Scripture

…all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day, the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Observation

The believers dedicate themselves to building a faith community based on the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, hospitality and prayer.

The apostles perform miracles, and the people share their property and possessions. They meet in large groups at the Temple and in smaller home groups, sharing meals with great joy.

They praise God, and people like them because of their generous and happy lifestyle. Every day people are being saved.

Application

One of the things that always strikes me about this passage is the sense of joy that is there. The believers were full of excitement at being saved, and outsiders wanted to join in. They enjoyed favour of all the people, and people were being saved daily.

There was no evangelism campaign or event. People in their daily lives just overflowed the love of God. People could see it in their changed lives.

There was no religious spirit here in the early church. They did “religious”things, but it was done in the context of something greater. The power of the Holy Spirit in them gave meaning and enthusiasm to the Temple rituals. The Lord’s Supper was a joyful celebration in homes, not a sombre commemoration in a cold building.

We live in a different situation but I still think that we can emulate this early community in our modern disconnected society. It is a matter of priorities.

Perhaps one night after work a family back then might g to the Temple precinct to listen to the apostles teaching. Another night they might go to a brother’s house for a family meal. Another night again they might host a group of believers and neighbours for dinner.

How did they keep it up? The Holy Spirit placed in them a love for christian community as a high priority in their hearts. They saw no burden in enjoying fellowship together.

Or culture is much more individualistic. We fear contact with other people. But when the Holy Spirit breaks through, we find that we love God’s people and the things that were burdensome are now a source of joy.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to love all your people, to find strength in community and joy in fellowship. Amen.