Church Growth God’s Way [Acts 2:42]
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and to prayer.
What does it take to become a community of believers who are united in truth and in
deed?
What does it take to become a healthy body of believers who want to do church God’s
way?
The answer is here in this one verse – four components the early church focused on in order to
become a healthy body that continued to grow. Here they are:
Teaching (Doctrine)
Fellowship [koinonia]
Communion [a service]
Prayer [a pouring out]
What was the result can be seen in the following verses [Acts 2:43-47].
Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the
apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began
selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by
day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking
their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the
people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe [God’s power was at work].
The apostles performed many signs and wonders [God authenticated their/ His message.]
All those who had believed were together and had all things in common [God unified them].
‘Church’ was a place where believers came together and had all things in common. And what
happened as a result of that?
They began selling their property and possessions and shared them with those in need.
They worshipped together in the temple and together in their homes [Communion].
They ate together genuinely and with gladness.
They were praising God wherever they went.
Verse 47 tells us two amazing things many church growth experts seem to miss:
They were (continuously) having favor with all the people [even unbelievers].
The Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Their love for each other spread out into the community to where those outside the church were
also affected and amazed. In Jn 17:23, Jesus prayed the following prayer to The Father--
“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them
even as You have loved Me.”
Scripture teaches us that it is inward growth that leads to outward growth. It also reminds us that
outward growth is not our doing! Who added to their number daily those who were being saved?
There’s even another component that indirectly was very evident – the apostle’s leadership. The
congregation of believers continually devoted themselves steadfastly persistently, consistently,
with conviction, unwaveringly, unfalteringly, loyally and faithfully to the apostle’s teaching. That
was and still is the responsibility of the flock.
The responsibility of the apostles (leaders, shepherds) was to uncompromisingly teach the truth
according to God’s Word, which means to teach it as Jesus Himself did. Jesus was and is about
truth…the whole truth. The Holy Spirit Himself is called The Spirit of Truth?
Many times (in Scripture), Jesus expressed these 5 words – I tell you the truth. We are called to
proclaim the truth…God’s truth! As Paul directed young Timothy – Preach The Word! [2Tim 3].
It’s all right in here in this one verse – how to do church, how to be the church, how to grow as
the church. Together, let’s be the church that Christ created!
A Shepherd's Muse
