– Since its foundation, the Church has faced constant challenges, persecutions and threats. And when I speak of the Church, in capital letters, I mean the mystical body of Christ, not a specific denomination. In this sense, What is the mission of the church in times of crisis?
The Church is part of God’s plan for man, pre-established even before the foundation of the world and has a divine nature and a specific mission on earth, the purpose of which refers to Christ.
Jesus said: “I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:16).
The term “church”in the original Greek, means “called”, by etymology that indicates a group of citizens who were called to leave their homes to meet for a purpose. An assembly of saints.
Contrary to what some believe, the Church is not a building, but is made up of people, thus forming a spiritual body. These people come together in places to worship God together.
Knowing this, we understand that the Church was called to go against the world, to fulfill a certain mission. It is then identified as the body of Christ, as part of the revelation of God’s will (Ephesians 1.9).
The crisis brings us closer to God
This will was revealed to us through the birth of our Lord Jesus, when the “fullness of time” of God and the world knew perfect divine love.
Through Christ, the Bible teaches us that a new man was formed and that the Church was born in him. We become one body in Christ, “and each member is linked to all the others” (Romans 12:5).
Therefore, as regards the mission of the Church, its main function is to promote the mutual edification of the saints. One member builds up and blesses the other, thus contributing to growth.
The Church also has the mission of searching for souls, rescuing sinners through the truth. Billy Graham once said: “The Bible doesn’t tell sinners to go to church, but it does command the church to go after sinners.”
Therefore, any attack against the mystical body of Jesus Christ, which is the divine Church, which He must seek, represents a direct confrontation against God.
What should we do in the face of the crisis?
However, we have learned that no matter how hard the attacks, the gates of hell will not prevail against those who are part of the body of the Lord.
However, we must remain united as one body, together resisting the attack of the enemy of our souls. We must be guided by the Word of God and follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit.
The Belgian Confession of Faith, a Protestant document, says that the Church is “the holy congregation and assembly of true believers in Christ, who expect all their salvation from Jesus Christ, washed by his blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit”.
By: Abner Ferreira.
First published on the Gospel Prime web portal.
Published in: NOTCIACRISTIANA.COM- Find out the best evangelical Christian news and the world.
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