Who Planted the Church of Antioch - Ordinary Believers or Unique Apostles?

The city of Antioch was placed in the north of Syria. Needless to say, great movements occurred here. The church of Antioch is known to be one of the remarkable churches in the history of Christianity. It was in Antioch that the followers of Christ were first called as Christians (Acts 11:26).

When I ask the question who planted the church of Antioch, the general response from people would be, "Paul" or "Barnabas" or "Peter." But is it what the Scripture says? Many suppose church planting in the early church was done only by the apostles. But is it true?

One major mistake people commit in their study of the Holy Bible is this - instead of reading and interpreting the Scripture in the light of historical context they read and interpret the text in the light of contemporary church practice. Consequently, many miss the insight of how the whole people of God were involved in building God's community.

Acts 8
Let's come back to our question, "Who planted the church of Antioch?" To answer this it is important that we start our study from Acts chapter 8. When Saul gave approval to Stephen's death, "a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria" (8:1). It must be noted here that the apostles remained in Jerusalem while the rest of the believers had scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

So what were these scattered believers doing? It is written, "those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (8:4). Imagine how our present generation would be reached with the gospel of Christ if the believers preach the word wherever they are and whichever place they go. Preachers, pastors and leaders alone will never impact the nations for Christ. This would only be possible along with the active involvement of the whole people God, i.e. every believer in Christ Jesus.

One primary reason for the early church to advance so exponentially is that every believer was involved in the ministry of preaching the gospel. Wherever they went they felt responsible to witness for Christ. They were not inactive like many in the modern day churches. They saw themselves as John Stott pointed out, "Every Christian is both a servant and an apostle . . . sent out into the world as Christ's ambassadors and witnesses, to share in the apostolic mission of the whole church."[1]

Furthermore, there was no clergy and laity distinction wherein only the former were active in ministry while the latter remained passive. If we want to use the word layman in its traditional sense then the founder of Christianity Himself was a layman (without no priestly heritage). E. Stanley Jones, that great missionary to India, said it right, "The fact is that Christian faith is a lay moment. Jesus was a layman. The religious system of the day gave Him no license or credentials. His call was from God and not from man."[2]

Acts 11
Now let's come further to Acts 11:19, "those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews." Who were these scattered believers? It is obvious that these were not apostles. They were the ones who had been scattered by persecution in Acts 8. From these people "some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus" (11:21). And "the Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord" (11:21).

Hallelujah!

So who do you suppose had reached Antioch and planted a church there? Peter? Paul? Barnabas? It was ordinary believers, whose names are not even mentioned, who did this marvelous ministry. F. B. Meyer wrote, "Antioch will ever be famous in Christian annals, because a number of unordained and unnamed disciples, fleeing from Jerusalem in the face of Saul's persecution, dared to preach the gospel to Greeks and to gather the converts into a church in entire disregard of the initial rite of Judaism."[3]

Later the "news of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch" (11:22). Barnabas and Saul together had discipled the church of Antioch for a whole year (11:26). When their work was finished, the Holy Spirit called them for a different task (13:2). The church of Antioch grew powerfully and was blessed with prophets and teachers (13:1) and later had elders (shepherds) (14:21-23). It became a great missionary-sending church. It was this church which also played a major role to trigger the great council at Jerusalem (chapter 15).

Ed Stetzer describes, "A study of Acts reveals that laypersons affected early church planting (8:1, 4). They performed mass evangelism (8:5-6, 12) as well as village evangelism (8:25). Through this lay movement churches multiplied (9:31). Miracles enhanced the growth of the church (9:35-42), and salvation reached increasing numbers of Gentiles (10:44-48). Later, lay Christians from Jerusalem witnessed about Christ and planted a Gentile-Jewish church in Antioch (11:20-21)." [4] Moreover, Bible scholars even believe that the people who were converted at Pentecost, the Jews and proselytes who came to Jerusalem from Rome, were possibly the ones who started their fellowship in Rome.[5]

Acts 29
Like the early church, we need believers in our age to get active in evangelism and in planting churches as well as the gifted teachers and leaders to nurture the gathered church. Planting churches is not just the responsibility of missionaries and pastors but of believers too. In fact, church planting becomes much effective when believers are motivated and involved in this glorious task.

