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  • Henry Weststeyn

What's in a Word?

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

-Matthew 16:18


The most direct call for evangelism in the New Testament is of course the Great Commission in Matthew 28, found in slightly alternate forms in Mark 16 and Acts 1. This directive was given by Jesus to His disciples just prior to leaving them here on earth to continue the work He began. He not only commissioned them, but also empowered them in the work they were to do by the promised indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8.


The text for today is not normally associated with evangelism work. I have always wondered about that. The use of the word “gates” in this text has often caused me to pause. Let me explain.


In ancient times, cities were surrounded by walls, primarily for security. These cities did need to remain reachable to the outside world, however, so strongly built gates were added to provide access. Collectively, though, the objective of the wall and the gates was for the defense of the city. In other words, the did not exist for an offensive purpose.


Verse 18 of today’s text is the first time Jesus uses the word “church” (ekklesia in Greek, meaning “called out ones”) to give a name to the institution that He, through the work of his disciples and other believers, intended to build on earth after His departure. In those first words He indicates the primary purpose of this body.


Now, as Christians, we believe that due to Adam and Eve’s fall, all people are born sinful, lost in the grasp of Satan. Unless the Spirit of God works in a person to cause repentance and belief in the saving work of Jesus on the cross and in His resurrection, that person will remain in death’s hold, remain in a state of “hades”, so to speak.


So, bringing all these points together, when Jesus said with regard to His soon to be formed church, that “the gates of Hades will not overcome it”, could He have meant it as a bold encouragement for the church’s work of evangelism? Notice that he didn’t say “the military columns of Hades” or “the swords and spears of Hades,” both offensive tools for battle. Rather, in using the word “gates”, could He have meant that the Holy Spirit would empower the church to go on the offensive, to penetrate the “gates” of the enemy to proclaim the gospel message, so that those who believe may escape that walled city of “Hades”?


Why this, and why now?


Nearly two weeks ago, I, along with many of you, attended a memorial service for a very young member of our congregation. Of course most of us have attended these gatherings before. Nick Moll’s young age made this one different. We have all been painfully reminded that the number of our days on earth are not promised, nor guaranteed. And while we know that Nick was and is firmly in the loving arms of his heavenly father both before and after the event of Christmas Eve, are we prompted to think of who, in our list of friends, neighbors, workmates, or acquaintances, is not? We need to hear Jesus’ words of encouragement to His church today. Are Jesus’ words convicting us to go on the offensive? What “gate” has kept us from boldly proclaiming the gospel, or even quietly and lovingly presenting the good news to a friend or associate whose future does not appear certain? I am by no means pointing fingers here, for when given the opportunity I have often shied away from telling the good news, or allowed the first rebuff by a friend to the gospel message to derail future attempts.


As we begin a new year, I pray for myself and all of us to seek out those gates, and, relying on the strength promised by Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit, figuratively kick them down, motivated by Jesus’ encouraging words to his fledgling church.



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