In The Beginning…of the Church
A guest blog, by Next Generation Pastor Rebecca DeLucia
In our Discipleship Essentials book and our Step-Groups these past few weeks, we have spent time reading and reflecting on Genesis 1-2 – the creation narrative. In today’s Bible Reading Plan we read Acts 1, the beginnings of the early church. It is amazing to read these two passages of Scripture back to back and see the themes woven throughout both.
In Genesis we read the role of humanity in stewardship of creation, “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28)
In Acts 1 we read the continuing partnership in God’s ongoing work of spreading the kingdom, of cultivating the new creation that is made in the wake of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. We are once again made partners in God’s work of sustaining creation through the power of the Holy Spirit and are told, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
We have an ongoing role in Kingdom growth to all of humanity.
There is a universality in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all the ends of the earth – it is a picture of all humanity, every person who is created in God’s image; “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
Our role in growing God’s Kingdom, is to be witnesses to his transformative work of renewing all creation, of bringing all humanity back into relationship with him. God’s redemptive plan began in Christ and our role is seen in the calling of the early church in Acts 1. Tomorrow in our Bible Reading Plan we will read Acts 2 and the story of Pentecost when the Spirit brings life, flourishing, connection, empowerment, and most importantly, God’s presence!
What was lost in Eden is restored via our calling as a church: God’s presence with people!
May we as individuals and a church take seriously the call to be witnesses to all humanity in the power of the Spirit bringing forth new creation, joining in praying “your kingdom come”.