10: The Church and Its Mission
The Church as described in the Bible consists of all people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as the only remedy for their sins. The Church includes all Christians and has no boundaries as to age, race, gender, or denomination. It is the body of Christ, the dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit. Christ is the Head of the Church. He has made every provision for the fulfillment of "the Church's" Great Commission (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15). Each Christian is an integral part of that Church. The names of all true believers (those making up the Church) are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:22; Hebrews 12:23).

God's purpose concerning mankind is (1) to seek and to save people who are lost in sin (Luke 19:10), (2) to be worshipped by all mankind (Revelation 19:10, 22:9), and (3) to build a unified body of believers mature in faith and knowledge like His Son-Jesus (Ephesians 4:12). Therefore the priority reason-for-being of the Assemblies of God as a part of the Church is:

  1. To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).
  2. To be a corporate or unified body in which man may worship God (1 Corinthians 12:13).
  3. To be a channel of God's purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:28, 14:12).

In fulfilling this three-fold mission of the Church, members of the Assemblies of God are taught and encouraged to be baptized in the Holy Spirit according to the New Testament pattern. Through this experience believers: evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:3-4); worship God in an added dimension (1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 Corinthians 12-14); and respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expressing the fruit, gifts, and ministries as in New Testament times in order to build up the church, the body of Christ( 1 Corinthians 12:28, 14;12; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 4:11-12; Colossians 1:29).

Importance of this doctrine: The important role of the church (all members of the body of Christ) in God's dealing with mankind is accepted by all born-again Christians. But the local church is too often less appreciated and understood. Some professing Christians, not finding a local church to their liking, choose to practice an isolated and independent Christianity. Unfortunately, they disobey the specific command of God that believers should not fail to assemble together with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). Watching a church service on television or listening to a sermon on the radio will not suffice. God's design for His people is worship, edification, and encouragement in the company of other believers. This doctrine is vital to a well-rounded Christian life.

 

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FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD
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