Church growth principles in the book of acts outline

The record from the book of acts couldnt be clearer. It might appropriately be called some of the acts of some of the apostles since it does not try to describe all of the acts of all the apostles. Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. 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. There is real and needed place for organization in the church.

But the reason this church experienced such remarkable growth was not that the leaders employed the. To prove this point, let us take a quick look at church growth in the book of acts, with a special view to the church in jerusalem. 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. The exemplars discussed here, though not exhaustive, may. Pdf evangelism and church growth in the book of acts. A history of the early church gene taylor2an outline of the book i. The book of acts church of christ in zion, illinois. 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. The growth of the first century church was both spectacular and constant 1. In order to ascertain the purpose of the book of acts, we must start with the realization that acts is the second part of a two part work. This is a theologically solid, albeit basic, survey of church growth principles. Acts of the apostles 4 imprisonment in rome are 6062 a.

In some cases, rainer was prophetic, anticipating what church life would be like in the 21st century. Persecution arose at jerusalem, and the disciples had to leave for safety. Later, believers were the more added to the lord, multitudes both of men and women acts 5. 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. In some cases, rainer was prophetic, anticipating what church life would be like in the. The book of acts is a vital link between the gospels and the epistles. Stay tuned for second half of this post where we will address 5 more key principles of church planting from the book of acts. Phil sanders, instructor 4 nsop church growth, fall 2003 a study of the growth of the church in early church history acts 2. Church growth, church growth principles, church growth factors. Rather, the focus is clearly on some of the acts or deeds of mostly peter the key figure in. Frank stagg has described the book of acts as the story of an unhindered gospel. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a.

Principles of church growth second edition paul young publications of paul young. Acts records the beginnings of the church and reveals the steps one must obey to become a christian. As we study this book we find sound principles of church growth and see the way in which temptation and trials are overcome by the grace of god. 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. Even with persecution designed to stop growth, the number of believers grew 9.

Fee and stuart helpfully outline six general principles for interpreting historical narratives in order to get at whether luke is describing or prescribing. As the saying goes, you plan the work and work the plan. To my knowledge, however, no church growth book with a complete focus on acts has been written. Phil sanders, instructor 1 nsop church growth, fall 2003 syllabus for church growth the study of church growth encompasses both a study of scripture and the methods of our time that lead to spiritual and numerical growth of the kingdom of god. 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. If the book was just before or after pauls release, then it was likely written around 63 a.

What originally appeared as one work was separated in our bible by the church fathers in order to. Acts of the apostles executable outline study resources. 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. The design of his book revolves around 1 key persons. 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.

Verse 42 lists four of the activities to which the church devoted itself. Whereas the old testament depicts evangelism as people coming to god, the lucan perspective demonstrates that gods servants will go to his people. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what was. Good leadership will develop a good plan for growth and how to use new members and existing members in the work of the church. They see the book of acts as a church planting manual drawing a number of principles that can be useful today such as holy spirit, leadership and training, vision, prayer, cultural differences. A witness is somebody who tells what he has seen and heard acts 4. Divine empowerment of the early church movement and rapid growth in the apostolic age exegetical analysis of the book of acts xavier becerra using an aspect of exegetical sociorhetorical criticism, this paper identifies four principles of empowerment found within the book of acts in chapters 1, 2, 4, 6 and 15 that are very different. Commission there will be a tremendous increase in church growth.

Church growth statements in the book of acts barnes bible charts 2. Its initial chapters describe the churchs founding and early years. 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. Paul and the early church were not at odds with the laws of the old testament. Share with a person who will keep you accountable and pray for you. The book of acts tells the story of the beginning of the church of jesus christ. Greens evangelism in the early church,l the subjects of evangelism and church growth in the book of acts have been unaccountably neglected in recent years. Acts shows what the early church believed and practiced. Acts syllabus and course overview ministry development. Purpose of the book as indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist. The book of acts contains important information for all today. From a small group of persecuted refugees, the church in antioch saw large numbers of people come to christ. David shenk and ervin stutzman write extensively in their book creating communities of the kingdom about the importance of acts for church planting.

