Why Was the Early Church so Successful?

In the book of Acts we read about the establishment and growth of the Church of Christ. Certainly there are many things taking place throughout the book, but overall Acts is all about the church’s beginning and how many were added to her in the first century (Acts 2:47). In light of this fact, have you ever considered the success of the early Church? Truly, when we examine the book of Acts, we cannot help but notice the first-century church was overwhelmingly successful. On the Day of Pentecost, “about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41). In Acts 4:4 we read, “many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” In the book of Acts we also notice Gentiles came to Christ (Acts 10:48), great persecutors came to Christ (Acts 9:18), even those in the Caesar’s household came to Christ (Acts 28:30, 31; Phil. 4:22). Both the numbers and the converts show the first- century church was extremely fruitful when it came to fulfilling the great commission (Mt. 28:19, 20). This truth begs the question, “Why was the early church so successful?” After all, they had less money than we do, and they did not have modern means of communication or transportation, so why were they able to accomplish what they did? The truth is, it was not anything fancy or special, rather it was three things that were simple and replicable.

In the first place, the church was so successful in the first century because they had the right message. When you examine the conversions within the book of Acts a variable that consistently coincides with soul-saving is Gospel preaching. On the Day of Pentecost there were those, “ who gladly received his word” and subsequently they were baptized. (Acts 2:41). Upon hearing God’s Word the Ethiopian eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). At Iconium Paul and Barnabas spoke the Word of God boldly and some became Christians (Acts 14:3, 4). Brethren, part of the reason we have struggled so much with evangelism is because many in the church have moved away from that which truly converts (Ps. 19:7). The early church was not successful because they implemented coffee bars, free babysitting, or an entertaining worship service. The early church was successful because they had the right message—they had the Word of God.

Secondly, the church was so successful in the first century because they had the right mindset. One might think with all of the persecution that took place in the first century, the Gospel would rarely be preached, and the church would scarcely spread. However, when we examine the book of Acts, we recognize that was not the case at all. After being asked by the high priest, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?”, Peter and John replied, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28, 29). After the apostles had been beaten the Bible says they left, “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). In both of the passages, we notice the first-century church had the right mindset. They were not worried about what others might do them or say about them, they simply placed their full trust and obedience in God. Nowadays, when we get a door slammed in our face or we have someone tell us they aren’t interested in Christ, we roll over and give up. How, we need to adopt the mindset of the early church.

Finally, the church was so successful in the first century because they had the right motivation. On the Day of Pentecost Peter said, “Be saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:40). In Acts 4:12 the apostles preached, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” When we contemplate the book of Acts we recognize both the apostles and early church clearly understood without Christ, souls would be lost and destined for a devil’s hell (Mt. 25:41). If that does not motivate us to speak to our family, friends, neighbors, and the souls all around us, rest assured the streets of gold will be a sight we never see (Mt. 22:39, 40).

Without a doubt, the early church was extremely successful. The question is, why aren’t we? Years ago Johnny Ramsey made the statement, “If we believe now what they believed then, perhaps we can accomplish now what they accomplished then.”