God's Plan

By Bill Walton In the first century, God's plan for saving the lost and caring for the saved was made known through the apostles and put into practice by the disciples. God's plan was simplicity itself. And its success was the marvel of all the world. The gospel was sent to the lost. The poor and needy were cared for. And the church was edified.

How was the gospel sent to the lost? By congregations (I Thess. 1:2-8) and individual Christians (Gal. 6:6) supporting evangelists to carry the gospel message all over the world, and by every faithful Christian "who (would) teach others also" II Tim. 2:2).

How were the poor and needy cared for? By each congregation caring for its own needy (Ac 4:34-35, 1 Tim 5:16) and receiving help from other congregations when needed (Rom. 15:25-26), and by each individual Christian "doing good unto all men" as there was opportunity (Gal 6:10).

How was the church edified? By the elders of each congregation, "feeding the flock of God which is among them" (I Pet. 5:2), and by Christians, "exhorting one another" and "provoking one another unto love and good works" (Heb. 10:24-25).

This plan is tried and proven. It worked in the first century, and it will work in the twentieth century. We do not need a new plan. We do not need an improved plan. But we do need renewed zeal for executing God's plan.

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