Many of the principles of churchgrowing are found in this book. The book of acts records the amazing growth in spite of. Each study is designed to first teach the leaders the passage and then provide them with questions they can use to lead their group through a process of selfdiscovered learning. At nearly twenty years of age, the book has become dated in places, yet many principles still apply. Lessons on the acts of the apostles becoming closer. Church growth, church growth principles, church growth factors. A study of some sociological dimensions of new testament church growth. Start a wildfire of spiritual growth in your church. The author of acts had written a former account of jesus life. The spiritempowered discipleship in acts yan chai liberty baptist theological seminary mentor. Designed for 30minute lunch breaks, the study contains scripture references, thoughtprovoking questions, and prayers to help you apply biblical principles to your. The temple represents the pitiful nature of religious service 1. Principles of organization the local church from the book of acts vasile filat 08 june 2009 answers from the bible 99 while i was teaching the session revelation that took place in ukraine, one of the pastors asked me which are the principles of organization of the local church from the new testament. Up to this point the apostles had been through a lot already.
Five reasons the early church grew acts 4 forthright. Stay tuned for second half of this post where we will address 5 more key principles of church planting from the book of acts. Ludlow whereas the gospel of luke focuses on the life and ministry of jesus christ, the acts of the apostles builds upon what jesus did and taught see acts 1. Feb 04, 2012 what the book of acts teaches us about church growth. But not the kind of growth that would simply satisfy our craving for more members, but the kind of growth that is the result of saving souls. Persecution arose at jerusalem, and the disciples had to leave for safety. I read a pile of books and attended most of the big churchgrowth. The principle of unified prayer, or prayer with one mind and purpose, is a thread that runs. This paper will explore the writers personal strategy for creating a healthy church by discussing church growth principles, formulating strategies for discipleship and assimilation, and overcoming conflict using the apostle paul as the primary model for church growth. Its an exciting ride, from the coming of the holy spirit at pentecost, to shipwrecks and imprisonments, to life changing sermons delivered by exfishermen. Now that we have scriptural leadership in this congregation it is appropriate to begin talking about growth. A church of christ can and will grow spiritually and numerically when it is faithful to the word of god. Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the.
In acts 8 we read about philip, one of the seven leaders called to assist the twelve see acts 6. Our remarks for this article will come from acts 4. It is the historical link that joins the life of christ with the growth of the christian church. Luke had no way of knowing how long the church would continue on this earth, but as long as it pursues its course, the book of acts will be one of its major guides. They didnt study the demographics of antioch and come up with a strategy to market the church to. Apr 06, 2012 of course we are to make people feel comfortable and at home, but do not forget that it is all about building the kingdom of god and glorifying him.
But in the book of acts there is a verse that speaks of growth, and factors are named there that helped this growth occur 3. This is a theologically solid, albeit basic, survey of church growth principles. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts. If we echo the actions of the early church, we can expect gods blessing on our church as much as those ancient leaders saw a blessing on the church in jerusalem. In the first few chapters of acts we are told how the early church centered her ministries in the city of jerusalem.
Last week, we talked about how to read the book of acts. This brief study of church growth in acts discusses the. The expansion of the church reformed bible studies. Acts has been called a transitional book because it serves as a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. Phil sanders, instructor 4 nsop church growth, fall 2003 a study of the growth of the church in early church history acts 2. Biblical strategy and shift to spiritual driven church growth. In some cases, rainer was prophetic, anticipating what church life would be like in the 21st century. They had not ventured out as jesus had commanded in acts 1.
Written by luke, the book of acts has a prominent missionary theme because it details the rapid growth of the early church and the first missionary efforts. They focus so much on numbers that their definition of obedience to the gospel gets skewed. We saw that were not supposed to model our behavior after everything some biblical character does. The book of acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of jesus christ.
