Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 119:474 (Apr 1962)
Article: The Genius of Church Extension Part I: The Challenge of Church Extension
Author: Luther L. Grubb

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BSac 119:474 (Apr 62) p. 108

The Genius of Church Extension
Part I:
The Challenge of Church Extension

Luther L. Grubb

[Luther L. Grubb, who delivered the W. H. Griffith Thomas Memorial Lectures at Dallas Theological Seminary, November 7–10, 1961, is Secretary of the Brethren Home Missions Council, Inc., Winona Lake, Indiana.]

In any discussion on church extension there will no doubt be those who will immediately ask, “Why do we need more churches in America? There are already 318,000 churches and 114,000,000 church members. Why should not our present church constituency meet the need of both America and the foreign mission field?” Further, since the need in foreign countries may seem to be much greater than in our own nation why not use all mission funds to evangelize the regions beyond? It is our purpose to answer these questions and also to prove that, if each of our American churches and professed Christians were faithfully preaching the gospel, there would still be a need for thousands more Bible-teaching churches in our nation.

God’s Purpose for the Church

The first proof of this is found in God’s purpose for the church.

1. The basic instrument of God on earth for witnessing and general service is the local church. This is His headquarters. Jesus prophesied the beginning of the church in Matthew 16:18: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” However, following our Lord’s announcement, even the disciples did not realize the scope and power of this new, divine institution. Just before the ascension of Christ they were still asking about the restoration of the kingdom (Acts 1:6). But, let us not judge their narrow

BSac 119:474 (Apr 62) p. 109

view too harshly. There are believers today who have not grasped the reality and scope of God’s purpose in establishing the church.

2. Not only did our Lord prophesy the establishment of the church, but He also gave the plan for developing the church in Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (a) “Ye shall be witnesses unto me.” This commission by Christ provided a new purpose and directive for believers. By telling others about the Savior these too would be saved and gathered into assemblies of the saints in various places. This is multiplication through witnessing. (b) A new power was also promised to im...

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