The Church was Established at the Right Time

We live in a world where complaining comes easily. We complain about slow service, frustrating work situations, government inefficiency, and any number of daily inconveniences. Sadly, that same spirit can sometimes find its way into the church. Members may complain about leadership; leaders may complain about members. Yet Paul wrote, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Phil. 2:14). If we are going to help the church grow, grumbling will not do it. Instead, we need to focus on what is right with the church.

One great truth is this: the church was established at the right time. Long before Acts 2, God had revealed both the time and place of the coming kingdom. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a great image representing successive world kingdoms. Daniel identified Babylon as the first and then spoke of kingdoms that would follow. During the days of the fourth kingdom, God would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed (Dan. 2:44). History shows the succession of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. It was during Roman rule that Christ came and His kingdom began.

The place was also foretold. Isaiah said that “the word of the Lord” would go forth from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:1-4). Jesus confirmed this when He told His apostles that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-48). He told them to wait there until they received power from on high (Acts 1:4-8). Mark 9:1 promised that some standing with Jesus would live to see the kingdom come with power. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles in Jerusalem, Peter preached the gospel, and about three thousand souls were added. The church had begun—at the right time, in the right place, and according to God’s promise.

This was not an accident of history. Paul wrote, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4). God’s timing is never late and never premature. He had prepared the world for the spread of the gospel. The great empires had contributed to the conditions of that day. The Greeks spread a common language, Koine Greek, which made communication across nations easier and preserved the New Testament message with clarity. The Romans built roads and provided a measure of order that allowed the gospel to travel rapidly throughout the empire. Even the Jewish dispersion had placed synagogues in many cities, giving early preachers places to begin teaching about Christ.

God’s plan unfolded exactly as He intended. The church was not a last-minute response to human failure. It was part of His eternal purpose, revealed through prophecy and fulfilled in Christ. In the church, Jew and Gentile are brought together in one body and reconciled to God through the cross (Eph. 2:14-16). In Christ, we have redemption through His blood, and God is gathering all things together in Him (Eph. 1:7- 10). We may find plenty of things in life to complain about, but the Lord’s church should not be one of them.

It was established by God, promised by the prophets, purchased by the blood of Christ, and opened to all who will obey the gospel. Just as the church was established at the right time, now is the right time for us to be in Christ. Why wait? Come to Him, and be added to the body of the saved. 

Dale J. Babinsky

Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ; 3078 Veterans Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 865.428.9749; Church@gsmchurchofchrist.com