New Qumran

Qumran was a community near the Dead Sea where John the Baptist may have lived and studied. The Essenes lived there. They were a Jewish sect which revered, studied and copied the scripture. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in Qumran. It is believed the Essenes hid the scrolls in caves just before the Romans destroyed the community around 70 A.D. Grace Community is challenged by many aspects of this ancient community.

I. The Essenes studied and obeyed the scriptures.  We believe all of life's problems of today have solutions found in the Bible. We see the world through the lens of the Holy Scriptures. Our goal is to be like the Bereans, studying together to see how to bring the truth of the Bible to our generation and to discern the lies of the Deceiver.

II. The Essenes led a life of self-discipline and simplicity. Most of the Essenes did not marry. They had sexual integrity which they expressed in celibacy. We believe in marriage. In fact, it is a picture of God. He painted the picture of the Gospel in the family. We believe that a healthy marriage takes as much or more self-discipline and sexual integrity as celibacy. By sexual integrity, we mean understanding our roles as men being men and women being women while maintaining sexual purity. The scriptures teach us that in the last days people become lovers of pleasure, riches and self-indulgent. Much of the cause for the death of the family can be traced to the idol of self taking the place of God. Self-denial must be learned and modeled if love Is to be restored.

III. The Essenes came out of their culture and established a separate community.

The Church was meant to be a separate community, in the world but not of the world.  The Essenes were an alien culture "outside the camp." They led a simple life with little emphasis on materialism. The community was self-sufficient but the members were very dependent on one another. The Essenes depended on the outside world for little or nothing. They came out of a wicked culture like ours.  We show the world a different value system based on biblical truths.

IV. The Essenes were hospitable to those in need and to guests. Being given to hospitality is a way to deny ourselves. It means surrendering our privacy and our own way to focus on others.

V. The Essenes spent much time in prayer.  Prayer opens the way to love others and invites the ministry of Jesus Christ.

VI. The Essenes worked cooperatively together establishing enduring relationships.  They lived under an imperfect human government which strived to reflect a theocracy – the government of God.  We attempt to persevere to love one another in long-term, committed relationships rather than the present cultural tendency toward transient family and church connections. 

VII. The Essenes were disciplined to rest and be still and know that the I AM is God.  Jesus is our Sabbath rest and we must stop doing, working, and ministering to be still, listen, and rest in His presence.  This is an important discipline in our frenetic church life and society.

New Qumran is evidence of restated old truths. Each generation of saints has in some way creatively rearticulated unchangeable truth and hopes. This is our expression and preparation for the soon return of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist came in the Spirit and power of Elijah calling his generation to repentance. Our generation is in great need of repentance and healing. Christ is the Great Physician. He is the source of all true healing. New Qumran is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. His power is manifested in the lives of those who minister and receive ministry. He brings good news to the afflicted, binds up the brokenhearted, proclaims liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners, comforts all who mourn, gives the oil of gladness instead of mourning, gives the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. New Qumran is a mindset and a place where those ministering are focused on allowing Christ to work by His Holy Spirit through His people as modeled by Jesus and John the Baptist. We want to raise up a generation of people like John the Baptist who endeavor to decrease while Christ increases.