--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We began with a warning that we must be…" description: "\"“We began with a warning that we must be careful not to read the book of Acts as a strict rule book for church planting. Yet our secular, urbanized, gl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/timothy-keller-240_books_we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be_77087.jpg" --- # We began with a warning that we must be careful not to… ![“We began with a warning that we must be careful not to read the book of Acts as a strict rule book for church planting. Yet our secular, urbanized, global world today is strikingly like the Greco-Roman world in certain ways. For the first time in fifteen hundred years, there are multiple, vital…” quote by Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/timothy-keller-240_books_we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be_77087.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/timothy-keller-240_books_we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be_77087.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/timothy-keller-240_books_we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be_77087.jpg) > ““We began with a warning that we must be careful not to read the book of Acts as a strict rule book for church planting. Yet our secular, urbanized, global world today is strikingly like the Greco-Roman world in certain ways. For the first time in fifteen hundred years, there are multiple, vital, religious faith communities and options (including true paganism) in every society. Traditional, secular, and pagan worldviews and communities are living side by side. Once again, cities are the influential cultural centers, just as they were in the Greco-Roman world. During the Pax Romana, cities became furiously multiethnic and globally connected. Since we are living in an Acts-like world again rather than the earlier context of Christendom, church planting will necessarily be as central a strategy for reaching our world as it was for reaching previous generations. Ultimately, though, we don’t look to Paul to teach us about church planting, but to Jesus himself. Jesus is the ultimate church planter. He builds his church (Matt 16:18), and he does so effectively, because hell itself will not prevail against it. He raises up leaders and gives them the keys to the kingdom (Matt 16:19). He establishes his converts on the word of the confessing apostle, Peter — that is, on the word of God (Matt 16:18). When we plant the church, we participate in God’s work, for if we have any success at all, it is because “God made it grow.” Thus, “neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor 3:6–7).”” [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that modern church planting must adapt to a pluralistic, urban, global context similar to the Greco‑Roman era, emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate model rather than Paul, and that growth is ultimately divine. **In simple terms:** Church planting today mirrors ancient multi‑ethnic cities. Key Takeaway Jesus is the chief church planter; God drives growth. Themes mission urban ministry pluralism historical analogy leadership theology Mood hopeful reflective Type theological practical When to use this quote - urban evangelism - multicultural neighborhoods - global missions - interfaith contexts - city churches Key Concepts church planting cultural context Jesus' role divine agency Practical Applications - strategic church planting - leadership development Questions to Reflect On - How does a pluralistic context shape planting strategies? - What does it mean to view growth as God‑driven? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Keys to the kingdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys-to-the-kingdom/) [Religious faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-faith/) [Side by side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side-by-side/) ## Related quotes > [“We have seen, then, that it requires at least modest church planting in a city just to keep the body of Christ from steadily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/we-have-seen-then-that-it-requires-at-least-modest-church-planting-in/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“A new church in the community usually leads existing churches to face this issue of kingdom-mindedness. New churches typically draw most of their new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/a-new-church-in-the-community-usually-leads-existing-churches-to-face/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Paul appointed elders in each church, giving them a certain amount of independence. He was able to do this because the natural church planting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/paul-appointed-elders-in-each-church-giving-them-a-certain-amount-of/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Old churches must not simply stand as monuments to the past but as spiritual grandparents that have invested in the future by passing on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-gibbs/old-churches-must-not-simply-stand-as-monuments-to-the-past-but-as/) [Eddie Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-gibbs/) > [“Often when we think of church planting,” says Philip, “we think of planting worship services, and we think that once we have planted a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-c-middendorf/often-when-we-think-of-church-planting-says-philip-we-think-of/) [Jesse C Middendorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-c-middendorf/) > [“God allowed the difficulty of church planting to sift me, to bring the issues of my heart to the surface. I realized that if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-hoover/god-allowed-the-difficulty-of-church-planting-to-sift-me-to-bring-the/) [Christine Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-hoover/) > [“Biblical church planting is evangelism that results in new churches.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-payne/biblical-church-planting-is-evangelism-that-results-in-new-churches/) J. Payne > [“Because it teaches us that sometimes bad things happen even to good people so that they can get to know God and grow close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rektok-ross/because-it-teaches-us-that-sometimes-bad-things-happen-even-to-good/) [Rektok Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rektok-ross/) > [“Ay, moreover, still the older that the children of God grow in years, and the weaker in the world, they grow younger and stronger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/various/ay-moreover-still-the-older-that-the-children-of-god-grow-in-years/) Various > [Let us be ready and willing to follow our file leaders, and to sustain them. ... You will always be blessed and benefitted in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heber-j-grant/let-us-be-ready-and-willing-to-follow-our-file-leaders-and-to-sustain/) [Heber J. