Church Growth - New Testament Style

Since its creation and establishment by Christ, the church has faced persecution of all kinds.  Even Christ himself stated to his disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33) and that this world will hate them because they are his disciples (John 15:18).  Persecution has not been a stranger to the church.  And yet, the church has continued to grow in the face of overwhelming odds.  This is church growth, New Testament style.

This week we will be studying Acts 12:20-25 where a gruesome story of pride on the part of Herod results in his painful death.  Herod was an enemy of the church, attempting to destroy the Christians by killing off its leadership.  But this is nothing new to the early church.

In the words of Jerome, a church father from the second century,

“The church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, not by inflicting it.  Persecutions have made it grow; martyrdoms have crowned it.”

In the midst of this persecution God’s sovereign hand is working.  The gospel message continues to be spread, the church continues to multiply, and the enemies of God are thwarted once again.  The church cannot be defeated because God does not leave his people.  God is always there, always working, always active. 

What does this mean for us as the church of God today?  What does this passage teach us about our reaction to the persecution the church experiences today and in the future?  May we prayerfully be prepared for God’s word to speak to us this week.