The Church

Nature and Mission of the Local Church

Confessional Text

A church of the Lord Jesus Christ[110] is a congregation[111], composed of believers in Christ[112], who have covenanted with one another[113] to gather regularly[114], proclaim the gospel[115], observe the ordinances[116], be governed by God's Word[117], exercise the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Spirit and His Word[118], and live as the family of God on earth[119], as they advance the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth[120].

Scriptural References

[1]

Matthew 16:18

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church

[2]

Matthew 18:17

And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

1 Corinthians 5

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father's wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

[3]

Matthew 28:18-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them

[4]

Matthew 18:18-20

Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven

[5]

Hebrews 10:24-25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

1 Corinthians 16:2

On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

Revelation 1:10

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.

[6]

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

[7]

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

1 Corinthians 11

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

[8]

Joshua 1:6-9

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 19

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 119:9-11

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

[9]

1 Corinthians 12&14

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant

[10]

Ephesians 2:19

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God

[11]

Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me

All scripture quotations are from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Historical & Theological Background

Baptist and Congregational traditions have particularly emphasized the autonomy of the local church, governed by Christ through His Word and led by its own officers. Each local congregation is a complete expression of the universal church, not a subdivision of a larger denominational hierarchy. The church's mission includes both inward edification (building up believers) and outward evangelism (proclaiming the gospel to the world). Church membership involves covenant commitment to fellow believers.

African Contextual Commentary

In Africa, where churches can be influenced by hierarchical tribal structures or Western denominationalism, this statement affirms congregational autonomy: each local church governs itself under Christ's authority. It also guards against personality-driven churches where one leader controls everything without accountability. The church is a covenant community, not merely an audience for a charismatic preacher. African Christians must understand that church membership involves mutual commitment, accountability, and participation—not passive attendance. Additionally, the church's mission includes both evangelism and discipleship, correcting trends toward either pure activism (evangelism without discipleship) or pure pietism (discipleship without evangelism).