What is the role and purpose of the Church?

Question

Sun Myung Moon · Accepted Answer

The Church’s role is profoundly significant, defining believers' mission and their collective responsibility in God's ongoing providence. Understanding this defines how humanity partners with God to build His Kingdom, ultimately fulfilling His original purpose for creation and humanity. The Biblical Foundation The Bible portrays the Church with rich metaphors, foremost as the body of Christ. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27). This emphasizes unity and mutual dependence, as "just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12). Members are endowed with gifts "for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7) to "equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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" (Ephesians 4:11-13). This highlights the Church's role in spiritual growth and maturity. The Church is also the bride of Christ, described intimately: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:25-27). This reveals a deep longing for purity and union, culminating in the "marriage of the Lamb," where "His bride has made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7-8). This metaphor underscores spiritual preparation and fidelity. Central to the Church's active role is the Great Commission: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). Matthew adds: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20). Acts confirms this outward mission, extending from Jerusalem "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). These mandates establish the Church's responsibility for evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual instruction, crucial for expanding God’s spiritual kingdom. Divine Principle's Clarification The Divine Principle clarifies the Church's ultimate purpose within God’s providence of restoration. It teaches that the Christian Church's central mission is to prepare the global spiritual and physical environment for the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus came as the "second Adam" to restore humanity to God's original ideal, but his mission was left incomplete due to crucifixion before he could claim his bride and establish the physical Kingdom of God on Earth. Humanity’s failure to receive him prevented the full realization of God’s purpose in his time. Thus, the Church's mission over two millennia has been "to prepare the way of the Lord" (Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3) by building the foundation for the Second Coming of Christ. This foundation comprises two critical aspects: 1. Foundation of Faith: This involves unwavering belief in the Messiah, rooted in prayer, adherence to God's word, and fulfilling the indemnity conditions required by God's providence. The Church must cultivate profound spiritual purity and readiness, demonstrating obedience and trust. 2. Foundation of Substance: This refers to righteous actions, selfless love, and unity among believers, signaling their readiness. It involves overcoming self-centeredness and fostering true love, as exemplified by the early Christian community: "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions were their own, but they shared everything they had" (Acts 4:32). This collective effort builds a loving, harmonious society as the physical environment for the Messiah. This task extends beyond individual salvation. The Divine Principle emphasizes that the Church must become a collective "bride"—mature, pure, united, and expectant—capable of uniting with the returning "bridegroom." This union is essential for establishing the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, where God's ideal of true love and unity is physically manifested. God's purpose in creating the universe was to experience happiness, which means human beings must live according to His purpose, perfecting their individuality and becoming His true partners. God's Providential Purpose: Restoring the Ideal From a providential perspective, the Church is God's primary instrument for continuing the providence of restoration until its culmination. Following the Fall of Man, humanity lost true original parents and the opportunity to grow under God's direct guidance. To understand history's beginning and development, we must understand why God created the universe, the

What is the role and purpose of the Church?

The Biblical Foundation

Divine Principle's Clarification

God's Providential Purpose: Restoring the Ideal

Living the Principle

Sources and further reading