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heber-j-grant/) > [And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-out-of-the-ground-made-the-lord-god-to-grow-every-tree-that-is/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [“This is a book that looks at how we can use the challenges, joys, struggles, and celebrations of marriage to draw closer to God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-thomas/this-is-a-book-that-looks-at-how-we-can-use-the-challenges-joys/) [Gary L. Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-thomas/) > [I think it's prima facie evidence for the existence of God because for me to grow up and actually end up working with Glen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-webb/i-think-it-s-prima-facie-evidence-for-the-existence-of-god-because/) [Jimmy Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-webb/) > [Sometimes, flowers grow best in the sun; others do well in shade… Remember, God put us where we grow best and give us good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mhargs-abuda/sometimes-flowers-grow-best-in-the-sun-others-do-well-in-shade/) Mhargs Abuda > [“There is a Master within Who teaches us. Christ is our Master, and his inspiration and his anointing teaches us. Where his inspiration and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine-of-hippo/there-is-a-master-within-who-teaches-us-christ-is-our-master-and-his/) [Saint Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine-of-hippo/) ## More by Timothy Keller > [If you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-trying-to-live-a-life-in-accordance-with-the-bible-the/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [The more you rejoice in your own forgiveness, the quicker you will be to forgive others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-more-you-rejoice-in-your-own-forgiveness-the-quicker-you-will-be/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Evangelism will come organically in friendship if we don’t let our pride, fears, and pessimism cause us to hide our faith and heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/evangelism-will-come-organically-in-friendship-if-we-don-t-let-our/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“The coming of the messianic King occurs in two stages. 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A changed life comes in response to the salvation, offered as a free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/god-s-salvation-does-not-come-in-response-to-a-changed-life-a-changed/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“When anything in life is an absolute requirement for your happiness and self-worth, it is essentially an ‘idol,’ something you are actually worshiping. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/when-anything-in-life-is-an-absolute-requirement-for-your-happiness/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Suffering is the stripping of our hope in finite things, therefore we do not put our ultimate hope in anything finite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/suffering-is-the-stripping-of-our-hope-in-finite-things-therefore-we/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Christ will do everything for you or nothing. He's either all of your righteousness or none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/christ-will-do-everything-for-you-or-nothing-he-s-either-all-of-your/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If we give God things in hope that they'll earn us blessings, we're really not doing anything for him. It's for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-we-give-god-things-in-hope-that-they-ll-earn-us-blessings-we-re/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) [Explore all 843 Timothy Keller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! 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Krebs > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. 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Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) Markus Herz > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We began with a warning that we must be careful not to read the book of Acts as a strict rule book for church planting. Yet our secular, urbanized, global world today is strikingly like the Greco-Roman world in certain ways. For the first time in fifteen hundred years, there are multiple, vital, religious faith communities and options (including true paganism) in every society. Traditional, secular, and pagan worldviews and communities are living side by side. Once again, cities are the influential cultural centers, just as they were in the Greco-Roman world. During the Pax Romana, cities became furiously multiethnic and globally connected. Since we are living in an Acts-like world again rather than the earlier context of Christendom, church planting will necessarily be as central a strategy for reaching our world as it was for reaching previous generations. Ultimately, though, we don’t look to Paul to teach us about church planting, but to Jesus himself. Jesus is the ultimate church planter. He builds his church (Matt 16:18), and he does so effectively, because hell itself will not prevail against it. He raises up leaders and gives them the keys to the kingdom (Matt 16:19). He establishes his converts on the word of the confessing apostle, Peter — that is, on the word of God (Matt 16:18). When we plant the church, we participate in God’s work, for if we have any success at all, it is because “God made it grow.” Thus, “neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor 3:6–7).”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Timothy Keller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be-careful-not-to-read-the-book/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be-careful-not-to-read-the-book/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/timothy-keller-240_books_we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be_77087.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/timothy-keller-240_books_we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be_77087.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/timothy-keller-240_books_we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be_77087.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We began with a warning that we must be careful not to read the book of Acts as a strict rule book for…” — Timothy Keller", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Timothy Keller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We began with a warning that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be-careful-not-to-read-the-book/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/we-began-with-a-warning-that-we-must-be-careful-not-to-read-the-book/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```