Episode 22: What’s the role of Church today? | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
The Role of the Lord's Church Today: Living Out the Apostles' Creed
The role of the Lord's Church today is a question that carries deep significance as we seek to understand our purpose in this world. In the context of the Apostles' Creed, we’re reminded of the eternal nature of the church and its mission, which has remained unchanged since its inception. As followers of Christ, we are called to glorify God, preach the gospel, and make disciples, all while embodying the core values that have been passed down through the centuries.
The Church’s Unchanging Role
At the heart of the Lord’s Church today is the realization that it is, first and foremost, God’s church. God is unchanging, and Jesus is the head of the church. This foundational truth helps us understand that the church's role remains as it has always been: to represent God’s presence on earth, to glorify Him in all things, and to continue the work that Jesus began.
In our everyday lives, whether we are gathering for worship, sharing the gospel, or caring for others, we are called to do these things in the name of Christ. The purpose of the church is clear: to honor God, make disciples, practice the sacraments, and guard the truth of His Word. As the Apostle Paul writes, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Every action we take—both as individuals and as the collective body of believers—should point to the glory of God.
The Church as a Tabernacle of God’s Presence
One of the most profound images the Bible uses to describe the church is that of a tabernacle or temple. This imagery draws from the Old Testament, where the temple was the place where God’s presence dwelt among His people. The church today is called to embody that same purpose: to be a dwelling place for God’s presence on earth. Just as the Old Testament temple pointed back to Eden, where God walked with His people, the church is meant to bring heaven to earth in the way it lives and worships.
Jesus' words in Matthew 16:18 are particularly significant: "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." This passage emphasizes the enduring strength and purpose of the church. We, as the church, have been given the responsibility to reflect heaven on earth—to bind and loose on earth as it is in heaven. In other words, we must live according to God’s will, ensuring that what is permitted in heaven is also permitted on earth, and what is forbidden in heaven is forbidden here.
Glorifying God and Serving Others
As we consider the church’s role, it is important to focus on two key aspects: glorifying God and serving others. Glorifying God is not just about what we say on Sundays or how we conduct ourselves during church services; it extends to every area of our lives. As a church, we are called to reflect God’s character in our relationships, our communities, and even in how we present ourselves to the world. It takes humility and a deep knowledge of God's Word to resist the temptation to simply reflect the culture around us. Instead, we are called to reflect God’s holiness and truth in everything we do.
Serving others is another hallmark of the church. As followers of Christ, we are called to love and serve others unconditionally, just as Christ loved us. This love isn’t dependent on how others treat us, but on our identity as Christians. One powerful example of this is the way the church engages with the community, whether through acts of kindness, such as helping those in need, or through outreach initiatives like the Compton initiative. These actions show the world what it means to be a reflection of God's love.
Just like the example of helping someone in need—whether it's stopping to assist with a fallen ladder or simply showing kindness in everyday situations—our actions should be motivated by love and a desire to point others to Christ. In our conversations and actions, we have the opportunity to share with others the reason for our hope: that we are Christians, and we care because God first cared for us.
Worship Methods: Ancient Practices, Modern Expressions
Worship, at its core, is about responding to God’s love with reverence, gratitude, and devotion. The Bible tells us what God desires from us but often leaves the details up to us. It doesn't give a strict, step-by-step guide for every moment of worship—especially not for the diverse ways we engage with one another in different times and places. So, over the centuries, the church has developed systems and practices that help us fulfill God’s commands.
Take communion and baptism, for example. These sacraments were instituted by Jesus, and while we know the what—to baptize believers and partake of communion regularly—there’s room for flexibility in the how.
In our modern-day church, we still honor these sacraments, but the way we do so is influenced by our context. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we shifted to using prepackaged communion elements to ensure health and safety. While this may look different from the traditional practice of breaking bread and sharing wine together in close proximity, it has allowed us to continue participating in this holy act without compromising our health or the meaning behind it. The focus, as always, is on what the sacraments represent—the body and blood of Christ, the unity of the church, and our shared commitment to follow Him.
The Role of the Church: A Place of Accountability and Community
One thing that hasn’t changed is the role of the church as a place of community and accountability. Worship is not something we do alone; it’s a communal experience, a shared journey. The sacraments are a perfect illustration of this—baptism and communion are not individualistic acts. They are experienced within the context of the church body, a community committed to supporting each other in faith.
For instance, when someone is baptized at our church, the congregation is asked to make a promise: to walk alongside that person, to love them, encourage them, hold them accountable, and help them grow in their faith. It’s a powerful moment when the whole church stands together and commits to this sacred responsibility. This shared covenant emphasizes that we are not alone in our walk with Christ—together, we are stronger, and we are better equipped to live out our faith.
Whether it's through the Apostle's Creed, our method of worship, or the sacraments we practice, our goal is to ensure that we remain anchored in the essentials of the faith. The church, in all its diversity, exists to glorify God, to help one another grow, and to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. In the end, our methods might differ, but our calling is the same.
As we continue to worship, we remember that these practices—the songs we sing, the words we speak, and the sacraments we share—are all part of a much bigger story, one that began long before us and will continue long after. And through it all, the Apostles' Creed serves as a timeless reminder of what we believe, why we worship, and how we are called to live.
