Racial Reconciliation in Christ
From beginning to end, the Scriptures affirm the value of all humanity, regardless of ethnicity (Genesis 1:26-28, 31. Revelation 7.9 ff). Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior joyfully welcomed those who were ethnically different from Himself. He ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). He based much of His northern ministry in the area of the Decapolis which was very ethnically diverse and included both Jews and Gentiles (see Matthew 4.25, Mark 5.1-20, Mark 7.24-37). Jesus healed the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter (Mark 7.24-30). And He used Elijah as an example of a prophet of God ministering to those who were ethnically different from himself (Luke 4.25-27).
The very nature of the church promotes reconciliation of all peoples because through our restoration to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, we are united to one another across natural human boundaries (Galatians 3.28). Paul wrote that Christ has “reconciled us both (Jews and Gentiles) to God in one body through the cross (Ephesians 2.16).” Believers in Christ are now “no longer strangers and aliens” but “fellow citizens” and “members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2.19). In addition, Paul taught that in Christ ethnic boundaries are erased and that we are “all one” in Him (Galatians 3.28, Colossians 3.11). Consequently, as a local church we acknowledge that throughout history God has loved and used people of all ethnicities. We welcome all people to worship with us regardless of ethnicity, and we stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ from every nation, tribe, language, and people (Revelation 7.9).
From beginning to end, the Scriptures affirm the value of all humanity, regardless of ethnicity (Genesis 1:26-28, 31. Revelation 7.9 ff). Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior joyfully welcomed those who were ethnically different from Himself. He ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). He based much of His northern ministry in the area of the Decapolis which was very ethnically diverse and included both Jews and Gentiles (see Matthew 4.25, Mark 5.1-20, Mark 7.24-37). Jesus healed the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter (Mark 7.24-30). And He used Elijah as an example of a prophet of God ministering to those who were ethnically different from himself (Luke 4.25-27).
The very nature of the church promotes reconciliation of all peoples because through our restoration to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, we are united to one another across natural human boundaries (Galatians 3.28). Paul wrote that Christ has “reconciled us both (Jews and Gentiles) to God in one body through the cross (Ephesians 2.16).” Believers in Christ are now “no longer strangers and aliens” but “fellow citizens” and “members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2.19). In addition, Paul taught that in Christ ethnic boundaries are erased and that we are “all one” in Him (Galatians 3.28, Colossians 3.11). Consequently, as a local church we acknowledge that throughout history God has loved and used people of all ethnicities. We welcome all people to worship with us regardless of ethnicity, and we stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ from every nation, tribe, language, and people (Revelation 7.9).