It is important to understand that believers are not called to settle in pews. Their work is not just to listen to sermons, sing songs and give tithes and offerings. They are called to be difference makers (Matt. 5:14). They are priests of God who have the godly potentiality to transform nations. There is a great need to help believers realize who they are - they are gospel preachers, disciple-makers, church planters, social workers and God-glorifying people involved in His Kingdom activity. And it is the responsibility of the leaders to equip the saints for God's ministry (Eph. 4:11-12). How wonderful it would be if the great movement in our generation is recorded in heaven as Acts chapter29!

Feel free to post your comments below or you may write to :

friendsofchrist@gmail.com

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Notes:
[1} John R. W. Stott, God's New Society, pg. 160
[2] E. Stanley Jones, The Word Became Flesh (Tiruvalla, India: SuVartha Bhavan, 2001), pg. 316
[3] Cited by Alex Rattray Hay, The New Testament Order for Church and Missionary (Alexander Rattray Hay, 1947), pg. 60
[4] Ed Stetzer, Planting Missional Churches (Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2006), pg. 50
[5] For example, see Robert E. Picirilli, Paul the Apostle (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), pg. 157ff

Word to the Leaders

Great leaders are great givers.
– said John Maxwell

Living in India, I always used to wonder by looking at palm readers and soothsayers. I heard them emphatically telling people about their future prosperity and I thought, “When they tell others about prosperity, why they themselves are not prosperous?”

Keeping this aside, when I see some leaders motivating believers to give so that they would become prosperous, I cannot help but ask, “When believers can give and prosper why can’t leaders also give and see prosperity? Why do they want to prosper by taking from others rather than by giving to them?” Doesn’t the principle, “Give and it shall be given to you and blessed are those who give than who receive” primarily apply to leaders?

We come to know through the Holy Scriptures that one of the primary qualifications of a leader is to be hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). However, can we imagine hospitality without being generous? Reflecting on the life and ministry of Paul—an apostle of Christ and a laborer in Christ’s service—we notice that many times he worked with his own hands and was generous with his earnings. He himself acknowledged:

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:34-35)

We are well acquainted with this Scripture, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” especially in our preaching to others. But let’s look into the context and consider to whom it was actually exhorted.

When Paul was in Miletus, he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church (Acts 20:17). Now in the New Testament, the terms - elders, pastors, overseers and shepherds - were used synonymously. Eminent theologian Wayne Grudem, in his classic Systematic Theology, notes, “Elders are also called “pastors” or “bishops” or “overseers” in the New Testament.”[1] So, after the arrival of the pastors, Paul began to give various instructions to them (20:17ff). At the climax of his instructions, Paul exhorted the leaders, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (20:35). Later, he knelt with all of them, prayed and departed (20:36-38).

By instruction and example, Paul taught the leaders of the church to be generous givers. He had to especially remind them, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” as they probably are the ones who will be receiving more from others. Sad to say, these days, this Scripture is often used as a means to raise money from the believers while neglecting to follow it themselves, for it was first exhorted to the church leaders. Isn't it obvious that this Scripture primarily apply to the leaders and then to the believers of Christ Jesus?

It is regretful to acknowledge that, generally, leaders are well known for receiving than for giving. There are those who are known for their eloquent preaching, sound knowledge, great talents, good fund raising and skillful administration but not for generous living. Before exhorting others to give, shouldn’t leaders first model themselves in giving? Are they not called to be examples of every good act?

God’s word speaks that the leaders must rise up first to live a sacrificial life by their generous giving. Then the believers will learn the pleasure of giving to the poor and to the Lord’s mission by seeing (not just by hearing) the good acts of their leaders. When leaders model generosity in their lives, then they can challenge the churches to follow after their example. Even the Scripture says to observe the lifestyle of the leaders before following them - “Remember your leaders, who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith” (Hebrews 13:7, NLT).

