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Acts 2:42-47
Acts 2:42-47
I like playing pickup basketball. There’s just something fun and refreshing about it for me. One of the coolest things in basketball, especially pickup basketball, is when you and the other players on your team are playing together. When you’re just in sync. When you’re anticipating each other ‘s moves. When the ball is passed around until the best shot is found. That’s when teams thrive. That’s when teams win championships.
There’s power in being together. You can accomplish things together that you never could apart from one another or opposed to one another.
We see this reality through the life of the early church in Acts 2.
“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.”
Acts 2:42-47
In this passage we get a glimpse of what the early church looked like as God worked in mighty ways through it. One of the defining characteristics we read here is that God’s people were together — twice in this passage we hear about the togetherness of God’s people and how that allowed God to work in mighty ways through them.
And this togetherness was twofold. First, they were regularly gathering together in community, doing life together, fostering relationships, serving and caring for one another. Their time spent together grew their bond stronger and gave them courage and boldness to press forward into what God was calling them into.
Second, we hear that they were together in their thinking and in their passion. They may not have agreed on everything but their shared passion for Jesus and for sharing the good news with others was greater than any of those differences.
This passion drove what they did and how they lived and it moved them forward TOGETHER. And as a result, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Better Together.
Let’s seek TOGETHER. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith, gather around Him, and move forward together in HIS mission. Let’s not forget to continue to gather together to grow in connection with one another, to care for one another, to serve one another, to do life together with one another. When the people of God come together, God WILL move and impact this world for His glory and the benefit of others.
As you consider this scripture and reflect this week, respond to the following questions:
1. What stands out to you in this passage? Why?
2. How would you rate your togetherness with other Christians? Where are you doing well? Where could you grow?