Rev. Solomon Bodhan

World population is growing, and so is the population of our country. But is the church in India growing apace? Present at the Last Supper with Jesus were just twelve disciples. In Acts chapter 2 the number is described as having grown to 120. Soon it rose to 3000 (Acts 2:41). And after (Acts 4:4) it swelled to 5000.

We see the early church on the move. A moving church is a living church. Our Lord Jesus commanded His church to go out and witness to those not in the fold. But too often we stick to our own little groups, live in our own little ghettos.

In the Bible we can find five good reasons for the growth of the early church.

First, waiting and praying. Jesus asked the disciples to 'tarry' at Jerusalem till they had received the power of the Holy Spirit. But the church of today knows so little of waiting. Activities, yes! But waiting on God-that's almost a foreign exercise. The church is enlisting the aid of modern technology-electronic media and other gadgets-in order to carry out its business. That's great, but the Holy Spirit does not come down on empty microphones and tape-recorders. He does empower the people behind them-if they will but hunger for Him. God's priority is every people-the human resources can vary greatly. "Not by might not by power, but my Spirit' is ever a word in season for us.

Second, the preaching of the gospel. Christ's command to the disciples was plain. No mincing of words. Go; proclaim the good news by word of mouth. Yet we find a debate going on in certain quarters.

Will not 'living the gospel ' suffice? The moment we call ourselves Christians, we are under obligation to live the gospel. There's no getting away from that. But more than that, we need to open our mouths and confess Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord. Some of us do not want to make the gospel known because we are afraid. Rest of us do not know how to share the gospel. We need to learn how to do it. We need to give heed to Christ's command to engage in the verbal proclamation of the gospel.

Third, miracles. The preaching of the gospel was backed by miracles. As the apostles preached, God performed miracles through them. In Acts 3 the lame man was healed, and later many others were healed (Acts 5:15). God's power authenticated the words of his followers. Physical healings take place even today. Our missionaries regularly report miracles of physical healing at their mission stations. The Holy Spirit is at work! A word of caution though. We do well to bear in mind the order of priority given in Psalm 103:3. "He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.”

Fourth, opposition. The apostles experienced opposition. The temple guards, Sadducees, rulers, elders, scribes and Annas the High Priestall these were against the preaching of the gospel. The church has ever experienced opposition. This is nothing strange. In fact, we ought to expect it. Jesus taught plainly: "You will be handed to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me" (Mt. 24:9).

Fifth, believers' support. The disciples had a fellowship of believers to under-gird them and support them. They could share their experiences with a group that really cared for them and were concerned about them. We too need such support units. These could be our fellow-workers on the field or our prayer bands or our sending agencies. The sending mission is responsible for providing pastoral care, prayer and financial support for those out on the frontline. Our missionaries, just like ourselves, are human, and it is our responsibility to see that their needs are met and to make them feel that they are accepted and loved by their home churches and sending agencies.

The example of the New Testament church which grew and multiplied can well be repeated in our day if we will learn to wait on God, to proclaim the good news, to believe God for miracles, to face opposition, and to provide fellowship for our workers in the field.