Acts 2:42-47 is my next section in Acts to ponder over. If you are interested in the rest of the series you will find them here eh?
In the previous passage in Acts 2 we know that 3000 people turned their hearts to God as a result of Peter’s words. What happened next is what we’ll discover today.
Acts 2:42-47 reads as follows
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Looking into Acts 2:42-47
Verse 42
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Those 3000 new believers, they didn’t sit around going, oh, we have a relationship with the Lord and let that be it. No way. What they did was
- devote themselves to the apostles teaching
- to fellowship with each other
- to the breaking of bread
- and prayers.
Verse 43
43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
So this is what I’m envisioning. Peter finishes talking, and there’s this huge crowd around him of new believers. People turning to the Lord everywhere he turns. But these people are on fire for the Lord so they eat together, spend time with each other, praying for each other. This becomes more than a one day event. And as it goes on, people are filled with awe… seeing all that God has done and is doing through the apostles.
Makes me ask this question: why don’t people sit in awe of what God is doing through his people now? What are we doing differently?
Verse 44
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
Is it the lack of commonality we have with each other? All these divisions within/between churches and there, what should be, spirit-filled, godly people? Can you imagine being part of a community that shares freely with other and happily spent time with each other?
Verse 45
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
I admittedly struggle with this one. Mind the older I get the easier I am about giving things away that I no longer need or want to others. But I struggle with the thought of selling things in order to help those in need. Like I’ll give my money and time, but selling stuff I need? Or just selling stuff and using all the proceeds for missions and stuff? GAH as I write that I feel like a jerk….. like seriously.
But at the same time it’s true though. I’ll happily give my tithe, and use those dollars to help others. But when it comes to going beyond that, I find it difficult. Like even taking the time to cook a meal for a young family, or individuals who have lost a loved one, and stuff like that. If it inconveniences me, then I tend to avoid it. These folks, filled with the Spirit, no less than ANY believer today, chose to freely help each other in whatever why they could.
What does that say about me?
Verse 46
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Day by day…. adding to their numbers, this generous group of faithful, new believers. Changing the world around them by their love for each other, their devotion to the Lord, and how they received food.
So does my gratitude show who God is? Will it encourage people to see God favourably? And perhaps heed a call on their lives they didn’t even know enough to recognize?
What are your thoughts?
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