Basic Relationships in the New Testament Church

2006-12-06

1. Holy Spirit / Believer - Jesus gave the believers the Holy Spirit in order to sanctify and seal them (Ephesians 1:17; 2:18; Romans 8:16), demonstrating the power of God in the church (Romans 8:11; 15:19).
2. Believer / Believer - Believers ought to love one another as the Lord loves them (John 13:34-35; Ephesians 5:21).
3. Husband / Wife - The husband is to love his wife (Ephesians 5:25). The wife is to respect her husband (Ephesians 5:22).
4. Parent / Child - Children are to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3). The father is to “bring them [children] up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The father is the main one to train and instruct the children (Ephesians 6:4). The mothers are to love their children (Titus 2:4).
5. Employer / Employee - This would be the same thing as the servant/master relationship found in the Scriptures. The employee should work as he or she is working for the Lord (Ephesians 6:4-8; 1 Peter 2:18). The employer should treat the employee with respect and without threatening them (Ephesians 6:9).
6. Believer / Government - The believer ought to obey the government in all matters (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17) with the exception as to when it violates God’s commandments (Acts 5:29).
7. Believer / Unbeliever - Believers should not be entangled with unbelievers in a fashion that would hurt their testimony or be involved in idolatrous affairs (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). However, it is the place of the believer to share the message of the Gospel with others in words and actions (Matthew 5:13-16) so that people can know that they are of the Lord (John 13:35; Acts 2:47).