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| Volume 27 Number 10 October 2025 |
Page 10 |
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| Volume 27 Number 10 October 2025 |
Page 10 |
Growth of the Early Church
Charles E. Burch
When a Christian reads the first few chapters of the book of Acts, he has to get excited. Let us notice how the church grew. In Acts 2:41, about 3,000 obeyed the Gospel. In Acts 4:4, about 5,000 men (not including women and children) also obeyed the Gospel. Acts 4:32 records a multitude believed, and Acts 5:14 says, “multitudes both men and women” believed (NKJV). Acts 6:1 states that the number of disciples multiplied. How great and exciting it must have been to the apostles!
How did the church grow so fast? We know it could not have been done by the apostles alone, but every member doing what they could contributed to that early church growth. “Therefore those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Some place the time of this at approximately at A.D. 37. It was a time when the opponents of Christianity visited Christian homes and cast Christian men and women into vile prisons. They were then brought before the elders of the synagogue, who tried to force them to deny Christ. Upon their refusal some of them were put to death.
This persecution scattered the Christians, but it did not stop them from telling others about Christ. They traveled far and wide through various regions teaching and preaching the Gospel of Christ. They were truly fulfilling the Great Commission. Christ had said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15–16). They took this command very seriously and carried it out.
Yet, what about today? We must capture their enthusiasm, zeal and dedication; if we are to grow, we need to do the same thing the early Christians did. Certainly, many things are a hindrance to church growth today, but the early church had to deal with many obstacles also. Despite hindrances, Christian brethren increased by the thousands!
There are two factors in church growth in which all Christians can have a part. First, if we are to grow, we must “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) to God. He can give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Second, if we are to grow, we must live Christ before the world. We must prove to the world that we have something to offer, better than worldly alternatives. There is also a third thing that we must do if we are to experience the growth of the first century church. We must teach the Word unto the lost. Only truth will save! Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Let us unite and teach to grow the church!
