THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THE CHURCH

By Gary McDade

The Book of Acts details the establishment and the expansion of the church of Christ. Like the geographical background covered in this New Testament book of history, the numerical growth of the early church provides a quantitative background to establish the physical setting from which the book may be studied with great profit. Prominent under these headings are statements like, “They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word” (Acts 8:4), and “The number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly” (Acts 6:7). Yet, it is the spiritual background elaborated upon throughout Acts of Apostles which clearly is that which is most important.

In the first place, the presentation of the gospel, as advanced and authorized in the great commission of the Savior, began to be declared in its fullness for the very first time on the first day of Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead in chapter 2. The knowledge of salvation gained by the world--beginning with these first Jewish converts--displays spiritual growth like coming out of darkness and moving into the light. As Matthew said, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16). For example, the new law of the Lord prophesied so long ago went forth from Jerusalem that day (Isaiah 2:1-5). The long-awaited kingdom of God arrived that day (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 16:18-19). Looking at the wealth of divine revelations that appeared on that day shows the boundless potential made available for spiritual growth that initially was experienced by 3,000 who were present as they “gladly received his [Peter’s] Word” (Acts 2:41).

From lessons learned like how to become a Christian, how to acceptably worship, how to do the preaching of the gospel the Savior commanded, how the church reacts and interacts with the surrounding world, how personal dedication and sacrifice finds expression, how people receive or reject the gospel preached, how inseparable Jesus Christ is from His people—the church, how a Christian may be forgiven when he/she is overcome by sin, and much, much more not only is the need established for spiritual growth but the means for it by studying the New Testament in general and the Book of Acts in particular is confirmed.

Beyond the vast geography to be covered, beyond the numbers of people added, there stands the privilege to grow spiritually in knowledge and favor before God.