The mission of the Church, as derived from Scripture, can be summarised into several key purposes that articulate its divine calling and role in the world.

To Glorify God

• By Worship: True worship is characterised by a genuine spirit and is exemplified in John 4:23, where Jesus emphasises that the Father seeks worshipers who worship in spirit and truth. This highlights the importance of authenticity over mere formality. Philippians 3:3 reinforces this with the assertion that true worship arises from the heart rather than external rituals. In Revelation 22:9, worship is depicted as a response to God’s sovereignty, inviting believers to acknowledge and celebrate His majesty and authority in all aspects of life.
• By Prayer and Praise: The Scriptures place a strong emphasis on the significance of prayer and thanksgiving. Psalm 50:23 states that those who offer thanksgiving as their sacrifice glorify God, pointing to a relational aspect whereby gratitude enhances worship. This act of expressing thankfulness not only honors God but also reminds believers of His continual presence and blessings.
• By Godly Living: A life that reflects Christ’s teachings stands as a testament to God’s glory. John 15:8 articulates that bearing fruit as disciples brings glory to the Father, highlighting the tangible outcomes of faith in action. Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:9 designates believers as a chosen people who proclaim the glory of the one who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. In Titus 2:10, we see a call to adorn the gospel through good deeds, reflecting the beauty of Christ in everyday living.

To Edify Itself

• To build the body of Christ, the Church must actively engage in mutual encouragement, support, and spiritual growth. Colossians 2:7 emphasises being rooted and built up in faith, underscoring the need for deep connections and shared experiences of faith. Jude 20 further elucidates the importance of nurturing personal faith through prayer, which fosters growth both individually and collectively within the Church.
• Proper Materials for Building: Sound doctrine and godly living serve as crucial materials in constructing God’s spiritual temple. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 reminds believers that the quality of their work—represented through their choices and conduct—will be tested on the Day of Judgment, reinforcing the urgency and importance of spiritual integrity.

To Purify Itself

• God the Father makes a distinction between righteousness and unrighteousness as illustrated in John 15:2, where He prunes the fruitful branches to foster growth. The discipline of the Church is vital for maintaining holiness and integrity among its members. Verses like 1 Corinthians 11:32 and Hebrews 12:10 highlight the significance of divine correction and the transformative power of God’s discipline, which ultimately aims to bring about repentance and spiritual maturity.
• Church Discipline: The framework for maintaining moral purity within the Church is outlined in Scriptures such as Acts 5:11 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. Church discipline serves not just as a corrective measure but also as an expression of love, intended to restore believers and promote a culture of accountability and holiness.

To Educate Its Constituency

• The Church holds the vital responsibility of teaching its members to obey Christ’s commandments, as mandated in Matthew 28:20. This commission urges believers to make disciples and equip them with the full counsel of God. Furthermore, Philippians 4:8 and 2 Timothy 2:2 stress the importance of sound teaching and reflection, encouraging believers to focus on things that are true, honorable, and commendable to nurture spiritual growth.

To Evangelise the World

• The Great Commission, articulated in Luke 24:46-48 and Acts 1:8, calls believers to take the gospel message to all nations, emphasising outreach and engagement with diverse communities. John 4:28-38 exemplifies Jesus’ model of evangelism through personal interaction and societal engagement, while Matthew 9:36-38 showcases the urgent need for workers to harvest the spiritual field, highlighting the Church’s role in addressing the lost and the needy.

To Act as a Restraining & Enlightening Force in the World

• Believers are called to be the salt of the earth, as stated in Matthew 5:13, influencing the world by promoting righteousness and preserving truth. The Church, described in 2 Corinthians 5:19, serves as custodians of God’s truth, tasked with promoting reconciliation between God and humanity, providing a moral compass in an often chaotic world.
• Holding Fast to the Word of Life: The Church is urged to cling to the word of life and contend earnestly for the faith, as seen in Philippians 2:16 and Jude 3, standing firm against falsehood and protecting the integrity of the gospel amidst societal challenges.

To Promote All That is Good

• The Church is mandated to be distinct and separate from worldly influences, adhering to the injunctions found in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. This call to separation emphasises the importance of striving to do good, particularly to those within the household of faith, as instructed in Galatians 6:10.
• Acts of Goodness: The example set by Jesus in Acts 10:38-43 illustrates how believers are to emulate His ministry by doing good and healing all who are oppressed, fostering a spirit of compassion and service that echoes the heart of the gospel.

References: CPBC College notes and the Authorised KJV Bible.

By diligently attending to these aspects of its mission, the Church fulfills its divine calling and profoundly impacts both its members and the broader world, standing as a beacon of hope, truth, and love.