Mark 3:14 (KJV)
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
In my understanding of New Testament ecclesiology, the church Jesus built did not begin on the day of Pentecost but rather in the Gospels, before the Cross. He announced, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16), and by Matthew 18, He was already giving the disciples instructions for that church.
That said, the exact moment of its beginning is debated among those who hold this view, and I am not sure it is possible to pinpoint a definitive verse marking its inception. However, this passage (Mark 3:14) would certainly be included in the discussion.
• He called whom He would.
• They came to Him.
• He ordained twelve.
Here we see a calling, an assembly, and a membership. Even by implication of ordination, there is organization.
Now, notice the purpose of this assembly:
• That they should be with Him.
• That He might send them forth to preach.
I suggest that this is the purpose of every local New Testament Baptist church:
We Should Be with Him
We assemble together to worship Him, to fellowship with Him, to be encouraged by Him, and to be instructed by Him.
Matthew 18:20 (KJV)
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
I am certain that’s referring to a church, not just a coffee meeting. We gather at church to be with Him.
We Must Go Forth to Preach
None of us remain permanently in the assembly, nor should we. We are not a commune or an island unto ourselves. A church is not universal but local—an assembled body of saved, baptized believers, united for the purpose of spreading the Gospel.
We cannot spread the Gospel unless we go forth. Jesus will send us out:
• To our neighbors
• To our countrymen
• To foreign lands
• To the uttermost and unexpected places
“And He gave them power…”
I have no problem with the idea that we no longer have power to heal the sick or cast out devils. The New Testament clearly teaches that such signs would cease. That was a transitional time before and just after the Cross. Things ought not to transition much after that!
Still, Matthew 28:18-20 promises power to be witnesses. That power was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. We ought to trust that power and be faithful witnesses!
#BiblicalChurch #SentToPreach #LocalChurchDoctrine #WithHimAndSent #GreatCommission
Gathered to Grow, Sent to Go: The Calling, Assembly, and Mission of Jesus’ Church
Are You Fulfilling the Church’s Mission?
Jesus established His church to be with Him and to go forth to preach (Mark 3:14). Are you actively involved in both?
👉 Comment below: How is your church reaching your community with the Gospel? IN what ways to you participate
👉 Take action: Invite someone to church this week or share the Gospel with a neighbor.
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