Builders of the Kingdom and How They Built It
Builders of the Kingdom and How They Built It
We spoke in the last issue about God as King, and how the rebellion against His kingdom happened, and how God recovered His kingdom, and when?
Today we wish to speak to you about:
Builders of the kingdom and how they built it
God could alone have built His kingdom, for “If the LORD does not build the house, in vain do the builders labor.” (Psalm 127:1). But God wanted the building of His kingdom to be through chosen vessels in whom He works, and through faithful agents He uses. Who, then, are they?
Who are the builders of the kingdom?
The Scripture says that God “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11).
And the body of Christ is the Church (Ephesians 5:23), (Colossians 1:18). The building of this body — that is, the building of its members, the believers in His name.
God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4). He wants everyone to know Him, love Him, and enjoy His kingdom… For this reason He sent prophets and apostles and appointed evangelists, pastors, and teachers to build this kingdom — they and their disciples.
It was necessary to prepare all these to carry out their work. Here we ask:
How did God prepare the builders of the kingdom?
He first chose them. He set them with Himself to be discipled at His side, hearing how He taught and seeing how He dealt and acted. They stayed with Him more than three years without leaving Him. After His resurrection He appeared to them for forty days, spoke to them about matters concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3) and opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).
Before that He had sent them on training rounds (Matthew 10). He supplied them with counsel and corrected their errors (Luke 10).
All of this was not enough, but He also said to them: “Stay in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49).
They received that power when “the Holy Spirit came upon them” (Acts 1:8).
Only then did they become His witnesses… to the ends of the earth.
Thus He prepared them by teaching, by example, by training, and by the Holy Spirit. He also prepared them by strengthening their faith — after His resurrection — and delivering them from doubts.
And the work of the Holy Spirit was not only the tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost, but also His continual gifts to them. This is explained by Saint Paul in chapter 12 of his first letter to the Corinthians, where he said: “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge… to another faith… to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these work the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:8–11).
All this teaches us the importance of preparing servants…
If the holy apostles had all that long, multifaceted preparation, what can we say about ourselves in preparing servants for this generation?
In any case, the apostles began their work of building the kingdom after the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them. How, then, were their means for building the kingdom?
How they built the kingdom:
- They first built it by preaching and teaching, according to the Lord’s command:
He had said to them before His ascension, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). He also said to them: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20).
Just as they built the kingdom by preaching and teaching, so they instructed their disciples:
Saint Paul the Apostle said to his disciple Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16). “Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2). To his disciple Titus he said: “Speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1).
Thus the apostles taught even in prisons, while imprisoned! (Acts 16). Even during their trials before governors (Acts 24:25). - They used the method of dialogue and persuasion:
So did Saint Stephen, the first deacon and one of the builders of the kingdom. He stood against three councils of philosophers and debated them, “and they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.” (Acts 6:9–10). Likewise, he argued with the Jews from proofs in the Scriptures, whereupon they were enraged and stoned him (Acts 7).
Saint Peter argued with the Jews using citations from the prophets and the psalms. As he said to them on the day of Pentecost: “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel… ‘I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…’ ” (Acts 2:16) (Joel 2:28). He convinced them of the resurrection by citing David’s words in the psalm: “For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” (Acts 2:27), (Psalm 16:10). There are many such examples.
Indeed, builders of the kingdom must have the power of argument and the ability for dialogue and persuasion. This is useful for teaching. - In building the kingdom they also drew people with wisdom.
Saint Paul the Apostle said: “I became as a Jew to win the Jews; to those under the law I became as under the law… to those without law I became as without law… I became all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:20–22).
That is, in his preaching he used for each person the style that suited him and by which he could win him, in wisdom. Thus when he entered Athens and found the city full of idols, he did not rebuke them but said to them: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: He who made the world and everything in it.” (Acts 17:22–24).
Wisdom in building the kingdom was also a condition for the deacons.
Thus when the apostles wanted to appoint deacons for service, they said to the multitude of disciples: “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” (Acts 6:3). Although one who is filled with the Holy Spirit must also be filled with wisdom, they stressed the condition of wisdom because of its importance for service.
- The builders of the kingdom also built it by many journeys:
They did not remain in one place for the people to come to them, but they traveled from place to place, as their Lord went around the cities and villages preaching the good news of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23), (Luke 13:22). Thus Saint Paul speaks of his ministry: “In journeys often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea.” (2 Corinthians 11:26).
