THURSDAY November 10, 2022 

Church Growth 

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46-47

How did the Apostles continue to teach 3,000 people? At this time, they did not have any church buildings, so Christians, in small cell groups, gathered in homes to study the Word of God. 

These 3,000 converts all had one mind, had all things in common, and all fellowshipped together without any divisions. They had one goal, and that was to learn about God’s Word. There were no gossip sessions; instead, they had prayer meetings. These Christians truly cared for one another and took the initiative to pray and seek the Lord on behalf of each other. This Church had thousands of people, and yet they all got along very well. 

Some people complain our church is too big, but it is no different from the early church. They all got along, and we should follow that good example. One thing I pray for is that we continue to keep the same principle goal of being a Bible teaching ministry––a Church that teaches solid doctrine. It is vitally important to teach through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Remember, there is nothing new under the sun. 

Some people have left churches that teach the Word of God for emotional experiences, miracles and wonders. Churches whose focus is on these things will have to try every week to do something even more miraculous to keep people entertained––sad. I believe in healing and all 21 gifts of the Holy Spirit, but I do not like people misusing God’s gifts. They over- emphasize these things. As a child of God, make sure you go home and study what was said from the pulpit. If you are not doing that, you are a candidate to become deceived. 

Whatever means you use to get people into church is precisely what you must use to keep them. If you get them with a ‘religious circus,’ then you must keep the circus going––keep up the entertainment. If you get them with biblical preaching and teaching, then that will keep them and you will not need entertainment.
~Ernest Reisinger~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!