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. This is an especially crucial matter to the hermeneutics of the historical narratives, 126 like the book of acts. The life and travels of the apostle paul are followed. Commonly called the acts of the apostles, it is simply titled acts in some of the oldest manuscripts. At nearly twenty years of age, the book has become dated in places, yet many principles still apply. Principles of church growth from the book of acts bontrager, edwin on. Jesus had shown himself alive by many proofs for 40 days. We will accent what builds scriptural churches, not what inflates by human ingenuity.

The book of acts the church of christ in zion, illinois. When strong members remember their duty toward the weak a. Philips only requirement was that the man believe the message philip proclaimed to him. Professor of new testament studies acadia divinity college, wolfville, nova scotia.

By juxtaposing evangelism and church growth in that era of the church to evangelism and church growth in the contemporary church. Interpretation through the exegesis of acts 1 and 2. Witness is a key word in the book of acts and is used twentynine times as either a verb or a noun. In fact, three times luke underscores the large numbers 11. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark. Within the acts of the apostoloi there are theoretical and practical exemplars which the contemporary church may pattern to navigate a pathway to fruitful evangelism and sustainable growth. I am sure there were many factors, probably some that we have no way of knowing of today. Rainer green valley baptist church birmingham, al 35226 wth the exception of m. The acts of peter and philip the evangelist are recorded here as well.

It can happen today principles of church growth from the. We know the first part of this work as the gospel of luke. Church growth church growth is a very popular topic that even nonchristians heard of this term before. This article presents the concept of church growth alongside evangelism mainly in the book of acts. The acts of the apostles the book of acts acts provides an eyewitness account of the early beginnings of the church and gives an accurate record of the birth and growth of the christian church life application study bible, 1991. Moreover, acts is the connecting link between christs life and. Dec 11, 2009 pauls church planting principles using the book of acts introduction the working of the holy spirit and the expansion of gods kingdom from jerusalem, judea, and samaria and to the ends of earth called for a radical transformation not just in apostle pauls life but to the direction of mission as a whole.

In the past, people looked to the west for examples of growing a church. The book of acts is the only historical record of the birth and early days following christs establishing his church. Church growth 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. But the reason this church experienced such remarkable growth was not that the leaders employed the latest church growth principles. Outline of the book of acts floral heights church of christ.

For an example of one church growth writers use of acts, see c. The five most important church growth principles by gary. So, when you see god bless your church with growth, dont be surprised to experience resistance, sometimes even from within. Without this historical record, little would be known about the expansion of the church. Amershamon the hill, eng scripture press, 1987, c1986 bv3790. And he will grow his church as we apply the biblical churchgrowth principles we see in the book of acts. The book of acts is a key historical record of what the early church believed and practiced. Lyle schaller, considered one of the best church consultants in the world, states in his book, the very large church, that the two most comfortable church sizes are under 45 people and under 150 people, likely making them two of the hardest thresholds to pass through, in addition to the 800 mark. Feb 04, 2012 even with persecution designed to stop growth, the number of believers grew 9.

The book of acts records the amazing growth in spite of huge obstacles after the disciples were filled. Oct 18, 2012 lyle schaller, considered one of the best church consultants in the world, states in his book, the very large church, that the two most comfortable church sizes are under 45 people and under 150 people, likely making them two of the hardest thresholds to pass through, in addition to the 800 mark. Amershamonthehill, eng scripture press, 1987, c1986 bv3790. It is a truth of god which leads his church to spread his good news, plant church after church, and increase his body1977, p. If we were to employ these same factors, we too, can have church growth. Applying church growth principles for effective ministry in the seventhday adventist church. Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the second part of a great twovolume work on jesus christ and the early christians. Evangelism and church growth are inexorably linked by a directly proportional relationship in the book of acts, so that, as evangelism was practiced, the church grew. Recently however, people shifted to the east as well for examples of church growth. 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.