BES Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Beth El Shalom exists to inspire all people to whole heartedly follow Jesus.

To Inspire - according to MW 11th edition, “to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration.”

First, nothing can be truly inspired unless we are first inspired by and thru the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 4:6

Zechariah 4:6 HCSB

So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts.

The Lord spoke this message to Zerubbabel after he had given a vision to him that left him confused. The confusion vision was of a golden lampstand and two lives trees on its right and on its left. Yet, when the angel asked if Zerubbabel knew what the vision meant he could only say, “No, my Lord” (Zech 4:5). Zerubbabel knew what he saw, he did not know that the vision signified.

The angel’s response, “Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit” is an encouragement to Zerubbabel the Lord will give continued provision for the building of the Temple by the divine power of the Holy Spirit flowing through Zerubbabel and the other leaders. Negatively, the Lord’s blunt reminder declares that human agency is always insufficient to bring the Lord’s plans to fruition.

We recognize that the work of inspiring is the work of the Holy Spirit. As Zerubbabel submitted his whole heart to the message of the Angel, he could then inspire others to complete the rebuilding of the Temple. When armies mightier than the returning refugees stood ready to invade Zerubbabel could direct them “not by might (military strength.” When people with powerful influence tried to stop the supply of goods in and out of Israel Zerubbabel could say, “not by power” (bĕkōaḥ = by any authority a human can exhibit).

What were the refugees to do if they could not rely on their military might and those with powerful influence? The message was clear, “By My Spirit” that is the Holy Spirit. He would protect the community from the outside and provide for the community on the inside. The community of refugees were inspired to follow Zerubbabel in the rebuilding of the Temple because he was first inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Second, we believe every single Christian is inspired by the Holy Spirit in three ways. At a bare minimum, the Holy Spirit inspires every single Christian to be born again, to follow the truth, and to live an exemplary life.

And, third, he inspires some Christians to become leaders of the church.

Last, he inspired us so we could inspire others with the message of the Gospel. Like Zerubbabel, many people know the facts of the Gospel but they do not know what these things signify and they need inspired Christians to guide them. In the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch we encounter a person who knows the words of the prophet Isaiah but he does not understand their meaning. Let’s listen in:

Acts 8:30–39 HCSB

When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so He does not open His mouth. In His humiliation justice was denied Him. Who will describe His generation? For His life is taken from the earth. The eunuch replied to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or another person?” So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture. As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water! What would keep me from being baptized?” [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing.

The Eunuch was a religious person but he still needed a spirit inspired Christian to “guide” him in understanding what was signified by Isaiah 53.