METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA - Online Study Bible

Acts 2:41 “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 6:1 “In those days when the number of disciples was
increasing (multiplying).”
Acts 6:7 “The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased
(multiplied) rapidly.”
Acts 9:31 “the church…grew in numbers, living in the fear of the
Lord.”
Acts 16:5 “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and
grew daily in numbers.”
ii. This kind of growth continues to be mentioned in Paul’s
letters.
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every
way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the
whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which
it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the
body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephes. 4:15-16
(ESV)
2. Qualitative Growth – what does God’s Word say?
i “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. In addition,
awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were
being done through the apostles. Moreover, all who believed
were together and had all things in common. In addition, they
were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing
the proceeds to all, as any had need. Moreover, day by day,
attending the temple together and breaking bread in their
homes, they received their food with glad and generous
hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And
the Lord added to their number day by day those who were
being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
ii. Then there is all the teaching found in the Epistles on the quality
of life of new believers and its importance.
3. Organic or Infrastructural Growth – what does God’s Word say?
Organic growth must accompany quantitative growth as seen in
the early Church’s amazing growth.
“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a
complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their
widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. Moreover, the
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