Community Life



Acts 2:42-47
42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
44And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Honestly, I sat at my desk this morning reading these verses thinking, “What can be said about these verses? They describe perfection.” And that’s exactly it. They describe the perfect existence; at least as much as can be achieved this side of heaven. The young Church, surrounded by the Apostles, is living in harmony and peace with one another, sharing all of their worldly goods and growing the body of believers. Those must have been wonderful days.

We can all look back into our past and remember those moments when we thought “it doesn’t get any better than this.” Usually those times include beloved family members and friends and a sense of peace or joy. But the truth is that it can be better than this. Jesus has saved us for an eternity with Him. There will come a time when the peace and joy will never end. That doesn’t mean we long for death for that is not right either. But what we know is that because of the blood of Jesus we have a future that holds perfection. For the young Church, this time of growth and peace did not last. The rest of the book of Acts will tell tales of suffering and struggle. But for this one moment all is well and God builds His people up so that they can accomplish the tasks He sets before them during the more difficult times ahead.

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