In an earlier article I wrote called, “Church Planters,” (that can be found on www.PentecostalPastor.com) I focused on those who planted the church in Antioch as recorded in Acts 11. Even though Scripture does not tell us the names of those who were involved in bringing this church into being, we were able to identify some of the key characteristics of this group of people. They did a great work, even though it is very likely that this was the first church they planted. But that is not the end of the story.

This new church needed to be strengthened, but how? We all know that God has to be involved in order for the church to prosper. There are a number of texts that indicate how crucial God’s involvement is to the prospering of the gospel and the building up of the church (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 3:6). But what about believers? Do they play a part in strengthening the church? The answer to that question is an obvious “yes.” But what can Christians do to help strengthen the church? I am sure many different answers that are based on Scripture could be given. In this article I would like to focus on three things that I see at work in the church in Antioch in Acts 11.

Initiative 

Speaking from a purely human point of view, in our world in order for something to happen an individual or group of individuals needs to take action. This is true in many spheres of life including family, education, and business. For example, if a building is going to be constructed someone has to step out and make plans to build it. And this person will probably need to enlist the help of others in order to make it happen. The larger the project, the more help will be needed.

The church, in the first century and now, needs people who take initiative. In Acts 11 we read about some who did. The first is a group of unnamed people. Acts 11:22 identifies them only as “the church in Jerusalem” (NIV). We don’t have any specific details about who these people were, or how many of them there were, we only know that they were believers in Jerusalem. But their interest in what was happening in Antioch set in motion a chain of events that helped to strengthen the church there. They sent Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 11:22). When he arrived he made a positive contribution to what was going on there, he “encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” (Acts 11:23 NIV). But there is more. Barnabas took the initiative to seek out Saul (Paul) in order to bring him back to Antioch to teach the people in the new church (Acts 11:25-26)

The texts that I have cited demonstrate that it is possible for either an individual or a group of individuals to take initiative that can help a church. So if you happen to be working as an individual you can make a difference! These verses in Acts also show us that one step can set in motion a series of events that can serve to advance the Lord’s purpose and strengthen the church. Antioch benefited from the initiative taken by the Jerusalem church in sending forth Barnabas and Barnabas’ initiative in seeking out Saul (Paul).

Instruction

Acts 11:26 tells us that Barnabas and Saul (Paul) taught the believers in Antioch. Though the text does not specifically say so I believe it is reasonable to assume that they taught them scriptural truth. The people were, after all, Christians in a church, a new church. Christian instruction is very important, indeed essential, and not just when a person first comes to faith in Christ. We need biblical instruction continually throughout our lives because there is much to learn. Jesus wants all those who come to Him to be His disciples, and this involves knowing what He taught (Matt. 28:20). However, this is not just for the purpose of head knowledge, as important as that is, but also in order to obey the Lord (Matt. 28:20; Luke 6:46). We also need to be familiar with the Old Testament and teachings found in the 23 New Testament books that are not gospels. 

The importance of biblical instruction is also taught in other texts. It was clearly a part of the practice of the early church. This can be seen in the book of Acts and in the New Testament letters. Paul taught Scripture when he evangelized, he did this in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:17-41), in Thessalonica (Acts 17:2-3), and in Rome (Acts 28:23). He also taught those who had come to faith in Jesus, he did this both in person (Acts 19:9-10), and through his letters. Sound doctrine is a significant theme in Paul’s writings, he urged other church leaders to engage in proclaiming sound biblical instruction (2 Tim. 2:1-2; 4:2; Titus 2:1). The reason for this emphasis is obvious. People need to know the truth and be kept from error. Paul, at times, expressed his concern about believers being led astray (Acts 20:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).

If a contemporary church is going to be healthy and grow it needs a steady diet of sound instruction, if it does not receive it, the congregation will suffer. Sound instruction is one of the key ingredients for the strengthening of the church. The church in Antioch was blessed in this regard, they were taught by two devout Christian men, Barnabas and Paul.

Investment

The church needs people who are invested in it, and by this I am not speaking primarily of finances. Investment means more than just finances, investment means commitment. Many years ago I was a member of a church that did not require very much to be considered an active member, that is, one who had voting rights. The constitution or bylaws of the church said something like this, if a person attends a service once in six months or puts some money in the offering during this time period then they were considered an “active” member of the church. Hardly! This falls far short of the biblical concept of being an active church member.

All of the key points I have highlighted in this article concern people. In Acts 11 two of the key people who made an investment in the church in Antioch were Paul and Barnabas. They gave a significant amount of time and effort to the church there. They poured biblical truth into the lives of the new believers in the church. Acts 11:26 tells us that they taught the Christians there for a year. They made a long-term commitment. In order for the contemporary church to be strengthened, we need people who are going to be invested in the church.

Conclusion

As you may have noticed all of my key points above begin with the letter “I” (if you are a preacher you almost certainly noticed this). In the United States there is much emphasis placed on the individual. People are very frequently focused on themselves. Sadly, this can also be true in the church, even though a good part of the biblical text deals with the community, the church body. One thread that ties all of the points of this article together is the word “involvement,” by that I mean taking action and giving for the good of others, for the larger group. This is necessary for a church to be strengthened. Working for the betterment of the church should be a group effort. Leaders may pay a key role in this (Eph. 4:11-13), but they should not be the only ones who are working toward this end. May all modern-day believers labor together for the strengthening of the church. 

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

John P. Lathrop is a graduate of Zion Bible Institute and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister with the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies. He has written articles and book reviews for a number of publications including the Pneuma Review, the Africanus Journal of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Christian Trends Magazine, in India, and Berita Mujizat and Jurnal Jaffray, both in Indonesia. He is also the author of five books.