Beth-El Baptist Church
05/13/06
Greg Tomlinson
What is the function of the local church?
A question that ultimately each of us must come to understand is the function or the purpose of the local church. This is especially true for its leaders. The decisions that they make must be in accordance with the purpose of the church.
1. What is the local church?
Romans 16:5
1 Corinthians 1:2; 16:19
Ephesians 1:22-23
Colossians 1:24; 4:15
Philemon 1:2
The scriptures give two definitions of ‘church’. One, which is what we call the local church, is based upon the Greek word for assembly. The local church is the assembling of Christians together to carry out is purpose. The local church is to be comprised of “saints” or believers in Christ. Others who are non-believers can be attendees but they are not a part of the church.
The second definition of church is the primary and most important definition of church. The church is the very body of Jesus Christ. It is comprised of all believers throughout the world.
The function of the local church is to mimic or parallel that of the true church, the body of Christ.
2. What was its original commission?
Matthew 16:13-19
Matthew 28:18-20
Although the original “commission” of the church was given in Matthew 28, there is an important component of the commission of the church in Matthew 16. In the Matthew 16 passage, the purpose of the church is build upon the foundation or the rock that Peter expressed. Part of the original “commission” of the church is to proclaim that Jesus “is the Christ, the Son of the living God”. This means to teach that Jesus is Christ, King and Lord.
The Matthew 28 passage gives four primary purposes for the church, which will be expanded upon in later sessions. These four purposes are:
1. Identify Jesus as final and ultimate authority (Christ, Judge, King, Lord)
2. Disciple all nations (KJV says teach, a better translation would be to make a disciple out of)
3. Baptize them (immerse them into the Father, Son, Holy Ghost)
4. Teach them obedience
3. What can we learn about the Revelation letters?
Revelation 2:2-3 – Do the work of God. Be patient, reject evil, and discern true/false believers
Revelation 2:4-5 – Remember your first love (To be expanded on later)
Revelation 2:9-10 – Recognize your richness, be discerning, be faithful unto death
Revelation 2:13-16 – Discern and hold to true/proper doctrine
Revelation 2:19-28 – Love, service, proper doctrine, await Jesus’ return
Revelation 3:2-5 – Pure obedience, doctrine
Revelation 3:8-12 – Keep word of God
Revelation 3:15-21 – On Fire or refreshing, humble, zealous for Jesus, focused on Jesus
(See Proverbs 25:13, 25; Matthew 10:42)
This is just the beginning of the purpose for the church. Some of these will be expanded upon and additional ones added over the next few weeks. There are 6 future talks on the purpose of the church. The purpose of the church can basically be summarized as Jesus. Plain and simple, the purpose of the church is all about Jesus. Proclaim Jesus. Obey Jesus. Be zealous for Jesus. Baptize into Jesus.