A Sick and Foolish Culture
Opening Prayer
Merciful Lord, as I read Your Word again today, use it as a living and life-giving word for me.
Read Acts 2:37–47
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
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.
The Fellowship of the Believers
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.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Here in verse 38 are the first steps of Christian discipleship: repentance, baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Think Further
Convicted in their hearts of their complicity in bringing about the death of the Messiah, Peter told his audience to “Get out of this sick and stupid culture” (40, The Message). They still had to live in their world, but they should distance themselves from its corrupting influence. He called them to repent and, by baptism, publicly to demonstrate their change in allegiance and join the followers of Jesus. God was involved in the process, too: he was calling Peter’s listeners to himself (cf. Joel 2:32). To those who responded, God would give forgiveness and his Holy Spirit, who had come in power on the assembled disciples that very morning! His gift was not just for that day but for all generations, across the world, as people respond to his call.
Three thousand accepted Peter’s message, removed themselves from the values and behaviors of their sick culture and joined the disciples. Their new allegiance and the presence of the Spirit within were clearly evidenced by the relationships between members of this forgiven community. They lived togetherness, as they learned about Jesus from the apostles; as they generously met one another’s needs; in their common meals; and as they worshipped, remembered and prayed with reverent awe. God’s Spirit was obvious among them, by the wonders and signs done by the apostles. The authorities may not have been pleased, but this alternative way of life was very attractive to commoners. “All the people” (47) regarded them with favor.
Do we need the reminder to “Get out of this sick and stupid culture”? Materialism, greed and selfish ambition all seem to cloud our way. Are we “crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace” (Heb. 6:6) in our churches by sinful behaviors, ignorance, disunity and irreverence?
Apply
“Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17). Think of your day today. What might this mean for your way of life, today and every day?
Closing prayer
Dear Jesus, I need Your strength to be who You have made me to be. The world makes it hard to stand out from the crowd. Lord, I want to honor You alone.
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