The final point that we’ll look at is THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH. What is the purpose of the church? Why is it in the world? What is the mission, the goal among men today?

The church is the haven for the saved. It is a place for worship, a place for fellowship, a place for edification, a place for teaching, and a place for consolation. There are a number of Scriptures you can turn to that confirm those statements: [Acts 2:47—“praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Colossians 1:13—“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…” Ephesians 5:22-23—“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” Acts 2:41-42—“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”]

Also, the church is God’s agency to make known the Truth of God to man, in preaching and evangelism. We see several Scriptures supporting this: [Ephesians 3:8-11—“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God Who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord…” Mark 16:15-16—“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’” Matthew 28:18-20—“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” 1 Timothy 3:14-15—“These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the Truth.”]

The church is to glorify God among men by Christian living, benevolence, and upholding His Word in all things. [Ephesians 3:20-21—“Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Colossians 3:17—“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 2 Peter 3:11—“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…”]

There are many other things that the Scriptures have to say about the church. We haven’t covered them all, but I think this lesson at least covers some of the major points, as we think about this Great Bible Doctrine, about what the Bible teaches or instructs about the church. It is the Kingdom of God. It is absolutely essential. It cannot be ignored. It cannot be replaced. It is part of God’s plan!