Members of Christ (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

Members of Christ (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

Members of Christ is Section II of The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction, Michael Ferrebee Sadler's 1872 expansion of the Church Catechism in question-and-answer form.

Summary

Sadler explains the catechetical statement that the baptized person is made a member of Christ. He interprets membership as incorporation into Christ's body and as a claim upon the believer's conduct and mutual obligation within the Church.

Sadler's Text

Sadler's catechetical treatment of this topic is anchored in the statement, "In my Baptism I was made a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of heaven." He further explains the section by saying, "No; the two latter are included under the first. I was made a child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of heaven, because I was made a member of Christ."

Theological Themes

• Union with Christ
• The Church as Christ's body
• Mutual responsibility among Christians
• Baptismal belonging

Scripture References

The following references are representative biblical texts used or implied in this section of Sadler's catechetical exposition:

• 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27
• Ephesians 1:22
• Colossians 1:18
• 1 Corinthians 6:15, 19
• Romans 12:3-5
• Acts 9:4-5

Anglican Context

This section is connected chiefly with the Book of Common Prayer baptismal office and the opening clauses of the Church Catechism, especially the language of Christian name, sponsors, renunciation, faith, and obedience. Sadler's treatment reflects nineteenth-century Church of England catechesis and should be read as a historical Anglican source alongside current provincial formularies and catechetical resources.

See Also

• The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction
• Baptism
• Church Catechism
• Book of Common Prayer
• Godparents