Text: Acts 6:1-7 A Rapidly Growing Church Acts 2:41 About three thousand souls were added Acts 4:4 The number of the men came to be about five thousand Acts 5:14 Multitudes of men and woman were added Acts 6:1 The disciples were increasing in number Common Challenges in Churches Complaints Divisions Ministry Gaps Church Leadership Early Church: The Apostles (chosen by Jesus) Modern Church: Overseers/Pastors/Elders (chosen

Text: Acts 5:14-42 Pushback When God is at work, there will always be resistance. Multitudes were believing in the Lord Jesus The religious leaders became jealous The apostles were arrested and jailed Providence God is always at work in the circumstances of His people An angel released the apostles The angel instructed them to preach again The apostles returned to preaching Power Politics The systems of this world will always be hostile to the gospel The apostles were apprehe

Fulfillment of Prophecy Psalm 16:9-11 God will not abandon His soul to death Isaiah 53:10-11 If He sacrifices His life, He will prolong His days Jonah 1:17 Three days in the belly of the fish (Matt. 12:39-40; 16:4; Lu. 11:29) Footnotes: Psalm 16:9-11 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make know

Text: Acts 5:12-16 Last week we discussed God’s protection of the church, and His desire for purity in the church demonstrated by His taking the life of Ananias and Saphira for lying to the Holy Spirit. Today we see the growing influence and impact of the church in their community and beyond through the ministry of the apostles. The Unique Ministry of the Apostles Apostolic requirements: A follower of Jesus (Luke 6:13) A personal eyewitness to the risen Christ (Ac. 4:33) Ch