THE PAULINE MODEL FOR CHURCH MISSIONS

(Acts 14:21-23)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Stanley Lim on 16th January 2000
 
The 20th century has officially come to an end, so to say, and missions leaders are still continuing their debate on the church’s mission in the world today. Numerous questions have been asked and are still being asked. What are to be included in our mission? What are to be excluded? Have we defined our mission too broadly? Are we guilty of settling for simplistic answers? Are we inconsistent? Are we inflexible?

The Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts has left us with a model for defining and describing the Church’s mission. Paul’s model for carrying out God’s appointed mission to the Gentiles is found in Acts 14:21-23. The historical setting of this passage places it at approximately 48 AD some 18 years after Pentecost. Paul was nearing the end of his 1st missionary journey. The geographical setting is southern Galatia, where the cities of Antioch, Iconium and Derbe were located. Although he always preached to the Jews where possible, Paul launched out to reach the Gentiles, his primary target people.

This account in Acts 14:21-23 present information about Pauls missionary strategy that serves as a model for us today. He saw mission activities as a 3-fold process.

I.     EVANGELIZING THE UNSAVED

Paul and Barnabas’ strategy began with the preaching of the good news in Acts 14:21. They preached the good news in the city of Derbe and won a large number of disciples.

Paul’s 1st step was to preach the gospel. Michael Green states that there are 3 great Greek words used for proclaiming the Christian message. One is evangelizo – to proclaim good tidings; second is kerusso – preach; third is martureo – testify or witness.

Paul’s 2nd step in evangelizing the unsaved was to gather in the results of his witness. The text states that the apostles preached the good news and “made many disciples” (Acts 14:21). The expression, “made many disciples” is the same word used in Matt. 28:19. Both passages distinctly teach that when a person hears the gospel and believes it, he becomes a disciple. Peter Wagner comments, “This is the heart of the matter, and the most forthright definition of a disciple. A disciple is a true Christian. A disciple is a person who has been born again by the Holy Spirit.”

II.     EDIFYING THE BELIEVER

After having passed through bitter trials. Paul and Barnabas returned home through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch to build up the believers.

First, the apostles moved among the churches “strengthening the disciples.” The word translated “strengthening” means “to build up with additional strength.” It refers to building and establishing believers in the faith.

Second, the apostles went about “encouraging” the believers. This term conveys the thought of pleading, exhorting or beseeching.

Paul’s edifying ministry was centered in doctrinal instruction and exhortation to victorious Christian living. His entire work models for us a biblical pattern for soul care.

III.     ESTABLISHING LOCAL CHURCHES

There were now groups of believers in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. But they were not organized and had no appointed leaders. The apostles first assisted these groups by setting men apart for leadership roles. Then they commended each church into God’s care.

Firstly, the apostles appointed elders in each church. That word originally meant to vote by show of hand. These men were chosen as elders by the believers. Then they were set apart by the apostles for their duties. The principal lesson here is that spiritual men manifested gifts for leadership and accepted the appointment of the believers and the apostles.

Secondly, the apostles committed these churches and their leaders to the Lord in whom they had trusted. This commitment of the churches was “with prayer and fasting”. Paul cast them entirely on God for their personal and corporate life. Paul never made the churches dependent on him because he was confident that God would keep the newly formed churches.

Conclusion
Paul did many other good things in the course of his ministry. But his apostolic mission was to win the lost, teach the saved and plant churches. We can do no less if we wish to follow a biblical model for missions today.