The leaders of the apostles first worked in Jerusalem. When some were scattered outside it, Scripture says: “Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4). So they moved to Samaria and preached it, and went to Antioch, to Cyprus, to Asia Minor, where they founded the seven churches there. Then to the lands of Greece, to Egypt, to Rome, and to the countries of the East.
They were persistent movers who never stopped, always striving and traveling.
It is the dynamism of the ministry, always in motion.
As the Lord had told them before: “You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). And as the psalm foretold of them: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:3–4).
Travel was not easy as in these days, but had many dangers, as Saint Paul said: “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep.” (2 Corinthians 11:25).
- They also built the kingdom by toil, effort, and hardship.
Saint Paul said regarding this: “In all things we commend ourselves as servants of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessnesses, in fastings.” (2 Corinthians 6:4–5).
They were not measured only by bodily toil but their souls were also tested.
Thus the apostle says: “As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” (2 Corinthians 6:8–10). He also says: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken… always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–10).
When Saint Paul preached in Athens, some of its philosophers said of him, “What does this babbler want to say?” (Acts 17:18). While pleading during his trial, Governor Festus cried out loudly, “You are beside yourself, Paul! Much learning is driving you mad.” (Acts 26:24).
We now glorify those holy builders of the kingdom. But in their ministry they endured many insults and hardships and bore them with joy. Indeed, at the beginning of their ministry, when they were scourged and then released, it is said of them: “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:41).
- They also built the kingdom by the miracles God granted them:
The Holy Spirit worked through them with the power of signs and wonders… these had great effect among the people and led them to faith: “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47).
The first miracle was the speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost.
It is said that after Saint Peter’s sermon the Jews were pierced in heart and believed, and were baptized that day about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).
After the healing of the lame man who used to beg at the Beautiful Gate it is said: “And many who heard believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” (Acts 4:4). Then the miracles increased, and Acts says: “And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people… so that believers were added to the Lord multitudes of both men and women. Insomuch that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. And they were all healed.” (Acts 5:12–16).
It is said of Saint Paul: “And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:11–12).
As miracles of mercy were done for people, there were also miracles of judgment, as happened with Ananias and his wife (Acts 5) and with Bar-Jesus (the sorcerer Elymas) in Acts 13:8–11. These miracles were a promise from the Lord who said to them: “And these signs will follow those who believe…” (Mark 16:17).
- They also built the kingdom by appointing servants:
A true servant who is a builder of the kingdom does not serve alone, but gathers around him other builders who serve with him. Thus Paul the Apostle ministered with many builders of the kingdom, such as Saint Mark, and saints Timothy, Titus, Aristarchus, Luke the physician, Onesimus, Tychicus and others (Colossians 4), and groups of deacons… and also Phoebe, Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16). All of these were great energies in the ministry, and through them the kingdom spread and souls were built up…
Alongside the service for widows and virgins (1 Timothy 5) and the women who gave their houses to be churches… - The founding of theological schools also helped build the kingdom.
The first theological school was the School of Alexandria established by Saint Mark the Apostle. It stood against pagan philosophy and produced great scholars and theologians who assisted in building the kingdom… from Saint Pantaenus to Saint Didymus the Blind and others. The school also produced patriarchs of the Church who were themselves builders of the kingdom. - Builders of the kingdom also built it with their holy zeal and deep affecting service.
This zeal is in the words of Saint Paul: “Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I am not burned?” (2 Corinthians 11:29). And his saying: “Necessity is laid upon me; woe is me if I do not preach!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). And his words: “To win the many by all means, to save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
Regarding their deep influence, we see that Saint Paul, while a prisoner, when he spoke about righteousness, judgment, and temperance before Felix the governor, Felix was terrified (Acts 24:25). When he stood before King Agrippa, he spoke boldly so that King Agrippa said to him: “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28). It is wondrous that this prisoner could have such influence. - They built the kingdom by overcoming obstacles and lack of means.
An example is Mark who entered Egypt where he had no church nor people. There were many religions there such as the Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman worships alongside Judaism, pagan philosophies, and the harsh power of Roman rule, and he was unarmed and had nothing. Yet he was able to fill the world with preaching and proclamation and build for God a kingdom. - The fundamental worker who helped the builders of the kingdom is the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit who spoke on their mouths (Matthew 10:20), who gave them power (Acts 1:8) and gifts (1 Corinthians 12) and guided them into all truth (John 16:13).
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