally accepted. Some believe that, after been born again there is need to still do what some refers to as water cleansing and purification in order to be totally worthy to approach God. Others believed that it is impossible for believers to leave a New Life here on earth. Although living a new life may be more demanding for Christians on a daily basis, but if it is well practice it will draw members closer to God, and also help them to believe that it only God who can make them clean as they grow in faith on a daily basis. The researcher recommends that, living in newness of life in Christ should be well taught in Christ apostolic Church, Mercy land District headquarters. Those members are to be discouraged of visiting those who hold to such erroneous teaching. The methodology utilized for this study is the combination of Library and field work. Books, tools of exegesis, and internet were used for the library work, whiles questionnaires were administered within Christ Apostolic Church, Mercy Land, District Headquarter, Akute.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

• Background of the Study
• Statement of the Problem
• Purpose of the Study
• Significant of the Study
• Delimitation
• Research Procedure
• Definition of Terms

CHATER TWO:       REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction

2.1       Concept of New life in Christ

2.2       Concept of New life in Jewish World

2.3       Concept of New life in Greco-Roman World

2.4       Concept of New life in Qumran Community

2.5       Characteristics of New Life in Christ

2.6       Challenges of new life in Christ

CHAPTER THREE: BIBLICAL BASIS FOR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

3.1       Old Testament Concept of New Life in Christ

3.2       New Testament Concept of New Life in Christ

4.0       CHAPTER FOUR: PAULINE’S CONCEPT OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST IN 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-17 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS LEADERS. A CASE STUDY OF C.A.C. MERCYLAND DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS, AKUTE, OGUN STATE.

4.1       Brief History of Christ Apostolic Church

4.2       History of C.A.C Mercy land District Headquarters

4.3       Doctrine and practices of C.A.C

4.4       Data Analysis and Presentation

4.5       Discussion and Interpretation of Findings

4.6       The Implications of 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 on C.A.C Mercy Land

5.0       CHAPTER FIVE:    SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1.      Summary

5.2       Conclusions

5.3       Recommendations

 BIBLIGRAPHY            

APPENDIX

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of Study

New life in Christ is the very essence of Christianity. In fulfilling God’s commandments and the great commission of the church ordered by Jesus Christ, Christians are to live a regenerated life style as an example for all to see. With any study related to New life in Christ there are difficulties that present themselves. In present culture, the term “New life in Christ” is often misunderstood. A prevalent misconception regarding New life in Christ in some churches today is that it is a must to wash in a certain river or go on a particular days of fasting and prayer before you can be clean. The research examines the concept of New Life in Christ from biblical perspective and how it can benefits the church of Christ especially Christ Apostolic Church Mercy Land.

• Statement of the Problem

The concept of New Life in Christ is often misunderstood because of different believe and practices of some selected Africans indigenous churches which believe that, though you are saved but that is not enough, you still need to do some ritual watching in the river before you can be completely clean. The some who believe is not possible at all to leave a new life, as long as we are in this body, claiming that everything about man is on clean. This research aim at enlighten Christians that once you believe in Christ you are been completely clean. Also to correct erroneous teaching that says, Christians can never be holy or living a holy life is impossible for believers.

• Purpose of the Study

The following are the objectives of this study: To educate and enlighten the Christians on what New Life in Christ is all about. To create awareness for every member in the church the need to be conscious of their rights in Christ. To bring every believer/member in the church to the knowledge of the finished work of Christ and its benefits.

• The Significance of the Study

The significance of the study cannot be over emphasized. Hence, the ideas and suggestions that are brought forward in this research on the subject matter will be helpful in the following areas: Every member of the church would enjoy the dividends of this project for better understanding of been regenerated. This research work will help in differentiating between the expected life style in Christ as Christians and mere dogmas or indoctrination. This research will also help in creating interest in conducting more researches in this area of study. It will help to prepare Christians leader in general and Christ Apostolic Church in particular, to guard against falsehood as toughing the teachings of the New Life in Christ.

• Delimitation of Study

This research work is restricted to Paul’s concept of New life in Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 and its implications to Christian’s leaders: considering Christ Apostolic Church Mercy land District Headquarters as a case study.

• Research Procedure

In order to have this research work completed, the following research method would be adopted. Thus, the researcher for the library work will use the available text books related to the study, commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, journals and the Holy Bible.

The following libraries were used:

1. LIFE Theological Seminary Library (Ikorodu)
2. WATS theological seminary Library
3. The researcher’s personal library
4. Personal libraries of friends

The researcher made use of the internet facilities. This research is a combination of library and more of field works. An average number of three hundred (300) copies of questionnaire would be distributed out and other interviews will be conducted for the purpose of this study.

• Definition of Terms:

CHURCH: A group of Christian; church is a biblical word for “assembly”. The New Testament word for “church” is ekklesia, which means the called out ones. Derived probably from the Greek word kuriakon (i.e. “The Lord’s House”), which was used by ancient author for the place of worship.

CHRISTIAN: is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamics, Monotheistics religion based on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.

REGENERATION: This word means to be “born again or to be “restored”. Regeneration is therefore, the spiritual change wrought in people’s hearts by an act of God in which their inherently sinful nature is changed and by which they are enabled to respond to God in faith.

NEW CREATION: This concept is found in New Testament related to the new life and new man but with reference also to the Genesis “creation”

NEW BIRTH: Means regeneration or the commencement of a religious life.

Keywords: PAULINE’S CONCEPT OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST IN 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-17 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS LEADERS

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