The Church is a holy mystery that traces its origins to the Holy Trinity. Its mission is to be the Sacrament of Salvation and the sign of God’s plan to unite people under Christ. In this article we will define the Church, examine its essential nature and purpose, and explore the organization of a church.
Defining the term
The church exists to make the presence of Jesus visible and tangible in the world. Through its presence, those who do not know Jesus can be drawn to Him. But it must also be understood that it is not the same as the kingdom of God. Rather, it is a part of the kingdom. It is a community of believers who are called to serve others.
The word “church” actually has several different meanings in the Bible. It can refer to a local assembly of believers or the entire body of believers. It can also refer to a universal group of believers as defined in Ephesians 1:22.
Understanding its nature and purpose
Understanding the nature and purpose of the church requires an understanding of the Christian faith. It is the group of believers who have been called by God into fellowship with one another. The church is a living link between Christ’s first resurrection and His second coming. It exists between the “already” of the first resurrection and the “not yet” of the second resurrection, between the suffering Messiah and the time of harvest and glorious appearing. As such, the church is never all it has been or will be. It is a reality that is subject to the limitations of creation.
Several different images are used by New Testament writers to describe the church. In 1 Peter, the church is a people created by God. This emphasis places the importance of God and his action over human agency. Only the church exists because God has called it. Paul makes a similar point in Romans 9:25-26.
Emphasizing church unity on essential truths
If you’re looking for the keys to church unity, then it’s time to look at Scripture. The Bible teaches that genuine Christian unity is based on the gospel of Jesus Christ, prayer in the Spirit, and biblical foundational truths. Without these, Christian unity is at risk of falling into a wide variety of misunderstandings.
In the Bible, the church is the pillar of truth, built upon God’s Word, with pastors and deacons as its builders. Yet men have strayed from the essential truths of Christianity, and twisted it to serve their own purposes. Instead of a united church, men have sought to build schools, associations, denominations, missions, and movements.
Unity in the church is a goal that every church should strive for. The Holy Spirit brings unity to the church when members are fully regenerated. Self-interest and pride are the main enemies of unity in the church.
Organization of the church
The organization of the church is the process of selecting officers and filling positions in a church. This process is carried out in accordance with the apostolic authority given to each office or position. The church’s structure is divinely inspired. Ultimately, the local congregation will be organized according to the doctrine of the New Testament.
In the Bible, the word “church” is used in two senses: the universal church and the local church. The latter is the spiritual body of Christ and includes all redeemed souls. The latter has no organizational structure, and each member is united with Christ by individual submission to his will.
Functions of the church
The church has various functions, some of which are not the responsibility of the individual minister. For example, the congregation may engage in evangelism in order to reach unbelievers, while another function might be to minister to members of the church. A church can serve many purposes, but its main role is evangelism.
According to James 1:27, the church’s final purpose is to preach the gospel, and it prepares its members to share it. In addition to preaching the gospel, the church also serves as a place for worship and fellowship. It also provides for the members’ physical needs. Among its many functions, evangelism is a crucial one, and it is the first step in discipleship.
The church has many special functions, and understanding these is necessary for its proper functioning. We can understand these functions only if we build upon Christ.
