"Then those who gladly received his (Peter's) word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." Acts 2:41

As mentioned last week, in the Book of The Acts of the Apostles Luke writes of the important events of the beginning and the growth of the Church.
Jesus said to the His apostles before ascending to heaven, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

And so the Good News spread and the church grew! Scripture tells us something of the manner and the number. In addition to our opening verse we see-- The Lord added:
Acts 2:42-47 tells of the practices of the early Church, "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And The Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved." Vs. 46-47

Believers increasingly added to the Lord:
"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.  And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women." Acts 5:12-14

Disciples multiplied:
"Now in those days, when the number of the disciples were multiplying, there arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution." Acts 6:1 ("The origin of the office of deacon is usually related to the events described in Acts 6:1-6." "The Illustrated Dictionary Bible" Read Vs. 1-6)

Many priests were obedient to the faith:
"And the word of God Spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith." Acts 6:7

Churches multiplied:
"Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied." Acts 9:31

Witnessing in Antioch, a great number believed:
"But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turn to the  Lord." Acts 11:20-21

Barnabas was sent to Antioch:
"When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For He was a good man, full of he Holy Spirit and faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord."

Churches increased in number:
"So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number."
Acts 16:5

What were the means of the increase?
The Word preached:
Read again Acts 2:14-41, Peter's message at that first Pentecost.

The Spirit's convicting power:
Jesus speaking in John 16:7-11,
"And when He (The Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment." Vs. 8 (My parenthesis)

The power of the gospel of Christ:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." Romans 1`:16

As the commission to be witnesses was to the early Church, so is it today to Believers. So let us be that testimony of the love of Christ in word and deed.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16  Amen