171 – End and Aim of the Ministry

END AND AIM OF THE MINISTRY

  § 171. The end and aim of the ministerial office and of the performance of its functions is the upbuilding and extension of the Church of God 1 by the regeneration and conversion of sinners,2 an inward spiritual growth of all its members in faith and Christian graces, 3 and their preservation unto life everlasting. 4

1. The end and aim of the ministerial office and of the performance of its functions is the upbuilding and extension of the Church of God…

  Ephesians 4:11–12 And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

  I Corinthians 9:19–22 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the Law, as under the Law, that I might gain them that are under the Law; to them that are without Law, as without Law, (being not without Law to God, but under the Law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without Law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

2. …by the regeneration and conversion of sinners,

  I Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel.

  Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.

3. …an inward spiritual growth of all its members in faith and Christian graces,

  Ephesians 4:13–16 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

4. …and their preservation unto life everlasting.

  I Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

  I Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.