A Moment with the MCP–We Proclaim... Jesus Christ (#11 in a series)

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This is the 11th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1
 
“We Proclaim… Jesus Christ.” The Community of Christ’s belief in Jesus Christ has been emphasized in the explanations of many of the “We Share” columns:

• Our “vision for creation” (We Share #2) is centered on the symbol of the empty Christian cross and the revelation of Jesus Christ in his life, death, and resurrection.
• Our name, Community of Christ, (We Share #3) is a statement of our primary identity and purpose “to proclaim Jesus Christ.”
• “We share the Peace of Jesus Christ” was the focus of We Share #4.
• Further, “Christ’s Mission is Our Mission!” as drawn from Luke 4:18-19 (We Share #6).
• The primary elements in our Basic Beliefs are God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (We Share #8).
• Finally, almost all of the sacraments (We Share #10) are based on the instructions or the example of the ministry of Jesus.

 
After all of those affirmations of faith and belief in Jesus Christ, why is it necessary to have a statement explicitly aimed at our proclamation of Jesus? It is to further emphasize and confirm the primacy of that faith and belief, and to make a clear statement of our place in historic Christianity. Much to the surprise of some persons who may be detractors of Community of Christ, we ARE a CHRISTIAN denomination! From the time of our establishment in 1830, through our “reorganization” in 1860, and our name change in 2001, our focus and reason for being has been to witness of the life, death, resurrection, and continuing ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!
 
In the book, Sharing in Community of Christ, upon which this series of columns is based, the section of “We Proclaim Jesus Christ” can be found on pages 58 to 60. There are nine statements affirming our proclamation of Jesus. They will not be repeated in their entirety here, but even the first phrases of each one is affirmative, explanatory, and worth listing:

1. As members of Community of Christ, we are bound together with Christians in every place and in every time by our confession of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, author of our salvation, and head of the church.
2. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, both fully human and fully divine…
3. By the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus, born of Mary, came into the world to live and dwell among us to reveal God’s nature and will…
4. Jesus was betrayed by his own friends…and sentenced… to die on a cross…
5. On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead…
6. Christ is our peace…
7. The church, the body of Christ, is called to proclaim the gospel until Christ comes again…
8. The promises of God in Jesus Christ are sure…
9. …Putting our trust in the Risen Christ, present among us by the Holy Spirit, we press on together…

 
There is much to explore about a faith and life based on the ministry and example of Jesus Christ. Entire lifetimes of ministry have been dedicated to the task. Uncountable books, from authors both in Community of Christ and in other faith traditions, have been written about it. All such efforts, ultimately, find their basis in the scriptural record of Jesus Christ. I certainly commend that record to your reading and study.
 
If you have an interest in pursuing questions or further discussion about the place of Jesus Christ in the Community of Christ, please contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs.
 
I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.

Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
[email protected]