¿What is the mission of the Church?

Why did Jesus build his Church? What is the Church supposed to do? What is our role in that mission? What should our participation in the Church produce in us ? 

God always has a purpose for everything he does. Why did He establish his Church? Is the Church just a place where people can come together to pray and be in fellowship? Or, is there a greater purpose — a mandate — that God has in mind for his Church?

What is that purpose? Is it just to encourage the members of the Church? Provide social activities? Personal salvation? Or, is there more to it than that?

The mission of the Church

Jesus said, "I will build my Church" (Matthew 16:18). He built it and continues to be the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15). So what work did he entrust to his followers who became his Church?

After his death and resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples his plan of action. He commanded them: “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to keep all the things that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you every day, until the end of the world ”.

Jesus also commissioned his followers to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God to all the world (Mark 16:15; Matthew 24:14).

What is the gospel?

The message of Jesus Christ was the gospel - from the Greek word evangelion , meaning "good news" - of the Kingdom of God. This world is currently suffering the consequences of living "under the evil one" —Satan (1 John 5:19). He "deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12: 9) and is even called "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4: 4).  

Look around you and you will see the negative effects that the way of Satan has on our families, cities, nations and the world. In fact, the unsolved problems of this century have humanity on the brink of self-destruction.

But Jesus Christ promised that He would intervene! He is going to save us from annihilation, he is going to remove Satan from the middle and he is going to establish a new government - the Kingdom of God. Jesus, as King of Kings, is going to end all wars and is going to teach the way of peace. The Kingdom of God is going to bring with it prosperity, health, positive relationships - all the good things that humanity has longed for forever.  

This really is good news — the best possible news! And the Church of God has the privilege and responsibility to proclaim this gospel to the whole world now.

Jesus Christ promised that He would intervene! He is going to save us from annihilation, he is going to remove Satan from the middle and he is going to establish a new government - the Kingdom of God. But does the Bible say that everyone is going to respond? That the peoples and nations of the world will see the error of their ways and will welcome Jesus when he returns to Earth?

Do not.

In fact, most, under the influence of Satan, are going to ridicule or ignore the good news and even go to fight Jesus when he returns (Revelation 19:19)!

Does this mean that the Church will have failed? Again, the answer is no.

Called to save the world but not now

Many have been taught or have assumed that the mission of the Church is to save everyone now. This is a logical assumption according to the teachings of many churches — but is this what is taught in the Bible?

If this were the purpose of the Church, you would have to recognize, no matter how broad your explanation, that the Church failed. Only a small fraction of the people who live today say they are Christian. And if we look back in history, the percentages are worse!

The biblical truth is that only God can call people to His Church, and He is calling humanity in stages, at the right time for each person (John 6:44; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Revelation 20: 4- 5, 12). And your plan of salvation is not limited to this era! God's plan includes giving each person a full opportunity to respond to his offer of salvation — even if he has to be resurrected to give them his chance!  

This teaching about God's love and programming does not lessen the urge to preach the gospel of God. God has not told us how many he is going to call in this era, that is why the Church must fulfill her work, trying with all her heart, so that the message of the good news, warning and hope reaches the whole world.

Then Christ tells the Church to be ready to receive all those whom God has called to be his disciples.

What is a disciple?

Often when we think of disciples we think of the 12 men who were in the closest circle of Jesus. These were the ones who became apostles. But there were many more than 12 disciples. At the time described in Acts 6, there were thousands of disciples, and "the number of the disciples multiplied greatly" (Acts 6: 7).

The word "disciple" can be used for all Christians, since it comes from the Greek mathetes , which means an "apprentice". According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words : “A disciple is not merely one who learns, but a supporter; hence they are mentioned as imitators of their teacher; cf. Jn 8.31; 15.8 ”.   

So, as God continues to call more apprentices, the Church has the mission of teaching them "to keep all the things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:30). This is also a demanding and rewarding task.

Other responsibilities and benefits of the Church

While members support the mission of preaching the good news and the spiritual care of the disciples who are being called, they also help accomplish many other things. This brings benefits to each of the disciples, to the Church and eventually to the entire world.

By serving, members of the Church grow by thinking and acting more like God. They "grow in grace and in knowledge" (2 Peter 3:18), resist Satan (James 4: 7), and develop character according to God.

However, the messages to members of the Church in the New Testament make it absolutely clear that the Church is not perfect (1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 John 1: 8, 10). Members of the Church must recognize their own weaknesses, repent, and work to overcome them (1 John 1: 9; Revelation 2: 7). Fortunately, God provides the power of the Holy Spirit to baptize the members of his Church and thus help them overcome, change and be converted.

The Bible also compares the Church with the human body, showing the vital connectivity that members must have. God calls people from different backgrounds and gives them different gifts, but He wants everyone to learn to work together and to take care of each other.

“Because those who are more decent in us have no need; but God ordered the body, giving more abundant honor to the one lacking, so that there is no disagreement in the body, but the members all care for each other. So if a member suffers, all the members grieve with him, and if a member receives honor, all the members rejoice with him ”(1 Corinthians 12: 24-26).

All of this prepares the members of the Church to serve with Christ at his second coming. In a way, the Church is like a school for teachers and a training program for leaders to help serve in the Kingdom of God. 

What should you do now

Study the scriptures and other additional sources in this article and see for yourself what the mission of the Church is.

Are you part of a Church that "teaches" all the things that Jesus Christ ordained? Are you an integral part of a Church that is actively working to fulfill the mission of preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God?