ST. PAUL’S CHURCH PLANTING STRATEGIES AS REVEALED IN SELECTED PASSAGES IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

Abstract

Seeking to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-20; Lk. 24:47-49; Jn. 21:21-23; Acts 1:8) without the planting of local churches is like giving birth to a baby without a family.  Church planting establishes a base for making and multiplying disciples among various people groups in the world.  In other words, the Great Commission finds fulfillment in the context of the local church.  C. Peter Wagner, Win Arn and Elmer Towns wrote, “The Great Commission implies that church planting is the primary method to evangelize the world.”   Similarly, C. Peter Wagner confirmed, “The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches.”   While the Great Commission does not categorically mention church planting, it implies it by the very nature of the command to “make disciples.”  The local church is the divine agency empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel and to make disciples for the Lord and His kingdom.