Moreover, people will be inspired to give more when they know that their leaders are generous with what is received. Why do you think people sold their property and put it at apostles’ feet? Because the apostles were generously distributing to anyone as he had need (Acts 4:34-35). One major reason for poor givers to exist in the church is because there is a lack of generous leaders. To the leaders, “What we are, they will become,” isn’t said in vain.

Here is a challenge to us, the servant leaders, from the life of John Wesley. Wesley’s simplicity and frugality enabled him to limit his living expenses to a very small sum so that he would have more money to give to the needy.

One year, when his income was 30 pounds, he lived on 28 pounds and gave away 2 pounds. The next year he received 60 pounds, the year after that 90 pounds, and the year after that 120 pounds. And yet in each year he spent only 28 pounds on himself and gave all the rest to the needy. It is calculated that in his lifetime he gave away at least 30,000 pounds. On one occasion, when the Tax Collectors paid him a visit, it was found that four spoons were the only silver plate that he possessed.[2]

Wesley lived what he preached. Sales of his books often earned him 1,400 pounds annually, but he spent only 30 pounds on himself. The rest he gave away. He always wore inexpensive clothes and dined on simple food. “If I leave behind me 10 pounds,”he once wrote, “you and all mankind bear witness against me that I lived and died a thief and a robber.”[3]

How blessed it is to have such wonderful and generous leaders these days! May the Lord enable us to live a life of generosity for His glory and to be a blessing to people!

Feel free to post your comments below or you may write to :

friendsofchrist@gmail.com

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Notes:
[1] Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 913-914
[2] Robert Backhouse, 1500 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (London:
Marshall Pickering Publishers), pg. 154.
[3] Ronald J. Sider, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (Illinois: Inter-Varsity
Press, 1984), pg. 164.

Suicide in India

Global
Over the last five decades, suicide has risen dramatically with alarming rate. According to the widely circulated daily newspaper, The Times of India—worldwide, suicide rates have increased by 60% in the past 50 years, mainly in the developing countries. Globally, one million people die from suicide every year -- a mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds. These figures do not include suicide attempts which are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide. Most suicides in the world occur in Asia, which is estimated to account for up to 60% of all suicides. On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day 2008, WHO says—China, India and Japan may account for 40% of all world suicides. [1]

According to WHO estimates for the year 2020 and based on current trends, approximately 1.53 million people will die from suicide, and 10-20 times more people will attempt suicide worldwide. This represents, on an average, one death every 20 seconds and one attempt every 1-2 seconds. [2]

India
India, the second most populous country, is known today as one of the fastest developing nations in the world. Along with the increase in economy, there is also increasing number of people who are dying from suicide every year. As per estimation of WHO's latest suicide rate, India along with China, holds the dubious distinction of having the highest suicide rates in the world. In India 98 out of every 100,000 people commit suicide annually. According to Union health ministry's estimates—as many as 1.2 lakh people end their lives every year in India by committing suicide. Besides that, more than four lakh people attempt to commit suicide. [3]

Suicide is said to be the third-leading cause of death in India.[4] Isn’t it astonishing to know that a mortality rate of 1.2 lakh people committing suicide in India would mean more than 300 suicides per day, not less than 14 suicides per hour and one suicide in every five minutes? Moreover, isn’t it heartbreaking to come to know more than four lakh people attempting to commit suicide in India would disclose about 1100 attempted suicides per day, about 46 attempted suicides per hour and one suicide attempt in every one minute and thirty seconds?

What we are hearing is just what we have come to know through news and reports, and there may be many more suicides, both committed and attempted, of which we aren’t aware of because they haven’t been reported or detected by the media and police. The reason for many suicide cases, which doesn’t reach police and media, is to avoid the hassle of interrogation, embarrassment and social stigma. Another reason is:

Attempted suicide and suicide is illegal in the Indian penal code. The most families will not report about attempted suicides (Venkoba Rao 1983: 212). It is a problem that families very often cover up suicides as accidents, because for fear of being punished by law. Therefore the estimated number of unknown cases must be very high.[5]

