The time in the Church after the resurrection of Jesus is extraordinary! A whirlwind of amazing events.
Before our text today we see Jesus ascending; Matthias chosen to replace Judas; Pentecost taking place, with Peter preaching and about 3,000 souls being added to the Body of believers.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 2:42
Praise the Lord!
Then comes our text for today. It begins with “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42) and ends with “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b).
The believers “devoted themselves” to the things the Church should be doing. Getting into what God teaches, providing for each other, worshipping and Communing together, doing things for the benefit of people.
And then comes the last sentence, “the Lord added to their number.”
The believers were being the Church and God was being God!
God brought people to faith, and those in faith were living it out!
And the cycle repeated.
Too often we think that we need to do certain things for others to come to faith. We get the mistaken idea that we make believers.
Only God does that. Only God can do that.
We are called to live the life of faith. To do the faithful things. To be the Body of Christ. And when we do that, God uses us to bring others to faith, too.
Jesus is alive and has sent the Holy Spirit to us, to help us in our sanctified living and to bring others to faith. Our Call is not a difficult one, but rather one of privilege and honor: devoting ourselves to a life of discipleship in all areas – and letting God add to number of those being saved.
May the cycle repeat!
“Thank You, Lord Jesus for rising, ascending, and sending the Holy Spirit to us. Move us to be ‘devoted’ as Your disciples in every area of Christian living and move those who do not yet believe to faith in You. Help us be faithful in our following, winsome in our actions, and joyful in our service. In Jesus’ precious name do we pray; amen.”
Scripture
- Acts 2:42-27
