Healthy, Growing Churches (4)

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 6.7

Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles 14
John Chrysostom (344-407)
“In Jerusalem the number increased. It is wonderful that where Christ was slain, there the preaching increased! Not only did it not happen that some people were offended in the case of Ananias, but the awe became even greater; all the while some were flogged, others threatening, others tempting the Spirit and others murmuring. Notice, if you please, under what circumstances the number increased. It was after the trials—not before—that the number increased. And see how great is the mercy of God. The chief priests who were shouting such things, who were indignant, highly vexed, who said, ‘he saved others. He cannot save himself.’ It was from the ranks of these that many [priests], it says, ‘were obedient to the faith.’”

Those sufferings and other trials prepared the church in Jerusalem for its greatest test. Doubtless, as disquiet increased among the members of Christ’s Body, many outsiders were saying to one another, “Now we’ll see this fraud exposed for what it is. How delightful it will be to watch as these Christians tear themselves apart.” But it didn’t happen. Led by their shepherds, the church worked hard to maintain its unity and overcome the situation that threatened to divide them. And the result of such visible, practical unity, was that the Word of God spread, the number of disciples multiplied greatly, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. Just as Jesus had promised, not their preaching, not their apologetics, not their endurance through suffering, not their scorn of threats, but their unity broke the back of unbelief among the most hardened of Christ’s detractors (Jn. 17.21). If only we worked as hard at unity as these first Christians, what miracles of Gospel advance, Kingdom progress, and fruitful harvest might we know!

If we continue to ignore the call to work hard at maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4.3), do you think we can expect increase of the Word, increase of disciples, and progress of the Kingdom in our community? Explain.

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The work of ministry is what saints are being equipped for, and which they do in the “as-you-are-goings” of their lives. But the flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I will show you how to make this ministry work in your church.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Quotations from Church Fathers are from the Ancient Christian Commentary Series, published by InterVarsity Press.