What Is the Local Church’s Mission - Answers for Church Members - September 29

What is the local church’s mission according to the Bible?

According to Scripture, the local church’s mission is to proclaim, preserve, and display the gospel.

Proclaim the gospel. Jesus charged the apostles with proclaiming the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), and he established the church to carry out that task. Preaching the gospel is central to the church’s mission (2 Timothy 2:15-26)

Preserve the gospel. Paul calls the church a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). The church is charged with the task of preserving the true gospel throughout the ages (1 Timothy 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 1:13  Titus 1:9 . It does this through faithfully preaching the gospel, refuting false teaching, and maintaining doctrinal and moral purity among its members. 

Display the gospel.Paul says that through the church God makes known his wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10). Through the holy lives of its members and its unity-in-diversity (1 Corinthians 12:12-26), the church is called to be a vivid, living color display of the gospel it preaches.

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