Dictionary of Bible Themes
The church is called to praise and glorify God, to establish Jesus Christ's kingdom, and to proclaim the gospel throughout the world.
1 Peter 2:9God's purposes for the church
See also
To praise God
Ephesians 1:5-6,11-12,14Hebrews 13:151 Peter 2:5Romans 8:29-30See also
To share God's glory
Matthew 13:43John 17:24Romans 9:231 Corinthians 2:7Philippians 3:21Colossians 3:42 Thessalonians 2:14Revelation 2:26-27; 3:4-5,21Matthew 16:18-19See also
God will build his church
Matthew 27:40John 2:19-221 Corinthians 3:9pp Mk 15:29
Ephesians 2:21-22; 4:11-13Hebrews 3:3-61 Peter 2:5Ephesians 3:10-11To challenge Satan's dominion
See also
Matthew 16:18"rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" refers to the powers of evil.
Ephesians 6:121 John 2:142 Corinthians 5:18See also
To go into the world in mission
Matthew 5:13-16; 28:19-20Mark 16:15Luke 24:48John 20:21Acts 1:8Philippians 2:15-16Colossians 1:27Mark 13:10The church's mission
To preach the gospel to the world
See also
Matthew 28:19pp Mt 24:14
Luke 24:47John 10:16Acts 13:47Galatians 6:10See also
To do good to all
Matthew 25:37-40Luke 6:35Acts 9:36Ephesians 2:101 Timothy 6:18James 1:271 Peter 2:12Matthew 5:13-16John 15:5-8Images of the church's mission
Matthew 7:18-19Romans 7:4A fruitful plant in a fruitless world:
Ephesians 5:9-10Philippians 1:11Colossians 1:6,10James 3:17Mark 9:50Luke 14:34-35Salt in an insipid world:
Romans 13:12-14Ephesians 5:8Light in a dark world:
Philippians 2:151 Thessalonians 5:5-6Acts 11:21The growth of the church
See also
Numerical growth among the first Christians
Acts 2:41,47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1,7; 9:31,42; 11:24; 12:24; 13:49; 16:5; 17:4; 18:8; 19:20Ephesians 4:12-13See also
The church is to grow to maturity
Philippians 1:6; 3:13-152 Thessalonians 1:32 Corinthians 9:10Aspects of growth
1 Thessalonians 3:12Growth in character:
Ephesians 4:15Colossians 1:10Growth into Christ:
2 Peter 3:18Hebrews 6:1Ephesians 3:14-19growth in understanding
See also
Prayers for the growth of the church
Ephesians 1:17-19Philippians 1:9-11Colossians 1:9-121 Thessalonians 3:11-132 Thessalonians 1:11-12Revelation 7:9-10Visions of the church's final destiny
See also
Matthew 24:31John's vision of the church in glory.
John 10:16Ephesians 1:101 Thessalonians 4:16-17Hebrews 12:22-23Revelation 21:2See also
1045 God, glory of1115 God, purpose of2375 kingdom of God5902 maturity6716 reconciliation7754 preaching7957 sacraments8256 fruitfulness8347 spiritual growth8424 evangelism8443 growth8482 spiritual warfare 
