The Beginning: The Story of God and Humanity--A Divine Mission
Our triune God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--is the Creator of all things and has ultimate authority. We were made in the image of God to live in harmony with the Creator and the plans for creation; that we would all live for God's glory.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God said, Let Us [Father, Son, Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created mankind in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." Genesis 1:1, 26-28, 31 (NIV)
The Blunder: Mankind Sins Against God's Plan and Mission
Mankind sinned against God's authority--God's way of living--and was separated from living in the presence of God and cooperating in the mission. We needed a Savior--our Bridge to Life and Fellowship with God; a new connection with direction and purpose.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (NIV)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 6:23 (NIV)
The Bridge: Jesus Christ brings Connection and Correction for the Mission
Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God; fully divine and fully human. Christ paid the price for humanity's sin against God by dying on the cross. Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. He is now seated with God in heaven until he is sent to gather the believers. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide every believer. We can now fulfill our purpose, through partnership with the Spirit, for God's mission.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)
The Business: The Holy Spirit Gives Energy and Guidance to finish God's Mission
The Holy Spirit is our Power for living. When a person believes in the work of Jesus Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live with him/her. It is the work of the Spirit to bring and manifest truth. We witness to the truth of God's love for us and for others. The Spirit teaches and helps us to mirror the holiness of Christ--love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, thoughtfulness, and self-control--as we live out God's mission to lovingly connect with humanity worldwide.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NIV)
Who Are We?