The application of classic church growth principles to the american postmodernist while some may criticize church growth scholars of overemphasizing the human component of mission, these scholars uncovered many similarities in the ways peoples primarily from the less evangelized part of the world come to christ. The book of acts tells the story of the beginning of the church of jesus christ. Aug 24, 2015 public lecture by professor steve walton professorial research fellow in new testament at st marys university in twickenham, london at laidlaws henderson campus on monday 17 august 2015. To my knowledge, however, no church growth book with a complete focus on acts has been written. The purpose of this project is to present the biblical standards, principles, components, and methods of spiritual discipline for 21st century churches conversion from human efforts and programs oriented church growth to spiritual driven church growth like an early church. But the reason this church experienced such remarkable growth was not that the leaders employed the latest church growth principles. They will accept anyone and everyone into the body. The premises that have been the heart of the church growth movement are four. Lessons on the acts of the apostles john hendershot. Frank stagg has described the book of acts as the story of an unhindered gospel. Im not sure where the following article is from, but i have it on a sheet of paper in my office. The growth of the church in the book of acts ryan wentzel.
As a church growth consultant, i also propagated some of those principles for many years. Its narrative supplies a bridge connecting the life and ministry of jesus to the life of the church and the witness of the earliest believers. Word with power, conviction, and in truth, such as calvary chapel acts 2. There are three principles of doctrine what we might call analytic principles which are shown in acts.
The book of acts records the amazing growth in spite of huge obstacles after the disciples were filled with. To use these growth principles suggestions, ask yourself, your leadership team. This prime directive is absent from most church growth principles. Frank schmitt discipleship study had unavoidably been focused on the gospels, and rightfully so.
They had not ventured out as jesus had commanded in acts. The language of growth in acts can be grouped into two broad categories. Paul was not only educated in the hebrew scriptures under gamaliel acts 22. When you look at the book of acts, you find at least eight characteristics of the early church that positioned them for this kind of blessing from god. The book of acts is a record of the growth of the early church, started by jesuss disciples and then expanded by the apostle paul. Then i sought earnestly for the gift of tongues, and by this gift and by study. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. An analysis of dissertations on church growth published. The scriptures tell us how a new testament church should grow. In the latter portion of acts, luke recorded three rejections of the jews to pauls overtures of salvation. Pdf the depiction of church growth in acts ben wilson.
The book of acts is the continuation of christs work vv. In the book of acts, we see nothing short of explosive, exponential growth. For the following reasons, luke is generally considered to be the inspired author of acts. Principles of church growth from the book of acts scottsdale, pa. Philips only requirement was that the man believe the message philip proclaimed to him. The early church is a best model as a spiritual driven church. Acts adam and eve apostle ask and answer baptized bearing fruit believe bible biblical church growth biblical principles blessing boat bring glory build charles kraft christian church growth movement church growth principles church leaders church structure churches desiring biblical churches that desire command commission congregation created. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. The former book gospel of luke this book acts the lord in the flesh the lord in the holy spirit person head church body. Its basically a list of how prayer was at work in the book of acts. Church growth in the book of acts a church of christ can and will grow spiritually and numerically when it is faithful to the word of god.
Whenever i read through the book of acts im struck with the number of times luke comments on the growth of the church. Let me summarize the importance of acts in three simple statements. Oct 15, 20 when you look at the book of acts, you find at least eight characteristics of the early church that positioned them for this kind of blessing from god. Book of acts might inform church planting today theology. This dissertation arises out of my own interest and engagement in church planting that has led me to reflect on my own practice more biblically and theologically.
Acts begins with jesus teaching the apostles about the kingdom of god outside jerusalem, and ends, about thirty years later, with paul teaching gentile christians about the kingdom of god in rome. In acts chapter 1, there are 12 disciples and 120 believers. Luke recorded three rejections by the jews to peter and the apostles associated with him to the message of repentance and proclamation of the kingdom. Principles of organization the local church from the book of acts. They had been following jesus and were witnesses of the many miracles he had performed. This article presents the concept of church growth alongside evangelism mainly in the book of acts. Whereas missions and church planting tended to occupy center stage in the study of the book of acts, and discipleship was often overshadowed.
