What is the primary purpose Of God's one true Church?

Every now and then a person may come to a point in their lives where they wonder: "With so many Churches around how do I know I'm in the right one?" Unfortunately, through no fault of their own, they lack the necessary judgment to answer their question.   In John 7:24 we find Jesus Christ teaching how to exercise judgment, His instructions are to: "Judge NOT according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."   He warned against being fooled by appearance, saying that people are to "judge righteous judgment."   This means: practice comparing whatever may appear to be of God with the Scriptures.   A practice that is just as important today as it was when He taught it nearly 2,000 years ago.    In fact, one area of modern day Christianity where its vital is concerning the Church itself.   Because, while many different churches appear to be of God, the Bible teaches there can only be one true Church: "There is ONE body [church] , and ONE Spirit...ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God..." Eph. 4:4    So let's use the Bible in answering a key question concerning God's one true church.   And as we do, please take the time to ask yourself: "Does my Church practice what the Bible says it's supposed to?" Question: what is the primary purpose of God's one true Church? Is it supposed to be: ►   A social club? ►   An organization who's purpose is to raise charity and provide for the poor? ►   An organization created to solve social problems? ►   Strictly a place of worship? ►   A place of Christian fellowship? ►   A place where marriages take place? ►   A place where one goes to practice their religion? Actually it's none of the above

Jesus Christ Himself stated the Church's main purpose when He told it: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.   Amen."                                                                                                 Matthew 28:19-20    These "marching orders" are commonly known as THE GREAT COMMISSION because He, in essence, commissioned His Church To: "...teach [A]ll nations..." which Means to teach people the gospel. "...baptizing them..."   Means to, once saved, making them a member                                      of the church (1 Cor. 12:13). "...Teaching them to observe all things..."   Means to disciple them                                                                        in biblical doctrine.   WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?    We live in a world that lays in rebellion against God.   The Bible says: "As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE: There is none that understandeth, THERE IS NONE THAT SEEKETH AFTER GOD.   They are all GONE OUT OF THE WAY, they are together become unprofitable; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE."   Rom. 3:10-12    In spite of how self-righteous a person might be, the fact remains that: "ALL HAVE SINNED, and come short of the glory of God;" Rom. 3:10   Our sin condemns us to eternal separation from God. Jesus Himself said: "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them WHICH DO INIQUITY [sin], And shall CAST THEM INTO A FURNACE OF FIRE: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."   Matt. 13:41-42    Man is lost, Hell bound and unable to save himself due to his sinful state but fortunately the Bible says: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US."   Rom. 5:8   Christ's shed blood on the cross payed for our sins, justifying us before God.   And this is THE GOSPEL, the good news: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."   Rom. 10:9

As an example, we turn to Acts Chapter Two where we find the church at Jerusalem fulfilling the GREAT COMMISSION.   As you read please ask yourself: Does any of this activity resemble my church at all?    In Acts 2:40 Peter had finished preaching the gospel when the Bible says: "Then they that gladly RECEIVED HIS WORD were BAPTIZED: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.   And they continued stedfastly IN THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."   Acts 2:41-42    The multitude present that day were taught the gospel (the first third of the Great Commission) and they "gladly RECEIVED HIS WORD."   Once saved, they "were BAPTIZED" into the Church and became members (the second third of the Great Commission).   Once members they were taught the Scriptures: "And they continued stedfastly IN THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE" (the last third of the Great Commission).    In Acts 2:44-47 we see the result: "And all that believed were together, and HAD ALL THINGS COMMON; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.   And they, continuing daily with ONE ACCORD in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people.   And the Lord added to THE CHURCH daily such AS SHOULD BE SAVED."    When a Church carries out the Great Commission, the results are: the salvation of lost souls, their baptizing, and consequent discipleship.   Then and only then is that Church fulfilling its God given purpose. Please take the time to Ask Yourself: §   How often does my church teach the gospel, resulting in the salvation of      souls? §   Does my Church baptize after a person is saved?   Is the word saved even      mentioned? §   Does my Church make an effort to disciple its members? §   Is our common goal geared toward fulfilling the Great Commission? §   Do we practice any of the things the Bible has described so far?

If you died today, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven?   The Bible says you can! "These things have I written...that ye may know that ye have eternal life," I John 5:13. A. You must realize where you stand with God. 1. Your sins separate you and God.   "your iniquities have separated between you and your God,"      Isaiah 59:2. 2. That includes everyone.   "For all have sinned,     and come short of the glory of God;" Rom. 3:23. B. You must realize that Heaven can't be earned. 1. Not by doing enough good things.   "Not by     works of righteousness which we have done,     but according to his mercy he saved us..."     Titus 3:5 2. Not by being baptized, joining a church, or     obeying the Ten Commandments.   "For by     grace are ye saved through faith; and that     not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:     Not of works, lest any man should boast."     Ephesians 2:8-9 C. You must be willing to change your direction.     "the wages of sin is death;" Romans 6:23. 1. Self righteousness will cause you to miss Heaven.     Rom. 10:2-3; Luke 13:2; Matt. 5:20; Rom. 3:28 2. Faith in yourself, your baptism, your church will     cause you to miss Heaven, John 1:12; John 3:3. 3. You must repent.   "Repent ye therefore, and be     converted," Acts 3:19.   "The Lord is...not     willing that any should perish, but that all     should come to repentance."   II Pet. 3:9 * Repentance means to change your mind about sin. D. You must receive Jesus Christ by faith as your      personal Saviour.   "being justified by faith,"      Romans 5:1.      Eternal life was paid for with the shed blood      of Christ.   Accept it as a free gift.   "For      whosoever shall call upon the name of the      Lord shall be saved."   Romans 10:13 SEND THE LIGHT P.O. Box 815   Fargo, ND 58107

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