This is the second part of an article which appeared in the Christian Courier of May 1982. It was written by Wayne Jackson who also edited the paper. It was published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California.
The Kingdom Explosion - As one examines the record of the founding and growth of the first century church, he cannot but be stunned by the explosive nature of those events. Note the following.
On the day of Pentecost some three thousand souls were ushered into the kingdom of God (Acts 2:41) and subsequently, day by day others were added to that number (2:47). Soon the number of men was five thousand (4:4) and, "believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women" (5:14). The apostles were presently charged with having, "filled Jerusalem" with the gospel (5:28). So the, "number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly" with even a great company of priests obeying the faith (6:7). Before long, persecution came and the disciples were scattered abroad but they went about preaching the word and so the gospel went into Samaria where great multitudes gave heed to its precepts (8:4-5). In Acts 8 the saving word was dispatched to Ethiopia in Africa by means of the conversion of the eunuch and in Acts 9, in connection with Saul's conversion, we discover that Christianity had already been planted in Damascus, Syria (cf. 9:10). In Acts 9:31 there is evidence that the church had spread throughout, "all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria."
The Gentiles are introduced to the Christian message in Acts 10 and in the latter part of chapter eleven, the word goes into Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch (Syria) with a, "great number" turning to the Lord (11:21). Again, in Acts 12:24, "the word of God grew and multiplied."
The missionary endeavors of Paul commence in Acts 13. He and Barnabas take the gospel to Cyprus and then on to Asia Minor where many coverts were made (cf. 14:21). On the second missionary campaign (15:40ff) Paul again forged westward, along with Silas (and later Luke and Timothy), where in Asia Minor, "churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily" (16:5). In Acts 16 the kingdom spreads into Europe and the Christian system burns like a fire out of control; great multitudes are led to the truth (cf. 17:4) and presently the disciples are accused of having, "turned the world upside down" (17:6). On and on they went. As Paul says, "Their sound went out into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world" (Romans 10:18).
The Dinvine Explanation - How does one explain this remarkable expansion of primitive Christianity? Any attempt to view it in the light of strictly natural basis is doomed to failure. The growth of the kingdom of Jesus Christ can only be explained on the basis of its divine origin! Let us consider several aspects of this matter.
1. Doubtless multitudes were converted to the Christ because of the love that was manifest at the cross. In a world that is enslaved by sin and weighed with guilt, the message of forgivness through the death of Jesus Christ just has to be the most thrilling message of history. The gospel has thus found a happy home in millions of honest hearts.
2. Christianity would never have gotten off the ground had it not been for the demonstration of the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The church of God stands or falls on whether or not Christ was raised from the dead. If He was not, our faith and preaching are in vain. We are yet in our sins and of all men, we are most pitiable (I Corinthians 15:14ff). But the truth is, Jesus was resurrected and so, by the resurrection, declared to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4). The great classical scholar Thomas Arnold (1795-1842), who served as Professor of Modern History at Oxford, once characterized the Lord's resurrection as the, "best attested fact in human history" (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, IV, p. 2569).
3. Many were won to the cause of Christ because of the loving benevolence of the early saints. When the need arose, they generously cared for one another (cf. Acts 2:44-45; 11:29). Jesus had said that their love for each other would identify them as His disciples (John 13:35) and the power of that love was infectious.
4. The unity of doctrine was certainly an attractive element of Christianity. The Lord has fervently prayed that all of His disciples might be "one." The effect of this would be, "that the world may believe that thou didst send Me" (John 17:21). It is not without significance that the church experienced its greatest period of growth when, "the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul" (Acts 4:32). Religious division, contrary to the doctrine (Romans 16:17) has been a woeful curse upon the Lord's cause. Those who applaud it, promote it and support it are worse than those who initially crucified the Son of God.
5. Purity of morals was a unique feature of the Lord's church as it stood in stark contrast to the sordid filth of the ancient pagan religions. Thousands were revolted by the lasciviousness of the heathen systems and so sought relief in the refreshing spiritual climate of the Savior's people.
6. The serenity of spirit characteristic of the early Christians must have been a source of wonder to many. How were they able to sweetly endure persecution? How could they bless even their enemies? What source of strength did they have? Surely this must have aroused the interest of many.
Yes, the kingdom of Jesus Christ, from a seemingly insignificant beginning became a great and powerful force to be reckoned with in this world. May each of us do our part to see that it continues so!
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