The Success of the Early Church

Introduction
Scripture portrays a church that multiplied in adversity: “the word of God grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24). From Pentecost onward (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4; Acts 6:7), we learn why the early church succeeded and how those same graces can shape us today.

A People Bound by Deep Love
The earliest disciples were famed for their love. The psalmist calls unity “good and pleasant” (Psalm 133:1) and delights to be a companion of all who fear the Lord (Psalm 119:63; Psalm 122:1). In Jerusalem, believers shared possessions to meet genuine needs (Acts 2:44–45; Acts 4:32–35). John teaches that love is the family resemblance of the new birth: loving the brethren shows we have passed from death to life, while hatred belongs to darkness (1 John 2:9–11; 1 John 3:14–15; 1 John 4:7–8, 11–12). Churches flourish where affection is sincere, encouragement is habitual, needs are supplied, and peace is guarded (Romans 12:10; Hebrews 10:24–25).

A Gospel Proclaimed with Holy Boldness
From Pentecost, the message marched forward. Thousands believed (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4), and the word continued to increase (Acts 12:24). Luke records prayers for boldness and God’s gracious answer (Acts 4:29–31); daily teaching filled homes and assemblies (Acts 5:42), and scattered disciples preached wherever they went (Acts 8:4). Paul owned a threefold identity—debtor, ready, unashamed—because the gospel is God’s power to salvation (Romans 1:14–16). He felt a holy “must” to preach (1 Corinthians 9:16) and spoke to please God who tests hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Even fierce opponents were transformed; Saul became a herald of the faith he once tried to destroy (Galatians 1:23). This same courage today blends clarity with gentleness (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:3–6).

Lives Marked by Purity and Holiness
Holy doctrine calls forth holy lives. Peter quotes Leviticus to summon Christians to holiness in all conduct (1 Peter 1:15–16). Jesus blesses the pure in heart, promising that they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). Paul directs our minds to what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (Philippians 4:8), and he urges sanctification as God’s will (1 Thessalonians 4:3–7). A credible witness joins sound words with sound ways so that the world beholds good deeds and glorifies God (1 Peter 2:12; Titus 2:11–14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8).

Perseverance Through Persecution
Suffering accompanied faithfulness in the first century, yet disciples pressed on with joy (Acts 5:40–42; Acts 14:22). All who live godly in Christ Jesus will face opposition (2 Timothy 3:12); it has been granted to believers to trust Christ and to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29). Jesus prepared His people: the world hated Him first, and servants share their Master’s path (John 15:18–21). Endurance with Christ anticipates reigning with Christ (2 Timothy 2:11–12). Hope steadies the soul amid trials (Hebrews 10:32–39; 1 Peter 4:12–16).

The Kingdom Set First
Early disciples ordered life under the King. Jesus calls us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” and He promises necessary provision (Matthew 6:33). Hearts set above pursue things above (Colossians 3:1–4), hold wealth with humility and generosity (1 Timothy 6:6–8, 17–19), and refuse the love of the world (1 John 2:15–17; 1 Peter 2:11). Kingdom-first living reorients every sphere—work, family, citizenship—around Christ’s rule and the church’s mission (Philippians 1:27; Acts 20:24). As we plant and water, God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

The Success of the Early Church Sermon Outline:

• Introduction

  • Theme and primary texts (Acts 12:24; Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4; Acts 6:7).

• I. A People Bound by Deep Love

  • Unity and joy together (Psalm 133:1; Psalm 119:63; Psalm 122:1).

  • Sharing needs in the body (Acts 2:44–45; Acts 4:32–35).

  • Love as evidence of life in Christ (1 John 2:9–11; 3:14–15; 4:7–8, 11–12).

  • Practicing affection and encouragement (Romans 12:10; Hebrews 10:24–25).

• II. A Gospel Proclaimed with Holy Boldness

  • Growth by the word’s advance (Acts 12:24; Acts 8:4; Acts 5:42).

