Church Planting

The Issue Of Authority

The Biblical model of establishing New Testament churches includes authority. John the Baptist was given authority by God Himself to baptize born again believers and prepare people for the Lord to come and establish the first New Testament Church (Mark 11:30).  Jesus, under divine Authority established the first church (Matt 16:18), and embodied that authority in that church (Matt 28:18). The church then sent men out to establish more churches (Acts 13:3-3) and there is no evidence this pattern has ever been changed.   It is up to local churches to prepare men, to ordain them, and to send them, and that authority does not exist in any body outside of the Local Church. All biblical church planting must be done under the authority of a local church.

Missions

The Local Church is the only authority for the sending of missionaries to establish New Testament Churches; therefore they should be the only body sending and overseeing mission works.  Matt 28:18-20, Acts 13:2-3.