And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.—Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

 

Learning & Growing

It’s important to reflect on the life of the early church to see how the Holy Spirit worked among those believers. We need to consider how they began setting the foundation of Christ, the cornerstone, and ways that benefits the Christian church today.

I find it difficult to not think about the past, especially my mistakes, or to not worry about the future. Of course, I know that worry doesn’t add a moment to my life and probably takes away from it. Yet, this is why I love reflecting on the early church, especially to see how these early Christians just lived. They were devoted to one another, to being in prayer. They sold all they had and gave to those in need. They gathered for worship.

This marked a beautiful moment in time for the church. The Holy Spirit worked through the early Christians to bring many faith.  We as the church need to learn from their example. We need to be in worship more together, not just more frequently, but more connected to one another. We need to be in prayer more together. We need to be more generous.

But rather than just complaining that it’s not happening, we must all take steps to make it happen. So begin in prayer. Pray for other people. Then join in worship together, which is difficult now due to isolation and quarantine. But join us for worship online and then in person when the COVID-19 crisis ends and we reopen our church doors.

From being in prayer, being together as the family of God, generosity will flow. And from all these things, in living as God’s people, God will use us to expand His kingdom.