why does the church exist

Why Does The Church Exist?

Young people are constantly exposed to the hype of denominationalism by their friends. For years, denominational churches have used entertainment as a means of drawing and keeping their young people. Everything from gymnasiums, interdenominational ball games, trips to Six Flags, ski trips to Colorado along with big name entertainers and sports celebrities are used to "minister to the whole man." Young people in the church, if not properly taught, may feel deprived, and perhaps even embarrassed because the church of Christ doesn’t provide these things for them. I might add, even those who have been properly taught are tempted to surrender their convictions, thus the need for constant reinforcement from the word of God!

So what are you going to tell them, mom and dad? Herein may lie the real problem; that is, many parents have a denominational concept of the work and mission of the Lord’s church! In such cases, it is the entire family that needs to be taught. Let us remember and never forget that the Lord’s church is not in the entertainment business! All of the subjective arguments will not change this fact! We need to once again teach that recreation and entertainment is a work of the home; not the church! It is not only a matter of what is wrong with the church involved in these areas, but what is right (scripturally) as well! Have we forgotten or completely abandoned Colossians 3:17???

In an effort to so call "meet their needs," many brethren have expanded the role of the church into the physical realm. Thus the development of a country - social club concept has emerged. There may be numerous activities taking place, but a spiritual void begins to quickly develop, and the work of the Lord’s church soon fades into the background! It should not really surprise anyone that evangelism comes to a halt when the physical takes first place! Bear in mind, the early church was established in a world filled with entertainment. However, the drawing power was not recreation and entertainment, but Jesus Christ and what He offered! "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). The inspired Scripture was used to draw men to the Christ (Mark 16:15-16, Rom. 1:16, I Cor. 1:20-21, 2 Thess. 2:14, 2 Tim. 4:1-2). With this in mind, teach your children why the New Testament church exist.

Denominationalism exists because of pride, prejudice, ignorance, and false doctrine. Its end, as well as all false ways, is stated by our Lord in Mt. 15:13, "...Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." The Lord’s church, on the other hand, is divine in origin (Mt. 16:18), and exists for a specific purpose. The church of Christ is no accident nor afterthought, but pre-planned, and existed in the mind of God before the world was created (Eph. 3:10-11). The purpose of the Lord’s church is NOT entertainment, political, economical, cultism, nor a social club or a glorified country club! Rather its purpose can be broken down into three areas: evangelism, benevolence, and edification. Let’s briefly examine each of these.

EVANGELISM

It is the responsibility, and privilege of the church to go into all the world with the life changing message of Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16). The greatest urgency is for Christians to be about the Father’s business! Since the gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16), and furthermore since one must obey the truth to purify his soul (1 Peter 1:22), it is imperative that Christians do all they can to evangelize the world. As the poet so beautifully expressed it: "Let us count no cost too great, no sacrifice too extensive, no toil too arduous, no task too exacting to accomplish the winning of souls?" (Anon.). The late H. A. Dixon stated the two reasons why we aren’t evangelizing the world: we don’t believe the lost are lost, and we don’t believe God will hold us responsible for refusing to take the gospel to the lost! Day-by-day evangelism resulted in the great growth of the early church, and the same results will occur today if we have a great sense of urgency of taking the gospel to a lost and dying world!

BENEVOLENCE

The word "benevolence" does not appear in the New Testament. Webster defines "benevolence" as :"Disposition to do good, as an act of kindness, a generous gift." While the word does not appear in the New Testament, the execution thereof does. Jesus was living example of benevolence. We are instructed to follow His steps. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21). Again, scripture informs us, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10). "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). The word "visit" carries more meaning than merely drinking coffee and eating cookies. In Acts 15:36, we read, "And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do." Thus to "visit" is to "see how they do" and to help them in their "afflictions." In other words to help according to their needs. In Acts 17:27-30 we read of Agabus telling the brethren of a famine that was to come. The brethren in other places were also told of this, and responded by sending relief (Rom. 15:26). Thus an example of "benevolence" at work!

EDIFICATION

According to W. E. Vine, edification is, "the act of building up." Note the following verses which state we are to build one another up in the Lord. Acts 9:31, "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied." And Romans 14:19, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." Truly one of the greatest needs in the church is to build one another up.

The devil wants to sow seeds of discouragement and to tear down while God wants His people to build one another up. Let every child of God determine not to allow anyone or anything to distract them from the Lord’s work of evangelism, benevolence, and edification all to the name, honor and glory of God!

--Ivie Powell