chafer, bible doctrines: the church, her purpose

The church: her purpose

and commission

Chafer: chapter 36

Monday 22 August 2011

Eph 3:10 - so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Eph 2:7 - so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Chafer makes the point these will primarily be achieved through the individual believers in the Body, their gifts and God’s plan for their lives - though this has to be in harmony with God’s plan for the church in this age


A. The present divine purpose in this world

...is the calling out from the world of those who will form the Body of Christ - not the conversion of the world.The world will be converted and a new kingdom of righteousness established but the transformation of the world will follow the return of Christ and is made possible by his personal presence and immediate power - it is not the result of Christian service.


Chafer states the certain events will take place before Christ returns and before his kingdom is established:Dan 2:44-45 - smiting of the stone - after this (a symbol of Christ’s return) Jesus descends from heaven and establishes his kingdomMatt 25:31-34 - after the return of Christ and direction of the sheep to earthly gloryAfter he descends from heaven Christ reigns for 1000 years on earth - Rev 19:11-20:9


Jesus mentions 3 characteristics when talking about this age - Matt 13:1-50:1. Israel’s place in the world would be as a treasure hid in a field - Matt 13:442. Evil would continue to the end of the age - Matt 13:4, 25, 33, 483. The children of the kingdom - likened to wheat, pearl, fish - will be gathered out - Matt 13:30,45, 46, 48 - this is God’s supreme purpose in this age - Israel will only be blind until this is complete.Evil will continue in some restrained from until the Spirit of God is taken out of the way - 2Thess 2:7- which takes place only when the church is fully called out.


Israel’s covenants will be fulfilled - Rom 11:27 - and evil will be banished - Rev 21:1 - but in this age the completion of the church is the point waited for.Acts 15: 13-19 is used to explain further - the council in Jerusalem was explaining to Jewish believers the plan of God, as they did not understand what God was doing at that time - James explains using Peter & cornelius that God is visiting and calling a people out of the Gentiles first and then will return to fulfill all his purposes for Israel and the Gentiles.


Chafer says the practical result of this is:In this age the believer and church are never called to a world improvement programme,The believer is called to be a witness to Christ and his saving grace - through the proclamation of the Gospel,It is through this proclamation that the HSp will accomplish God’s purpose in the age.


B. The formation of the church

Matt 16:18 - Christ will build his churchEph 2:21-22 - the church will be built like a temple, a holy dwelling place for the SpiritSoul winning and edifying the body continues “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:13 (also 4:16, 1:22-23)


B. The formation of the church

Matt 16:18 - Christ will build his churchEph 2:21-22 - the church will be built like a temple, a holy dwelling place for the SpiritSoul winning and edifying the body continues “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:13 (also 4:16, 1:22-23)

Chafer states that...Eph 4:13 stature of fulness - Does not refer to formation of Christlike men but of the development of the body of Christ to its fulfillmentSee also Eph 1:22-23, 4:16


C. The believers commission

In the parable of the sower Christ said 1/4th current seed sowing would bear fruit - Matt 13:1-23However, we are still told to bear fruit in season and out, to preach the Gospel to every creature, we have received the ministry of reconciliation - this ministry is for every believer.[Find the verse references for each of the above.]This ministry is conducted in various ways;


1. The gospel is presented through sacrificial gifts - people must give of their substance to see people sent and the Gospel proclaimed.2. The gospel is presented in answer to prayer - Jn 14:14 - God will answer - Chafer states, “...there is no more fruitful ministry possible to the child of God than prayer”3. The gospel may be presented by word of mouth - we are all commissioned to this! Note:a. You must be willing as HSp leadsb. You must know what the gospel you declare really is


c. You must be Spirit filled or you will lack passion for the task or the lost. Acts 1:8, 4:204. The gospel may be presented through radio, tv, internet etc. - simply present it so HSp can use it.5. God uses many ways to proclaim the gospel - seminary training, missionary aviation distributing literature etc. We might not all be as effective in speaking it out - but we all have a role to play.


chafer, bible doctrines: the church, her purpose

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