Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7010 The church as the people of God  »  7020 church, the  »  7027 church, purpose and mission of

The church is called to praise and glorify God, to establish Jesus Christ's kingdom, and to proclaim the gospel throughout the world.

God's purposes for the church

To praise God

1 Peter 2:9 See also Ephesians 1:5-6,11-12,14; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5

To share God's glory

Romans 8:29-30 See also Matthew 13:43; John 17:24; Romans 9:23; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Philippians 3:21; Colossians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Revelation 2:26-27; Revelation 3:4-5,21

God will build his church

Matthew 16:18-19 See also Matthew 27:40 pp Mark 15:29; John 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:21-22; Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 3:3-6; 1 Peter 2:5

To challenge Satan's dominion

Ephesians 3:10-11 “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” refers to the powers of evil. See also Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 2:14

To go into the world in mission

2 Corinthians 5:18 See also Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Philippians 2:15-16; Colossians 1:27

The church's mission

To preach the gospel to the world

Mark 13:10 pp Matthew 24:14 See also Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:47; John 10:16; Acts 13:47

To do good to all

Galatians 6:10 See also Matthew 25:37-40; Luke 6:35; Acts 9:36; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:18; James 1:27; 1 Peter 2:12

Images of the church's mission

Matthew 5:13-16; John 15:5-8

A fruitful plant in a fruitless world:

Matthew 7:18-19; Romans 7:4; Ephesians 5:9-10; Philippians 1:11; Colossians 1:6,10; James 3:17

Salt in an insipid world:

Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35

Light in a dark world:

Romans 13:12-14; Ephesians 5:8; Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6

The growth of the church

Numerical growth among the first Christians

Acts 11:21 See also Acts 2:41,47; Acts 4:4; Acts 5:14; Acts 6:1,7; Acts 9:31,42; Acts 11:24; Acts 12:24; Acts 13:49; Acts 16:5; Acts 17:4; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:20

The church is to grow to maturity

Ephesians 4:12-13 See also Philippians 1:6; Philippians 3:13-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Aspects of growth

Growth in character:

2 Corinthians 9:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Growth into Christ:

Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18 Hebrews 6:1 growth in understanding

Prayers for the growth of the church

Ephesians 3:14-19 See also Ephesians 1:17-19; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Visions of the church's final destiny

Revelation 7:9-10 John's vision of the church in glory. See also Matthew 24:31; John 10:16; Ephesians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Hebrews 12:22-23; Revelation 21:2

See also

1045  God, glory of
1115  God, purpose of
2375  kingdom of God
5902  maturity
6716  reconciliation
7754  preaching
7953  mission of church
8256  fruitfulness
8347  spiritual growth
8424  evangelism
8442  good works
8482  spiritual warfare