The Growth Of A Church Of God

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Category: General | Jun 1970

"The church ... had peace, being edified (built up); and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied" (Acts 9.31).

Churches of God grow when they are in a right condition within, and when they evangelize among those outside. The scripture quoted is a great help to us in understanding such spiritual growth. We read four things concerning the church throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria.

First, they had peace. There was no strife among them. They were of one heart and soul, and God had given them peace. Peace is the first requisite in the growth of a church of God. Peace is not merely an absence of strife, it is unity of heart, and without this unity, true spiritual growth is impossible. There is no doubt whatever that the source of this unity is the Spirit of God working in humble hearts. Pride and self-seeking will wither any work of God. Only those who dwell habitually in the secret place of the Most High can attain to true unity of heart. This work of the Spirit in our hearts is so vital to our service that we should examine our lives and motives lest we labour in vain and lose our reward at the Judgement-seat of Christ. Secondly, they were edified. They were built up by Spirit-given ministry. An assembly of God may starve spiritually for lack of the word of the Lord ministered in the power of the Spirit of the Lord. Dull and unedifying ministry may be the cause of young disciples falling away and drifting off to the world for lack of spiritual food. "Feed My lambs ... tend My sheep ... feed My sheep", said the Chief Shepherd to Simon Peter. That word is spoken also to every shepherd in every assembly of God. Failure to feed the lambs and sheep will cause great loss in the Day of Christ. The spiritual health of the disciples depends much on the spiritual food they receive in the assembly gatherings. Let us see that ministry is fresh, in the power of the Holy Spirit. We must be anointed with fresh oil (Psalm 92.10). Dull ministry will deaden, but Spirit-given words cause reviving. Thirdly, they walked in the fear of the Lord. This fear is disappearing in the world today, and moral corruption is taking its place. Let us fear God, for the fear of the LORD is clean (Psalm 19.9). This wholesome fear may become less in us if we spend much time with worldly magazines, and with radio and television. These things gradually mould our thoughts to the shape of things around us. The god of this w6rld is chiefly concerned to remove the fear of God from the minds of men and he will do it with us if he can. Let us be on our guard. Let us not fail to set apart the Lord's day for the Lord's service, as much as in us lies. Let us give Him the due portion of our income, as a token that all that we have received is His. Let us keep out of our homes all questionable books and magazines. Let us eschew unseemly and frivolous talk. Let us be upright and true in all our dealings. Let us fear the Lord, and knowing His fear we can then persuade men (2 Corinthians 5.11).

Lastly, they had the comfort of the Holy Spirit. There can be no joy, and no growth in an assembly of God, without the Spirit's fulness and power. Let us seek this. Let us yield ourselves to God for His service. Let us abound in thanksgiving. Let us rejoice in the Lord. Let us come to the prayer meeting, and to the Remembrance to take part as we are led of God. Let us pray much for others, as the word says, "for all men" (1 Timothy 2.1). Let us not be circumscribed and self-centred in prayer, but in large-heartedness pray for all the churches of God, and also for all who are fellow members in Christ. Let us pray for those who languish in prison camps, and those who are tortured for Christ's sake. All His members are dear to Christ and they should be dear to us also.

And thus, dealing in peace and being edified by Spirit-given ministry, walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, disciples will be multiplied in our day also.

G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Jun 1970
General