  • Prayer-fueled courage (Acts 4:29–31; Acts 4:13).

  • Paul’s posture: debtor, ready, unashamed (Romans 1:14–16; 1 Corinthians 9:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:4).

  • A former persecutor turned preacher (Galatians 1:23).

  • Speaking with clarity and grace (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:3–6).

• III. Lives Marked by Purity and Holiness

  • Called to holiness (1 Peter 1:15–16; Matthew 5:8).

  • Minds set on what is pure (Philippians 4:8).

  • Sanctification in conduct (1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; 1 Peter 2:12; Titus 2:11–14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8).

• IV. Perseverance Through Persecution

  • Joyful endurance (Acts 5:40–42; Acts 14:22).

  • Expectation of opposition (2 Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29).

  • Christ’s promise and pattern (John 15:18–21; 2 Timothy 2:11–12).

  • Hold fast with hope (Hebrews 10:32–39; 1 Peter 4:12–16).

• V. The Kingdom Set First

  • Seek first and trust God’s provision (Matthew 6:33).

  • Hearts above, hands generous (Colossians 3:1–4; 1 Timothy 6:6–8, 17–19).

  • Distinct from the world’s loves (1 John 2:15–17; 1 Peter 2:11).

  • Mission-shaped priorities (Philippians 1:27; Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

Call to Action
Renew love for one another. Pray for doors and boldness to speak the gospel. Commit to holiness in thought and deed. Endure hardship with your eyes on Jesus. Put the kingdom first in every decision. If you need to obey the gospel—believe, repent, confess Jesus as the Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins—come today. If you need restoration, return to the Lord in repentance and prayer, and walk forward with joy.

Key Takeaways

• Love is the church’s hallmark and strength (John 13:34–35; 1 John 3:14–15).

• God advances His work through bold, prayerful proclamation (Acts 4:29–31; Romans 1:16).

• Holy doctrine bears holy lives (1 Peter 1:15–16; Philippians 4:8).

• Suffering cannot silence faithful disciples (2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18–21).

• Kingdom-first priorities align hearts and habits with Christ (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1–4).

• God supplies the increase as we plant and water (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4; Acts 6:7 – Early numeric growth as the word spread.

• Acts 12:24 – The word of God grew and multiplied.

• Psalm 133:1; Psalm 119:63; Psalm 122:1 – Joyful unity and companionship among God’s people.

• Acts 2:44–45; Acts 4:32–35 – Sharing possessions to meet needs.

• 1 John 2:9–11; 3:14–15; 4:7–8, 11–12 – Love as evidence of life with God.

• Romans 12:10; Hebrews 10:24–25 – Affection and mutual encouragement.

• Acts 4:13, 29–31; Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4 – Bold witness and daily teaching.

• Romans 1:14–16; 1 Corinthians 9:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:4 – Paul’s gospel stewardship.

• Galatians 1:23 – The persecutor turned preacher.

• 1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:3–6 – Clarity with grace toward outsiders.

• 1 Peter 1:15–16; Matthew 5:8 – Holiness and purity of heart.

• Philippians 4:8 – Meditating on what is pure and praiseworthy.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; 1 Peter 2:12; Titus 2:11–14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8 – Sanctified conduct and witness.

• Acts 5:40–42; Acts 14:22 – Persevering under pressure.

• 2 Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 2:11–12 – Expectation and promise amid suffering.

• John 15:18–21 – Jesus prepares His disciples for the world’s hatred.

• Hebrews 10:32–39; 1 Peter 4:12–16 – Endurance with confidence.

• Matthew 6:33 – Seeking the kingdom first.

• Colossians 3:1–4; 1 Timothy 6:6–8, 17–19 – Hearts set above; generous stewardship.

• 1 John 2:15–17; 1 Peter 2:11 – Renouncing the world’s loves.

• Philippians 1:27; Acts 20:24 – Lives worthy of the gospel; mission focus.

• 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 – God gives the increase.

Prepared by Robert Moss