THE SIX GREAT ENDS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA

The six great ends (purposes) of the Presbyterian church with a definition and a scripture verse:

  1. The Proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind. This means that the good news of Jesus must be told to all people so that they can believe and be saved. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17). "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, to the end of the age. "A synonym is EVANGELISM/ (WORD WITNESS).
  2. The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God. This means that a primary purpose of the church is to provide nurture (spiritual food), fellowship, and spiritual shelter for Godıs adopted children--all who believe in Christ. We are fed through the preaching and teaching of the Word and through the sacraments. We are sheltered by God in His church, and we grow and flourish from the fellowship of the Holy Spirit which we experience through other people! "Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10. "If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us from all sin!" I John 1:7. A brief summary would be FEEDING, FELLOWSHIP, AND PROTECTION.
  3. The maintenance of divine worship. This means the worship of God is a primary purpose of the church. Worship is an end in itself! "Shout joyfully to the Lord all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice and sing praises!" Psalms 98:4. A one-word summary is WORSHIP.
  4. The preservation of the truth. G-10300 (4) of the Book of Order itself says that there is no opinion more dangerous than that which says the truth doesnıt matter or which treats truth and falsehood the same. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who condemned Jesus to death, cynically said to Jesus "what is truth?" (John 18:38), but Jesus had earlier said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes tot he Father but by me." (John 14: 6) This was the truth he was talking about when he said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32 A one-word summary is TRUTH.
  5. The promotion of social righteousness. "Faith without works is dead!" James 2:17. God wants us to live out our faith in our social relationships. "But let justice run down like water, righteousness like an ever flowing stream." Amos 5:24 "But what does the Lord require of you o man but to do justice and love mercy and walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8. One word summary: JUSTICE.
  6. The exhibition of the kingdom of heaven to the world. I think of the song," Theyıll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes theyıll know we are Christians by our love." Jesus said "you are the salt of the earth.... you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:13-14. he went on "let your light so shine among people that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." A brief summary is LIFE-WITNESS.

WINFIELD CASEY JONES -- 10/23/97

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