“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 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 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 2:36-47

~~~~~

Picture Your Church
By Jennifer Kane

Lord, open our eyes to see,
and our hearts to receive
the beautiful picture of Your Church—
born of Spirit, bound in grace,
a living temple where You dwell.

Let us not be a crowd that gathers and fades,
but a family knit together by Your love.
Teach us to share all we have,
to break bread with joy and sincerity,
to pray with hearts aflame and hands uplifted.

Move us, O Spirit,
from faces in a room
to souls in communion—
vibrant with Your life,
overflowing with Your love.

May awe rest upon us
as in those early days,
when wonders whispered through the streets
and salvation was the song of every home.

Let our fellowship be genuine,
our worship pure,
our generosity unforced—
a daily devotion that draws others near,
not by power,
but by presence.

For we are Yours—
a people redeemed,
a body made whole in Christ.
Let Your Church arise anew within us,
alive, united, and radiant with Your glory.

~~~~~

Scripture: Acts 2:36-47

The scene in Acts 2 is not a picture of a perfect, problem-free club. It is a powerful, living portrait of a community transformed by the resurrection of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is Jesus’ blueprint for His Church.

The community didn’t form around a shared hobby or social class. It was born from a shared, profound conviction. Peter’s sermon culminated in the truth that Jesus is “both Lord and Messiah.” The people were “cut to the heart,” leading to repentance and baptism. A vibrant church is built on this common ground: a heartfelt recognition of who Jesus is and our shared need for His salvation. Our primary identity is not in our opinions or backgrounds, but in our shared status as forgiven sinners, redeemed by Christ.

Vibrancy doesn’t happen by accident. The new believers were devoted. This implies commitment, priority, and regularity. Their rhythm included:

· The Apostles’ Teaching: They were grounded in God’s truth, not their own feelings.
· Fellowship: This is more than coffee and donuts. It’s deep, spiritual partnership and sharing life together.
· The Breaking of Bread: This refers both to sharing ordinary meals and celebrating the Lord’s Supper, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice.
· Prayer: They relied on constant communication with God.

A loving community is built on these intentional, shared habits that keep us connected to God and to one another.

The love of this community was not merely sentimental;it was practical and sacrificial. They shared their resources so that no one among them was in need. This “having everything in common” was a voluntary, Spirit-prompted generosity, not a forced communism. It was the natural outpouring of their love for Christ flowing into love for their neighbor. A vibrant church is marked by selfless care, where we look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

The result of these ways was a palpable atmosphere of joy and praise. They met together daily, in both large public settings (the temple courts) and intimate home gatherings. They ate with “glad and sincere hearts,” praising God. This genuine joy and unity was so attractive that it gave them “the favor of all the people.” The most powerful evangelism tool is a community so full of authentic love and joy that others are drawn to it. The final result? “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Growth is God’s work, but it often flows from a community that faithfully embodies His character.

Think of a time you experienced genuine Christian community. What elements from Acts 2 were present? How did it affect your faith?

May we fellowship together in love, my friends! 🧡

~~~~~

Lord Jesus, you are the head of the Church, and this picture in Acts is your beautiful design. Forgive us for the times we have settled for a casual, comfortable gathering instead of the vibrant, loving community you died to create. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Ground us in the shared conviction of your Lordship. Give us devotion to your Word and to one another. Make our hearts generous and our worship joyful. Let our love be so practical and our joy so authentic that the world around us would see you in us and be drawn to your saving grace. We want to be a church that looks like this, Lord. Start with me. Amen.

October 13 2025