Yesterday I reminded us, yet again, that we ought to be about equipping ordinary believers for real ministry. Besides Ephesians 4.11, 12, here’s the clear word from Paul to Timothy:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)

Paul -> Timothy -> Reliable people -> Others

Four “generations” in one verse. The early church had generational ministry going on. Ordinary believers, scattered as reported in Acts 8, founded the church in Antioch as reported in Acts 11.

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 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. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. (Acts 11.19 – 21, NIV)

What happened? We were discussing this problem in Fort Payne, Alabama, a couple of weeks ago, when the pastor suggested, “Maybe church happened.” He might be on to something. Let’s pursue it a bit more tomorrow.

But let me clarify, we’ve always had church. After all, Jesus said, “I will build my church.” Paul founded and wrote letters to churches. The Revelation was written to seven churches. But Jesus didn’t come to build a church building. In fact, he said his church would be successfully assaulting the gates of hell:

…I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16.18, ESV)

What’s the difference between Jesus’ Church, the other New Testament churches, and our churches today? And in what sense are our churches the problem? Stay tuned.