Such disturbing statistics within our nation calls for a serious response to the prevention of suicide. Unfortunately, despite the high rates of suicides occurring every year in India, it is reported that there is no special national policy for suicide prevention.[6] It is no wonder why much attention isn’t given to the preventive aspects of suicide in India. Even the churches are unaware, untrained and unequipped to face this challenging task. Leading magazine, India Today, observed it right, “Unlike the West, counseling facilities in India are almost non-existent.”[7] Let not this plea go unheeded, “The need of the hour is a robust counseling system equipped to pick up distress signals in people and help them out of their entrapments.”[8]

Prayer Request: If God willing, it is my desire to start a HELPLINE for severely depressed and suicidal people. This would be a powerful tool to give eternal hope to those struggling for survival in this temporal world. Kindly pray for God's wisdom, providence and guidance in this matter.

Feel free to post your comments below or you may write to :

friendsofchrist@gmail.com

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Notes:
[1] “India, China have highest suicide rates in the world.” The Times of India (11 October 2008). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India_China_have_highest_suicide_rates_in_the_world
/rssarticleshow/3582342.cms
[2] J. M. Bertolote and A. Fleischmann, Suicide Prevention: Meeting the Challenge Together (Hyderabad: Orient Blackswan, 2004), 7
[3] Ibid.
[4] Paul Watson, “In South India, the Way Out Is Often Suicide.” Los Angeles Times (May 30, 2004).
http://articles.latimes.com/2004/may/30/world/fg-suicide30?pg=2
[5] See Marion Zimmermann, “Suicide in India in a Religious, Political and Social Context.” Ethnology Essay, 2002, 36 pages.
[6] Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Suicide Prevention: Meeting the Challenge Together (Orient Blackswan, 2004), 99
[7] Malini Bhupta and Aditi Pai. “Crimes of Passion.” India Today (July 13, 2008). http://indiatoday.intoday.in/content_mail.php?option=com_content&name=print&id=9758
[8] Ibid.

Joyous Moments with JOY

There are many unforgettable events in our life and June 10, 2004, is one such of my life. I was in my friend’s house then. I got a call at midnight which left me tensed. I immediately got ready and rushed to hospital, driving for about one hour. By the time I reached, my wife had already left for surgery. I didn’t know what to do. I was silent and felt apprehensive about what was going to happen. Praying to God I was eagerly waiting outside the operation room. Then I heard a thin and raspy noise from the operation room. A nurse brought out a wondrous little baby, wrinkled and bright. I was overwhelmed with excitement to look at this cute little one, my firstborn son. What a joy to become a father! As this event brought so much of joy in my life, I named him ‘JOY’. I didn’t stop giving thanks to God for him since then.

This year, on June 10, 2009, he had completed five years and entered into six. When he was five, I started to write some joyous times I had with him (between June 10, 2008-2009). I hope you would enjoy reading my joyous moments with JOY.

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Joy was suffering from cough and cold. I felt concerned for him, took him on my lap and prayed for him. I prayed something like this, “Jesus, help Joy. Heal his cough and make him well. Amen.” After I eagerly prayed, my son turned to me and asked, “What about cold then?” Oops! I prayed again for his cold.

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Sometime back we bought a very old car (about 13 years old). One day, Joy and I were waiting for my wife in the car. Since we had some time, I was talking to him about the coming of Christ Jesus. I was telling him that Jesus is coming soon and will take us to His beautiful home. Then my son curiously asked me, “But how to get our car there?”

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Last year, when we joined our Joy in school, he at first resisted going to school. When he was about to go bed at night his only worry was that he has to wake up in the morning and go to school. One night I was trying to explain to him about heaven. I was struggling for words and wondering how to help him understand. The Scripture says that in heaven there is no pain, no crying, no death, but how would my little son understand the pleasure of absence of these things. Suddenly I got a thought and told my son, “In heaven there is no need to go to school.”

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I was in a difficult situation and the Lord graciously provided and met my need. I was sharing with my son about how I was in need and how the Lord provided me the money. He looked at me and asked by making gesture with his hand, “Did Jesus throw money from above…Does He create money?”

