The early church growth we see in Jerusalem following Pentecost (Acts 2) is remarkable. It began with the 120 people in the Upper Room (Acts 1:15); added another 3,000 at Pentecost (2:41); in a short time grew to 5,000 families (4:4); and continued to grow as summed up in Acts 5:14: “And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number.” As a result of Spirit-empowered witnessing by all the disciples – for example, those scattered after Stephen’s murder (Acts 8:4) and the missionary journeys of Paul (Acts 13-20) – thousands more Jews were added. Ultimately, Samaritans and Gentiles, throughout the Romans Empire, became followers of Jesus before the end of the first century. Shortly after, Christianity would become the largest religion in the world. How could such astounding growth of the early church be managed?
[Read more…] about Early Church Growth – on Steroids!
About Dr Don Bierle
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
This article will grow in four segments throughout 2026 to the timely and important biblical topic of the Second Coming of Jesus.
- Part 1 answers the What and Why? Originally published February 19, 2026.
- Part 2 discusses How Many Returns? (click to skip to part 2) Updated April 30, 2026
Most of the world gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night without even a thought about the Second Coming of Jesus or that He might return in their lifetimes. Some don’t even know about Him. Others don’t believe in Him. Even Christian believers may be dubious about the return of Jesus.
Part 1: WHAT We Need to Know About the Second Coming of Jesus
[Read more…] about The Second Coming of Jesus ChristRecent Archaeological Evidence for King David
Israel, and especially Jerusalem, is one of the most excavated places in the world. Recent discoveries are providing powerful archaeological evidence for King David and his kingdom, offering fresh confirmation for the historical accuracy of the Bible. Although decades of research once led many scholars to question whether David was anything more than a minor tribal leader, new finds in and around Jerusalem are painting a very different picture. These discoveries help demonstrate that the biblical description of David’s reign is firmly rooted in real history, not myth.
[Read more…] about Recent Archaeological Evidence for King DavidThe Bible and Suicide in the Age of Assisted Dying
This article explores how the Bible’s teaching on suicide and our culture’s new norms about death reveal whether death is our friend or our foe, and who has the right to decide when life should end—God or human convention. In what follows, we will look honestly at the Bible’s teaching about death and suffering compared and contrasted with topic of suicide in general and the alarming suicide rates emerging in the west.
[Read more…] about The Bible and Suicide in the Age of Assisted DyingThe Council of Nicea: “We believe…”
This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea. That was when approximately 318 Christian Bishops gathered to formulate what we know as the Nicene Creed, which is still nearly universally used today. This first-ever ecumenical council met in the summer of A.D. 325 for two months at Nicea (modern Iznik) in Bithynia (northwestern Turkey). Aside from the Creed itself, the circumstances of the meeting were a testimony to God’s providential and miraculous work.
bishops of the First Council of Nicaea (325) holding
the Creed. (Public domain.)
Hostile Bithynia
There was a Christian presence in Bithynia beginning in the first century, perhaps the result of converted Jews returning from their attendance at Pentecost (Acts 2:9-11), and later of those scattered from the Jerusalem church after the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1-4). The apostle Paul attempted to go into Bithynia on his second missionary trip, but the Holy Spirit did not permit him (Acts 16:7).
[Read more…] about The Council of Nicea: “We believe…”