Church Planting and Church Renewal

It occurred to me this morning that it's probably a mistake to consider Acts 2 as the beginning of a church-planting movement.

Actually, considering the religious background of both the 12, the 120 and the 3,000, it would probably be more appropriate to consider Pentecost as a church renewal movement.

I suspect that in many cases, the biggest block to church planting in areas with a cultural knowledge of Christianity is the lack of church renewal. People who know about Christ, haven't made the action commitment of faith because they aren't impressed with what they see in the church(es).

Many, if not most, of Peter's audience had a strong background in Scripture, in Biblical studies, and in the importance of linking faith with practice (obedience). They had the elements of a Biblical world view, they just had the content about 45 degrees in the wrong direction.

Of course, the key change necessary from from a "religious-studies" understanding of faith, to a "personal-relationship" experience, rooted in faith in Christ, expressed in submission to his Lordship.