Aletheia Church Richmond is a biblical community that has a passion to communicate the message of Jesus in both word and deed, in the city of Richmond, on the campus of VCU, and throughout the world.
How Does The Gospel Change Us?
The “gospel” means “good news!” It is the Good News that God sent his Son to rescue the world and create a new humanity. Eventually the whole world will be renewed. Death, decay, injustice, and suffering will all be removed. God is saving a people and sending them out for His mission so that Christ will be glorified in all things.
The Church has been saved by God’s work for God’s work (Ephesians 1, 2:10,14-22; 2 Corinthians 5:15-21; Revelation 21).The Gospel is not just about individual happiness or God’s plan for your life.
It is about God’s Glory and His plan for the world.There is a movement afoot. God is doing something, and we have been called to His purposes. The people of God are participating within God’s redemptive plan by being a people that displays and offers a foretaste of what the future will be like under God’s rule. (Jeremiah 29; Matthew 5:3-16; Luke 6:20-36; 1 Peter 2:9-12).
Therefore, we must understand that the Gospel informs us first of our “identity” as God’s people. At Aletheia Church Richmond we see four unique identities formed in us by the power of the gospel:
What Is Our Gospel Identity?
We are God’s Family
We are all children of God who care for each other as a family. God has always desired a people–an earthly family–who would live in such a way that the world would know what he is like. Jesus said that those who live in his ways and obey his Father are truly his family. Through Jesus we believe we are children of God and brothers and sisters with each other.
As family we see it as our obligation to personally care for the needs of one another – both physically and spiritually. We disciple, nurture and hold each other accountable to this covenant life together.
We do this through regular celebration gatherings and consistent involvement in a Community Group. (Genesis 12:1-3; John 1:12-13; Romans 12:10-16)
We are God’s Missionaries
We are sent by God to restore all things to him through Jesus Christ. God sent his Son, Jesus, to earth to take on human form and live within the culture. He worked, ate and interacted among the people, living in such a way that those around him could see and experience what God was truly like.
Jesus came so that all people, places and things could be restored to a right relationship with God. In the same way, we believe we are missionaries sent into our culture to restore all things to God through Jesus.
We live this out through involvement in a missional community. (John 1:14; 20:21; Colossians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)
We are God’s Servants
We are servants who serve God as we serve others around us. Fully God and fully human, Jesus took on the posture of a servant. He gave his life, even unto death, so that others could experience salvation, peace and restoration. Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves…”
All those who follow Jesus are called to serve in the same humility. For us this means joyful submitting to God, leadership, and to each other, as we serve whoever God brings into our lives.
We do whatever He leads us to do, whenever He tells us and wherever He wants us to do it (Matthew 20:25-28; 25:31-46; John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:16)
We Are God’s Learners
As a young man, Jesus grew in both height and wisdom. He learned from local religious teachers, by living in community, and through regular times of listening to God. Jesus called others to follow his ways, to be his disciples and to live in obedience to all that God commands.
He then sent these followers out to make new disciples. We are called to be followers of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others. This includes both our personal time with God as well as involvement together in training provided by spiritual leadership. (Luke 2:52; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:2)
Adapted: Soma Communities, Tocoma WA.


