The Simple Tasks of the Church in God's New Creation Project

Israel's downfall began when it demanded a king like the rulers of the nations instead of being satisfied with its true, heavenly King. Similarly, whenever the church tries to make Christ's kingdom visible through its own decisions, programs, and methods, it becomes assimilated to this passing evil age, swallowed in the sea along with Pharaoh's mighty men. Yet whenever the church proclaims the gospel, baptizes, teaches, and administers the Lord's Table, the powers of the age to come break into this present age, and the light of the new creation dawns (Mike Horton, The Gospel Commission, 54).