New Christians and Love
I have always been amazed by the story of the new Christians in Acts 2. Peter had just preached the good news to them about Jesus and about three thousand became Christians. What amazes me is what came next. With no other words of teaching, those who believed in Jesus started acting like him. They shared together in love and that bound them together in unity. Why did they sell their possessions? Why did they want to be together? There was no Christian law that set this precedence. They were not told that this was the proper way for Christians to act. But they became a group, called out to demonstrate love and unity as they were filled with the spirit of Jesus.
Acts 2:37-47 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call. " With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles 'teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he 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.
Loving each other must have been the result of their salvation. Because of this love and unity, they were seen “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” People saw something in them to be admired. It was Jesus! It was his love!
Later, in Acts 4, the scene is repeated and all the believers were unified and demonstrated the love that Jesus’ spirit had infused in them.
Acts 4:31-35 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles 'feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Quite remarkable, I’d say, for strangers to come together this way. Does it amaze you? Is this the way you are? Does the spirit of Jesus motivate you to be unified with other Christians and demonstrate the love of Jesus? Is it at the top of our list? I think we may have forgotten the zeal we had at first.
Remember to Love
Don Campbell
Acts 2:37-47 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call. " With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles 'teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he 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.
Loving each other must have been the result of their salvation. Because of this love and unity, they were seen “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” People saw something in them to be admired. It was Jesus! It was his love!
Later, in Acts 4, the scene is repeated and all the believers were unified and demonstrated the love that Jesus’ spirit had infused in them.
Acts 4:31-35 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles 'feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Quite remarkable, I’d say, for strangers to come together this way. Does it amaze you? Is this the way you are? Does the spirit of Jesus motivate you to be unified with other Christians and demonstrate the love of Jesus? Is it at the top of our list? I think we may have forgotten the zeal we had at first.
Remember to Love
Don Campbell
posted by Don Campbell at
10:55 AM
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