Why Did Jesus Christ Establish a Church?

Jesus Christ did not establish His Church as a social club, political movement, entertainment ministry, or human institution. He established His Church to bring souls to God through truth, priesthood authority, scripture, ordinances, covenants, repentance, holiness, and faith in Him.

The Church of Jesus Christ exists because the Lord gathers His people. From the beginning, God has called His children out of darkness and into covenant. He teaches them His word, gives them commandments, administers ordinances, establishes priesthood order, and prepares them to become a holy people.

Jesus Christ Is the Head of His Church

The Church belongs to Jesus Christ. It is not owned by men, shaped by popularity, or defined by the changing opinions of the world. The Lord is the head, foundation, lawgiver, shepherd, and judge of His Church.

Because the Church belongs to Him, it must be built according to His doctrine and authority. A true church cannot simply borrow His name while rejecting His commandments, His priesthood, His scriptures, or His call to repentance.

“Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Matthew 16:18

He Established a Church to Teach His Doctrine

Jesus Christ established His Church so His doctrine would be taught clearly and preserved among His people. His doctrine includes faith in Him, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, obedience, holiness, endurance, and the gathering of God’s covenant people.

Without the Church, doctrine becomes scattered among private opinions. Men begin to choose what they like, ignore what offends them, and reshape the gospel after their own desires. The Lord’s Church is meant to preserve the doctrine of Christ and teach it with authority.

He Established a Church to Preserve Scripture

The Lord’s Church must receive, preserve, teach, and live by the Holy Scriptures. Scripture testifies of Jesus Christ, reveals the commandments of God, preserves sacred covenants, warns against sin, corrects error, and teaches the way of salvation.

Throughout history, the Lord has given His word to prophets, apostles, seers, revelators, and faithful witnesses. His Church has a sacred responsibility to protect that word and teach it to the children of men.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine.”

2 Timothy 3:16

He Established a Church to Administer Ordinances

Sacred ordinances are part of the Lord’s covenant path. Baptism, laying on of hands, ordination, blessings, and covenant ordinances are not merely symbolic traditions. They are sacred acts that must be performed according to the authority and order of God.

Jesus Christ established His Church so ordinances would not be left to confusion, invention, or human ambition. His Church must administer His ordinances by His priesthood authority and according to His commandments.

He Established a Church to Uphold Priesthood Authority

Priesthood authority is divine authority from God to act in the name of Jesus Christ. It is necessary for Church order, sacred ordinances, teaching, ordination, and the administration of covenants.

No man can take this authority unto himself. The Church of Jesus Christ must be built upon authority that comes from God, not merely from education, tradition, popularity, or self-appointment.

“No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”

Hebrews 5:4

He Established a Church to Gather a Covenant People

From the beginning, God has called His people into covenant. He promises to be their God, and He calls them to obey His voice, keep His commandments, sanctify themselves, and walk in His ways.

Jesus Christ established His Church to gather those who are willing to enter the covenant path. The Church teaches baptism, repentance, obedience, holiness, family order, unity in Christ, and the work of building Zion.

He Established a Church to Call Souls to Repentance

The Church of Jesus Christ must call people to repentance. It should not excuse sin, flatter the world, or make disciples comfortable in disobedience. True love calls souls out of darkness and into the light of Christ.

Repentance is mercy. It is the invitation to turn from sin, receive forgiveness, be healed by Jesus Christ, and walk in newness of life. The Lord established His Church to keep that invitation before the world.

He Established a Church to Strengthen Families

The Church is not only about public worship. It must strengthen the home. Families are called to become places of prayer, scripture, repentance, forgiveness, obedience, holiness, and covenant loyalty.

A true church helps fathers, mothers, and children come unto Jesus Christ. It teaches that family order matters, marriage matters, children matter, and homes should be built upon the word of God.

He Established a Church to Prepare a People for His Coming

The work of the Church is not merely to remember the past. It is to prepare a people for the Lord. Jesus Christ will return, and His people must be called to faith, repentance, covenant, holiness, scripture, priesthood order, and readiness.

The Church exists to help gather Israel, build Zion, preserve truth, strengthen families, administer ordinances, and invite every soul to come unto Christ before the great and final day of the Lord.

Questions to Ask About the Church Jesus Established