Recap.
Let’s do a quick recap of what we learned last week.
- Jesu’s sacrifice on the cross was the act that sanctified each of us by cleansing us of the sins that made us incompatible with God. Because of our sanctification, we are now ‘worthy’ to have a relationship with God both today and in the afterlife.
- Our acceptance of Jesus’ Gift, our recognition and repentance of our sin, and an unwavering desire to have an intimate relationship with God results in our salvation.
- We, with our free will, still have to recognize our sin, repent of that sin, and then live to establish a close relationship with God, now made possible by our sanctification. Our earthly relationship with God is but a prelude to the perfect relationship we will have with Him in Heaven.
Role of the Church?
So, what role is the Church to play in our salvation? (Here I’m talking about the “catholic,” or the universal Church, not the Catholic Church denomination.) If everything depends on Jesus’ sacrifice and our response, why do we need the Church?
The answers to those questions are the purpose of this week’s blog post.
Jesus’ problem.
The Apostles had been specially chosen by Jesus. He had lived with them, taught them, and imbued them with all they needed to take his message into the world to bring people to Him.
But once the Apostles had converted people, what was to happen to the new believers and their faith after they left? What was to happen to the believers they’d converted and to the churches they’d established when they were gone?
How could Jesus assure that His message would be carried across the globe and through the ensuing ages? And, most importantly, how could He ensure that once a person’s salvation had been accepted, it would be nurtured, sustained, and matured?
He knew that the Holy Spirit would help and guide. But he also knew about human nature. He knew that for people to hold to His teaching, to remain faithful, and to grow in their faith, they were going to need something tangible that could aid their guidance, give comfort, and provide the strength of community they would need.
Without these elements, the Faith that Jesus had brought to earth would dissipate and die within a few generations. He needed something permanent to keep His vision and message alive. Jesus needed the Church.
The Church and its Purposes.
Jesus had spoken of the church only once during his ministry. [Matthew 16:18] But His command to those assembled at the event of His ascension was clear. “…You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [Acts 1:10]
The Apostles represented the first Church, and He intended them to become His physical presence in the world. The new Church would take His message to the nations and support and sustain those who chose to believe.
Its purposes would be four:
- Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church was to represent Jesus as His Holy Bride. It was to be a shining beacon of love, hope, and compassion to attract people to the faith, and then nourish them in their faith. Whereas other religions used (and still do use) force and intimidation to force acceptance and adherence, Christianity is different. Its members are invited to join, not coerced.
- The Church was to spread the gospel. Since our species’ inception, we have searched for a spiritual connection with God and an understanding of His will for us. Jesus’ message is uniquely compelling and attractive to this need. Because of our free will, not everyone will become a believer. But few will not seek answers for their spiritual need.
- The Church was to protect, educate, guide, and build the faith of believers. When someone first accepts Christ and His Gift, they are what Paul called “Infants in Christ.” [1Corenthians 3:1] They now have the faith, but they will need continuing education and guidance as they pursue their own relationship with God. It is the Church’s mission to provide this support for their faith journey.
- The Church was to provide a community for believers. The Church was intended to be a “support group” for its members. In this capacity, we each are to help one another to grow in our faith and to preserve salvation for as many as possible. We each represent the Church to one another. Thus, the Church is not a building. It is a collective of believers, all who seek to advance Christ’s message and ideals in the world. As such, we, cumulatively, ARE the Church.
High Ideals.
These were high ideals, but Christ knew that since the Church would be made up of mortals, it would inevitably fall short from time to time. And it has.
The Inquisition and the Crusades are not the only examples of our Church failing to live up to the ideals set for Christ’s Holy Bride. Insidious acts by church clergy against helpless minors, financial and spiritual fraud, and complicity with bigotry and racial hatred are but a few of the examples of the failures of the Church in recent times.
Fulfilling its Purposes.
But in spite of all its faults and failures, Christianity has grown to encompass every continent on the planet. Estimates are that over 30% (over 2 3 billion) of the world’s population claims Christianity as their religion (Pew Research Center). The number of churches has grown to over 14,000,000 (a conservative estimate from the internet). And these numbers have been achieved despite all the energy and opposition that that hostile spiritual and human agents can bring against it!
The Holy Spirit will not be denied!
The Church’s Work vs. Christ’s Work.
The Church was not meant (nor is it able) to be the salvation of anyone’s soul. That is Christ’s work.
But, it is meant to facilitate the process by which seekers can be saved. It is to provide assistance, guidance, support, and comfort to all spiritual seekers during their journey. And once a person has accepted salvation, it is there to help them maintain and strengthen their new relationship with God.
Just as the Apostles were the first Church, so we Christians are the Church today. Its duties are our duties. And our job is to support the Church, aid it in its purposes, and to “spread the good news” whenever and wherever we can.
Celebration.
So, let’s celebrate the Church and our role in it. Let’s do all we can to aid its causes and purposes. For when we do, we can rest assured that our salvation and that of countless others will be secure.
Thank You, God, for your Church. We pray that we will be worthy participants in its work.
God’s Blessings on You All.
Richard
August 16, 2019
