THE FIRST CENTURY ECCLESIA ECCLESIAL GROWTH

“Progress reports” Acts 2:41-47 Acts 5:14 Acts 6:7 Acts 9:31

Essential ingredients for growth Prayer (Acts 2:42) Unity, “one accord” (Acts 1:14, 2:46) Doctrine (Acts 2:42) Fellowship (Acts 2:42) Steadfastness (Acts 2:42) Gladness (Acts 2:46) Singleness of heart (Acts 2:47) Preached everywhere (Acts 11:19) Established in the faith (Acts 16:5)

Establishing new ecclesias Preachers (e.g. Paul) travelled more widely. Builders (e.g. Timothy, Titus) stayed behind to establish the ecclesias and ordained elders (Titus 1:5). After a period of months or at the most several years the ecclesia was then able to do their own preaching in their area and function independently (1 Thess 1:8). This allowed the preachers and builders to focus on other new areas.

Growing ecclesias It should be the aim of both the ecclesias and those involved in establishing them for the ecclesias to grow and function independently (Ephesians 2:21). Where there is a reasonable size ecclesia they should not be dependent on support or direction from those in another place

Personal growth leads to ecclesial growth All of us are called to grow to become more like Christ The purpose of an ecclesia is to support the growth of its individual members If individuals and families grow the ecclesia as a whole will grow

Discussion activity Discuss the growth of the following early believers from the time of their calling and through what is recorded of them in Acts and the epistles Peter John Mark James the brother of Jesus The apostle Paul

Ecclesias grow through trials – don't give up Problem: Peter and John threatened by the rulers Answer: God strengthened the ecclesia and they spoke with boldness (Acts 4:31-33) Problem: Apostles imprisoned Answer: Released by an angel and spoke in the temple (Acts 5:41-42) Problem: Saul makes havoc of the ecclesia Answer: Gospel spreads through Israel and beyond (Acts 8) Problem: Saul goes to Damascus Answer: Saul converted (Acts 9)