When we use the word “church” we need to continually remind ourselves that it is an organism and not an organization even though in modern context the perception of the church is a building, a denomination, or a ruling/authoritative body. In its purest earliest definition, the church is “the called ones” or perhaps; “a called-out assembly of believers”. This is how the church began and as time progressed; the church at Jerusalem expanded to include the church or churches of Antioch (where believers were first called Christians – “little Christs”), the churches of Asia, the churches of Macedonia, the churches of Rome and so on. The need for organization became obvious and evident, especially as the church faced persecution and heretical teaching from non-believers posing as believers.

Jesus made this declaration to His 12 Apostles; “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). In those days after the resurrection of Jesus, this was the precisely what the Apostles and other followers of The Way did even if it meant persecution to the point of death.

No one caused a greater stir or imposed such an immense fear among the followers of The Way than a man named Saul of Tarsus. His initial mission, fully sanctioned by the Sanhedrin and Jewish leaders, was to gather up these followers of Jesus and bring them to Jerusalem to be stoned for their perceived blasphemy. Saul willingly participated in this persecution and while on his mission of destruction he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and submitted to and surrendered his life to his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Read the story (Acts 9) – it is very compelling, and I don’t know how anyone could walk away after reading it without coming to the same conclusions that Saul did.

From there, everything changed for Saul who was better known in history by the name of Paul. Shortly after he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he spent some one-on-one time with his Savior and from there began a life of missionary service unmatched by anyone since. I won’t kid you; it took a little convincing to the other Apostles and followers of Jesus that Paul was now one of them but in short order Paul jumped right in and continued to obey the Lord’s command to proclaim the good news of Jesus death, burial and resurrection to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles.

This lesson; Why the Church – Part 2 is the story of the Apostle Paul and his 3 Missionary Journey’s and all that was accomplished in his life until he was martyred by Emperor Nero in 67 AD. He wrote half the books of the New Testament, 13 in all and in addition to preaching the gospel message (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus), he (along with Jesus and the other Apostles) provided all the teachings we need on how to live a Christ like life. We owe a great debt to this man Paul – but if he were alive today he in his normal humble manner would take no credit but lay all praise to His Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you enjoy this lesson – Why the Chruch Part 2.