The document summarizes Chafer's views on the purpose of the church based on chapter 36 of his work. It outlines that the present purpose is calling people out of the world to form the body of Christ, not converting the world. It will be transformed after Christ's return. The formation of the church involves believers reaching unity and maturity. Each believer is commissioned to proclaim the gospel through sacrificial giving, prayer, speaking, and other means as led by the Spirit.

1. The church:
her purpose
and
commission
Chafer: chapter 36
Monday 22 August 2011

2. Eph 3:10 - so that through the church the
manifold wisdom of God might now be made
known to the rulers and authorities in the
heavenly places.
Eph 2:7 - so that in the coming ages he might
show the immeasurable riches of his grace in
kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Chafer makes the point these will primarily
be achieved through the individual believers
in the Body, their gifts and God’s plan for
their lives - though this has to be in
harmony with God’s plan for the church in
this age
Monday 22 August 2011

3. A. The present divine
purpose in this world
...is the calling out from the world of
those who will form the Body of Christ -
not the conversion of the world.
The world will be converted and a new
kingdom of righteousness established
but the transformation of the world will
follow the return of Christ and is made
possible by his personal presence and
immediate power - it is not the result of
Christian service.
Monday 22 August 2011

4. Chafer states the certain events will take place before Christ
returns and before his kingdom is established:
Dan 2:44-45 - smiting of the stone - after this (a symbol of
Christ’s return) Jesus descends from heaven and establishes
his kingdom
Matt 25:31-34 - after the return of Christ and direction of
the sheep to earthly glory
After he descends from heaven Christ reigns for 1000 years
on earth - Rev 19:11-20:9
Monday 22 August 2011

5. Jesus mentions 3 characteristics when
talking about this age - Matt 13:1-50:
1. Israel’s place in the world would be
as a treasure hid in a field - Matt 13:44
2. Evil would continue to the end of the
age - Matt 13:4, 25, 33, 48
3. The children of the kingdom - likened
to wheat, pearl, fish - will be gathered
out - Matt 13:30,45, 46, 48 - this is
God’s supreme purpose in this age -
Israel will only be blind until this is
complete.
Evil will continue in some restrained
from until the Spirit of God is taken out
of the way - 2Thess 2:7- which takes
place only when the church is fully
called out.
Monday 22 August 2011

6. Jesus mentions 3 characteristics when
talking about this age - Matt 13:1-50:
1. Israel’s place in the world would be
as a treasure hid in a field - Matt 13:44
2. Evil would continue to the end of the
age - Matt 13:4, 25, 33, 48
3. The children of the kingdom - likened
to wheat, pearl, fish - will be gathered
out - Matt 13:30,45, 46, 48 - this is
God’s supreme purpose in this age -
Israel will only be blind until this is
complete.
Evil will continue in some restrained
from until the Spirit of God is taken out
of the way - 2Thess 2:7- which takes
place only when the church is fully
called out.
Monday 22 August 2011

7. Israel’s covenants will be fulfilled -
Rom 11:27 - and evil will be
banished - Rev 21:1 - but in this age
the completion of the church is the
point waited for.
Acts 15: 13-19 is used to explain
further - the council in Jerusalem
was explaining to Jewish believers
the plan of God, as they did not
understand what God was doing at
that time - James explains using
Peter & cornelius that God is
visiting and calling a people out of
the Gentiles first and then will
return to fulfill all his purposes for
Israel and the Gentiles.
Monday 22 August 2011

8. Chafer says the practical result of
this is:
In this age the believer and
church are never called to a
world improvement programme,
The believer is called to be a
witness to Christ and his saving
grace - through the proclamation
of the Gospel,
It is through this proclamation
that the HSp will accomplish
God’s purpose in the age.
Monday 22 August 2011

9. B. The formation of the
church
Matt 16:18 - Christ will build his
church
Eph 2:21-22 - the church will be
built like a temple, a holy dwelling
place for the Spirit
Soul winning and edifying the
body continues “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.” Eph 4:13 (also 4:16,
1:22-23)
Monday 22 August 2011

10. B. The formation of the
church
Matt 16:18 - Christ will build his
church
Eph 2:21-22 - the church will be
Chafer states that... holy dwelling
built like a temple, a
Eph 4:13the Spirit fulness -
place for stature of
Does winning and formation of
Soul not refer to edifying the
Christlike men but of the all reach
body continues “until we
developmentfaith and in theChrist
unity in the of the body of
to its fulfillment Son of God and
knowledge of the
become mature, attaining to the
See also Eph 1:22-23, 4:16
whole measure of the fullness of
Christ.” Eph 4:13 (also 4:16,
1:22-23)
Monday 22 August 2011

11. C. The believers commission
In the parable of the sower Christ said
1/4th current seed sowing would bear
fruit - Matt 13:1-23
However, we are still told to bear fruit
in season and out, to preach the Gospel
to every creature, we have received the
ministry of reconciliation - this
ministry is for every believer.
[Find the verse references for each of
the above.]
This ministry is conducted in various
ways;
Monday 22 August 2011

12. 1. The gospel is presented through
sacrificial gifts - people must give of
their substance to see people sent
and the Gospel proclaimed.
2. The gospel is presented in answer
to prayer - Jn 14:14 - God will
answer - Chafer states, “...there is
no more fruitful ministry possible
to the child of God than prayer”
3. The gospel may be presented by
word of mouth - we are all
commissioned to this! Note:
a. You must be willing as HSp leads
b. You must know what the gospel
you declare really is
Monday 22 August 2011

13. c. You must be Spirit filled or you will lack passion for the task or
the lost. Acts 1:8, 4:20
4. The gospel may be presented through radio, tv, internet etc. -
simply present it so HSp can use it.
5. God uses many ways to proclaim the gospel - seminary training,
missionary aviation distributing literature etc. We might not all be
as effective in speaking it out - but we all have a role to play.
Monday 22 August 2011