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My son, Joy, has a habit of keeping his thumb in his mouth and suck it. I tried many times to break that habit but couldn’t. So I told him that if he persisted to keep doing this he will get buck teeth and his friends would mock at him. He turned to me and said, “Jesus will heal me anyways, right?”

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I was so hungry during the dinner time that after serving food for myself and for my son Joy, I hurriedly started to eat. My son sat before me and prayed, “Thank you Jesus for this food.” I stood still and felt ashamed of eating without praying.

Another interesting thing is I never heard anyone praying specifically like him while giving thanks to God for food. For example, "If there is noodles or biryani before him, he prays, "Jesus, I thank you for this noodles or for this biryani."

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Once Joy and I were playing cricket. I hit a shot and shouted “it’s six.” My son took the ball, looked at me and to encourage me he said, “Papa, now you hit seven.” (for those who don’t know the rules of cricket six is the maximum shot you can hit)

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One day my wife told my son there is no school. My son said, “No mummy, the school is there. I have seen it three times today.”

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I asked my son, “How many students are there in your classroom?” He said, “I don’t know.” Then I asked him, “How many girls are in your class?” He told the number along with all the names of girls.

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Joy and I were having breakfast in a restaurant. As we were eating, I asked him, “What is it that you don’t like in me?” It didn’t take a long time for him to answer. He said, “I don’t like you spanking me.” I smiled and asked, “Then what do you want me to do when you commit mistakes?” He was silent. I questioned him again, “Do you want me to kiss you when you commit mistakes?” He said, “No.” Then what do you want me to do?” I asked. He firmly said, “Forgive.”

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Joy is fond of cool drinks. If I happen to pass by a shop, he would nudge me, “Papa, I want a cool drink.” So once I told him not to have cool drinks with preservatives because they aren’t fruitful to health; rather he can have fruit juices which are good for health. After I told him, there came a situation where I was quite thirsty. I went to a bakery, grabbed a cool drink and started to drink. My son gave a curious look at me, then came running to me he asked, “Papa, I think cool drink isn’t good for health. Why are you having it?”

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I went to a shop along with Joy. As I was leaving, he looked at a cool drink and wanted to have it. I told him, “That drink isn’t good. I will make a good one at home.” But when he persisted to have that drink, I said, “Don’t you believe me Joy that I will make a good drink for you?” He looked at me and said, “Why should I believe in you Papa when I already believed in Jesus?”

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PLEASE PRAY THAT MY SON, JOY, WOULD GROW IN WISDOM AND STATURE, AND IN FAVOR WITH GOD AND MEN.

Feel free to post your comments below or you may write to :

friendsofchrist@gmail.com

Biblical Principles for Healthy Communication

Who doesn’t agree that one of the greatest problems we are facing today in interpersonal relationships is unhealthy communication? Who doesn’t confront difficulties in family, in workplace and in neighborhood because of lack of good communication? Who isn't aware of the fact that conflicts in relationships are usually flared up due to ill-mannered communication? In spite of so much of advancement in technical communication isn't man still lacking the discernment to speak well?

There are surplus books on communication in our day but nothing like the wisdom we find in that Old Book which is as old as sun and as fresh as the dawn. Indeed all communication skills echo the truth we find in the Holy Scripture. Have you miserably failed like me in apt communication and struggling to improve your attitude and skills for healthy communication? Then join with me in considering and obeying the following exhortations of the Scripture:

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR HEALTHY COMMUNICATION

Guard Your Tongue when You Talk
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. (Pro. 21:23)

Listen Well before Answering
He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his shame. (Pro. 18:13)

Think before Speaking & Answering
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. (Pro. 15:28)

Speak not in Haste
Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Pro. 29:20)

Speak the Right Words at the Right Time
A man finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! (Pro. 15:23)

Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (Jas. 1:19)

Speak the Truth in Love
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Eph. 4:15)

Be Truthful in Your Conversations
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. (Col. 3:9)

Speak Words of Edification
Do not let any corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Eph. 4:29)

Avoid Quarrelsome Talk
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. (Pro. 17:14)

