A11.5 – WHY DOES THE CHURCH EXIST?

The following are not the purpose of the Church

1. The Church does not exist to save the world, Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, Matt 1:21

2. The Church does not exist to serve the world or for social reformation of the world but individual Christians can be involved in social matters, John 15:19

3.. The Church does not exist to rule the world but individual Christians can aspire for political offices, John 6:15

4. The Church does not exist to fight the world, individual Christians can join the army in order to fight an enemy nation, Eph 6:12

5. The Church does not exist to imitate the world, the Church is to be separate, distinct and different from the worldly system, 2 Cor 6:17

6. The Church does not exist to isolate herself from the world, rather, the Church is in the world but not of the world, John 17:14-16

The following are the purpose of the Church

1. The purpose of the Church is to love God, Mark 12:29-30

2. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God, Eph 1:5-6

3. The purpose of the Church is to evangelize the world, Matt 28:18-20

4. The purpose of the Church is to exhibit the grace of God, Eph 2:6-7

5. The purpose of the church is to baptize believers, Matt 28:19

6. The purpose of the Church is to teach believers, Matt 28:20

7. The purpose of the Church is to edify believers, 1Cor 14:26; Eph 4:11-12

8. The purpose of the Church is to discipline erring believers, Rom 16:17

9. The purpose of the Church is to provide conducive environment for fellowship, Acts 2:42

10. The purpose of the Church is to care for believers, 2 Cor 7:12

11. The purpose of the Church is to prepare for the second coming of Christ, John 14:1-4

12. The purpose of the Church is to do good at all times, Gal 6:10