Beth-El Baptist Church
05/21/06
Greg Tomlinson
What is the function of the local church? (Part 2)
Last week we began looking at the function of the church. We saw that according to the church’s commission and Jesus’ letters to the churches in the book of Revelation, the church is expected to proclaim Jesus, make disciples, baptize, teach and maintain purity of doctrine. There are other functions as well whose purpose is to fulfill the above functions.
1. What function to those within?
Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 5:1-11; 15:22; 16:4 – Member discipline/accountability
Acts 2:44-45 – Taking care of one another’s needs
Acts 2:46 – Fellowshipping with one another
Acts 2:47 – Praising God
Acts 9:31; 1 Corinthians 14:5, 12 – Edification/Building up
Acts 11:26; 13:1 – Teaching worthy of being called Christians
Acts 12:5 – Continual prayer
Acts 16:4-5 – Be established in the faith
1 Corinthians 11:17-19; Ephesians 4:11-13 – Be united
1 Corinthians 11:20 – Participate in the Lord’s Supper (communion)
1 Corinthians 16:1 – Collections of tithes/offerings ‘for the saints’
Ephesians 1:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 1:12 – Glorify God
Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-27 – Be submissive to Jesus Christ
Ephesians 3:10-12 – Know the things of God
Within the confines of the church, other believers, we are to participate in many things. Of particular note are fellowshipping with one another, caring for one another, and praying with and for one another. All of these are for the purpose of edifying the full body of Jesus Christ with the end goal being to be united in the faith of Jesus Christ.
2. What function to those without?
Matthew 5:13-16 – Restraining influence on the world
John 20:21; Acts 8:1-4 – Preaching/Evangelizing
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 – Act as ambassador for Christ/word of reconciliation
Acts 13:2-4; 14:27; 15:3-4 – Ministering to the Lord, sending out missionaries
1 Timothy 3:14-16 – To be a pillar and ground of the truth
There are two primary functions of the church to those outside the church. We are to be a restraining influence on the world. This means that we are by necessity expected of God to remind people of their accountability to God and to protect the weak and vulnerable (even if they are the ones in power) from the strong an manipulative. Life is not about doing “what you want”, but it is about serving God.
The church is also expected to evangelize the world. Evangelization is not the job of the pastor only. Nor is it the job of the pastor, deacons, teachers and other leaders. Evangelization is the job for every single person who names the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Are there any “special” groups?
1 Corinthians 9:9-11; 2 Corinthians 11:8; 12:13; Philippians 4:15; 1 Timothy 5:17-18 – Support pastors and missionaries
1 Timothy 5:3-6, 16 – Care for true widows
Colossians 4:16 – Communicate/share information with other churches
There are three special groups: Missionaries, pastors, widows, and other churches. It is expected that the church will help finance the activities of missionaries and to adequately care for the life needs of the pastor. Churches are also to take care of the needs of widows who have no other ability to take care of their needs. There is also a need to communicate with other churches. We are not to be an island unto ourselves but work together to come in the unity of the faith. It has to be remembered that we are not to compromise the integrity of the scriptures for the sake of unity.
Today we
looked at some specific functions and tasks. The church as a whole needs to do
what it can to help all those who call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be
unified in the scriptures and growing in them so as to ultimately be conformed
into the image of Jesus Christ. Along with strengthening the brethren, the
church is expected to reach out to the lost and dying in the world with the
hope of Jesus and the truth about God’s wrath and available forgiveness.