There is only one place in the entire word of God where people are said to be “established in the faith”! It is found in Acts 16. After the councel in Acts 15 at Jerusalem, where the decrees were carried to all the churches.
Jews or Gentiles are not considered established in the faith until Acts 16. In Phillipians 4:15, Paul refers to his leaving Macedonia, which correlates historically with Acts 16, and this is referenced to being “as the beginning of the gospel.”
This is not the beginning of the body of Christ, but the beginning of the gospel, Paul’s gospel, the gospel of grace! Here, it was established. It is where it began to be accepted by all the churches, after it was decreed and delivered by Paul!
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
The gospel of grace was set into motion, so to speak, in Acts 15 with Peter before the councel in Jerusalem. He declared that mans salvation was by grace through faith. The decrees were delivered of the elders to the churches, and the gospel of the grace of God was finalized and began in Acts 16. They were established in the faith in Acts 16! I make this point to say that the gospel was NOT established in the great commission passages and early Acts.
Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Decree - A determination or judgment,
Decreed - Determined judicially; resolved; appointed; established in purpose.
This is the only time this phrase shows up in the word. “Established in the faith”. We may not know when the body begins, some say at the cross, some say at Pentecost, some say in Acts 9 with Paul’s conversion. I believe when the Lord died, the formation began in secret, and was made public in Acts 9 with Paul’s conversion, but that I just my opinion. But we know when the message changes. We know when the gospel of grace had it’s conception.
In Acts, primarily in between Acts 11 and Acts 16 which spans approximately 10 years you plainly see messages and preaching start to change in the text without any private interpretation needed. The gospel and the body of Christ is no longer a mystery. It is not shrouded in secrecy and Bible code. We know where THE gospel began to be the standard message of the age of grace.
At this time, 50-51ad, Acts 16, this would separate any gospel messages being preached prior. This one here is the predominant Christian message. It is totally distinctive and separate from all others. Salvation is by faith and the gospel that we preach is the gospel of the grace of God pertaining to his death burial and resurrection, not the “prepare ye the way” kingdom laced themes and messages found in the gospels.
Our message is not Repent ye for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Our message is not repent ye and believe the gospel! Our message is Acts 16:31! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Not repent ye and believe the gospel!
Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
This is the fulfilling of the word. It was happening in Acts! It is why we have Acts, to see it’s course. We have Acts to shows us the transition of the law to grace, the OT to the NT, and the introduction of the body of Christ and Christians to the world.
The death of Christ, and Pentecost began the Age of Grace, and those believers in the age of grace who believe in Christ are called Christians, or the body of Christ. That age began with the Antioch Christians (The age of Ephesus in Revelations 2).
The great commission was designed to rapidly prepare the known world for a great physical kingdom to be on this Earth! Many things we see played out in the book of “Acts” will be seen again in the future after the translation of the body. Things will be happening AGAIN during the tribulation, and the millennial reign of Christ that we read about in the gospels and much more.
Have you ever ran the references on phrases like “all nations”, all the world, and “every creature”? There is so much there that we can learn to explain a lot of this confusion we see today. The great commission had much to do with preparing “ALL the world,” and “EVERY creature” for a coming Kingdom. But we see from Acts, that message rejected over and over, and the grace of God was shed abroad to the world.
That same Kingdom was and has always been the prevailing theme of the Bible. That whole commission failed nationally in the sense that Israel rejected the Kingdom message 4 times throughout Acts, but in it’s failure, the grace of God shed abroad to all who would believe. Israel rejected that message or commission. It is how the gospel of the grace of God was given to the Gentiles. It is how we now have that same access. It is not to be carried forth. We are not Kingdom builders but seed planters and fruit bearers. Those are our roles. If men desire much more then this, well, then men want much more then they have.
When Israel continually rejected “that way” or this “new” doctrine, a better covenant, a more excellent way, and the overall message and teachings of Paul, God “set” him as a light unto the whole world. The believers became a body, the age of grace began.
Paul said, Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
This was Paul’s ministry he was referring to, his ministry to the Gentiles. To testify the gospel of the grace of God. So why do we seemingly, and purposefully create confusion when we don’t have to? Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
No man was preaching any commission after they were “established in the faith” in Acts 16! The local assemblies were being edified and built up in the faith of the gospel. Rooted, grounded, and settled. No one was going anywhere out of these assemblies. They were told to occupy, stand fast, hold fast, watch and pray, and to set themselves for the defense of the gospel!
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.
What was the present truth? It was the common salvation that Jude spoke of. The gospel of the grace of God, Paul’s gospel! There was a completely different message being preached then that in early Acts and the gospels. It was not a common salvation but a specific and elect salvation. There were NO similarities of the Great Commission with this message of the gospel we see in Paul!
