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Abstract
In recent decades the church member's life style and involvement in the congregation and the church, increasingly became a point of interest in the church. Enterprises to build up the congregation concentrate on leading, motivating and activating church members to become involved in numerous activities launched by the congregation. In spite of this it looks as if only a minority of church members really do get involved in serving the Lord.
The contention of this study is that church members' defective realisation of their Christian identity is the reason that the quality of their spiritual life and their involvement in church activities leaves much to be desired.
Scientific Biblical research specifically from the New Testament concerning the Christian identity of the church member is therefore necessary. This Biblical information will help church members to realise their identity as believers. This in tum will enable them to fulfill their task as believers by becoming closely involved in the church. According to Erikson (1971 :90) a defective comprehension of identity leads to a misunderstanding of one's role. Such persons will try to be everything to everyone and will be never be themselves. The measure in which individuals find their identity is the measure in which they grow in stability and self-confidence. This may also be true for the member of the church.
An intensive study of the abundant material in Scripture would be impossible within the confines of this treatise. For this reason the research will be confined to the Pauline material which in tum can't be used in full. Thus the theme : Relevant Pauline perspectives on the Christian identity of the church member.
The object of this research is to ascertain if, and if so, which perspectives the Corpus Paulinum (C P) gives on the identity of the church member Furthermore it will also highlight the consequence for church members and the church, if the members find their identity and fulfill their roles within the church and the community according to their identity. To achieve this end, the following hypothesis, which will be tested on the basis of the Pauline material, was formulated.
The C P gives perspectives on the identity of church member that:
1.1 Gives church members a clear image of their Christian identity;
1.2 enable them to understand and live their calling and responsibility as Christians;
1.3 will be a great help to the church in the edification of the congregation and the church;
1.4 will further the Kingdom of God in this world.
An exegetical-theological method is used to test the hypothesis. The Pauline material relevant to the believer will be investigated to achieve an image of being church and being a church member in the C P. It is impossible to treat all the material pertaining to church member within the confines of this treatise. A selection is made of the most dominant information. This will be systemised and presented as a synthesised whole. In making this choice of material, there will be endeavoured to use the information that will lead to the most representative and most inclusive result possible.
