THEY GREW
1. The book of Acts tells us several things about the first Christians.
2. In this book we are told how people became Christians.
3. We learn some things about fellowship, worship, and the church.
4. One of the places where we get a good picture of the first century church is Acts 4:4.
5. This verse contains a couple of important points.
6. In the first part of this verse we learn something about faith.
7. How did people develop faith?
8. Today what causes people to believe?
9. The text says that people “heard the word.”
10. Many who heard the word “believed.”
11. This is consistent with Rom. 10:17.
12. People develop faith by “hearing” (listening to) God’s word.
13. Being exposed to the Bible is God’s way to creating and sustaining faith.
14. The point we want to concentrate on is at the end of Acts 4:4.
15. By this time in the church’s history there were about 5,000 men who were Christians.
16. The word translated “men” is not a generic term; it describes males.
17. This information allows us to estimate the total number of Christians.
18. What if half of these men were married and their wives were Christians?
19. This is a realistic figure, and this would raise the number of Christians to 7,500.
20. What if half of the 5,000 men had at least one child who had also became a Christian?
21. This would be another 2,500 people so the total number would reach 10,000.
22. It is reasonable to believe that it did not take long for about 10,000 to become Christians.
23. If
we can approximate the number of Christians, what about the population in
24. Those
who are familiar with first century
25. Let’s say for the sake of argument that this number is a reasonably accurate figure.
26. If
about 50,000 people lived in
27. I
look at some statistics for the church in
28. Last year there were 112 cities in the state that had a total of 164 congregations.
29. This was actually a decrease from 1997.
30. Between
1997 and 2001 the churches of Christ in
31. In 2001 the percentage of New Testament Christians (compared to the population) was 0.28%.
32. That is, as of last year we were less than 3/10ths of one percent.
33. As
a state we are no where close to the kind of percentage that existed in
WHAT
MADE THE CHURCH IN
A. We can give a variety of reasons that make us feel better.
B.
