Community

The concept of community is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's design for human relationships and His covenantal purposes. From the creation account, where God declares, "It is not good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18), to the establishment of Israel as a nation, community is portrayed as essential to human flourishing and divine purpose.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were called to be a distinct community, set apart for God. This communal identity was rooted in the covenant God made with Abraham and later reaffirmed through Moses at Sinai. The Law given to Israel emphasized communal living, justice, and care for one another, as seen in Leviticus 19:18, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

The New Testament further develops the theme of community through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus gathered a diverse group of disciples, modeling a new kind of community centered on love, service, and the Kingdom of God. In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."

The early church, as described in the Book of Acts, exemplifies the communal life of believers. Acts 2:42-47 depicts a community devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This community shared their possessions, cared for the needy, and lived in unity, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.

Mission

Mission in the Bible is the outworking of God's redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in the Great Commission given by Jesus to His disciples. The mission of God is to reconcile the world to Himself, a theme that runs throughout Scripture.

In the Old Testament, Israel was called to be a light to the nations, demonstrating God's holiness and love. Isaiah 49:6 states, "I will also make you a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." This missional calling was not only for Israel's benefit but for the blessing of all nations.

The New Testament mission is inaugurated by Jesus Christ, who declares in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Jesus' ministry was marked by reaching out to the marginalized, teaching about the Kingdom of God, and ultimately sacrificing Himself for the salvation of humanity.

The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20, is the cornerstone of Christian mission: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." This command underscores the global scope of the mission and the call for believers to actively participate in spreading the Gospel.

The apostle Paul exemplifies the missionary zeal of the early church, traveling extensively to preach the Gospel and establish churches. In Romans 1:16, Paul declares, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek."

The mission of the church today continues this biblical mandate, emphasizing evangelism, discipleship, and social justice as integral components of the Christian witness. The community of believers is called to embody the love of Christ and to engage in mission, both locally and globally, as ambassadors of God's Kingdom.