Purpose of the Church

[dreadnought]

The people not the Church

They are one and the same, aren't they?

 

[Tutorman]

They are one and the same, aren't they?

Not in the context of what the Church itself is for. As I said the Church is for the dispensing of the sacraments. I do not view the Church the same as the average evangelical

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

What about the prideful? It seems to me they are the ones most responsible for hijacking the churches.

Does it matter?
Is it written ?

But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. Matt 23:13 RSV

You haven't shown the connection, or how it connects here, to "does it matter" ?

 

[KingdomLeast]

The present mission of the church is the perfecting of the saints for a future work of service, to develop in herself the graces of Christian character, and to be God’s witness to the world concerning Christ’s kingdom of blessing now so near. And there is also a glorious future work for which the church is now being prepared!

Jesus said to Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” (Matt. 16:18) That which is ‘built’, in due time reaches completion. It is not God’s design that the ‘building’ of the church shall go on forever. It is not a case of all who will ever obtain salvation through Christ becoming members of the church. The very meaning of the word, ‘a calling out’, is contrary to this concept of God’s purpose through the church. The church is called out from the world. It is not God’s plan to bring the world into the church.

“Thou art the Christ,” Peter testified, “the Son of the living God.” This expression identified Jesus with the messianic promises of the Old Testament, and indicates that Peter properly recognized in Jesus the one whom God had sent to fulfill those promises. In order to see clearly the full divine purpose through the church, it is essential to keep in mind the Old Testament promises concerning Christ; for the church is called out from the world to he associated with him in the fulfillment of those promises.

God said to Abraham, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” (Gen 12:3; 22:18) In Galatians 3:16 Paul informs us that this ‘seed’ of promise is Christ. But Paul gives us additional information concerning the seed of promise. In verses 27 and 29 we read, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ, … and if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Here is unmistakable proof that those who, through full consecration to do God’s will, become members of the church, which is the body of Christ, are part of the promised seed through which all the families of the earth are to be blessed.

This means that instead of the fullness of God’s purpose toward the children of men being represented in the establishing of the church, it is only the beginning of his plan to bless mankind. In James 1:18 we are told that the church is a “kind of firstfruits” of God’s creatures. This expression is also used in Revelation 14:4 and applied to those who are associated with the “Lamb” on the symbolic Mount Zion.

In the 15th chapter of I Corinthians, Paul points out very clearly that the hope of life for both the church and the world depends upon the resurrection of the dead. “If there be no resurrection of the dead,” he argues, “then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” (vss. 13,18) But he gives us assurance of the resurrection, saying, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”—vs. 22

Then Paul shows that there is to be a definite order, or sequence, in the resurrection: “every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (vs. 23) The firstfruits here referred to include the church, for as James explains, we are a “kind of firstfruits [unto God] of his creatures.”

But “afterward” (I Cor. 15:23) others are to be resurrected. Who are these? Paul explains that they are those who, “are Christ’s at his coming.” This is a faulty translation; a proper translation of the Greek text would be, “those who become Christ’s during his presence.” This is a reference to the thousand years of his kingdom, when Christ and his church will reign for the purpose of destroying sin and death, and giving all an opportunity to accept the gift of life provided by his shed blood. This is shown by Paul’s further statement, which immediately follows:

“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (vss.

24-26) Yes, this is the great, the ultimate, purpose of God to be accomplished through Christ and the church—the ‘afterward’ blessing to reach all mankind when the building of the church shall have been completed.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

So you don't put money into any business, leader, government, or organization ever?

Support the church that feeds you spiritually. If they play pleasant songs and have a light sermon with mostly milk and pious platitudes then not so much. If you learn, something and can apply it in your daily Christian walks then yes support them well.

 

[Greg J.]

What is the purpose of the church? Does it have multiple purposes?

