Watchout For WOLVES: Keys To Discerning Authentic Ministries & Evaluating Doctrinal Trends

6. NUMERICAL GROWTH

Where does a desire for numerical growth compromise the necessity for spiritual growth as well?

If we focus too much on spiritual growth alone we can become exclusive, inward and almost cultish.

However, if we only focus on numerical growth we can come to the place where we have a lot of spiritual babies but no one that is coming to maturity (1 Cor. 3:1-3).

The early apostles seemed to be able to accomplish both (Acts 9:31).

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. They had both because they did not hide the truth. They told people what they needed to do without apology (Acts 2:37-40). Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

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