WHAT IS CHURCH

The word church is from the Greek two words ‘ek’ meaning ‘out of‘ “klesis’’ meaning  ‘a calling’, a called-out ones. It is not a place where people meet, but a people who have been called out of the world through salvation by the blood of Jesus, a people who are separated to live for and serve the Lord.

The church eventually represents the universal body of all the believers and the local sense of those who are in a community.

it is a living organism: Christians are members of a living body, not an inanimate institution (Eph. 4:12-16). The source of the church’s life is Christ himself.

The church was announced by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matt 16:18-19.It was officially launched at Pentecost. Acts 2:14.

A. FUNCTIONS OF THE CHURCH

The New Testament reveals some separate functions of the church;

They had a definite doctrinal standard, Acts 2:42, Eph 2:20

Meet for spiritual fellowship and Public Worship Acts 2:46

United in Prayer. Acts 12:12

Practice Baptism. Acts 2:41

Observed the Lord’s Supper. Acts2:46

They kept the account of their membership. Acts 2:14, 41, 4:4

They have officers and time for their meetings. Acts 14:23,20:17,13:1,John 20:19,20

Raise money for the work of God. 1Cor 16:1-2

Provision for their needy. Acts 6:1-6

Regulated church decorum and discipline,1 Cor 14:34.

B. MISSION OF THE CHURCH

Its reason for being. In the case of the church, the Bible raises and answers two very important questions.

First, whose mission is it? God’s, not ours. The church doesn’t come up with its own mission. The Bible sets forth God’s mission for the church. Matt 28:18-20.

Second, what is the church’s mission? The Bible states the Church’s mission in many different contexts. Consider Colossians1:15-20, Matthew 28:18-20, John 17:20-23, 1 Peter 2:9-11, Ephesians4:11-13

Perhaps God’s mission in the world can be summarized this way: God’s purpose in Christ is to reconcile all things to him. 2 Cor 5:20-21,Acts 26;17-18

Therefore, the church exist to provide the followings

MAGNIFY:  To celebrate God’s presence in worship

MISSION:  To communicate God’s word through evangelism

MEMBERSHIP:  To incorporate God’s family into our fellowship

MATURITY:  To edify, educate God’s people through discipleship

To fulfil the mission of God to reconcile all things to himself, God sends the church into the world to spread the gospel, to evangelize, to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. Matt 28: 18-20. Therefore workers are needed to carry out the mandate giving to the church.