The early church, post Acts, was devoted to being rooted. Settled, grounded, holding fast the faith, standing firm, defending and confirming Paul’s gospel message of grace, and his doctrines, patterns, traditions, and ways. As much as it pains me to say it, the NT’s simplicity as it relates to the body of Christ is simply being one of the those “make a difference people” in society.
It is how people will be prompted to ask of us. It is designed this way to illicit questions when they, the world, sees our fruits, not other ministries for the purpose of comparing among ourselves. It is not so much the “fruits” of our labor, but the fruits of the spirit.
In these passages above in Acts, no men are being sent to win souls in the highways and hedges, standing in the gates, shouting from the housetops, such as Christ and the prophets said in preparation for the Kingdom of our Lord.
No disciples or believers in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, after the years of Acts 16, were following anything from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, many of them didn’t even have those scriptures yet! And some of them were not even pinned. They were following Paul! Those men being sent by other men were there for the expressed purpose to serve the body in various ways. To serve the body. For the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edification of the body, the way that Paul was training men!
The push with Paul was almost always about the body of Christ and it’s edification and growth. It’s betterment, it’s unity, and that perfecting until our translation unto him. This is why we have preachers, pastors, and teachers today.
His drive was never to save the world and battle with the hordes and masses. You guys are set for the body. Not set to do battle with the world. Primarily, and first for the body! Expressly! Men will hear through preaching and see through testimony when the body is edified and is growing. It is a promise. God will give the increase. God will do a work that you cannot see.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Men went of their own intent and ability sometimes. Men went out of preference. It was where needs were. And these men, and women were not going preaching the gospel only to the lost, the heathen, and those who have never heard, but the primary purpose was to meet a need in other scattered bodies where they were lacking. If some were saved along the way, “Glory be to God”, but their focus was the brethren, the church, the body of Christ.
In Acts 15:22 you see men Sending other men, chosen men (vs 25). In Acts 20:21, Acts 26:17 you see God sending PAUL to the Gentile. In 1 Corinthians 4:17 Paul sent Timothy to protect and defend. In 1 Corinthians 16:3 Paul sent men to collect offerings on the 1st day of the week for the poor saints, for necessary uses, and the work of the ministry. In 2 Corinthians 8:18 Paul sent Titus to minister grace, with diligent men. In 2 Corinthians 9:3 Paul sent others to get them ready, because they had zeal, and were unprepared. This is men being sent to give knowledge with that zeal.
Proper balance brings proper order. This was edification and growth working. Notice there is not much in these passages about any “the call to the ministry!” or answering the Great Commissions call. In fact, nothing even remotely close to it.
In 2 Corinthians 12:17 men were sent to be spent and for edification. Simply fellow servants and fellow-laborers. They were not taking from the body, that the ministry be not blamed! In Ephesians 6:22 men were sent to know the affairs, and to comfort. In Philippians 2:19 men were sent to be comforted by knowing someone's estate (edify).
In Philippians 2:28 men were sent to supply lack of service. In Colossians 4:8 men were sent to know their estate and to comfort other’s hearts. In 1 Thessalonians 3:2 men were sent to establish, and comfort. In 1 Thessalonians 3:5 men were sent to know their faith, that they are not labouring in vain. This is important, it was his desire to know their faith, that it had not been corrupted with other gospels, and going back to the law.
In I Timothy 1:3, Paul asked Timothy to stay in Ephesus, to make sure no other doctrine was taught. In Philemon 1:12 Paul sent men that were simply profitable (worth, not lucre). In Acts 15, Paul simply decided to go and check on the churches they had previously preached to.
These passages are not all mission-minded text as many say. No commands for Fundamental, conquering, glory-seeking nonsense as we see today in our modern Fundamental branches. Not even commands to preach, nor to carry on any unassociated commission. No, “I’m called here” and “there” stuff. No men going to far away lands to have 3 years of language courses.
You don’t see thousands upon thousands of men claiming to be called anywhere! Missions and the Evangelical way of doing things as we know it is a 200 year practice that really found it’s footing in traditions and logic of men from the 18th century and 19 century. And the Great Commission was a large reason for it.
It’s just the God’s honest truth of these matters. Recorded history confirms these claims. Look it up and research it if the ministry allows you the time!
How do we send out men? How do we gain our support for the work of the ministry? Have we used his word to establish commandments of men? Is this question even serious to you who may be reading this? What are the solutions? What authority do we have to do so?
I Thessalonians 3:1-5
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
A fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish, and to comfort. Timothy wasn’t there to warn of sin righteousness and judgment. He was not there to show the people their sins like Isaiah. He wasn’t there to institute a commission. He was not preaching a missions charge! He was their to establish and comfort the body, the church!
