II. THE PURPOSES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
In the second section of this study, there are thirteen purposes for the
local church.
The first purpose is to teach Bible doctrine, to teach the
content of Scripture, to teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 2:42;
11:26; I Tim. 3:15-16).
The second purpose is that the local church must exercise the function
of priesthood (I Cor. 16:1-2; II Cor. 8:1-15; Phil. 4:18). All believers
are a priesthood and every believer is to exercise the function of a
priest, which is representing the people to God.
The third purpose is for corporate prayer. Not only is the believer to
pray as an individual, but believers should also pray corporately as a
local body so they can agree with each other and seek the guidance of
God or make petitions of God in their prayer life (Acts 2:42; 4:31;
12:5, 12; Heb. 13:15).
The fourth purpose is for the observance of the ordinances. These
ordinances are: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-42; 20:7;
I Cor. 11:23-29).
The fifth purpose of the local church is to exercise spiritual gifts (I Cor.
12, 13, 14).
The sixth purpose of the local church is the exercise of both church
MBS106 The Local Church discipline and spiritual discipline (I Cor. 5:1-13; II Thes. 3:14-15; I Tim. 5:20).
The seventh purpose of the local church is to send out missionaries
around the world (Acts 11:22-24; 13:1-4).
An eighth purpose is to provide for the needy in general, but in
particular, the needy among believers (Acts 6:1-6; II Cor. 8:4-7; I Tim.
5:16; Jas. 1:27).
The ninth purpose is to make disciples, and to disciple believers until
they are firmly grounded in the Word of God. Discipleship involves
three elements: preaching the gospel, baptism, and teaching the Word
of God (Mat. 28:18-20).
The tenth purpose of the local church is to build up the Body of the
Messiah. The Body of the Messiah is the universal church, but the
universal church is comprised of many local churches, all of believers
(Eph. 4:11-16). This is in order that individual members of the Body
might be firmly planted and rooted in the Word of God, so they are
no longer tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.
The eleventh purpose of a local church is to do good in this world in
general, but emphasizing especially good to those who are of the
household of faith (Gal. 6:10).
The twelfth purpose is to show the love of the Messiah so that the
world can see the believer's love for Him (Rev. 2:4-5).
The thirteenth purpose of the local church is to glorify God in its
ministry (Rom. 15:6, 9; Eph. 3:21; II Thes. 1:12; I Pet. 4:11).
Excerpt from Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum:
MBS106 THE LOCAL CHURCH: Pg 6
