“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [RV]
Matthew 16:18
But how does Jesus build His Church? Is it through books, seminars, and conferences that tell us how to build churches?
We do know, according to Matthew 16:18, it is the risen Christ who builds churches. He builds them by changing hearts. We can try to do it all in our own strength, but only God can build the church through His Son, Jesus.
But, does that answer the question? At first glance it would seem that we have no part in the process. It is true that no one can come to the Father unless Jesus draws them, and since Jesus is the Word of God, it would seem that this is accomplished through the “hearing of the Word of God” by which faith comes into a heart.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one who brings news of peace, who announces good things, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ [ISV]
Isaiah, 52:7
The truth is that we do have a part to play in this process, a very important and vital part as the bearers of that good news.
“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” [RV]
Matthew 28:19-20
The primary role of the church is to go and make disciples who will herald the good news to the rest of the world and in the process make even more disciples for the same purpose.