He wasn’t checking on numbers or how many that were “added” to the church. He wanted them to be established and comforted. He sent to know their faith. To see if they were being drawn away unto other paths. Making sure they weren’t led astray. To know your faith has to do with the gospel. Making sure it is not perverted!
He was interested in their continued growth and learning. He didn’t want them to be drawn away and to have their labour be in vain. This is our danger with the truth that we have, we can labour so much, but our labour can be in vain if our converts are not being edified, established and comforted. Our labor can be in vain when we try to plant seed on stoney ground, on purpose.
What purpose, if not numbers, is there in winning them to Christ if they are not going to grow in his grace and knowledge. This is the will of God for the body. He wants to present a glorious church.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (Blameless, unblameable)
To establish, and comfort, concerning the faith! Paul sent to know of their faith. Their spiritual growth towards Christ. The reports were good tidings of their faith and charity. Their good works were evident, and the works were not answering any call to the mission field or providing evidence of evangelism. It was good works among the body, and believe you me, the WORLD was witnessing their good works! That was our pattern, not all our commissions, charades, and conquests!
That was Paul’s concern for the body of Christ. Our edification, our growth. What made Paul fear was finding them tempted and drawn away from the established faith and gospel (Acts 16, Galatians 1). He never checked to see if they were winning souls to Christ everywhere they went and fulfilling a great commission.
The desire and focus that Paul had was on hearing the good tidings of their “faith” and “charity”. He admonished them to “stand fast in the Lord”. Paul wanted them to do as God wants us to do; “perfect that which is lacking in your faith”. Paul wanted the Lord to give an increase, the Lord to open the door of utterance, the holy Spirit guiding, he wanted the body of Christ to “increase and abound in love one toward another, and in the knowledge of HIS SON, and toward all men”.
There it is again, “all men”. This cannot be just those in the fold. We are to walk circumspectly before the world. We are to give none offense that the ministry be not blamed. The pastors are to have a “good report with them that are WITHOUT!” Our confidence and boldness in Christ does not give us allowances to be intolerant jerks!
Paul didn’t want himself blamed or the ministry. Why? If Christians don’t grow, how can they effectively produce disciples after themselves? It is the vital responsibility of the Christian to grow FIRST and foremost above any calling to preach or go abroad so we can win others with our good works for God.
“To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”
When Paul had his Bible study with the Lord in Acts 9 and came to direct revelations and visions, why would Jesus Christ not tell Paul to carry on the same great commission to the body of Christ? Men have answered this by saying, “It’s understood!” Don’t be so naive. Paul doesn’t even come close to anything in Matthew Mark and Luke in his epistles. Why would it not be repeated in Paul’s testimony of those days of his conversion that we see in Acts. The many times Paul gave his testimony, why is the commission never repeated?
1 Thessalonians 4:7-12
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
But we beseech you brethren that ye increase more and more. Study to be quiet, not clamored, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
It should all be looking the same now. No Great Commission showing up. None of that! This is not said to be callused or to say that someone can’t go abroad, but nations have chosen. Doors open and close for a reason. The Lord Jesus is not waiting for the gospel to reach the worlds population before he comes back as some revivalist and Faith Promise supporters preach. He is waiting on the Father’s prompt to come gather us unto himself. Thats it! He is waiting on the design to run it’s course.
I have seen this mind set displayed so much where Baptist men cry about souls abroad, while eating like Kings in America. They boast about how much they give to God at the Faith promise Conferences and they tip the waiter 2 dollars because the cook did something wrong! This mindset carries over in to church operations. To brow beat your members into answering a call to the foreign field, or missions, and then to never act upon the need in your own area is absolute and utter hypocrisy!
I Peter 1:13-17
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Being ready always to give and answer of the hope that lieth in you in meekness and fear. Passing the time of your sojourning here in fear. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
We are to stand fast. Having done all, to stand, as obedient children not just simply subservient, but obedient, sacrificing children. We are to be in a permanent state of defense of the gospel while living peaceably with all men.
I Peter 1:18-25
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Love of the brethren and the growth of the body is the focal point here. Not warning the lost. Not a commission. Not taking the gospel unto the end of the world. We are trained and led to act the way we have been acting! We spend time prancing around in Acts with all the other cults and “wresters” and “vain janglers” of his word. Why?
We stick ourselves to the disciples doctrines and mesh it with Paul when we need to have some Pauline doctrine for control sake? We evolve to a more divisive ministry? Do we hold to the gospel message of Acts 2 as well? Do we preach the repentance of John? Do we purposefully create division where there is none?
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
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