Genesis 1:26-28
Romans 5:12-21
Colossians 1:15
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 3:18
Romans 8:29
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
1 Corinthians 15:47-49
1 John 3:2
Colossians 3:3-4
Humanity
God created humanity male and female in the image and likeness of God. God blessed them, telling them to multiply and fill the earth. In love, the Lord gave humans stewardship over all the earth and its creatures. Typified by Adam who sinned, humanity lives in sin against its Creator, thus spreading suffering and death in the world. Despite human sinfulness, humanity continues in and is defined by having been created according to God’s image. Thus all humans, collectively and individually, deserve love, honor, and respect. The eternally perfect image of God is the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the last Adam. God creates through Jesus Christ the one new humanity over which sin and death have no power. In Christ, humanity bears perfectly the image of God, and in union with Christ, humanity is included in the relationship Christ has with the Father.