The term "constitutes" refers to the act of establishing, forming, or composing something. In a biblical context, it often relates to the establishment of covenants, the formation of the Church, or the composition of the body of Christ. The concept of what constitutes various elements of faith and practice is foundational to understanding the structure and function of biblical teachings.

Covenants

In the Bible, covenants are divine agreements that constitute the relationship between God and His people. The Old Testament is replete with examples, such as the covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:9-17), which constituted a promise never to destroy the earth by flood again, and the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:18), which constituted the promise of land and descendants. The Mosaic Covenant, given at Mount Sinai, constituted the laws and commandments that Israel was to follow (Exodus 19-24).

The New Testament introduces the New Covenant, constituted by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 8:6 states, "But now, Jesus has received a superior ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is superior and is founded on better promises." This New Covenant constitutes the basis for salvation and the relationship between God and believers through faith in Christ.

The Church

The Church, as the body of Christ, is constituted by believers who are united in faith. Ephesians 1:22-23 describes the Church as the body of Christ, with Christ as the head: "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." This passage highlights that the Church is constituted by those who are in Christ, forming a spiritual body that functions under His authority.

The early Church was constituted by the apostles and early believers who adhered to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Acts 2:42 states, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This verse outlines the foundational practices that constituted the early Christian community.

The Body of Christ

The concept of the body of Christ is central to understanding what constitutes the Church. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 explains, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. For the body does not consist of one part, but of many."

This passage illustrates that the body of Christ is constituted by diverse members, each with unique gifts and roles, yet all are unified in the Spirit. The unity and diversity within the body of Christ are essential to its constitution, as each member contributes to the functioning and edification of the whole.

Authority and Governance

The Bible also addresses what constitutes authority and governance within the Church. Elders and deacons are established as leaders who oversee and serve the congregation. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 provide qualifications for these roles, constituting a framework for church leadership. These passages emphasize character, ability to teach, and a life that exemplifies godliness as essential components of church governance.

Conclusion

The concept of what constitutes various elements within the biblical narrative is crucial for understanding the structure and function of God's relationship with His people, the formation of the Church, and the roles within the body of Christ. Through covenants, the establishment of the Church, and the organization of its members, the Bible provides a comprehensive view of what constitutes the faith and practice of believers.

Whether Some Good of the Soul Constitutes Man's Happiness?
... OF THOSE THINGS IN WHICH MAN'S HAPPINESS CONSISTS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
some good of the soul constitutes man's happiness? Objection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether some good of the.htm

What Constitutes Disobedience to Moral Law?
... LECTURE XVI. WHAT CONSTITUTES DISOBEDIENCE TO MORAL LAW? In discussing this question,
I will, I. Show in what disobedience to moral law cannot consist. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xvi what constitutes disobedience.htm

Whether any Created Good Constitutes Man's Happiness?
... OF THOSE THINGS IN WHICH MAN'S HAPPINESS CONSISTS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
any created good constitutes man's happiness? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether any created good constitutes.htm

What Constitutes Our End and Perfect Bliss.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter VII. What constitutes our
end and perfect bliss. For then will be perfectly fulfilled ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vii what constitutes our.htm

Now if this is a True Account of what Constitutes the Right and ...
... Chapter XXXVII. Now if this is a TRUE account of what constitutes the right
and the wrong? Now if this is a true account of what ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxvii now if this.htm

The Time of Doubting and of Spiritual Darkness Constitutes
... X. The time of doubting and of spiritual darkness constitutes. another season
when it is very difficult to keep the heart. When the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/x the time of doubting.htm

Retrograde Character of the Heresy of Praxeas the Doctrine of the ...
... Chapter XXXI."Retrograde Character of the Heresy of Praxeas The Doctrine of the
Blessed Trinity Constitutes the Great Difference Between Judaism and ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xxxi retrograde character of the.htm

Of the Happiness of the Eternal Peace, which Constitutes the End ...
... Book XIX. Chapter 11."Of the Happiness of the Eternal Peace, Which Constitutes
the End or True Perfection of the Saints. And thus ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 11 of the happiness of.htm

Monoimus on the Sabbath; Allegorizes the Rod of Moses; Notion ...
... And this (tittle) constitutes a perfect son of a perfect man. ... Now this (rod) constitutes
one tittle of the iota, and is (both) twofold (and) various. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vii monoimus on the sabbath.htm

Contents. Lecture I.
... UNITY OF MORAL ACTION. What constitutes obedience to moral law. ... Attributes of that
love which constitutes obedience to the law. " Voluntariness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/contents lecture i.htm

Constitutes (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Constitutes (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 7:28 For the Law
constitutes men High Priests--men with all their infirmity ...
/c/constitutes.htm - 6k

Utterance (21 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:28 For the Law constitutes men High Priests--men with all their
infirmity--but the utterance of the oath, which came later than the Law, constitutes...
/u/utterance.htm - 12k

Personality
... 1. (n.) That which constitutes distinction of person; individuality. ... Personality
is that which constitutes and characterizes a person. ...
/p/personality.htm - 16k

Jericho (59 Occurrences)
... of prophecy, in which the Creator by foretelling the course of things to Joshua,
secured the junction of Divine and human activities which constitutes a true ...
/j/jericho.htm - 38k

Later (89 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:28 For the Law constitutes men High Priests--men with all their
infirmity--but the utterance of the oath, which came later than the Law, constitutes...
/l/later.htm - 31k

Zoan (7 Occurrences)
... 11, 13; 30:4; Ezek. 30:14). "The whole constitutes one of the grandest
and oldest ruins in the world.". This city was also called ...
/z/zoan.htm - 17k

Obligation (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract,
oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty. ...
/o/obligation.htm - 12k

Lading (7 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Lade. 2. (n.) The act of loading. 3. (n.) That which lades or constitutes
a load or cargo; freight; burden; as, the lading of a ship. Int. ...
/l/lading.htm - 10k

Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... cloud to the earth. The sound produced by the electricity in passing rapidly
through the atmosphere constitutes thunder. 2. (n.) The ...
/l/lightning.htm - 24k

Wool (34 Occurrences)
... sheep and some other animals, and which in fineness sometimes approaches to fur; --
chiefly applied to the fleecy coat of the sheep, which constitutes a most ...
/w/wool.htm - 21k

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