See How Many Thousands

by Edwin Crozier

Do you recall what happened to the church in Jerusalem up through Acts 8? It had grown by leaps and bounds. On the first day, about 3000 were added to the church. Then it quickly grew to 5000 men (not counting women and children). But then, in Acts 8:1, after Stephen's execution, the Jerusalem church was decimated. All those Jewish believers were scattered except the apostles.

What would you expect to happen next for that church? Do you expect it to die on the vine? After all, only twelve men and their families remained.

However, listen to what James says to Paul in Acts 21:20: “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed” (ESV). James didn’t mean there were thousands of Jewish believers worldwide. He meant in Jerusalem. He says in Acts 21:22, “They will hear that you have come” (ESV). That is, thousands of Jewish believers will hear that Paul has come to Jerusalem, where they are.

That is phenomenal to me. And that is the work of God in His churches. I don’t know how long it took God to grow the Jerusalem church back to thousands through the work of the apostles. But He did it.

I understand that “numbers” is not the be-all, end-all metric for a congregation's health. But I can’t help but see how interested Luke was in letting us know about numerical growth in congregations and in Christ’s church. May we have a vision like Jerusalem. May we want to see Christ’s church grow in number. After all, those thousands of Jews were thousands of saved souls, thousands of citizens in the kingdom, thousands of forgiven brothers and sisters who were bringing glory to God.

And if our congregation takes a hit and the brothers and sisters are sent scattered, may we keep working hand in hand with God to make more disciples who believe in Jesus, surrendering to Him in every way.

Someone may ask, “What’s a good size for a church?” I respond, “One more than we have now.”