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13, 1984 NIV)

There's actually passages that go over meta-ideas, but are not necessarily memorable. Colossians 1 is a good example of which this is a part:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Colossians 1:15-18, 1984 NIV)

Ephesians 1 is another nice overview, a part of which is:

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— (Ephesians 1:4-5, 1984 NIV)

Then, for those who have digested the fact that the Law is a revelation of God himself and not just what God commanded other people to do under the old covenant, there is:

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, 1984 NIV)

In a Christian culture where churches are trying to be everything to everybody and not hurt anyone's feelings, I try to understand what churches should be doing by ignoring what a church can do and focus on the #1 main thing: God. If you want to know the meaning of life, it is God—through the Son of God. What should you do today? God.

The biggest problem in the church today is simply that very few church attenders want to actually be Disciples of Jesus, since it means giving up everything you want as well as your life.

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23, 1984 NIV)

That verse means: don't do what you want; push forward through suffering and get to Jesus and die with him (with God's love, power, kindness, generosity, and gifts to help you [as he decides, but ask and keep asking him for what you need and want]).

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. (John 8:31, 1984 NIV)

We won't (and don't) see churches operating the way God wants because of the lack of those striving to be disciples.

Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15, 1984 NIV)

However, do not interpret my words as condemnation of people who find this too hard. It is too hard. We (the Christian masses) need God to make a change in our hearts and empower us so we can more fully invest our lives in Christ. (Pray for it.)

Some people call this revival. It amounts to God choosing to give people more devoted hearts and more strength. However, every individual can seek a personal revival from God and pray he does the same for others, too.

Examine the character of your daily devotion to Jesus and your faithfulness to him. You can be part of the solution to all problems in the church, in your life (finances, work, relationships), your family, and the world by having this on your To-Do Today list every morning:

Study Bible
Pray
Do what God wrote (see Matthew 28:20)
Don't do what God wrote not to do.

 

[jamesbond007]

What about Monday?

Blimey. Can't trust that day. Have to get up and make do. But at least, you're headed off in the right direction.

 

[JESUSKiDtommy]

What is the purpose of the church? Does it have multiple purposes?

The purpose of the church is to show JESUS CHRIST real to this world.

 

[dreadnought]

Not in the context of what the Church itself is for. As I said the Church is for the dispensing of the sacraments. I do not view the Church the same as the average evangelical

The church fulfills my need for fellowship.

 

[dreadnought]

You haven't shown the connection, or how it connects here, to "does it matter" ?

Does it matter that the churches are being led astray? Can't you answer that yourself?

 

[dreadnought]

Blimey. Can't trust that day. Have to get up and make do. But at least, you're headed off in the right direction.

Hopefully.

 

[Tutorman]

The church fulfills my need for fellowship.

I am glad but that to me is not the primary role of the Church, fellowship is secondary. Church for me is where I receive the Body ad Blood of Christ

 

[zelosravioli]

The post above is exactly what is wrong with the 'church' (theologically, fundamentally, practically, etc).

The 'believers' are 'His Body' / The Church is His Body / Christ died for The Church.

We 'believers' are 'The Body of Christ'.
We are not a piece of bread, and Jesus is not in a plastic cup. If you look you might find that Jesus is living 'in' you and other believers, and breaking bread (symbolic of His death) is 'just' what it means - breaking bread - definition: 'eating' meals and fellowshipping together.

That's what Jesus and the disciples did - they ate meals and fellowshipped together. They were like a family, talking, walking, learning and being together, something friends 'naturally' would do. That is our example, our model. This very natural and simple relationship with each other is what 'Church' (our assembly) was meant to be.

 

[Philip_B]

The church fulfills my need for fellowship.

I imagine any one of a number of organisations could fulfill your need for fellowship - like a service club, and sports club, a bridge club, an adult education group, .....

I suspect that the Church keeps before us the vision of holiness, the opportunity to be fed and nurtured in the context of faith, to be empowered that we might better fulfill God's purpose in our lives, to serve and be served, to witness and to pray in a Christ centered community, and to be faithful in fulfilment of the command to break the bread of life that we might be salt for the earth and light for the world.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.​

 

[zelosravioli]

What is the purpose of the church? Does it have multiple purposes?
The purpose is to unite us in fellowship with God and each other (the first and second greatest commandments).

