WHY DID FIRST CENTURY CHURCHES GROW SO FAST?

 

Intro.

1.  Striking fact found over & over in Acts: Phenomenal spread of the gospel - 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7 - Impact of gospel on world.

2.  Even with persecution (designed to stop growth), the number of believers grew - 9:35; 11:21. Approx. 15 years after Pentecost, the number of believers was still growing - cf. 14:1.

  a.  All this from just 12 men! (Mk. 16:15)

  b.  Col. 1:23, 6 - All creation heard (30 years)

3.  Church grew fast initially & continually.  How did this occur?  Why did first century churches grow so fast?

 

I.  NOTE SOME THINGS WHICH WERE NOT IN THEIR FAVOR.

  A.  Most People Rejected The Gospel - Matt. 7:13-14. (Christians have always been in the minority.)

  B.  Moral Decadence Of The Society - Rom. 1:24-32. (Would appear to be a reasonable explanation for little growth.)

    1.  v. 24 - Lust ruled in uncleanness.

    2.  v. 25 - Man reigned supreme.

    3.  v. 26-27 - Vile passions / Homosexuality.

    4.  v. 28 - Refused to know God.

    5.  v. 29-32 - Such immorality led to this!

    6.  In spite of false religions - church grew!

      a.  Ephesus:

        i.  Diana: Ceremonial prostitution / Religious fornication!

        ii.  Yet, growth - Acts 19:20.

      b.  Corinth:

        i.  "Live like a Corinthian" - Lead a life of drunken & immoral debauchery; Bacchus (god of wine) - Drunken feasts.

        ii.  Aphrodite (goddess of love/beauty) - 1000 priestesses (prostitutes).

        iii. Typical Corinthian: "The man who recognized no superior & no law but his own desire." Yet, growth! Acts 18:9-10

    7.  In spite of immorality - church grew!

      a.  Given today as the reason for little growth!

      b.  Matt. 9:12-13; 1 Cor. 6:9-11 - These need conversion!

  C.  Active Opposition To The Truth - Acts 4:17-18; 5:28; 8:1-3; 14:2-6.

    1.  From without:

      a.  Religious opposition / Physical persecution.

      b.  Idolatry (Acts 19:23-40); Judaism.

    2.  From within:

      -False teachers (Acts 15:1).

    3.  Reaction of disciples: Persistence / Not ashamed / Growth continued (not their excuse to do nothing)!

      a.  Moved ahead - Acts 4:19-20; 5:40-42; 8:4; 14:7.

      b.  Glorified God - 1 Pet. 4:12-16!

 

II.  THE NT CHURCHES GREW (Acts 9:31)…

  A.  Because Of Steadfast Faith (Persistence, firmness).

    1.  Steadfast in the word - Acts 2:42.

      a.  Studied it - 2 Tim. 2:15.

      b.  Were teaching it - Acts 5:42.

      c.  Were not ashamed of it - Rom. 1:16.

    2.  Steadfast in their fellowship - Acts 2:42.

      a.  Worshipped regularly & together! Didn't have to be rebuked to get them to worship God! (20:7)

      b.  Dwelt continually on death of Jesus! United in faith.

    3.  Steadfast in service - Acts 2:44-47.

  B.  Because Of Personal Evangelism.

    1.  Fruit-bearers - Rom. 7:4; Jno. 15:2, 8.

      -One type of fruit is teaching others.

    2.  Took the great commission personally - Acts 8:4; 17:6; 28:22 (everywhere!).

    3.  Takes the personal involvement of every Christian!

  C.  Because They Kept The Church Clean.

    1.  Acts 5:1-11 - lst church discipline - By God Himself!

      -Result: Acts 5:5, 11, 12-14.

    2.  Acts 8:22 - New convert sinned - Immediate rebuke.   -Positive result (repented)!

    3.  Purposes: Save & protect - 1 Cor. 5:3-6.

    4.  We need to be serious about church discipline, using it constantly & consistently as a means of saving souls & to maintain the purity of the church.

 

Conclusion

1.  NT churches grew so fast because Christians were fully given to their faith.

  a.  Steadfast living / Personal evangelism / Kept the church clean.

  b.  They were diligent in all things - Rom. 12:11.