Bible Basics: The Purpose of the Church
The church is not a human structure like a political or social institution. It is a divine organism. It has a divine founder and a divine head. Jesus told the Apostles, “I will build my Church.” It is His church. Jesus is the builder. Jesus is the head of the church. Colossians 1:18>> "And [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." (NIV). Paul says that the church is the bride of Christ which has been saved and sanctified by Him for union with Himself (Ephesians 5:25ff). The church is also referred to as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).
As we consider the broad teaching of these Scriptures (and more), we learn that the church belongs to Jesus because He purchased it with His own precious blood. A key theological thought is that the church is precious to God. We live in a time where the cultural disposition is to minimize and disparage the church. Understand that the church is not an afterthought to God. While many easily understand that Jesus came to redeem mankind by giving His life and shedding His blood, the result was that the church was built. The church was built not as a physical structure (man-made building), rather the church is the Body of Christ, the collection of believers who follow Jesus.
As we move along, we must also understand that the church not only has a divine head (Jesus) it also has a divine foundation. When Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah in Matthew 16, Jesus replied, "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) Throughout the Bible, Jesus the Messiah, is referred to as a rock. For example, in Isaiah 28:16 God says, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.” Peter quotes this verse in 1 Peter 2:6, “For in Scripture it says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'” The Apostle Paul speaks of Jesus being the foundation of the church in 1 Corinthians 3:11 — "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” As we grow to understand the church, we see that Jesus is the head of the church and the foundation of the church.
As we finish our discussion about the church, it is important to know and understand the various Biblical names for the church. We have discussed the word “ecclesia.” The word church is the most common name for the body of Christians. The next most common designation is “The Church of God.” It is obvious that this name is used and chosen because God is the creator and originator of the church. This name also indicates that ownership belongs to God. An additional name that is used is "House of God.” 1 Timothy 3:15>> ”If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God.” (NIV) This name teaches that the church is a family. It reminds us that God dwells in His church and He is Father of all. Another name for the church is Temple of God. This name is found in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17>> ”Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” This name describes the worship feature of the church. God, through His Spirit, dwells in His Temple, the church. God is worshipped by and through His people, the church. Peter says that Christians are “living stones” and that they are built up in a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ (1 Peter 2:5).
To sum up, if the believer is faithful to Jesus, the head of the church, then someday he will be united with Jesus. In that day God will dwell with His people, the church, and be their God (Revelation 21:3). This is the grand purpose and goal of the church. Keep looking up!