New Beginnings
Opening Prayer
Lord God, You are the Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer of all people. You are the true source of true life.
Read ACTS 2:40-47
[40] With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” [41] Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What affect did the believer’s fellowship have on others?Three thousand have heard God’s message, have believed and been moved to repentance and baptism. Now what? Like marriage, this is not so much a happy ending as a new beginning, the start of life together. What does this new life look like? There are four foundations. The believers devote themselves to learning from those appointed and discipled by the Lord. They devote themselves to prayer. They break bread, remembering and sharing in Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. And they devote themselves to one another (42).
The depth of fellowship, marked by the selling of possessions and sharing all things in common (44,45), is deeply challenging. The believers may not all have sold their homes, but that they did sell property had strong implications in that society. This is a holy community, changed from the inside. There is no room for pretending, for half-heartedness. Its authenticity is attested from all sides: from within—they are filled with awe; from above—by wonders and miraculous signs (43); and from without—they enjoy the favor of people (47).
Apply
Pray for your church fellowship. Pray that God will enable it to have the same effect that the early church did.
Closing prayer
Lord, may I and the others in my church fellowship share the same love and authenticity as these first believers.
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