A. The church as it is -- 1. Historicity and the image of the church -- Essence and historical forms -- The development of the image of the church in church history -- The changing image of the church in the New Testament -- 2. Distortions of the image of the church -- The church as the object of admiration and criticism; the nature and "un-nature" of the church -- The church as the object of faith -- Visible and invisible.
B. The coming reign of God -- 1. The preaching of Jesus -- The appeal to the gospel of Jesus -- The gospel message of the reign of God -- 2. Foundation of a church? -- The nearness of the reign of God in Jesus -- Between already and not yet -- Jesus and the beginning of the church -- 3. The eschatological community of salvation -- The ekklesia as congregation, community, church -- Similarities and differences between church and reign of God -- In the service of the reign of God.
C. The fundamental structure of the church -- 1. The church as the people of God -- Beyond Judaism? -- From the ancient to the new people of God -- The church, the people of God today -- The church and the Jews -- 2. The church as the creation of the Spirit -- The new freedom -- The church of the Spirit -- The continuing charismatic structure -- The church and the enthusiasts -- 3. The church as the body of Christ -- Members through baptism -- United in the fellowship of the Lord's Supper -- The local community and the whole church as the body of Christ -- The church and the heretics.
D. The dimensions of the church -- 1. The church is one -- What is the true church? -- Unity in diversity -- Reunion of the churches -- 2. The church is catholic -- Catholicity in identity -- No salvation outside the church? -- 3. The church is holy -- Sinful and yet holy -- Forgiveness and renewal as continuing aspects of the life of the church -- 4. The church is apostolic -- Founded on the apostles -- Apostolicity and succession.
E. The offices of the church -- 1. The priesthood of all believers -- Christ as the only high priest and mediator -- The royal priesthood of all Christians -- 2. Ecclesiastical office as ministry -- Service as the imitation of Christ -- The diaconal structure -- The Petrine power and the Petrine ministry -- Epilogue.
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