We are heading into a special period of growth and multiplication. In Israel the rains have been abundant (Hosea 6:3); the almond flowers have blossomed (Jeremiah 1:11); this is an “acceptable year of favor” (Isaiah 61:2).
The book of Acts documents the growth in numbers of the early disciples. It started at the Holy Spirit outpouring in Jerusalem.
Acts 2:41 – About 3,000 souls were added.
It continued in the first community of faith there.
Acts 2:47 – The Lord added daily those who were being saved.
In the wake of healing miracles and religious persecution, more were added.
Acts 4:4 – Many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of men came to about 5,000.
After the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira, the numbers increased even more.
Acts 5:14 – Believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
The number increased among Greek-speaking Jews as well.
Acts 6:1 – In those days the number of the disciples was multiplying.
With new administrative and financial order, the numbers grew even more, including ultra-Orthodox religious Jews in the Temple.
Acts 6:7 – The number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The revival spread northward to Samaria.
Acts 8:14 – Samaria received the word of God.
It reached national proportions after Saul (Paul) came to faith. (Notice the word “all.”)
Acts 9:31 – The church in all Judea, Galilee and Samaria… grew in number.
Greater Tel Aviv today includes Jaffa, Lod and Sharon. It contains the largest number of Jewish people living in one place at any time in history. This entire area turned to the Lord 2,000 years ago. (Again notice the word “all.”)
Acts 9:35 – All the inhabitants of Lod and Sharon turned to the Lord.
Acts 9:42 – This was made known in all Jaffa and many believed.
Halleluyah! All Tel Aviv (Jaffa, Lod and Sharon) had a revival. From there it spread into Europe, Asia and Africa. The growth continued in Antioch (Acts 13:44), Iconium (14:1), Lystra (16:5), Thessalonica (17:4), Berea (b), Athens (17:34), all of Asia Minor (19:10), Ephesus (19:18), myriads in Jerusalem (21:20), Malta (28:9), and Rome (28:30).
May these verses from Acts about growth in numbers encourage you! All Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26); all Tel Aviv will be saved (Acts 9:35). If it happened then, it can happen now. If it happened in Israel, it can happen in your nation.
Asher serves as president of Tikkun Global family of ministries and congregations, dedicated to the dual restoration of Israel and the Church. He is founder of the Revive Israel five-fold ministry team, and oversees both Ahavat Yeshua and Tiferet Yeshua congregations in Israel.
He and his wife Betty share a passion for personal prayer and devotion, local evangelism and discipleship in Hebrew, and unity of the Body of believers worldwide.
Asher was raised in a conservative Jewish home and holds degrees from Harvard University, Baltimore Hebrew College and Messiah Biblical Institute. He has authored numerous books, tracts and articles.