Stay Silent when Necessary
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
(Pro. 17:28)

Beware of Being Talkative
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Pro. 10:19)

Understand Others’ Words and Feelings
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
(Pro. 14:29)

Speak Pleasant Words
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Pro. 16:24)

Communicate Gently
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Pro. 15:1)

Resist Using Reckless Words
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Pro. 12:18)

Let Your Speech be Sound, Gracious and Enthralling
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Col. 4:6)

When You are in the Wrong, Don't Use Defensive and Justifying Words,
but only Words of Apology
Confess your sins to each other. (Jas. 5:16)

Avoid Nagging and Grumbling about Others’ Faults
He who covers over an offense promotes love,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Pro. 17:9)

Condemn not Others if They are Different
Let us stop condemning each other. Instead, make up your mind to live in such a way that you would not put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. (Rom. 14:13)

Deny using Vengeful Words and Reacting Angrily
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Pet. 3:9)

Keep Yourself Away from Gossiping about Others
A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. (Pro. 16:28)

Speak not without Knowing the Facts
A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. (Pro. 14:15)

Correct not a Person’s Alleged Faults without Careful Examination
One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Deut. 19:15)

Prayer:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
(Psalm 19:14)

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Answer to the Point (Guarding Peace at Home)

In conversing with your spouse or vice versa, does this question sound familiar, “Why don’t you answer to the point?”

I was planning to go to Operation Mobilization library to spend the entire day to study and write. It takes one-hour drive from my house or even more depending on the traffic. To me this journey is often hard, for it is a busy road and I cannot avoid pollution and traffic hassle. So as I was getting ready and informed my wife about my day’s schedule, she curiously asked me, “Are you coming back in the afternoon?” Boom! “What on earth are you asking,” I thought to myself. That questioned annoyed me beyond reason. Think—by the time I go there, after traveling hard, I will be just two hours ahead before afternoon. And this woman, I thought, is asking me whether I will be coming back in the afternoon, as if it is something behind the house.

After hearing her, I blurted out, “How can you ask me such a question? How do you think I will come back by afternoon?” What a reckless response that was! Although some questions sound silly, such fretful response can easily put me into conflict with my wife, wrecking my entire day. After that incident, the Spirit of God started to deal with my heart with these convicting thoughts – Is it necessary to answer recklessly, although the question may seem funny? Can’t I just say, “No, dear. I will be coming in the evening”? There might be something on her mind to ask that question, so I can go a little further and ask, “Is there anything important you have for me?” What great peace such a gracious response would save for the day!

I can relate many such ungracious responses that quickly wreck peace at home. And I think you may relate such too. How many times have we been irritated at home because of some questions we think are weird! Consider the following:

Question: Where is my phone?
Ungracious response: Can’t you see, it is on the TV?

Question: When is he coming?
Ungracious response: How many times should I tell you?

Question: Are we going out today?
Ungracious response: Why do you ask such a question? Are you not interested to come?

Question: What happened to…..?
Ungracious response: Are you not aware? Should I tell you something new again?

These are just a few examples. There will be volumes if we probe and open up. Have you been in a situation where you were on a smooth drive and suddenly, to your shock, some vehicle pops out from the other side, making you scared to death? Such responses, as mentioned above, are like that threatening vehicle when somebody asks a smooth question. Did you experience how an ungracious response provokes a person to anger, eventually leading to quarrel? Is it worth responding in such a way?

Can’t we be patient enough to respond kindly? What do we lose if we gently answer to questions which seems unreasonable and irritating to us? What is patience by the way—is it not putting up with the unpleasant situations? Will not a little patience in our response save us from insurmountable troubles? Did we seriously ponder over these words, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Pro. 15:1)?

To cultivate respectful communication and peaceful atmosphere in the house, I have learned this—gently answer to the point. Period. No extra questioning. No unnecessary answers. Why should I foolishly put myself into speaking so many words of offense and later, to rectify my folly, speak so many words of apology when I can politely answer few words to the point! It is always good and beneficial to respond kindly straight to the thing, even though the question may seem pointless. After all, are we not saving the energy (of our tongue) and peace (of our heart) in answering right to the point?

