“The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.”
Acts 9:31 (NLT)
This verse shows the church entering a new season after Saul’s conversion—a season marked by peace, strengthening, and multiplication. What Jesus promised in Acts 1:8 was already unfolding: the gospel had spread beyond Jerusalem into Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. God was doing what he said he would do.
And notice what peace produced. The church didn’t use peace to get comfortable; they used it to grow deep. They became stronger as they lived in the fear of the Lord—worshiping with awe, keeping their attention and gaze on the Father, building foundations that could actually hold what God was growing.
Then the verse says they were encouraged by the Holy Spirit. That encouragement is like a fresh wind—a mighty force, momentum—that carries a strengthened church into fruitfulness. Peace, strength, awe, and Holy Spirit at work leads to growth. That’s the pattern for Kingdom expansion.
So let me ask you: Are you living in the fear of the Lord? Are you letting Christ’s peace rule your heart, or are you living troubled? And are you yielding to the Holy Spirit instead of blocking him? When we live this way, God makes us mighty oaks of righteousness.