Bible Study: "The Exceptional Growth of a Godly Church"

Source

“In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied.” Growth and godliness were inseparable in the early Church. Many thousands were saved, stedfast, sanctified and Spirit-filled within a short period of time. Satan tried to afflict the Church with persecution from outside and endeavoured to inflict the Body with the cancer of deception from within. Perseverance and prayer preserved the Church during persecution while purging and purity preserved the Body in holiness, health and power.

“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” The Apostles resolved to concentrate on praying and preaching. Private praying preparatory to public preaching was to be their constant engagement. The daily proclamation of the gospel was to be their constant employment. They had been set apart and divinely commissioned by God for the salvation of souls and that was to be their main commitment. Their lives, time, talents, gifts and skills were to be wholly devoted to saving souls, discipling believers, strengthening the Church, maturing Church members, equipping disciples for fruitful evangelism; raising, training and enlisting more pastors and preparing saints for the rapture. 

The Apostles, guided by the Holy Ghost (John 14:26; 16:13), decided that seven men should be chosen to be put in charge of food distribution to the needy so they could be released to commit themselves to “prayer and ministry of the word.” The decision pleased the whole Church and unbroken fellowship with unity continued in the Church. The Apostles gave the qualifications of the “fellowhelpers” to be chosen. They were to be (1) among you, (2) of honest report, (3) full of the Holy Ghost, (4) full of wisdom, (5) approved and appointed by the Apostles. The clarity of the qualifications made partiality impossible. The qualifications were spiritual and moral, not academic or professional. It is important that those who are to be entrusted with the care of a New Testament, saved, sanctified, Spirit-filled Church should be righteous and godly, honest and faithful, saved and sanctified, Spirit-indwelt and Spirit-controlled."-from bible study outline

How does one know that they are filled with the Holy Ghost?
1. He/she demonstrates the fruits of the Spirit
2. He/ she is filled with the gifts of the Spirit - knowledge, understanding and wisdom of the Scriptures

So then being a possessor of the Holy Ghost your life must exude...
H-oliness
O-bedience
L-ove
Y-ieldedness

G-Gracious
H-eaven-minded
O-peness
S-criptural
T-ruthful

Watch the Bible Study here and be blessed and be used of God for this generation!

God bless,
-Charity