Nov 12 - Acts 2:47

Day by day the Lord

added to their number

those who were being saved.

Acts 2:47

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and blew majestically through Jerusalem. It prompted Peter to give the first sermon in the history of the church, and that day 3,000 people came to faith.

The church began that day. And the final six verses of Acts 2 describe what the church was (and is forever supposed to be). Below is a list of what happened there -- and beside it is suggestions on how we can do this today ...

• 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching -- we can do this by reading the scriptures, which include the literal words and teachings of the disciples
  
• 42 They devoted themselves to ...  fellowship -- church should be family ... and if it's not, we should devote ourselves more fully in faith to our congregations
  
• 42 They devoted themselves ... to the breaking of bread -- we should worship a lot (which includes the breaking of bread) 
  
• 42 and ... they devoted themselves ... to the prayers -- we need to pray!
  
• 43 Awe came upon everyone -- our faith should look for and expect to see God's presence
  
• 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need -- if everyone in the church gave the biblically mandated 10%, the church would have the resources to do precisely this ... but churches don't (do all their asked to do) because member don't (do all their supposed to do).
  
• 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple -- church was not a once-a-week part of their lives, it was their life!
  
• 46 they broke bread at home -- One of the places where church extends to homes is through small groups. Deeper discussions take places in homes and at the table than can ever take place in a large group.
  
• 46 with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people -- We are called to generosity, praise, and goodwill, but generosity, praise, and goodwill inevitable spell "gladness" and joy. 

That is our goal at Spirit of Joy. And we do a pretty good job (when comparing ourselves to others) but like all human beings fall short of the glory of God, we as a church fall short of this standard. 

If we want to hear this line said about us -- "day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved" -- then I invite you to find the discipline above that you're lacking in, and take a step out in faith.

In Christ's Love,

an Acts 2 marksman

(this is my target)