What is the Church and what is her role?

[rsc2a]

It's been a bit slow so I figured I would try to come up with some topics to spur conversation. Topic 5:

What is the Church?

What is the role of the Church in...

a) the lives of believers?
b) the world?
c) eternity?

 

[Fresh Air]

The Church is given three scriptural definitions: the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the pillar and ground of the truth. Her role is many faceted, but essentially her purpose is to take the Gospel to every creature. IOW, the purpose of the church is, at its core, evangelistic. It is the institution started by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit designed to nurture/teach/edify the Christian and to reach the lost.

 

[Castor Muscular]

The Church is given three scriptural definitions: the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the pillar and ground of the truth. Her role is many faceted, but essentially her purpose is to take the Gospel to every creature. IOW, the purpose of the church is, at its core, evangelistic. It is the institution started by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit designed to nurture/teach/edify the Christian and to reach the lost.

I"ve heard it argued (convincingly) that the primary purpose of the church is to nurture/teach/edify/mature the Christian, and evangelism is more of a duty.  Unfortunately, I don't recall the scriptural argument, so I can't repeat it from memory.

 

[rsc2a]

The Church is given three scriptural definitions: the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the pillar and ground of the truth. Her role is many faceted, but essentially her purpose is to take the Gospel to every creature.

How would you describe this without using Christianese?

[quote author=Tom Brennan]IOW, the purpose of the church is, at its core, evangelistic. It is the institution started by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit designed to nurture/teach/edify the Christian and to reach the lost.[/quote]

Meaning?

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Comforting One Another
- John 20:19

Encouraging One Another
- Hebrews 10:25


Honoring God with our Increase
- 1 Corinthians 16:1

Developing Christian Growth
- Ephesians 4:11-15

Teaching the Bible
- Matthew 28:16-20

Furnishing Christian Fellowship
- Acts 2:41

Sharing the Gospel
- Mark 16:15

 

[prophet]

Ex post  b.c.

Anishinabe

 

[BALAAM]

Ex post  b.c.

Anishinabe

Just so you are aware, you are spelling Keemosabe wrong.

 

[prophet]

Ex post  b.c.

Anishinabe

Just so you are aware, you are spelling Keemosabe wrong.

You have seen that 'Far side' comic, haven't you?

Anishinabe

 

[BALAAM]

Ex post  b.c.

Anishinabe

Just so you are aware, you are spelling Keemosabe wrong.

You have seen that 'Far side' comic, haven't you?

Anishinabe

I don't read that new-fangled modern stuff! Give me the OLD PATHS!!  Blondie and Dagwood, Beetle Bailey, etc. They are what built this country and made it what it is today!

 

[prophet]

Ex post  b.c.

Anishinabe

Just so you are aware, you are spelling Keemosabe wrong.

You have seen that 'Far side' comic, haven't you?

Anishinabe

I don't read that new-fangled modern stuff! Give me the OLD PATHS!!  Blondie and Dagwood, Beetle Bailey, etc. They are what built this country and made it what it is today!

  Settle down, pops.  O0

Anishinabe

 

[BALAAM]

Ex post  b.c.

Anishinabe

Just so you are aware, you are spelling Keemosabe wrong.

You have seen that 'Far side' comic, haven't you?

Anishinabe

I don't read that new-fangled modern stuff! Give me the OLD PATHS!!  Blondie and Dagwood, Beetle Bailey, etc. They are what built this country and made it what it is today!

  Settle down, pops.  O0

Anishinabe

Whippersnapper!

 

[Castor Muscular]

The role of the church is to sing JIMB songs and have pot-lucks.