The Mission of the Church

GOLDEN TEXT: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; … that publisheth salvation.”—Isaiah 52:7

THE richest blessings are assured those who, out of a pure heart, and inspired by love, devote their lives to making known the love of God as it is revealed in the divine plan of the ages. “Good tidings” indeed is the truth of the divine plan for the recovery of a lost race, and “beautiful” in God’s sight are those who are so thrilled by it that they are happy to spend time, strength, and means in publishing this wonderful story of God’s love. Only those who have been overreached by the Adversary and deceived into believing error could reach the conclusion that it is wrong to make known, by every means possible, the “good tidings” of the kingdom.

In Romans 10:15, the apostle quotes a part of our Golden Text, and applies it in principle to the commission of the Holy Spirit to the body members of Christ, that they are all “sent” to proclaim the glad tidings, the Gospel. The full text of Isaiah 52:7, however, contains as a part of the message of the “feet of Him,” the statement, “Thy God reigneth.” Paul did not apply this to the work of the Early Church for it was not then true; even as Jesus, in quoting from Isaiah 61:1-3, did not apply the statement concerning the “day of vengeance,” and for the same reason; namely, that the day of vengeance was not then upon the world. In both of these cases we see an exactness in the application of the Scriptures which we might all do well to emulate.

ROMANS 10:8-15—In this passage we have a wonderfully clear and emphatic statement showing that a heart belief in Christ that does not manifest itself in a spoken confession, or witness, is not sufficient to obtain salvation. Heart belief IS essential, but it is not enough; for “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It is equally true that a mere lip confession which does not come: from the heart is of no consequence in God’s sight, being no more than “sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.”—I Cor. 13:1

Nor should we conclude from this passage of Scripture that confessing Jesus with our lips is a mere form, something to be done at a revival meeting, or before the brethren. As the apostle applies the lesson, we learn that confessing Christ with our lips means the devoting of time and talent—whatever resources we have—to the proclamation of the truth concerning Christ and his part in the divine plan. This is the “good tidings” which all consecrated, Spirit-filled Christians are commissioned to proclaim. And it is our faithfulness in thus bearing witness to the truth that constitutes the “confession” of our faith, the confession which leads to salvation. This is one of the great fundamentals of the Christian life which is just as applicable today as it was to the followers of Jesus in the Early Church.

EPHESIANS 3:8-12—“That I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” is spoken of by Paul as a wonderful “grace,” or favor, which had been given to him by the Lord. No Christian should consider the matter of bearing witness to the truth as a burden, a duty to be performed, but as a favor which has been given to him by the Lord. Almost anyone would consider it a great honor to be privileged to represent some high potentate of the world. How much more should we consider it a privilege and an honor to represent God, and to be an “ambassador for Christ.”—II Cor. 5:20

Paul speaks of his commission to “make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.” We are not to understand that the “all men” referred to here means all mankind. From the context it is apparent that the reference is to Jewish and Gentile believers. It was a great mystery to the Jews how it was possible for the Gentiles to become fellow-heirs with them of the promises and covenants of God. It was doubtless difficult also for Gentile believers to grasp fully the significance of this high favor which had come to them. But Paul was given a special mission to help them “all” see this point, and in seeing it, to become “one in Christ Jesus.”—Eph. 2:13-17; 3:2-7

While the principal objective in preaching the Gospel has always been the reaching and building up of the body members of Christ, incidentally there has been a witness given to the world, and many in the world have doubtless obtained a measure of blessing from the knowledge they have received. And Paul takes us a step further with respect to the witness work of the church. He indicates that through the church—a light-bearing church (not those who hide their light under a bushel)—“principalities and powers in heavenly places” have the truth concerning “the manifold wisdom of God” made known unto them. This is evidently the thought of the apostle when he says that they were made a “spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”—I Cor. 4:9

Similarly Jesus, by his faithfulness, preached to “spirits in prison,” that is, the angels who disobeyed God in the days of Noah. (I Pet. 3:19) It should help all Christians to be more circumspect in their walk, and more faithful in their ministry, to realize that angels—holy and unholy—as well as men, are watching and are being affected by what we say and do.

QUESTIONS:

Is it ever improper to bear witness to the truth?

Is heart belief in Christ sufficient to obtain salvation?

What is the chief objective of preaching, and who is affected by the witness work of Christians?

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