And yes, then the Body of Christ then has multiple purposes of practicing and growing in faith, love, grace, understanding, holiness, concern, caring, etc 'with one another' ("I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one, as We are one. I in them and You in me. That they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that you sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me" John 17:23)

Most important before 'church' 'members' go out and 'impact' the world. We were to have true fellowship with one another: care, concern, interest, truth and understanding 'among the disciples' as primary in the Church, not secondary.

Unless we (The Church) have relationships, kindness, grace, with one other, we are no example to the world around us. Our kindness and concern for one another first - should transition 'naturally' to the world outside the Church, not reverse.

 

[TuxAme]

The Church is simultaneously the instrument of salvation and the thing to be saved.

 

[Tutorman]

The post above is exactly what is wrong with the 'church' (theologically, fundamentally, practically, etc).

The 'believers' are 'His Body' / The Church is His Body / Christ died for The Church.

We 'believers' are 'The Body of Christ'.
We are not a piece of bread, and Jesus is not in a plastic cup. If you look you might find that Jesus is living 'in' you and other believers, and breaking bread (symbolic of His death) is 'just' what it means - breaking bread - definition: 'eating' meals and fellowshipping together.

That's what Jesus and the disciples did - they ate meals and fellowshipped together. They were like a family, talking, walking, learning and being together, something friends 'naturally' would do. That is our example, our model. This very natural and simple relationship with each other is what 'Church' (our assembly) was meant to be.

Christ said "This is my body" and "This is my blood". He did not say come and party. That is the problem with many evangelicals they go to church to party not to partake of Christ.

 

[TuxAme]

The post above is exactly what is wrong with the 'church' (theologically, fundamentally, practically, etc).

The 'believers' are 'His Body' / The Church is His Body / Christ died for The Church.

We 'believers' are 'The Body of Christ'.
We are not a piece of bread, and Jesus is not in a plastic cup. If you look you might find that Jesus is living 'in' you and other believers, and breaking bread (symbolic of His death) is 'just' what it means - breaking bread - definition: 'eating' meals and fellowshipping together.

That's what Jesus and the disciples did - they ate meals and fellowshipped together. They were like a family, talking, walking, learning and being together, something friends 'naturally' would do. That is our example, our model. This very natural and simple relationship with each other is what 'Church' (our assembly) was meant to be.

Jesus shouldn't be in a plastic cup, since that would be irreverent. There was no one in the early Church willing to die before letting a Dixie cup be defiled- they were willing to die to protect the Chalice, which contains the Precious Blood of Jesus and which was made of somewhat more precious materials than paper and plastic.

The Church didn't come down from Heaven- it isn't the True Bread. And neither did Jesus charge Peter with the care of His flesh; He placed the prince of the Apostles at the head of His Church. We can call the Church His mystical body (and His Bride), but that doesn't take away from His Eucharistic reality.

Jesus didn't tell us to eat His Church and drink whatever you would say He meant by His Blood.

 

[dreadnought]

I am glad but that to me is not the primary role of the Church, fellowship is secondary. Church for me is where I receive the Body ad Blood of Christ

Did I say that fellowship was the primary purpose of church?

You can walk with the Lord all day long, if you wish. That is what Paul taught us to do (1 Thess 5:17).

 

[dreadnought]

I imagine any one of a number of organisations could fulfill your need for fellowship - like a service club, and sports club, a bridge club, an adult education group, .....

I suspect that the Church keeps before us the vision of holiness, the opportunity to be fed and nurtured in the context of faith, to be empowered that we might better fulfill God's purpose in our lives, to serve and be served, to witness and to pray in a Christ centered community, and to be faithful in fulfilment of the command to break the bread of life that we might be salt for the earth and light for the world.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal,
Have mercy on us.​

No, I will get my fellowship in the church, not in a worldly establishment.