Spirit of Christ

Resurrection, Spirit-Baptism

Paul summarizes what God did for us in Jesus and prepares for his explanation of the present status of the Jewish people – Romans 8:18-39.

In the first half of Romans, Paul presents the “gospel,” the “power of God for salvation to Jews and Greeks.” God provides salvation through the “faith of Jesus Christ” for everyone who responds to it in faith. Death passed from Adam to everyone, both “within the law” and “apart from the law” because “all sinned and lack the glory of God” - [Photo by Lukas Hron on Unsplash].

Flesh, Spirit & Redemption

Resurrection, Salvation

Paul links the resurrection of believers to the New Creation and redemption of which the gift of the Spirit is the first fruit and foretaste. 

In Romans, Paul declares there is “now no condemnation” for anyone who is “in Jesus.” This happy state is because the “law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and of death.” And he links our salvation to the inheritance of Christ and the redemption of the creation itself. - [Multnomah Falls - Photo by Perry Kibler on Unsplash]. 

Blessing of Abraham

Abraham, Covenant, Nations

The gift of the Spirit is given by Jesus as part of God’s promise to bless all nations in Abraham’s seed. 

After the Day of Pentecost, Peter and John prayed for a man who was “lame from his mother’s womb” as he begged for alms near the Temple. Rather than money, they commanded him to walk “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” Immediately, he stood up and began to walk, then he was seen and heard “leaping and praising God.” - [World Globe - Photo by Juliana Kozoski on Unsplash].

The Task

Gospel, Mission

The task assigned to his disciples by Jesus is to announce the Good News of his Kingdom to all nations. 

Jesus commissioned his disciples to announce his good news to all nations, the message he summarized as the “gospel of the Kingdom of God.” In him, God’s rule is being established on the earth, and he has empowered his church with the gift of the Holy Spirit to carry out this global mission - [Photo by Ben White on Unsplash].

Worship in Spirit

Temple, Worship

To a woman in Samaria, Jesus revealed that the presence of God no longer is limited to geographic locations or man-made structures – John 4:20-24. 

In Samaria, Jesus revealed the true form and location for worship. With his advent, concepts and traditions about holy space and holy time no longer apply, and the arrival of the “Son of Man” renders the historical debate over the location of the Temple moot. From now on, worship must be performed in truth and in spirit. - [Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash].