“NET” WORKING”

By Richard Lineberry

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47

When the Lord cast out the fishing net shortly after the Acts 2 Pentecost, the early church took off and soared in numbers and influence. There is much literature written from the first few centuries that give accounts of their activities and explain why Christianity was able to reach every part of the Roman Empire in less than 300 years.

Many of their strengths as they “worked the net” can be noted, but here are a few that we can think about and see how we compare today. Their style is worth copying.

1. The most important characteristic of the first century church was their burning passion for spreading the Good News. That could only have come from having drunk the living water of the Holy Spirit themselves.
2. Staying faithful to the Apostle’s teaching. That means they stayed Biblical. Their witnessing was about Christ’s resurrection power which was demonstrated through signs, wonders and healings of all kinds.
3. They demonstrated lives of purity. Their own changed lives were the best examples of the validity of the Good News.
4. Their charitable service to all. Feeding the hungry and offering safe havens for those in need along with faithfulness to their own families was an attraction not offered by the pagan religions of the day.
5. Their mutual loyalty to one another was so unusual in their culture. Their meetings were open to all and without favoritism to social classes, rich/ poor and gender. Their cohesiveness under persecution and martyrdom emphasized the reality of the eternal life they preached.

Interestingly, in the book of Acts and early church history, their driving force was never just wanting increased numbers but continuing the ministry of Jesus. When they did that, God added the increase.