They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47
Based on my experience, we have groups of people who are trying to be a church modeled after Acts 2. Others, not so much. Please understand that this is not being negative or critical, I just want to raise the bar of expectations of what a church looks like when it is truly successful. The early church was truly successful, adding to their number daily!
Let’s take a look at the description to see what things had focus.
- Devoted to teaching, fellowship, eating, and praying.
- Signs and Wonders – God shows these where the gospel is shared.
- Generosity. Believers shared their property and possessions with anyone who had need.
- Met in their homes with glad and sincere hearts
What can we do? Abandon your selfishness and isolation. Believe in these things and do these things in a genuine expression of your love for God and for each other. Allow love and light to flow into you and through you and, together, we will change the world.