Topical Bible: Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the church as a growing body of believers is a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting the dynamic and living nature of the Christian community. This growth is attributed to the divine work of the Lord, who continually adds to the number of those being saved. The early church, as described in the Book of Acts, serves as a foundational example of this divine expansion.

Biblical Foundation

The Book of Acts provides a vivid account of the early church's growth. Acts 2:47 states, "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." This passage highlights the dual nature of church growth: the believers' active participation in worship and community life, and the Lord's sovereign role in adding to their number.

Divine Initiative

The growth of the church is primarily seen as a work of God. It is the Lord who opens hearts and draws individuals to Himself. In Acts 16:14 , we read about Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened to respond to Paul's message. This divine initiative underscores the belief that salvation and church growth are ultimately acts of God's grace and power.

Human Responsibility

While the Lord is the one who adds to the church, human responsibility is also emphasized. The early believers were devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). Their commitment to these practices created an environment conducive to growth, as they lived out their faith in tangible ways that attracted others.

Evangelism and Witness

The early church's growth was also fueled by evangelism and witness. Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands believers to "go and make disciples of all nations." The apostles and early Christians took this mandate seriously, spreading the gospel message with boldness and conviction. Acts 1:8 records Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit would empower them to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Persecution and Growth

Interestingly, persecution often served as a catalyst for growth. Acts 8:1-4 describes how the scattering of believers due to persecution led to the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem. This dispersion resulted in the establishment of new communities of faith, demonstrating how God can use even adverse circumstances to further His purposes.

Unity and Diversity

The early church was marked by a remarkable unity, as believers were "one in heart and mind" (Acts 4:32). This unity was not uniformity, as the church was also diverse, comprising Jews and Gentiles, men and women, rich and poor. The inclusion of diverse groups was a testament to the unifying power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit in breaking down barriers.

Conclusion

The continual addition of believers to the church is a testament to the living and active presence of the Lord among His people. Through divine initiative, human responsibility, evangelism, and even persecution, the church has grown and continues to grow, fulfilling its mission to be a light to the nations.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
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Acts 5:14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
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Acts 11:24
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added to the Lord.
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Library

On Sin in Believers
... notwithstanding, acknowledged by the inspired writers to be believers. And they
are continually exhorted to fight with and ... in the angel of the church of ephesus ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 13 on sin in.htm

The Theory of the Church, and the History of Its Perversion.
... assumed the name of Catholics were continually dwelling upon ... indwelling of the Spirit
in all believers the Church ... since so much disfigured the Church was yet ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter xiii the theory of.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... should be chosen from the body of believers, and presented ... the three holy offices
which were to be continually handed down and perpetuated in the Church. ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm

The Gospel Message in Antioch
... things came unto the ears of the church which was ... were added to the number of believers
there. ... Continually they were recounting the incidents that had occurred ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 16 the gospel message.htm

The Doctrine of the Apostolic Church
... discourses He honoured the Scriptures by continually quoting from ... ever;" [195:3]
they describe believers as trusting ... the existing rulers of the Church to frame ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the doctrine of.htm

The Holy Catholic Church.
... who were commonly spoken of as "Believers" or "The ... way multitudes were brought into
the Church on the day ... S. Paul and S. Barnabas continually admitted converts ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ix the holy catholic.htm

The Christian Church
... which arose out of the former lives of believers; it is ... THE HOPE OF THE CHURCH. ... the
Old Testament had two great thoughts which they continually presented, namely ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ix the christian church.htm

From the First Chapter.
... which is to come."] He is, because He endures continually; He was ... us." Therefore
in these seven churches, of one Catholic Church are believers, because it ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the first chapter.htm

The Catholic Apostolic Church (Called Irvingites. )
... a considerable number of persons had become believers, another and ... It is his office
to stand continually at his ... to the original law of the Church as defined by ...
/.../ 113 the catholic apostolic.htm

So Likewise Ye, when Ye Shall have done all those Things
... in repentance, and in repentance ought continually to increase ... still, when He grants
it to believers for Christ's sake ... as also the prayers of the Church ask that ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 10 so likewise ye.htm