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

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the Church as a living, growing body of believers is a central theme in the New Testament. The Church is not merely a static institution but a dynamic community continually expanded by the sovereign work of the Lord. This growth is both spiritual and numerical, as God Himself adds to the number of those who are being saved.

Biblical Foundation

The Book of Acts provides a vivid portrayal of the early Church's expansion. 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 divine initiative in the growth of the Church. It is the Lord who adds to the Church, underscoring the belief that salvation and church membership are acts of divine grace.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the expansion of the Church. In Acts 1:8 , Jesus promises His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The empowerment by the Holy Spirit enables believers to witness effectively, leading to the conversion and addition of new members to the Church.

The Apostolic Preaching

The preaching of the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is instrumental in the growth of the Church. Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, resulted in about three thousand souls being added to the Church (Acts 2:41). The apostolic message centered on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, calling people to repentance and faith.

Community and Fellowship

The early Church was characterized by a strong sense of community and fellowship, which attracted others to join. Acts 2:42 describes the believers as devoted "to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This communal life, marked by love and unity, served as a powerful testimony to the surrounding world.

Persecution and Growth

Interestingly, persecution often led to the further growth of the Church. Acts 8:1-4 recounts how the persecution following Stephen's martyrdom resulted in believers being scattered, yet they "preached the word wherever they went." This dispersion led to the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, fulfilling Jesus' command to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.

The Sovereignty of God

The continual addition of believers to the Church underscores the sovereignty of God in salvation. John 6:44 records Jesus saying, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." This divine drawing is a testament to God's initiative in bringing individuals to faith and incorporating them into the body of Christ.

The Church's Mission

The Church's mission is to make disciples of all nations, as commanded in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This mission involves evangelism, teaching, and baptizing, with the assurance that Christ is with His Church always. As believers faithfully carry out this mission, the Lord continues to add to their number.

Conclusion

The Church, as the body of Christ, is a living organism that grows through the divine work of the Lord. This growth is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, the faithful preaching of the Gospel, and the vibrant community life of believers. Despite challenges and persecution, the Church continues to expand, fulfilling its mission to be a light to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 2:27
Because you will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 5:14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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