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What The Church Is Meant To Be. - Religion - Nairaland

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What The Church Is Meant To Be. by Nobody: 9:14am On Dec 03, 2017
The recent light on the church from the society has caused me to take a rethink of what the church is and it's purpose in any society.

The church as we know it today evolved from the old testament Temple which I understand was meant for sacrifices to God and to make intercession for the people of Israel. I remember reading about Prophet Eli and how God was unhappy with Him and his sons (Hophni and Phinehas)when his sons misappropriated the offererings of the people in the Temple.

Well, I need not talk about the similarities of the sons of eli and the pastors we do have now.

Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” According to this verse, the purposes/activities of the church should be
1) teaching biblical doctrine,
2) providing a place of fellowship for believers, 3) observing the Lord’s supper, and
4) praying.

The church is to teach biblical doctrine so we can be grounded in our faith. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” The church is to be a place of fellowship, where Christians can be devoted to one another and honor one another (Romans 12:10), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and most importantly, love one another (1 John 3:11).

The church is to be a place where believers can observe the Lord’s Supper, remembering Christ’s death and shed blood on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The concept of “breaking bread” (Acts 2:42) also carries the idea of having meals together. This is another example of the church promoting fellowship. The final purpose of the church according to Acts 2:42 is prayer. The church is to be a place that promotes prayer, teaches prayer, and practices prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Another commission given to the church is proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:cool. The church is called to be faithful in sharing the gospel through word and deed. The church is to be a “lighthouse” in the community, pointing people toward our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The church is to both promote the gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the gospel (1 Peter 3:15).

Some final purposes of the church are given in James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” The church is to be about the business of ministering to those in need. This includes not only sharing the gospel, but also providing for physical needs (food, clothing, shelter) as necessary and appropriate. The church is also to equip believers in Christ with the tools they need to overcome sin and remain free from the pollution of the world. This is done by biblical teaching and Christian fellowship.

So, what is the purpose of the church? Paul gave an excellent illustration to the believers in Corinth. The church is God’s hands, mouth, and feet in this world—the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We are to be doing the things that Jesus Christ would do if He were here physically on the earth. The church is to be “Christian,” “Christ-like,” and Christ-following.


In all these verses, there is not a place where the Bible mentioned the church was meant to be a business center a.k.a expensive private schools that the average Nigerian home cannot afford. The main purpose of the church is build up people spirituality and not focus on structures that would cost One billion Naira.

You all defending the Church with this money making adventures a.k.a expensive private schools should remember what Jesus did in the Temple in Matthew 21:12-13

"12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[a] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’[b]”

If you still can't draw the similarities between the 'moneychangers' and the new generation pastors we have, then you need daddyfreeze in your home for just one hour.

Thank you.
lalasticlala.

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Re: What The Church Is Meant To Be. by KardinalZik(m): 9:26am On Dec 03, 2017
Thank You

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