---

The phrase of the text, or its equivalent, is found five times in the Acts, and in connection with circumstances which throw considerable light on the laws of Church increase.

I. THE BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT (Acts 2:47). The power of the Holy Ghost is the fundamental condition. Without this there can be no life, and therefore no growth. This is the supreme ministerial qualification, and is essential for the conviction and conversion of hearers, and for the constant quickening of the Church.

II. THE PURIFICATION OF THE CHURCH (Acts 5:14). All the gifts that were poured into the Church treasury might have been vitiated by the presence of Ananias and Sapphira. Achan's presence troubled Israel, and Jonah's the mariners, so the Church sometimes suffers through its neglect of discipline. Better to brave the anger of the rich and influential than that the Word of God should be bound.

III. FULL CONSECRATION TO MINISTERIAL WORK (Acts 6:7). We can well believe how the apostles were hampered by undertaking all the minute details of Church administration, and how a progressive impulse would be given when laymen were found work to do. Would that congregations would see how growth is necessarily hindered when ministers are overburdened. Whatever interferes with pulpit efficiency assuredly interferes with the progress of the work of God. A thoughtful and cooperative laity is much to be desired.

IV. PROVIDENT INTERPOSITIONS FAVOURABLE TO THE CHURCH (chap. Acts 12:24). Peter was miraculously delivered from prison and Herod as miraculously removed. When hindrances are taken away, and gospel agencies liberated, no wonder the "Word of God grows and multiplies." Providence often interposes now in the opening of hitherto closed doors, and in the liberation of men and money for the work. Yet how often are these interpositions allowed to pass by unheeded! What are our commercial supremacy and colonial extension, the progress of the cause of liberty and toleration on the Continent, the results of travel and enterprise, etc., but so many providential interferences in favour of the gospel?

V. DARING AGGRESSION. It was a bold thing to attack Ephesus at all, but encouraged by the capture of an outpost, the apostle marched on the very citadel. Here, as almost everywhere, courage was justified by success. Cautious timidity is the very worst policy with such a resolute foe as the devil, and such a scornful foe as the world. From the time of Paul downwards the Church's victories have been won by men who did not know what impossibility meant, but who, trusting in God, feared nothing and expected everything. Conclusion: These conditions of growth were all fulfilled here.

1. The baptism of the Spirit (ver. 6).

2. The purification of the Church (ver. 9).

3. Full ministerial devotion (Acts 20:18-20).

4. Providential interpositions — John's disciples; the school of Tyrannus.

(J. W. Burn.)

---

---

KJV: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

WEB: So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.