Why the book of revelation is really a romance story. It is a truth of god which leads his church to spread his good news, plant church after church, and increase his body1977, p. Bible verses about church growth king james version. Doc mission in the book of the acts of the apostles. Understanding the book of acts in the bible learn religions. Principles of church growth second edition paul young publications of paul young cape town, south africa. Up to this point, the book of acts recounts the churchs growth among jews in jerusalem and judea. Book of acts might inform church planting today theology religion essay introduction. The book of acts tells us on that day the god of heaven launched the church of christ.
Whereas the old testament depicts evangelism as people coming to god, the lucan perspective demonstrates that gods servants will go to his people. So, when you see god bless your church with growth, dont be surprised to experience resistance, sometimes even from within. Church growth and evangelism in acts 61 the principle of spiritual warfare prayer was the primary weapon of the early church because the followers knew their battle was not against flesh and blood but. Characteristics of the service of the church life and power vv. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. The book begins with the ascension of jesus into heaven acts 1. In acts we see basic principles being applied to specific situations in the context of problems and persecutions. The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul. August 26 introduction to church growth 14 september 2 measuring church growth 57 9 biblical basis for church growth 16 principles of church growth. A short threelecture survey of the background and contents of the book of acts in partnership with third millennium ministries. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. Trace the major sections of the book, consider the purpose and historical context of the book and study the major events in acts of the apostles, early church and the holy spirit. According to mcgavran and ann, this is a universal truth which, when properly interpreted and applied, contributes significantly to the growth of churches and denominations.
The life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. What are the premises and principles of church growth. Schwartzs book natural church development and its application to the new testament ministry system being studied from acts. The acts of the apostles as the mission of god public. Professor of new testament studies acadia divinity college, wolfville, nova scotia. Oct 18, 2012 for mars hill, numbers are a key measure of our health.
And the lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Principles of church growth from the book of acts bontrager, edwin on. Todays passage from the book of acts describes the expansion of the firstcentury church, but the steady growth it portrays applies also to what happened in the second century and beyond. The books of acts and luke are both addressed to whom. If we were to employ these same factors, we too, can have church growth. And he will grow his church as we apply the biblical church growth principles we see in the book of acts. Published during the past five years 20042008 a thesis project submitted to.
In reality, real numerical growth only occurs when people are added to the church through obedience to the gospel. As people went forth to preach christ, converts were won throughout the roman empire. Church growth statements in the book of acts barnes bible charts 2. The jerusalem church date sermon title sermon text oct. The apostle paul as a model for church growth and evangelism. The beginning of the church and its growth t he book of acts records the growth and progress of the church in the first century. There is no better place to examine the factors that made the early church grow than the acts of the apostles.
They are bewildered and frightened but all that changes on the day of pentecost. Schwartzs book natural church development and its application to the new testament ministry system being studied from acts chapter 2 in this seminar. Do you have a hard time with what i am saying, does it go against what you have been taught or have presumed. Acts syllabus and course overview ministry development. Apr 06, 2012 do you have a hard time with what i am saying, does it go against what you have been taught or have presumed. For an example of one church growth writers use of acts, see c. The lame man a man with true difficulty and need 2. This study of the book of acts takes a look at the similarities between the early churchs challenges in the face of opposition and todays trials in nonchurchrelated workplaces. Acts tells us how the christian movement came into beginning. Growing a church is biblical, and an imperative from our lord. There are basic ideas that are still practical today present int his book, especially. When you read through the book of acts, you see numerical growth. The book of acts is important because it shows what the first actions of the early church were as they were the ones closest to the teachings of jesus.
Bible verses about church growth bible verses related to church growth from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order. Principles of organization the local church from the book. But in the book of acts there is a verse that speaks of growth, and factors are named there that helped this growth occur. Church growth statements in the book of acts bible charts. It can happen today principles of church growth from the. The present article investigates the ways in which the book of acts depicts the.
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