The Church Grew During Peace, Not Persecution

The Church Grew During Peace, Not Persecution

I was under the impression that the early church multiplied because of persecution. Today, I read one verse in Acts, that caused me to go back and re-look at what I thought I knew.

So the CHURCH throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had PEACE and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it MULTIPLIED - Acts 9:31 (emphasis added)

The Church points to unity ---- one Body, despite different locations (Judea, Galilee & Samaria). They had PEACE, instead of persecution. Result: Multiplication.

Look at Acts 2 and 5 and you will find the same thing.

So continuing daily with ONE ACCORD in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord ADDED to the church daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:46-47 (emphasis added)

Again we see unity here ---- one Accord. This was before any persecution. It was peace time. Result: Growth.

And they were all with ONE ACCORD in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were INCREASINGLY ADDED to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, - Acts 5:12-14 (emphasis added)

Again we see unity here ---- one Accord. This was before the great persecution arose in Acts 8.

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples MULTIPLIED greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. - Acts 6:7 (emphasis added)

The church continued to multiply greatly as they served together (Acts 6:1-7).

During the great persecution in Acts 8, the disciples were scattered. It was difficult to multiply greatly.

While persecutions strengthened the early church, it was unity and peace that resulted in multiplication. There is power in community and togetherness!