The culminating event of the Christian faith occurred between the time of the Passover and Pentecost at the end of the Gospels through early Acts. The suffering, testimony under accusation, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the perfect Lamb of God is the substance of our faith. What the first twenty chapters of Exodus are to the Jews as God rescued and brought them to Sinai to hear the law is very much what the events in Jerusalem were for disciples. Many were eyewitnesses to events of the atonement, the risen Jesus as “both Lord and Christ,” and heard the promise that was for everyone, even “those who are far off”.
4.
Our salvation totally depends on the work of God and nothing of our own merit. That work of God is one of mercy and grace. That work redeems those who hear, believe and accept the Gospel message and are baptized into Christ through their faith in God’s power (Romans 2:7, Acts 2:22-38, Ephesians 2:8-10, Colossians 2:12).
5.
Our earthly mission involves every member’s participation in bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to all parts of the world. As we go about this mission, our testimony must be consistent with a Christ-like life of doing good, bringing about healing as well as supporting and encouraging other Christians and churches around the world (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 10:37-38, Colossians 3:1-6).
6.
Our motivation to love God, love each other and love the lost is prompted by God’s love for us, demonstrated in its greatest form by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on a cross for our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:14-21, 1 John 3:16, Luke 10:27).