The New Testament Church belongs to our heavenly Father and to His Son, Jesus Christ. Together they inspired the New Testament writers to refer to the Church as the "Church of God," which means it is a spiritual organism that belongs to God.
The New Testament Church belongs to our heavenly Father and to His Son, Jesus Christ. Together they inspired the New Testament writers to refer to the Church as the "Church of God," which means it is a spiritual organism that belongs to God.
Thus the legal name of the church organization that publishes The Good News is "United Church of God, an International Association ." Our chosen name first reflects our commitment to using the biblical name of the Church.
God expects His people to get organized and coordinate their efforts to more effectively fulfill His work. The word "United" reflects our goal of striving for spiritual unity and harmony, which the New Testament heavily emphasizes (Ephesians 4:1-16 [1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
[5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
[6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
[7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
[8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
[10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
See All...; 1 Corinthians 12).
"An International Association" reflects our representation in many countries around the world and our commitment to fulfill Christ's commission to "go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
See All..., NIV). We are trying to reach everyone of every race in all nations to give them the wonderful "words of eternal life" (John 6:68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
See All...). GN
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