The Ideal Church

What do you think our church is like? What other congregations would you like our one to be like? Perhaps you can think of one along the road or in a bigger town and wish that our congregation became like it. There is nothing wrong with having good models to follow as churches. Would others look at us and say, ‘I would like my congregation to be like yours.’

We don’t have to limit our search for good churches to contemporary ones. In addition, and in fact more importantly, we should look at good churches that are described in the Bible. And one of those churches was the church in Antioch (Acts 11:19-30). What does Luke tell us about it in order for us to imitate it? Because that is one of the reasons he provides us with the details.

First, he tells us that it was begun by people with right priorities. They had lost a lot because they were Christians. Persecution had forced them to leave their homes and move to unfamiliar places. When some of them came to Antioch, they evangelised and worked to start a church. It is obvious that they put the gospel first, and therefore they produced, under God’s guidance, a healthy church.

Second, Luke tells us that those who came to Antioch stepped outside of their comfort zones and began to witness to Gentiles. Their comfort zone had been speaking to Jews. Perhaps we can say it is like us having as our comfort zone people brought up in church. But good churches are composed of people who step out of their comfort zones and witness to those outside. In doing so, the Christians who came to Antioch discovered that they were actually obeying the commands of Jesus. After all, he had told his followers to go into all the world. When the church in Antioch did this, they discovered that God blessed them with many converts.

Third, Luke mentions that God provided them with suitable teachers in Barnabas and Saul. Barnabas was the first teacher and his character is one that all pastors should imitate. It is said of some authors that they can pack a lot into a sentence, and Luke does so with regard to Barnabas in verses 23 and 24. He was a holy man, who only wanted to see God’s kingdom progress. And God gave him the privilege of contributing to it. He was also a humble man, willing to admit when he needed help, which he did when he arranged for Saul to join him in a team ministry. We can see that in Antioch Barnabas and Saul worked in harmony, and those are circumstances that God loves too bless.

Holiness, humility and harmony in the leadership usually result in a thriving church, one whose focus can be easily identified. So it is not surprising to discover that those outside the church decided to call the disciples by the name of Christian. It is an unusual thought to realise that we may not have the word ‘Christian’ in our vocabulary if it had not been for the effective witness of this church in Antioch.

Fourth, Luke mentions that the church in Antioch was marked by compassion on the needy. The example mentioned is the effects of a worldwide famine on the church in Jerusalem. Perhaps they took the opportunity of giving their pastors a break as well because it was Barnabas and Saul who were tasked to take the relief to that needy church. Compassionate acts are the main reason why churches have deacons courts to look after the needy, whether at home or elsewhere.

What is our church like? Which church would you like us to imitate?

Our City is Better

Some cities claim to be a location where East meets West or where North meets South. A few of them also claim to be a place where the past meets the present, and even where the future can be anticipated. I am in such a city at the moment, but I cannot check on its claims because I cannot speak the local language. 

Whatever the validity of the claims of this city, it is the case that those features are found in the city of God, the church. In a very wonderful way, people from east and west and north and south gather together. Of course, they cannot all yet speak the same language, but that day is coming. Meanwhile they all can read the same Book (the Bible), speak to the same God simultaneously and share his blessings.

Yesterday we visited a large palace which was built as a residence for the former rulers of the empire who used to govern from this city. The palace is full of exhibits in lavish rooms that indicate the splendour in which they used to live and the pleasures they enjoyed. Large gardens, precisely laid out, point to the interest they once had in beauty and art. Sadly none of them are here, because they all died and left their power and interests behind them. In contrast, the King of the heavenly city went through death as its conqueror, and having risen again ascended to the place of permanent universal power. 

The splendour of this palace also points to the selfishness of its former residents. One is not surprised that revolutions occurred in countries where such selfish opulence was engaged in. They ruled for their own benefits and now their wealth is only an exhibit for tourists to gaze at and wonder why one family was so self-focused. How different is the King of the heavenly city! He will share all his wealth with his people in the new heavens and new earth, and meanwhile and for as long as they are on earth he provides for them out of his limitless storehouse of constant grace.