"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"And they said, "Some say John the Baptist ; and others, Elijah ; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."He said to them, "But who do you say that I am ?"Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church ; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." (Mathew 16:13-18)
Today the word “church” is often used differently than the way it’s defined in Scripture. We tend to think of a building with a steeple, a morning or evening service, or a potluck get-together.
But, God is very specific about this term. In the Bible, Colossians 1:18, “church” means a body of believers under the authority of their leader, Jesus Christ. God’s Word also clarifies the three purposes of the church. The three purposes are worship of the Lord, ministry to believers, and outreach to an unbelieving world (Nations).
Our primary focus should be to exalt the living God. By acknowledging who He is and glorifying His name, we show our Father that we love Him. Psalm 100:2-4 encourages us to “come before the Lord with joyful singing” and to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and . . . praise.”
We must be grounded in truth if we’re to be spiritually fruitful. So a second goal is to teach people and turn them to godly action. A third aim is to reach unbelievers with the good news that through God’s Son, they can be forgiven of sin. They’ll also gain eternal life. The Lord Himself instructed us to “make disciples of all the nations. We should baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
But, God is very specific about this term. In the Bible, Colossians 1:18, “church” means a body of believers under the authority of their leader, Jesus Christ. God’s Word also clarifies the three purposes of the church. The three purposes are worship of the Lord, ministry to believers, and outreach to an unbelieving world (Nations).
Our primary focus should be to exalt the living God. By acknowledging who He is and glorifying His name, we show our Father that we love Him. Psalm 100:2-4 encourages us to “come before the Lord with joyful singing” and to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and . . . praise.”
We must be grounded in truth if we’re to be spiritually fruitful. So a second goal is to teach people and turn them to godly action. A third aim is to reach unbelievers with the good news that through God’s Son, they can be forgiven of sin. They’ll also gain eternal life. The Lord Himself instructed us to “make disciples of all the nations. We should baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
1 comment:
Yes and amen. The Church is a powerful gift from God to the world.
A mentor of mine talked to me for awhile about Acts 2:42-43-"And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles."
That's the CHURCH: devoting themselves to the apostles teaching, fellowshiping with one another, eating together and praying together great SIGNS and WONDERS began to be done..and many were saved (v. 47)
=) Thank you for this post!
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