We could say that the apostles were in
C. Many of those in Jerusalem had seen the Lord after the resurrection.
D. The apostles were able to perform miracles.
E. Other spiritual gifts (especially the healings) attracted people.
F. The problem of denominationalism did not exist.
2. All of these things are true.
3. We must admit that we no longer have living apostles.
4. Our testimony about the resurrection is on the printed page.
5. Bible miracles such as raising the dead and curing the incurable are no longer performed.
6. We now struggle with denominationalism.
7. All of these things are factors but they do not tell the whole story.
8. There was another force that caused the first century church to expand.
9. In the book of Acts we encounter some special words.
10. These words are teach, teaching, taught, preach, preached, and preaching.
11. Related words are prayer, continued, boldly, and daily.
12. Tonight I want to look at some of these words and where they occur.
13. These passages tell us about some of the things that helped the early congregations grow.
14. The first word I mentioned is teach.
15. In the ASV this word is found 4 times in Acts.
A. The first place it occurs is Acts 1:1.
B. Jesus began to both “do” and “teach.”
C. Doing is good but it must be joined with teaching.
D. This is exactly what the disciples tried to do.
E. Some tried to stop the Christians who were teaching.
F. In Acts 4:18 we find that people were told to “not teach at all in the name.”
G. The Lord’s people did not obey this command.
H. Acts 5:42 says that they did not “cease” to preach and teach Jesus – READ.
I. Even after being told a second time to stop they didn’t – 5:28 – READ
16. The word “teaching” (a related word) is found 9 times in the ASV.
17. We find that the first Christians sought to teach in public places.
18. Acts 5:25 says that the apostles taught in the “temple” – READ.
19. These people were charged with “filling” Jerusalem with their teaching (Acts 5:28).
20. Teaching was done and some of it was long term teaching.
21. In Acts 18:11 we find that Paul spent 18 months teaching at Corinth.
22. People were taught publicly and “house to house” (privately).
23. This is described in Acts 20:20 – READ.
24. Those who became Christians continued “steadfastly” in the apostle’s teaching (2:42).
25. Teaching people (in every way possible) contributed to the growth of the church.
26. The word “taught” is found five times in Acts.
27. This is described in places like Acts 11:26 – READ.
28. Many were taught and the teaching continued for an extend period of time.
29. People taught at all hours. Sometimes it was late (Philippian jailer, Acts 16:25).
30. People were sometimes taught early in the morning – Acts 5:21A – READ.
31. Along with the teaching that was done there was preaching.
32. We find the word “preach” being used 4 times in the book of Acts.
33. In Acts 5:42 it is said that the Christians “ceased not” to preach Christ.
34. In Acts 16:10 it is said that God “calls” His people to preach the gospel.
35. This is right.
36. God wants the saved to present the gospel to others.
37. The word “preached” (a form of “preaching) is found 9 times in the ASV.
A. In Acts 8:25 we find that preaching was done in “many villages.”
B. Another interesting detail is found in Acts 8:35.
C. I have heard people discuss how many people are needed to have a worship service.
D. Some have asked themselves what would be the smallest number they would preach to.
E. Notice Acts 8:35 – READ.
F. One man was preached to in 8:35.
G. Some have the idea that a sermon is for a bunch of people (a crowd).
H. In Acts 8 we find that a single man heard some preaching.
I. What did people preach?
J. The answer is found in Acts 14.
K. Acts 14:7 says that what was preached and Acts 14:21 shows the result.
L. Here is how the verses read – 14:7, and 14:21A – READ.
38. Sometimes Christians do not want to teach people by themselves.
39. Perhaps this was how some felt in the early church. Perhaps not.
40. We learn from Acts 8:4 that people taught on their own.
41. Christians who were “scattered” went about “preaching the word.”
42. Having helpers is good but it is not necessary.
43. Listen to the text – READ Acts 8:4.
44. When people engaged in preaching some believed (Acts 8:12).
45. THESE WORDS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED SHOW BEYOND ANY DOUBT THAT GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HELPED THE CHURCH GROW. THIS IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TODAY. WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE (ON A REGULAR BASIS) ABOUT THE GOSPEL. WE NEED TO SEEK OUT PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT GOD, THE BIBLE, THE CHURCH, AND SALVATION.
46. This a continuing obligation but this is not the only thing that will help a congregation grow.
47. The book of Acts also emphasizes prayer.
48. The word “prayer” is found 8 times in the ASV.
49. Forms of the word “prayer” are also found.
50. The book of Acts also has the words “praying” and “prayed.”
51. The word “prayer” is joined with the “ministry of the word” in 6:4.
52. Prayer was joined with decision making (Acts 6:6).
53. In Acts 12:12 we find that many Christians were gathered together to pray.
54. Even during times of persecution and imprisonment the people of God prayed (16:25).
55. Prayer was important but it was joined with some other things.
56. Another important word in the book of Acts is continued.
57. This word is not used often but it is important.
58. Listen Acts 19:9-10 – READ.
A. The first Christians taught no matter what.
B. Whether people wanted to hear the message or not, they taught.
C. They were “instant in season and out of season.”
D. People “continually” tried to reach those who were outside the Lord’s body.
59. The
regularity of the teaching is also seen in other words like daily.
60. This word is found 5 times in the book of Acts.
61. Other forms of this word (“day” and “day by day”) provide additional information.
62. Acts 16:5 said that congregations grew daily.
63. We may be impressed by yearly or monthly growth.
64. We may consider weekly growth to be great.
65. At least some congregations in the first century grew each day.
66. Listen to how Luke described it – 16:5 – READ.
67. Teaching people was as common place as eating and sleeping to the first Christians.
68. This attitude and commitment on the part of each Christian caused the kingdom to spread.
69. The teaching and growth also gave God’s people confidence.
70. In the book of Acts we find that people spoke with boldness.
A. Paul preached this way (Acts 9:27).
B. Barnabas spoke with boldness (13:46).
C. People knew that they had the truth so they did not hesitate to speak up.
71. Most want the place where they worship to grow.
72. Our interest in growth is not based upon a desire to appear big.
73. We need to grow because growth means that people are being saved.
74. Souls are being taken from the devil and delivered to the Lord.
75. The book of Acts shows us how to go and grow.
76. Through teaching, preaching, prayer, and daily commitment the church was a light.
77. Are we committed to being part of the light in this area?