The Biblical Basis for Church Planting

The conversation centered around the biblical basis for church planting, with speakers emphasizing the importance of identifying with people who struggle, building communities, and preaching the gospel. They discussed the definition of the Greek word for church, Ecclesia, and Jesus’ statement in Matthew 16:18. Speakers also highlighted the need for accountability and discipleship in leadership approach, while emphasizing Jesus’ centrality in church planting. The conversation also explored the cultural and religious tensions surrounding the Gospel’s spread to Judea and Samaria.

Action Items

• Seek to replicate the type of close-knit community seen in the early church.
• Make reaching the lost and preaching the gospel to unbelievers a top priority when planting new churches.
• Develop leaders from within local churches and intentionally train and appoint new elders.
• Celebrate victories and stories of gospel spread to build a culture of outward focus.

Outline

Church planting, including definition of “church” and ownership.

• Lead Minister Wes shares about the history of The Crossings church plant in Collinsville, Illinois, and their current attendance of around 150 on Sundays, with most growth coming through baptisms and reaching unchurched people.
• Wes’ personal background includes being molested as a child, struggling with addiction in his teens, and identifying with people who struggle with similar issues.
• Speaker 1 defines Ecclesia as a group of people with shared beliefs, emphasizing that it’s not a building.
• Jesus says in Matthew 16:18 that He will build His church, implying that the church belongs to Him.

Jesus’ centrality in church planting and Great Commission.

• Jesus is central to church planting, buying, and leading as head of the church.
• Jesus gave the Great Commission to his disciples, telling them to go and make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey everything he had commanded (Luke 24:46-48).
• Jesus’s final days were accounted for in Luke’s gospel, where he gave the disciples the command to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and they asked him about restoring the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:4-7).

Jesus’ mission and the spread of the gospel.

• Speaker 1: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
• Jesus: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses.”
• Jesus is crucified during Passover, then 40 days later, he appears to his disciples speaking in different languages.

Sharing the gospel, making disciples, and forming a church in Jerusalem.

• Peter shares the gospel and 3000 disciples are made.
• Speaker 1 discusses the formation of the church in Jerusalem, emphasizing its Jewish roots and the persecution that led to its spread.
• The narrative of Acts describes the church’s growth from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth, with the first martyr being Stephen.

Ancient Israelite religion and its impact on early Christianity.

• Speaker 1 describes the civil war in the kingdom of Israel and the establishment of the Samaritan religion by Jeroboam.
• The Samaritan religion was a mixture of paganism and Judaism, leading to conflict with the Jewish religion.
• Speaker 1 explains the theme verse of Acts for Judea and Samaria, highlighting the Gospel’s expansion to new communities.
• The Gospel’s movement to the Gentiles is emphasized in Acts 10, with supernatural intervention bringing Cornelius and Peter together.

Church planting in Antioch, with a focus on the role of Barnabas and Paul.

• In X 11, a revival occurs in Antioch, with many people converting to Christianity.
• Barnabas and Paul stay in Antioch for a year, teaching great numbers of people.
• God calls Barnabas and Saul to specific mission through Holy Spirit.
• The speaker discusses the Antioch approach to church planting, using the acronym “P-L-A-N-T” to outline the principles.

Prioritizing gospel proclamation in church planting.

• Preaching the gospel precedes making disciples, central to church planting.
• Speaker 1 discusses the importance of targeting lost people in church planning, rather than just religious people.
• Speaker 1 suggests that Paul and Barnabas would focus on reaching last pagans in today’s context.

The gospel message and its presentation to lost people.

• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of understanding the gospel as Jesus’ kingship, not just forgiveness of sin.
• Matthew Bates’ book “Salvation by Allegiance Alone” is recommended for gaining a deeper understanding of the gospel.
• Speaker argues that faith is not just mental belief but requires a decision to obey Jesus.

Forming communities through biblical church planting.

• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of a gospel-centric approach to church planting, citing the example of the early church at Antioch.
• New Testament examples of converts leading to the formation of new communities demonstrate the centrality of the gospel in building and sustaining churches.
• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of community in the early Christian church, describing it as a family connection where believers shared everything together.
• The community met daily for fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, and giving to those in need, with the Lord adding to their number daily.

Replicating community and accountability in new churches.

• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of community in the church, encouraging listeners to seek close relationships like those found in families and replicate them in the church.
• Speaker 1 highlights the need for accountability in discipleship, citing the New Testament letters as examples of correcting problems in churches.
• Paul and Barnabas strengthen new churches, assessing spiritual needs hands-on.

Church leadership development and multiplication.

• Paul sets an example of humility and accountability by citing his own mistakes and weaknesses.
• New leaders are raised up from within the church through prayer and fasting, with commitment to the Lord.
• Paul and Barnabas recognized skilled leaders in the early church, and Paul commanded Timothy to develop leaders from within the church.
• Church leaders are given by Christ to equip the body of Christ for works of service, leading to unity and maturity in faith.
• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of celebrating victories and multiplication in church leadership.
• Passionate leaders imitate what they celebrate, creating a contagious culture in their communities.