Four Means by Which God's Word Increases in Power

"And the Word of God increased" (Acts 3:7) reveals how Elohim establishes His kingdom's growth. Joseph S. Exell (1887) identified four essential means of this prosperity.

First, the operation of the Holy Spirit remains non-negotiable. As Paul wrote, "I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6). Human effort alone accomplishes nothing without Yahweh's grace.

Second, plain preaching of the gospel must replace eloquent oratory. The Reformers—Farren, Luther, Calvin—eschewed lofty periods for directness: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." This simplicity restored the Church to pristine glory.

Third, holy living validates the message. A physician's advertisement means nothing if patients remain uncured; a preacher's sermon fails when his congregation contradicts it through vice. The Waldenses exemplified this power—when the French king sent a priest to investigate their heresy, he returned confessing, "They seem much better Christians than we are."

Fourth, individual personal exertion from every member ensures prosperity. Exell warned against the false notion that clergy alone labor while congregants passively consume sermons. Using the parable of a victorious band proposing their strongest warriors fight alone while ordinary soldiers rest at home, he exposed this error: victory requires every soldier's engagement.

These four pillars—Holy Spirit, plain truth, sanctified character, and universal participation—compose the foundation upon which God's Word advances.