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The Great Commission - Part 3

(Continuation of Part 2)


Teach
Jesus Christ had given the commission to His disciples to teach people to obey everything He had commanded. He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). If the task of fulfilling the Great Commission applies to every Christian then every believer has the responsibility to teach and equip others. Discipleship includes teaching and this is not confined to the professional ministers only. In the early church of the New Testament every person was a functioning member, not a mere attender (1 Cor. 12:27; 14:26). It wasn’t ‘one man over others’ but ‘one another church’. They were teaching and exhorting one another (Col. 3:16; Rom. 15:14).

In the epistle of Hebrews, the inspired author rebukes the Jewish Christians, “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” (Heb. 5:12). The author meant to say, “You have been disciples long enough to be able to teach others, but still need some one to teach you.” Now this is not to say all should become gifted teachers, involving exclusively in teaching, for according to Rom.12:7; Eph. 4:11 & 1 Cor. 12:28-29 there are some who are specially gifted with intense teaching, functioning extensively for the edification of the body of Christ.

However, all must reach a certain level of maturity wherein all will be able to generally instruct and teach one-on-one. For example, God has given evangelists to the church who function extensively in evangelism (Eph. 4:11), yet all Christians are generally required to personally preach the gospel (Mk. 16:15). Jesus said to make disciples by teaching people to obey everything He had commanded (Matt. 28:20). Well, how many Christians do we find, who obey their Lord in making disciples by teaching His word? Oh, how many are still babes in the churches for years!

We are deeply entrenched in such an ecclesiastical system that even though we believe the Great Commission pertains to every Christian, it is still difficult to practically witness that along with the preaching of the gospel—every Christian can make disciples, baptize and teach them the word of God. It is sorrowful that we have divided the Great Commission—delegating the responsibility of preaching the gospel by all Christians but confining baptism and teaching to a special class of people who are called ‘leaders’ ‘pastors’ or ‘fulltime ministers’. Where did Jesus make such a distinction?

Priesthood of All Believers
I read elsewhere, “It seems that a layman (i.e. a believer) cannot baptize, because to baptize belongs properly to the priestly order (i.e. the clergy).” This is a faulty notion. The unbiblical concept of clergy and laity has done great damage to the body of Christ, thereby producing passive Christianity. The believers are paralyzed in the pews without knowing their great responsibility in Christ Jesus, whereas the ministers have become overly active in the pulpit (I am speaking against the system, not people).

Believers are not ordinary people; they are chosen by God to declare His Excellencies. They are kings and priests of God (1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6). All believers are clergy. Though not all have the same function, yet every person in the body of Christ has some contributing function (Rom. 12:4-5). Ironically, we believe in the doctrine of priesthood of all believers without the priestly functioning of all believers! The Reformers, during and before 16th century, fought against the church authorities of their time to restore the doctrine of priesthood of all believers. A believer at that time cannot even personally possess and interpret the Holy Bible. It was an abomination and heresy to the church authorities then to count all believers as priests of God and even to read the Holy Bible themselves.

I wonder how many would count this teaching in our day a heresy if the believers are motivated to make disciples, baptize and teach others God’s word. We need another reformation today to reinstate the right of God’s people to completely fulfill the Great Commission by every genuine Christian. Imagine what would happen on this earth if every member of the body of Christ passionately function to fulfill the Great Commission! Oh, I look forward to seeing the glorious days where every Christian—filled with the power of Holy Spirit—will lead the people to Jesus Christ, baptizing and teaching them what God had commanded!

Final Words
My dear people of God, no matter how many gospel meetings we conduct, pastors’ conferences and seminars we hold, churches we plant—if the responsibility of personally making disciples is not taken by every Christian or at least by the most, the world would still remain unreached. As long as ministry is restricted to the “pastoral class”, the people of all nations would still be spiritually starving to death without being thoroughly discipled. There is no other effective method for world evangelization than personal discipleship. May God revive His children to take the task of discipleship seriously!

“The great mark of a healthy church is not in its attending capacity, but in its discipling audacity.”

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