Scripture-Based Churches and Spiritual Growth Principles
Scripture-Based Churches and Spiritual Growth Principles
The concept of spiritual growth is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, with various scriptures emphasizing the importance of growth in faith and the role of the church in facilitating this growth. The term "Crescens" means "growing; increasing" in biblical context [1].
The Bible underscores the significance of scripture in spiritual growth, referring to it as the "Word of God" and the "Word of truth" [2]. The scripture is considered essential for teaching, rebuking, and training in righteousness. In Hebrews 6:1, believers are encouraged to move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and mature in their faith, indicating a progression in spiritual growth [3].
The church is described as the "body of Christ," comprising various members with different functions, all united under Christ as the head [4, 5, 6]. This unity is a recurring theme in the New Testament, with passages like Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:15 emphasizing the oneness of believers in Christ [7, 8]. The unity within the body of Christ is not just a structural concept but is deeply connected to the spiritual growth of its members, as harmony and care for one another are seen as essential [9, 10].
The growth of the church is not just numerical but also spiritual. Acts 9:31 notes that the church was "built up" and "living in the fear of the Lord" and "was strengthened" and "grew numerically." This dual growth is facilitated by the fear of the Lord, which is considered the foundation of true knowledge [11].
Ephesians 4:13-16 outlines a key principle for spiritual growth within the church, stating that the goal of ministry is to attain unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, leading to maturity. This maturity is measured by the standard of Christ, with the Spirit's work being to make believers fully like Christ [12]. The passage also highlights the importance of each part of the body playing its role in promoting growth and health within the church [13].
The process of spiritual growth is described as a continuous process, where believers are expected to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" [14]. This growth is facilitated by the reception of divine influences and the exercise of faith, love, and obedience.
The biblical emphasis on unity, the role of scripture, and the functioning of the church as the body of Christ underpin the principles of spiritual growth in scripture-based churches. These elements work together to create an environment where believers can mature in their faith and become more like Christ.
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Crescens — growing; increasing”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 6:1 (BBE) — For this reason let us go on from the first things about Christ to full growth; not building again that on which it is based, that is, the turning of the heart from dead works, and faith in God,”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 9:31: 9:31 This verse is one of several in Acts that detail the numerical and spiritual growth of the church (see also 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7; 12:24; 21:20). • The first Christians were discovering the truth of the principle, “the fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge” (Prov 1:7; 9:10; cp. Job 28:28; Ps 111:10; Eccl 12:13; see Luke 7:16), and they were growing in their faith (cp. Acts 2:43; 19:17).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:16: 4:16 Each part of the body plays an important role and helps the other parts grow. Christ, the head of the body, works through the individual parts, makes them fit together, and is the ultimate source of growth (see Col 2:19). • When all believers are ministering effectively, the whole body will be healthy and growing and full of love (cp. 1 Cor 8:1). Love is the most important factor in Christian growth (1 Cor 13:1-13).”
- 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace - Increase in the image and favor of God; every grace and Divine influence which ye have received is a seed, a heavenly seed, which, if it be watered with the dew of heaven from above, will endlessly increase and multiply itself. He who continues to believe, love, and obey, will grow in grace, and continually increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, as his sacrifice, sanctifier, counsellor, preserver, and final Savior. The life of a Christian is a growth; he is at first born of God, and is a little child; becomes a young man, and a father in Chr”