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 is based on racial reconciliation in
Christ Jesus. 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).
Randall Runions, Pastor