What is the purpose of the church?

Beloved in Christ, the biblical meaning of church is an assembly of believers. The Greek word, "Ekklesia" means, ''the called out ones or a Christian community''. Christians are the very people God has chosen and called them out unto himself. The church constitute Christ hand, his eyes, his mouth, his legs, etc. We are the body of Christ and individual members of it, see (1 Corinthians 12; 27). The Church in it's most basic meaning refers to the very people who have trusted in Christ for salvation, they are the people who are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2; 8-9). To delve deeper, I recommend you read my article on, What is the Church? and What does it mean that the church is the body of Christ?

Let us look at the purpose of the Church or why does the Church exist?

In the book of Acts, it is written: They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2; 42).

This verse outlines for us the purpose of the church. Let us look at the text in great detail.

The Church is mandated to teach biblical doctrines. When the church gathers together, the apostle's teachings are expounded for our own spiritual edification. It is in the church that biblical doctrines are faithfully exposited, so we can be preserved from false doctrines. When we are well equipped and grounded in God's word, we will not be led astray by false teachings as it is written: As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4; 14). The church is endowed with men with the gift of teaching, and their teaching ministry causes us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4; 11). This is why church attendance is of immerse importance, because in our gathering the apostles doctrines are carefully explained for us to learn.

Another purpose of the Church according to Acts 2; 42 is fellowship. The church is a safe haven to build relationships and connections. The early church met more often for fellowship, they instructed one another, prayed for one another, and loved one another. What they did, hitherto, is still being done by the church today. In our fellowship, we enjoy each other's company, pray for one another (James 5; 16), we comfort and encourage each other in Christ (Philippians 2; 1, 1 Thessalonians 4; 18), we serve one another (Galatians 5; 13), we love one another with the unfeigned love of Christ (Ephesians 5; 2) and also help to restore a brother who has fallen into sin (Galatians 6; 1-2). As members of the body of Christ, God has called us to fellowship with one another in love.

As part of our function, is to observe the Lord's supper. The primary reason our head instituted the supper, so it can serve as a reminder of his substitutionary death in our stead. When we gather to observe the Lord's supper, the bread symbolizes his body which was broken for us, by which we are healed (Isaiah 53; 5). The wine also symbolizes his blood which was shed for the remission of our sins (Luke 22; 20). His sacrifice on the cross is the focal point in our observation of this sacred ritual. When we observe the Lord's supper, we proclaim the Lord's death until he returns, see (1 Corinthians 11; 26). 

As part of the purpose of the Church, is to engage in prayer. One distinctive quality of the church is offering prayers to God. When you study the history of the early church, you will realize the believers were very prayerful, they were not lazy with their prayer life. The church as part of her sacerdotal office is to offer up prayers and every member is to perform this function on a consistent basis (1 Thessalonians 5; 17).

Another function of the church is to engage in evangelism. The church has been given the mandate to reach out to the lost by preaching the glorious gospel of Christ to them (Matthew 28; 18-20). For how can the lost be saved, if they do not hear the message of the gospel which has the power to transform their lives? The church therefore exists to win the unsaved for Christ. The question is, what is the gospel? The gospel is defined as the incarnation, death, burial and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15; 1-4). It is the only gospel which has the power to save the lost (Romans 1; 16, ). I beseech every member of the body of Christ to assiduously carry out their divine mandate by actively participating in winning souls for Christ.

The last role of the church in this article, is to care for the less privilege. The church is not only to preach the gospel to the poor in spirit and for the edification of the saints, but also to provide for the necessities of the poor in our midst. I love what apostle James wrote: Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world- James 1; 27. The church exists to cater for the poor and less privilege among us, especially those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6; 10). As a member of the church, let us see to it that we show love to the poor and less privilege in our midst. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

 As members of the body of Christ, God has called us to fellowship with one another in love.

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel