Reconciliation

Summary

The ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) is Believers proclaiming (Romans 15:16) the message of reconcilliation (2 Corinthians 5:20,21). This message is that God is reconciling sinners to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19) through the atoning work of the Son (Romans 5:11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21) and the preparations of the heart by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 2:13).

Reconciliation is necessary because sin has alienated man from God (Colossians 1:21; Psalm 51:5) and is possible because God in truth desires (2 Peter 3:9) to be reconciled with the sinner — God is willing to forgive.

Key Scriptures

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 5:5 — And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:11 — And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Romans 15:16 — That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 2:13 — Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1 Corinthians 8:6 — But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Colossians 1:21 — And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Psalm 51:5 — Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

2 Peter 3:9 — The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Key Concepts

• The Ministry of Reconciliation
• The Message of Reconciliation
• The Process, Means of Reconciliation
• Necessity of Alienation
• Atonement
• Preparations of the Heart and Acceptance of God's Provision of Salvation

The Many Shapes of the Ministry of Reconcilliation

• Personal Evangelism: Tracts, 1-on-1 witness, canvassing
• Regular Church Service, Campmeeting, Revival
• Preaching (and its pre-eminence)
• Singing
• Music
• Individual witness to Christ in the life lived. "Ye are the Light of the world"
• Missionary Efforts
• Specific examples of how this ministry has been carried out: Jesus unto the lost house of Israel, Paul to the Gentiles, The early church spreading out (Jerusalem, Judea, Samarai, uttermost parts of the earth)
• Some concerns & Challenges regarding the means of reconcilliation. ("Producing Church")