07/06/2026
Lesson 2: THE PURPOSE OF IBBC
Dr J Hernes M Abante
The main purpose of the International Bible Baptist Church is to fulfill the Great Commission outlined in Matthew 28:19–20. It is the Gospel, or good news, with a threefold command given to the local Church, the Stewards of God’s truth, and the Body of Christ. This mandate includes:
A. Making disciples – The Gospel of Relationship
B. Baptizing them – The Gospel of Commitment
C. Teaching them to observe all things commanded – The Gospel of Opportunity and Equipping to serve the Lord faithfully.
This mission is accomplished when a person believes, and that believer becomes the person whom God can use to accomplish the works and greater works Christ left for the Church. After a believer is saved, baptized, and taught, he is now ready to do all the works of the Lord.
People are not saved to attend church every Sunday. We are saved to have an eternal relationship with the Father and the Son, and to be “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” (Ephesians 2:8–10)
This truth is also clearly stated in John 14:10–12. We are saved to do His works by reaching the whole person: Spirit, Soul, and Body (1Thessalonians 5:23), and all men (Greater Works). These works are revealed in Luke 4:18. They include:
1. Preaching the Gospel to the poor – The commission
2. Healing the brokenhearted – For the confused, discouraged, and depressed
3. Preaching deliverance to the captives – The addicts and all who are enslaved to the world
4. Restoring sight to the blind – Those who have lost their discernment due to worldly influences
5. Setting at liberty those who are bruised – The victims of violence and those hurting.
6.To preach the acceptable year of the Lord - This represents the year of Jubilee, reminding us that we have been forgiven and set free from sin’s guilt. We need to claim and enjoy His total forgiveness.
The programs of IBBC are established to fulfill these mandates. Any activity or program that does not advance the church’s calling from God is not considered important to IBBC. Our church is not a program-centered institution but a living organism that fulfills the Bible. Every ministry must aim to accomplish the mandates given in God's Word and continue until His return.
The ministries IBBC implements, such as Sunday school, Counseling, Youth, Academy, and Bible College, are solely for fulfilling the commission given to the church. They are not ends in themselves. Instead, they are means to achieve the ultimate goal: eternal fellowship with God.
Included in these mandates are the administration of two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These are the only two ordinances observed by the early Church, and IBBC also practices and upholds them. These ordinances serve to remind the church of our Savior’s sacrifice on the cross and His victory over death. They help the church stay focused on their heavenly calling.
Regarding baptism, IBBC practices Scriptural or Baptist baptism, based on the authority given to John the Baptist. In observing the Lord’s Supper, IBBC practices closed communion. For detailed explanations, refer to the lesson on ordinances.
IBBC also strives to be a home base for missions and a hub for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a clearinghouse, IBBC sends and supports missionaries, evangelists, and church planters worldwide. It also facilitates financial support and attends to their needs.
To accomplish this, IBBC established the International Bible Baptist Fellowship and Missions (IBBFM) Board, also called the International Bible Baptist Mission Task Force. The Missions Director chairs the IBBFM, assisted by other members. Their responsibilities include:
- Assisting the senior pastoral staff in selecting missionary candidates for church confirmation
- Organizing and monitoring the annual mission budget
- Determining the amount of support for missionaries
- Encouraging members to raise funds for mission support
- Planning the Faith Promise conference and the annual mission banquet.
By God’s grace, IBBC will never deviate from its divine purpose. As the true church of the living God, IBBC will remain faithful and committed until the Lord's return. Anyone who joins IBBC must agree to support this divine mandate.
READING ASSIGNMENT: MATTHEW 28:16–20
MEMORY VERSE: Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”
TEST YOURSELF
1. The purpose of IBBC is to allow God's people to fellowship. This is the heart of the divine mandate.
a. True
b. False
2. IBBC’s programs and ministries focus on people—these programs are designed to attract them.
a. True
b. False
3. For a program or ministry to be considered, it must:
a. Promote and fulfill the church's divine mission
b. Meet the desires of God's people
c. Be approved by the pastoral staff
d. All of the above
4. IBBC decides which ordinances to promote and observe.
a. Yes
b. No
5. Ordinances are meant for the church to:
a. Remember the cross until Jesus returns
b. Promote unity among believers
c. Focus on the message of the cross and the resurrection
d. All of the above
6. Scriptural baptism means immersion in water, regardless of the administering church.
a. True
b. False
7. IBBC’s role as a mission base and clearinghouse includes:
a. Raising funds to build schools and hospitals globally
b. Sending missionaries to establish churches
c. Supporting missionaries financially worldwide
d. All of the above
8. The selection of missionaries is made through the active involvement of all church members via election or referendum.
a. True
b. False
9. Mission work is:
a. As important as soul-winning
b. Less important than soul-winning
c. More important than soul-winning
d. None of the above
10. All IBBC members are encouraged to support world missions.
a. True
b. False
