THE METHOD FOR ENSURING CHURCH GROWTH BY STEVE FINNELL
The contemporary method for promoting church growth. 1. Do not preach doctrine that offends. People want to feel good on Sunday morning. 2. Do not preach absolutes. Most consider absolutes as an exercise in arrogance. 3. Do not preach from the Bible and the Bible alone. Men do not like their opinions challenged. 4. Do not criticize denominational doctrine that is contrary to Scripture. Many honestly believe error is God's truth. 5. The most important thing to remember, do not preach the the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven. Jesus tried that and He was crucified.
A LIST OF DOCTRINES THAT INHIBIT CHURCH GROWTH.
1. Teaching that baptism [that is immersion in water] is essential for the forgiveness of sin. It will offend those who have been taught that men are saved by faith alone. It will offend those who were sprinkled as unbelieving infants.
2. Do not proclaim that Jesus is the only way to attain salvation. That will offend those who believe in universal salvation. It will make the ones who have an aversion to making any kind of judgment, very uncomfortable.
3. Do not teach that there is a place of eternal punishment called hell. Most people do not like to be badgered or frighten into believing God's truth.
The church of Christ of the first century had rapid church growth. How did that happen?
They taught the apostles doctrine. They did not teach from man-made creed books. They did not preach in order to please men.
The apostle Peter preached the gospel terms for pardon on the Day of Pentecost. Faith, Repentance, Immersion in Water. (Acts 2:22-41)
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (NKJV)
The terms of pardon were not changed after the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:47 ...And the Lord added to church daily those who were being saved. (NKJV)
It does not say the Lord added the saved to the Roman Catholic Church daily.
Acts 5:14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. (NKJV)
Believer were added to the Lord, they were not added to the denomination of their choice.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.(NKJV)
It does not say many priests became obedient to the faith because God forced them to believe so they could be saved by grace only.
Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.(NKJV)
It does not say they were multiplied because they were hearing a health and wealth gospel being preached.
Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. (NKJV)
A great number did not turned to the Lord because they had a great youth programs and interesting things to keep the senior saints happy. They did not turn to the Lord because Sunday worship was highly entertaining.
Acts 16:4-5 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem 5. So the churches were strengthened in faith, and increased in numbers daily.(NKJV)
The churches did not increase in numbers because they received the latest edict from the Pope, the denominational board, man-made creed books or from reading the extra-Biblical books written by the great preachers of their day
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.(NKJV)
The word of John Calvin, Billy Graham, Martin Luther, Max Lucado, Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, and Joyce Meyer did not grow and multiply.
What kind of church growth is pleasing to God?
A LIST OF DOCTRINES THAT INHIBIT CHURCH GROWTH.
1. Teaching that baptism [that is immersion in water] is essential for the forgiveness of sin. It will offend those who have been taught that men are saved by faith alone. It will offend those who were sprinkled as unbelieving infants.
2. Do not proclaim that Jesus is the only way to attain salvation. That will offend those who believe in universal salvation. It will make the ones who have an aversion to making any kind of judgment, very uncomfortable.
3. Do not teach that there is a place of eternal punishment called hell. Most people do not like to be badgered or frighten into believing God's truth.
The church of Christ of the first century had rapid church growth. How did that happen?
They taught the apostles doctrine. They did not teach from man-made creed books. They did not preach in order to please men.
The apostle Peter preached the gospel terms for pardon on the Day of Pentecost. Faith, Repentance, Immersion in Water. (Acts 2:22-41)
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (NKJV)
The terms of pardon were not changed after the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:47 ...And the Lord added to church daily those who were being saved. (NKJV)
It does not say the Lord added the saved to the Roman Catholic Church daily.
Acts 5:14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. (NKJV)
Believer were added to the Lord, they were not added to the denomination of their choice.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.(NKJV)
It does not say many priests became obedient to the faith because God forced them to believe so they could be saved by grace only.
Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.(NKJV)
It does not say they were multiplied because they were hearing a health and wealth gospel being preached.
Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. (NKJV)
A great number did not turned to the Lord because they had a great youth programs and interesting things to keep the senior saints happy. They did not turn to the Lord because Sunday worship was highly entertaining.
Acts 16:4-5 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem 5. So the churches were strengthened in faith, and increased in numbers daily.(NKJV)
The churches did not increase in numbers because they received the latest edict from the Pope, the denominational board, man-made creed books or from reading the extra-Biblical books written by the great preachers of their day
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.(NKJV)
The word of John Calvin, Billy Graham, Martin Luther, Max Lucado, Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, and Joyce Meyer did not grow and multiply.
What kind of church growth is pleasing to God?