Friendship Community Baptist Church

Paul Grows
Acts 9:23-31

Main Point
We are called to support other’s spiritual development

Text
Disciples protect Paul in Damascus (vv. 23-25)
Jews try to kill him
Disciples help him escape physical harm
Application: provide immediate physical relief
Barnabas introduces Paul to apostles in Jerusalem (vv. 26-27)
Jerusalem church fears him
Barnabas vouches for Paul to the apostles (Acts 4:36; 11:22, 25)
Application: provide deeper spiritual connection
Brothers protect him (vv. 28-30)
Hellenists try to kill him for his preaching
Brothers move him to safety
Application: provide long-term growth opportunities
Update on church (v. 31)
The church had peace and was being built up
The believers were walking
In the fear of the Lord
In the comfort of the Holy Spirit
The church multiplied

Application
God calls us to support new believers (Gal 6:2)
By providing immediate physical relief
Acts 2:44-45; 11:29-30; Gal 2:10
By giving them deeper connection to believers
Philem 10
By providing long-term solutions for their spiritual well-being
1 Tim 1:2; Acts 18:26
Healthy church growth requires several things
Peace and building up
Believers committed to walking in the fear of the Lord
Believers committed to the comfort of the Holy Spirit

Response
How is God calling you to support new believers?
Who is supporting you? Are you allowing it? (Eph 5:21)
Are you walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Spirit?