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What is the Work of the Church?
To answer that question, we first need to define what a church is. If you are like most people when you hear the word church, you think of the first Merriam-Webster definition; a building for public and especially Christian worship. But in the Bible, the Greek word for church, ekklésia, means an assembly or congregation. When Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:2 “to the church of God that is in Corinth,” he was not describing a building, but a congregation of believers. Acts 2:47 shows us that after being saved through baptism, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Paul shows us in 1 Cor. 12:27 that we are part of the body: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” Even though miraculous spiritual gifts have ceased, these verses demonstrate that the body of Christ has functions. Verse 28 says, “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.” The church is a congregation of believers added to the body through baptism.
As a congregation of believers, let us first remember that each of us ought to be walking in Christ; “whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).
As a congregation of believers, let us second remember what the Bible says about work of the body of Christ.
Worship
First, congregations came together. Paul mentions in 1 Cor. 11:18 “when you come together as a church.” Second we see congregations worshiping together. Acts 2:42 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 20:7 adds “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread.” Paul admonishes the brethren in Ephesus; “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”
Building Up
“Build up” is synonym to “edify” which is why translations will include either or in the New Testament. The etymology of the word edify includes the Latin definition meaning to “improve spiritually.” Paul says in Eph. 4:11-16, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” When Paul talks about the worship services in 1 Cor. 14, he says repeatedly that things need to be done in order that the church be built up. If what we do is not done with the right motive and does not edify the body, then what is the point? We just become a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1)! I often close a sermon by saying if you need the prayers of the saints let it be known. God put us together for a reason, and one of those reasons is to build each other up and help one another get to heaven.
Spreading the Word
Acts 8 says, “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Then in verse 4 it says, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” When we talk about evangelism, we usually quote scripture directed at the Apostles, or preachers, or someone else directly appointed to evangelize. But this verse addresses everyone. Collectively we should be about preaching the word. In addition, congregations supported preachers directly just as we do at Southside. Phil. 1:3-5 says, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Phil. 4:15-16 adds, “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.” Paul further says, “I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you” (2 Cor. 11:8).
Good Will
We are commanded to share what we have with those who are in need, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Heb. 13:16). The Bible is full of examples, admonitions, and commands to help others. Even in Matt. 25 the final judgment is based on whether you provide good will towards others or not. In addition, the New Testament addresses congregational action regarding good will. Paul commanded the saints in Corinth to set aside funds for needy Christians in Jerusalem. He mentions this again in Rom. 15:25-27, “At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem” (Rom. 15:25-27). He cites this same need in Acts 11:29-30, “So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.” Paul also mentions other ways congregations helped others including supporting needy widows who proved themselves to be “devoted herself to every good work” (1 Tim. 5:10). John sums up good will wonderfully in 1 John 3:17-18 when he says “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
Let us be busy with the work of the Southside congregation and be active in worship, building up, spreading the word, and good will.
