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<p>This paper seeks to locate the church as a role player in the ongoing discussion
around reconciliation within the South African context. Seeing as reconciliation is
understood and applied in different ways by different sectors of society, the paper
starts by establishing a Biblical understanding on the subject. This is done by identifying
central New Testament texts which it sees as primarily occurring in the Pauline corpus
(2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 5:8-11, Ephesians 2:13-16, and Colossians 1:15-23).
The paper then turns to consider the possible contributions Pentecostal theology makes
available to this discussion, focusing on eschatology, the empowerment of the Spirit,
and social concern. The paper then contextualizes the conversation by considering
the South African context, with focus given to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
of 1996. These thoughts are then brought together in a discussion on the Church, and
how through the Spirit, it finds itself uniquely positioned as a witness to inclusivity
and reconciliation. The Biblical understanding of reconciliation is affirmed, as is
the centrality of the Church, but that this still needs to be realized in local congregational
gatherings is noted. As the paper takes a Pentecostal approach to reconciliation,
the inclusivity of the community that emerged from the outpouring of the Spirit in
Acts is considered, and parallels drawn to similar occurrences in the origins of Pentecostalism.
It is therefore the premise of this paper that the Spirit empowers the Church, positioning
it uniquely as an inclusive and reconciling community.</p>
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