Holy WarsSola ScripturaTags: Church Growth Movement, Sola
Scriptura, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Reformation, Early Church, filling of the Holy
Spirit
Sola
Scriptura – What the Bible Says About Growth
Consequently,
“’Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from
thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad
tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good
fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.’” (Matt 7:15-20 MKJV) God’s
Word clearly indicates that it is the pastor's job to take care of his congregation and
that he should allow God to take care of the growth rather than trusting in formulas for
success. Jesus’ command to Peter was “’Feed my Lambs’” and
“’Take care of my Sheep.’” (Jn 21: 15-18 NIV) Church growth is
God’s concern. It is the shepherd’s business to minister to the flock. Therefore
the Apostle Paul wrote, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor
he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (I Cor 3:6-79 NIV) The problem here is not that there is
biblical silence regarding how churches should grow. The biblical lesson is quite evident.
Growth comes as a result of Christians living as Christians while doing the things
Christians should do through the power of the Holy Spirit. The prescription for biblical
church growth was detailed with exactness by Luke who penned, “And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in
prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the
apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their
possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 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 2:42-47 MKJV) What
made the early church grow? The same things that made the Biblical Church grow for the
next 2,000 years. These early Christians were instructed in the Word as they met, they
fellowshipped together, they prayed, they witnessed God’s power and depended upon it,
they were generous, they met together in their homes, and they praised God. They did the
work of ministry.
“When
the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the
blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were
sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on
each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4 NIV) It was then that Peter preached
that great and inspirational message where 3,000 were saved. The
filling of the Holy Spirit for ministry remained consistent for the rest of the story of
the As the Book of Acts clearly demonstrates,
it is God’s job to grow the church. The main biblical marketing tool of the church,
therefore, is evangelism that ushers out of the work of God’s Holy Spirit. It is
through living the Christian life while sharing Christ with others that the church grows.
(Matt 28:18-20) And that growth is the result of something actually productive –
bringing souls to Christ. If you liked this CLICK HERE or call Author House @ 888.280.7715 to purchase a soft or hard cover copy of Don Wigton's book "Holy Wars" upon which this blog is based.Click Here to purchase the E-book edition for only 99 cents!
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Copyright © 1999 Don Wigton. All rights reserved.
he call of Martin Luther and John Calvin’s Reformation was
Scripture and Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura). The foundation of this book likewise is
Scripture and it is Scripture upon which it rests. If you are looking for graphs and
demographics, the Church Growth Movement has plenty of that to go around. However, if you
are looking for the guidance of Scripture and Scripture alone, then you have come to the
right place. With that in mind, this book contends that the very premise of the Church
Growth Movement is wrong because it is founded on ideas that are in direct contradiction
with the Bible.
Check out this powerful Southern Cross song! 
