Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers

Acts 9:19b-31

All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan.

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Why?

Saul is changed into a real Christian, but at that moment many disciples did not trust in him, it is normal. But Barnabas believed the Lord worked on Saul.

After Saul went to Tarsus, the lands of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. 

Living in the fear of the Lord and being encouraged by the Holy Spirit, will increase in numbers.

How?

Fear the Lord and be encouraged by the Holy Spirit to be a real Christian. And these are the basics to increase the numbers in the church.