Šta je svrha crkve?/What is the purpose of the church?

Dela 2:42 se mogu smatrati kao izraz svrsishodnosti crkve: “Bili su istrajni u apostolskoj nauci i zajednici i lomljenju hleba i u molitvama.” Tako da, prema Pismu, svrha / aktivnost crkve bi trebalo da bude: (1) naučavanje biblijske doktrine, (2) da obezbedi mesto za zajedništvo vernika, (3) da praktikuje Gospodnju Večeru, i (4) da se moli. Crkva treba da podučava biblijsku doktrinu tako da možemo da budemo utemeljeni u našoj veri. Efescima 4:14 nam kaže: “Da ne budemo više nejaki koje ljulja i nosi svaki vetar nauke koja ljudskom prevarom i lukavstvom dovodi do zabludnog lukavstva.” Crkva treba da bude mesto zajednišva, gde hrišćani mogu da se posvete jedni drugima i da poštuju jedni druge (Rimljanima 12:10), da podučavaju jedni druge (Rimljanima 15:14), da budu ljubazni i saosećajni jedni prema drugima (Efescima 4:32), da ohrabruju jedni druge (Prva Solunjanima 5:11), i što je najvažnije da vole jedni druge (Prva Jovanova 3:11). Crkava treba da je mesto gde će se služiti Gospodnja večera, u spomen na Hristovu smrt i prolivenu krv za nas (Prva Korinćanima 11:23-26). Koncept “lomljenja hleba” (Dela 2:42) takođe u sebi sadrži ideju imanja zajeničkog obroka. Ovo je još jedn način na koji crkva potpomaže zajedništvo. Krajnja svrha crkve prema Delima 2:42, je molitva. Crkva treba da je mesto gde se potpomaže molitva, uči o molitvi i praktikuje molitva. Filipljanima 4:6-7 nas ohrabruje: “Ne brinite se ni za što, nego u svemu molitvom i moljenjem sa zahvaljivanjem neka se vaše molbe Bogu očituju. I mir Božiji, koji prevazilazi svaki um, sačuvaće vaša srca i vaše misli u Hristu Isusu.” Jedno drugo “poslanje” koje je dato crkvi je da objavljuje evanđelje spasenja kroz Isusa Hrista (Matej 28:18-20; Dela 1:8). Crkva je pozvana da bude verna i da objavljuje Evanđelje kroz reči i dela. Crkva treba da je “svetionik” u društvu – da upućuje ljude ka našem Gospodu i Spasitelju Isusu Hristu. Crkva treba da širi Evanđelje i da priprema njene članove da objavljuju Evanđelje (Prva Petrova 3:15). Jedan od poslednjih ciljeva crkve je dat u Jakovu 1:27: “Ovo je čista i neokaljana pobožnost pred Bogom i Ocem: obilaziti siromašne i udovice u njihovim nevoljama i sebe držati neopoganjena od sveta.” Crkva treba da se brine da posluži onima koji su u potrebi. Ovo podrazumeva ne samo širenje Evanđelja već i brigu o fizičkim potrebama (hrana, odeća, krov nad glavom) kao neophodne i prilične. Crkva treba takođe da obuči vernike u Hristu kako da se izbore sa grehom i kako da ostanu neuprljani od sveta. Ovo se postiže kroz gore pomenute principe – biblijsko podučavanje i hrišćansko zajedništvo. Tako da, sa svim ovim što je rečeno, šta je svrha crkve? Dopada mi se ilustracija u Prvoj Korinćanima 12:12-27. Crkva je Božije “telo” – mi smo ruke, usta i stopala u ovom svetu. Mi treba da činimo stvari koje bi Isus Hrist činio da je prisutan fizički ovde na zemlji. Crkva treba da je “hrišćanska” – “Hristolika” i da sledi Hrista.

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Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” According to this verse, the purposes/activities of the church should be 1) teaching biblical doctrine, 2) providing a place of fellowship for believers, 3) observing the Lord’s supper, and 4) praying. The church is to teach biblical doctrine so we can be grounded in our faith. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” The church is to be a place of fellowship, where Christians can be devoted to one another and honor one another (Romans 12:10), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and most importantly, love one another (1 John 3:11). The church is to be a place where believers can observe the Lord’s Supper, remembering Christ’s death and shed blood on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The concept of “breaking bread” (Acts 2:42) also carries the idea of having meals together. This is another example of the church promoting fellowship. The final purpose of the church according to Acts 2:42 is prayer. The church is to be a place that promotes prayer, teaches prayer, and practices prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Another commission given to the church is proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). 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 toward our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The church is to both promote the gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the gospel (1 Peter 3:15). Some final purposes of the church are given in James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” The church is to be about the business of ministering to those in need. This includes 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 they need to overcome sin and remain free from the pollution of the world. This is done by biblical teaching and Christian fellowship. So, what is the purpose of the church? Paul gave an excellent illustration to the believers in Corinth. The church is God’s hands, mouth, and feet in this world—the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We are to be doing the things that Jesus Christ would do if He were here physically on the earth. The church is to be “Christian,” “Christ-like,” and Christ-following.