The Mission of the Church

Matthew 18:15-17 Acts 1:8; 2:42; 6:1-4; 11:27-39; 13:1-3; I John 1:3

GOLDEN TEXT: “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.”—I John 1:3

THE last Scriptural citation for today’s lesson (I John 1:3) summarizes what constitutes the mission of the church. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” The Greek word here translated “fellowship,” literally means, partnership. John is telling us, therefore, that we have a partnership with the Father and with the Son. This is in keeping with what Jesus says in the Golden Text—“As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.”

Briefly stated, then, the mission of the church is to cooperate in the divine program for the recovery of a lost race. It was for this purpose that the Father sent Jesus into the world, and by the invitation to become His disciples, we are offered a partnership with the Father and the Son in this gigantic undertaking. Practically all denominational churches have understood that it was the work of Christians to convert the world, that the people might thus be saved through Christ; but generally speaking, there has been a failure to recognize what constitutes salvation, and also the fact that this work of the church embraces two ages instead of merely the present one.

A related misunderstanding of the divine plan is the erroneous view that the church should endeavor to bring the whole world into its membership. This ‘view has led to the wrong practice of applying to mankind in general, promises and regulations which belong exclusively to consecrated followers of Jesus: The several Scriptural citations constituting today’s lesson, for example, are for the exclusive guidance of those who are following in the footsteps of Jesus, and are intended to regulate the affairs of the church, not of the world.

Acts 1:8 defines the Christian’s present responsibility toward the world of mankind in general—it is not to convert the world in this age, but to be “witnesses” to the world. The church is to be a “city set on an hill which cannot be hid.” (Matt. 5:14) But our witnessing should not be conducted with the thought of making church members of ail mankind.

As the witness work is carried on, one here and there appreciates the message, responds to it and becomes a follower of the Master. Thus members are added to the church—a people for God’s name is selected from among the Gentiles. (Acts 15:13-18) The present objective of our mission, then, is to build up and strengthen each other as Christians, that we may “continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship.”—Acts 2:42

Although, as we have seen proper Christian activity does include giving a witness to the world, yet the chief object of all our activity should be to serve the brethren. This service is primarily a spiritual one, yet no true Christian will neglect the temporal needs of his fellow members in the body of Christ. Our lesson (Acts 6:1-4) presents a very interesting account of how some of the temporal needs of the brethren were cared for in the early church. It was done through a proper distribution of opportunities.

When it was discovered that not all in the church were receiving the care they needed, then the apostles realizing their own limitations, arranged to have brethren not specially adapted for teaching, “serve tables.” It was in this connection that the office of deacon was introduced into the church, and the purpose of it was to allow those specially adapted to serve in spiritual matters to devote their whole time in this direction. This was not with the thought, however, that the deacons were not spiritually minded brethren, nor that it would be wrong for them to minister in spiritual things as proper opportunity afforded. It was merely distributing the opportunities of service among the ones best suited by time and circumstances to use them efficiently.

The first Christian martyr, Stephen, was a deacon in the church; but this did not militate against his giving one of the most outstanding witnesses for the truth that is recorded in the Bible. (Acts 7:2-53) Not only elders and deacons, but all the consecrated, sisters as well as brothers, are commissioned by the Holy Spirit to bear witness to the truth, and should be zealous in so doing. In keeping with proper order in the church, however, only the duly appointed elders should officiate as public servants in the ecclesias. Deacons, if they possess the necessary talent, may later be elected as elders, and for this reason it is advisable that they be given opportunities to serve under the supervision of elders in order to gain the necessary valuable experiences.

The lesson of Acts 13:1-3 is that the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, does the choosing of His own servants, and this is to be done now through the vote of the church. Thus it is that God sets every member in the body of Christ as it pleaseth Him. Every fully consecrated follower of the Master will be pleased with the place the Lord assigns to him in the divine service, and will endeavor to be faithful.

Matthew 18:15-17 shows that the church is also expected to judge matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare of its own members. This is as it should be; for the church is to judge the world in the Millennial age, hence is now in training for that future work. (I Cor. 6:1-4) As we have already noted, the ultimate purpose of the church’s calling is to share with Christ in reconciling the whole world of mankind to God during the Kingdom period. All of her present activity, therefore, is in preparation for that future work. Happy is the Christian who in His service of God becomes more and more imbued with that great spirit of love which is not only to govern present activities, spiritual and temporal, but, through the church, is later to be imparted to all mankind.

QUESTIONS:

Is the church expected to convert the world during this age?

Are consecrated Christians to manifest an interest in the material as well as the spiritual welfare of their brethren?

In what sense is the church now in training for her future work with Christ?

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