THE NUMERICAL GROWTH OF THE CHURCH

By Gary McDade

The Book of Acts may correctly and inspirationally be viewed as having its theme to be the establishment and the expansion of the church of Christ. The apostles were to begin their work for Christ upon receiving the great commission “in Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In fact, the book may be thus outlined I. The gospel preached in Jerusalem and Judaea, Acts 1-8; II. The gospel preached in Samaria, Acts 8-12; and III. The gospel preached unto the uttermost part of the earth, Acts 13-28. Responses to this preaching provide an insight into “the numerical growth of the church.”

Additions to the church initially occur as seen in Acts 2:41 and 47; then as their number increases they are “the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” in Acts 5:14; then those numbers of people becoming Christians increase to the point where they are beyond being added, now they are said to be multiplied and in particular “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” in Acts 6:1 and 7. Notice, “a great company.” So, just as the church was expanding geographically—first at Jerusalem and Judaea, then to Samaria, then to the uttermost part of the earth having impacted Rome, Italy—even so the church was expanding numerically. At first the number mentioned as being added is 3,000 in chapter 2 verse 41, then the number grows to 5,000 in chapter 4 verse 4, then the number expands to the point where it so large instead of a finite number being given it is said to multiply greatly in chapter 6 verse 7.

Beyond question “God gives the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6), but in order for that observation to ring true Paul and Apollos had to “water” the seed, the Word of God (Luke 8:11). “Watering” the seed here is a metaphor for preaching the Word of God. Again, the Book of Acts shows that is exactly why the church grew so rapidly and largely beginning in Jerusalem because “the Word of God increased” meaning the preaching and influence of it grew in advance of recording the numbers of people who became Christians.

Therefore, it stands to reason today if we will keep on planting and watering the seed, the Word of God, the divinely generated results of increasing numerically may come into view, provided it is God’s will (James 4:15). May we ever continue the charge to faithfully and fully “preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:1-2).