When Jesus gathered with His disciples in the climactic moment at Caesarea Philippi, he asked them about public perceptions of His identity. Jesus’ leading men gave complimentary answers: “Some say John the Baptist . . . Elijah . . . one of the prophets.” Jesus narrowed the focus. “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:15-19).
In Peter’s public acknowledgment of Jesus’ divinity, Jesus pronounced the establishment, growth, and strength of the church. Jesus assured Peter that he would be endowed with power (keys) and responsibility (binding and loosing) in a church that the gates of Hades will not overcome. While the focus in this passage is Peter, Jesus extended the same authority to the entire church in Matthew 18:18. Jesus provides for His church the stewardship of resources needed to carry on the work of the church until He comes back.
In Jesus’ last words to his disciples, Jesus gave the primary task to His empowered followers. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples off all nations . . .” (Matthew 28:18-19). The church is to be built by disciples who make disciples of all ethnic groups, cultures, and subcultures. This task was not to be done in human strength, but by Holy Spirit power: “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you . . . you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). By Christ’s command, the church at Jerusalem was to be the hub of a worldwide disciple-making movement. Immediately, it was evident that one church in a single location could not accomplish the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Obeying the call of Jesus would require church planting and partnerships.
The large number of baptized believers mentioned in the book of Acts had very few venues in which to gather. They met in their homes. Expansion and growth continued as “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Ongoing conflicts combined with the need for care of the membership of the church prompted the need for more organization. The church called out seven deacons to serve, leading to the development and expansion of the church. Persecution came upon the Jerusalem church, and one of the seven deacons—Stephen—was stoned to death; the persecution dispersed the church throughout Judea and Samaria to safer cities. As they went, they told the story of the Savior who died and rose again to provide fellowship with God and forgiveness of sin.
Philip went to Samaria, preaching to great crowds and healing the sick. Many believed Philip “as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12). Peter and John went to see what was happening among the Samaritans and confirmed Philip’s work, laying hands on the new believers. Philip’s ministry was an extension of the work of the Jerusalem mother church.
Following the conversion of Saul and Peter’s ministry to Cornelius, the story of the church at Antioch begins. Disciples who were forced to leave Jerusalem due to persecution founded Antioch’s church. The Holy Spirit moved among men from Cyprus and Cyrene to make disciples and start churches. Again, the Jerusalem church heard what was happening and sent someone to investigate. Barnabas went to Tarsus to enlist Paul’s help, and the two stayed in Antioch for a year, instructing the people. At the close of their year in Antioch, the church took up an offering for the Jerusalem church to show respect and concern for the church responsible for their beginning. After delivering the offering to Jerusalem, Antioch had proven itself mature enough to begin planting churches of its own—Paul and Barnabas were set apart to make disciples and start churches.
Both Jerusalem and Antioch were key churches for sending out disciple-makers, church planters, and leaders to advance the Gospel. One thing is sure: these churches focused beyond themselves. The Jerusalem church—firmly rooted in the Jewish foundations of the Faith—was instrumental in the founding of the Gentile-focused Antioch church. Their willingness to reach beyond their culture and norms demonstrates that the church continued to grow and expand in spite of cultural, ethnic, language, and geographical distinctions.
Recently, I was able to meet with a “Jerusalem” church that had a more “classic” approach to ministry. This well-establish church had sensed that the Lord was leading them to partner with an “Antioch” church. The “Antioch” church was reaching new people that the “Jerusalem” church was not effective in reaching. Together, these Jerusalem and Antioch churches were a beautiful partnership and staging ground for reaching many different people. We need more of these partnerships within the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association to reach this vast metropolis of 1.3 million people. One church cannot reach a city. However, churches working in partnership can reach across Birmingham and surrounding municipalities with the Gospel!
If your church is looking to develop a partnership to advance the Gospel and reach new people, please contact us. We are here to serve you by encouraging, equipping, and engaging biblically faithful churches in the Great Commission for the glory of God. Thank you for your support of the BMBA. We cannot do what we do without your prayers, participation, and financial gifts.
With sincere gratitude,
Chris Crain
Executive Director BMBA