The record of the local church in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Could you map out the growth of the church and especially the local church from the Bible? Well the Book of the Acts of the Apostles records this growth of the infant church. If one were to take the time and read through the book and write down each time that Luke recorded this growth, we would have a table of the development of the church. I have done this and recorded the findings below. As we read through this table the exponential growth of the infant church stands out.

The beginning and development of the local early Church:

• On the Day of Pentecost, it stated that there were 120 baptised with the Holy Spirit, who became part of the Jerusalem Church: Acts 2:14
• Then after Peter’s preaching 3000 people more were added: Acts 2:41
• A little later, Luke recorded that this local church had grown to 5000: Acts 4:4
• Although, this church was loosely structured, it displayed evidence of it acting as an established local church. In the first place there was a humble relationship of love, companionship, the teaching of the Apostles and collaboration: Acts 2:42-47
• Then we read of other local churches that started throughout Judea (southern Israel): Gal 1:22; 1 Thess 2:14
• One local church had also sprung up in the region of Samaria (middle Israel) and possibly in other villages as well: Acts 8:1-25
• Luke also recorded one having started in Syrian Antioch, which became Paul’s home base for his continual training and missionary journeys: Acts 11:20-30; 31:41; 18:22.

On account of his and other’s efforts, local churches were also established in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Spain and many other areas of the Mediterranean world. The media would tell us that the church is dying today. However, Jesus made a promise and He is good for His Word even to this very day and into the future. That is,

“And I (Jesus) tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18 ESV).

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…