Faithful, Fruitful and Reproducing Churches

In scanning the book of Acts it is apparent that not only was the early church "devoted to the apostles' teaching"Acts 2:42 but as a result was fruitful and reproduced.

Of course it didn't happen through cleverness or human effort, but God used His Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and faithful followers to spread the best news ever heard!

Sadly, some people today are suspicious of of churches that reproduce new believers, new groups and new churches, thinking that they must only be growing because of gimmicks or watering down the Scriptures. Some even believe that "normal" is hanging on and surviving rather than "thriving"

While the early church was persecuted and suffered much, "thriving" and "reproducing" was NORMAL. A quick look at Acts reminds us of this:

Acts 1:15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)

Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

Acts 5:14 ...more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

Acts 6:7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria... grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 11:21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Acts 11:24 ... a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Acts 13:49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.

Acts 16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Acts 18:8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

Acts 19:10 ...all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 19:20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

I fervently believe that God's desire is for every faithful church to be fruitful and reproductive. Some will grow faster. Some may grow larger - but every church has the potential to make new disciples who make other new disciples. Some will help new churches to grow with their faithful mission gifts. Others will plant new churches themselves. All can reflect and live out God's mission heart "all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."