We really believe Peter’s evangelistic sermon that was delivered in Jerusalem forty days after Jesus’ resurrection paved just how for the beginning of the Church. Some three thousand people responded to his invitation to simply accept Jesus as the Messiah. (Acts 2:41) The brand new converts began to put together throughout metropolis as a conclave of Believers. The Bible states that they “steadfastly” continued in the Apostles’ teachings as they fellowshipped with one another. That they had meals together as well as praying with singleness of heart. Signs and wonders were administered by the Apostles. They shared their material goods and responded to people that have financial needs. With one accord the first Believers regularly attended the actions in the Temple. There is a good attitude that was displayed in whatever they did. They did not search for hidden truths, for the Gospel was clear and precise plus they received it with gladness and singleness of heart. You may hear them praising God as they traversed the streets of Jerusalem. Their changed lifestyles brought them favor from people everywhere. GOD, THE FATHER evidenced His pleasure with the Church with the addition of with their numbers daily. (Acts 2:42-47)
Peter would later preach another sermon in the Temple and for that reason, five thousand men were converted. (Acts 4:4) The brand new Church continued to be knit together by their one core. Their attitude was others first, themselves last. The Apostles displayed great power in their witnessing of the Truth. (Acts 4:32-35)
As the Church continued to grow, Satan attempted to disrupt its momentum by by using a number of different tactics. In another of the satellite/cell gatherings, he used money as an instrument of division. It seems that a husband and wife had sold some property but decided to keep back area of the money from their group and lied in what that they had received. Peter confronted them by proclaiming that that they had not “lied to men, but to God.” (Acts 5: 4) The results with their actions cost them their lives. (Acts 5:1-11) The consequence of that incident didn’t negatively affect the Church but actually helped them achieve sustained growth. Individuals were added almost daily to the sets of Believers. (Acts 5:14) Tremendous healings were experienced as folks from other cities came to Jerusalem not and then witness the miracles but also to receive physical deliverance. (Acts 5:12-16) The Church was growing so fast it used multiplication instead of addition in describing the growth pattern. (6:1) Satan used the tactic of murmuring when some Believers complained that one widows were being neglected. (Acts 6:1) Administration adjustment was made and the Church continued to multiply. (Acts 6:7)
Compare the New Testament Church with the churches today. In search of a fresh and improved Church, we’ve adopted a trend that is socially acceptable rather than being Biblically correct. Our faith today is inundated with individualism rather than a functioning family unit. Satan is alive and mixed up in Church today because we treat our faith as an option instead of a commitment.
Church growth is a result of God being happy with the obedience of His Believers. Whenever we conform to His ways, God will form the Church into an earthly lighthouse that will bring people from the darkness into His glorious Light. The Blueprint will there be, all we have to do is follow the directions.