“God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” – Acts 2:24 ESV
The church is to teach biblical doctrine, so we can be grounded in our faith. The church is to be a place of fellowship, where Christians can be devoted to one another and honor one another, encourage one another, and most importantly, love one another. The church is to be a place where the believers can observe the Lord’s Supper, remembering Christ’s death and shed blood on our behalf. The church is to be a place that promotes prayer, teaches prayer, and practices prayer. Another commission given to the church is proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The church is called to be faithful in sharing the gospel through word and deed. The church is to be a lighthouse in the community pointing people to Christ. The church is both to promote the gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the gospel. The church is to be about the business of ministering to those in need. This included not only sharing the gospel, but also providing for physical needs (food, clothing, shelter) as necessary and appropriate. The church is also to equip believers in Christ with the tools needed to overcome sin and remain free from the pollution of the world, through biblical teaching and Christian fellowship. The church is God’s hand, mouth, and feet in this world- the Body of Christ.
Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon