The Purpose of the Church and Vision of Faith Outreach Center
Jesus told His original followers to make disciples of all nations. This begins with evangelism, but does not end there. He still wants His followers to become disciples and then make disciples of new and young believers. The church is the global body of Christ, but the local assembly of believers is where the discipleship takes place. Jesus paved the way through His sacrifice for us to have a personal relationship with the Father. Once this relationship is established, it is important to become involved with a local church for the purpose of growth in His Word, corporate prayer and fellowship, and accountability. God did not design those made in His image to be solitary beings.
Churches in the northeast in general, and Pennsylvania specifically are known for being strong-hold for works oriented religion and justification by the law. This is not true new-testament Christianity. Many preach a form of the old covenant law and are not true new covenant churches. Far too many believers live as though cross of Christ never happened. Most people are well aware that they fall short of perfection and true holiness. Knowing you are sinning does not give you the power to overcome that sin! On the other hand, knowing there is no condemnation does give you the power to walk away from that same sin. Galatians 5:1-3 tells us, it was for freedom that Christ has set us free (from the law) and its bondage. Ephesians 2:8 teaches that we are saved by His grace, and His grace alone.
Key Resources
Galatians 5:2-3 – Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.…
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.…
Romans 2:4… the goodness of God leads us to repentance.
Romans 6:14 – Sin shall not have dominion over you because you are not under law, but under grace.
John 3:17 – For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 8:11… And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you…
Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.