What Is The Work Of The Church?
There is a purpose for the body of Christ, for it is in God's eternal purpose that it should reveal the Gospel to all mankind,
even unto pricipalities and powers.
...so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord
(
Eph 3:10-11).
There is no earthly organization of that universal kingdom to which all the saved of all time are added. But we also read of
a local body, the local church. It is organized with elders overseeing the flock and deacons assisting in the duties.
Each local church is
independent of another and no work of one congregation was ever under the oversight of any one
else from another congregation as seen by examining scriptures and reading of the organization of the church that Jesus built.
Click to view:
Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:8-13
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking,
and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you — if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not
accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered,
not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy,
self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort
and convict those who contradict.
(Titus 1:5-9)
Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,
holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.
Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in
Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
The work of the church was even misunderstood by some early Christians. Our brethren in Corinth were attempting to
make a common meal of the Lord's Supper. They were attempting to bring in social recreation, an earthly concern, into a
spiritual body. Paul let them know that this need can be fulfilled in the home. That was
not the work of the church.
Click to view:
1 Cor 11:17-34
Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.
For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.
For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.
What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
So, what is the work of the church?
-
We see the church that Jesus built in the New Testament to be primarily
concerned with spreading the Gospel of Eternal Salvation. MouseOver to view:
- The church also was benevolent and gave aid to the needy saints
(Read Scriptures)
1 Corinthians 16:1,2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
Romans 15:26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
Romans 12:13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Romans 16:2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
1 Corinthians 16:15 I urge you, brethren -- you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints
2 Corinthians 8:4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
1 Timothy 5:9-11,16 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry...If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
- The church also focused on the building up (Spiritually) of one another. To build up your brethren spiritually
is called edification or edifying.
(Click To View Scriptures)
Acts 9:31 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
Ephesians 4:11-16 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Jude 1:20,21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
2 Corinthians 12:19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
Can you find in the scriptures where the church that Jesus built engaged in social recreation? Can you find a bible example
of the church entertaining its membership? Campaigning for a politician? Having a headquarters? Running a business?
Engaging in Sports?
Can anyone really believe that our Lord left his home in heaven, fulfilled thousands of years of prophecy, and hung
on a cruel cross suspended between heaven and earth for
six hours... so we can have basketball courts?
The church that we read about in the New Testament was a
spiritual church. It was a
working church focused on
doing
God's work. The spiritual work that it does has eternal impact.
Why not work like that church?
