View church as new creation of triune God, advises theologian

Riverside, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2016) – While the New Testament uses a variety of images to refer to the church, a theologian and author focused on one perspective during a lecture at California Baptist University. Dr. Gregg Allison urged his audience to view the church as a new creation of the triune God.

Allison is a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has written several books, including “Historical Theology, Sojourners and Strangers,” and is the book review editor for theological, historical, and philosophical studies, “Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.”

“The Father, Son and Holy Spirit operate inseparably yet with particular primary responsibilities to originate, develop and perfect the church as a new creation,” Allison said. He spoke as part of the School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series.

Allison said the basic definition of church is the people of God who have been saved, repenting of their sins, believing in Jesus Christ, then becoming incorporated into the body through baptism of the Holy Spirit. He said he wants churches to launch new fellowships because the Holy Spirit has stirred up to the desire to bring the gospel to others.

“Each member has a gift or gifts according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit to be used all together with the other members and their gifts for the building up of the body of Christ,” Allison said. “Each gift is vitally important, which banishes all sense of superiority or inferiority.”

Although the church is not perfect, believers need to be part of the church, Allison said.

“Here’s my plea: love the church, serve in your church, join your church, pray for your church,” Allison said. “Your church is the work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so rejoice and flourish in being the triune God’s new creation.”