[Acts 4:23-24, 29-37 KJV] “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet”.
We want to explore some of the factors that lead to supernatural church growth as was experienced in the early church. From this story we can identify four major forces behind this supernatural church growth.
1. Prayer without ceasing:
The early church prayed and prayed and prayed. They lived a life of prayer and they won even over threatening life situations.
2. Depending on the hand of God:
They desired to see the hand of God at work. They were filled with the Holy Ghost. They waited and prayed until they were filled with the Holy Ghost. They depended on the hand of God. They knew that without the outstretched hand of God, no miracles or healings will take place.
3. They went out and spoke boldly when they were filled with the Holy Ghost:
The early church was not timid; they did not apologise for their faith, they spoke more boldly.
4. Those who believed were of one heart and one soul:
Unity of purpose and of souls is a key force to church growth. Those who believed were together. Can we be of one heart and one mind too?
5. They sold assets and gave selflessly to the church to meet needs:
A major force to supernatural church growth and possessing of cities is selfless giving.
Stay blessed; I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako
