| Photo by Kyle Smith on Unsplash
In Acts 2:43-47, we see other characteristics of the Early Church that we need to maintain today! These are characteristics of a Church that is filled with the Presence of the Holy Spirit:
Verse 43 – “There was a deep sense of awe, and there were many signs and wonders taking place in the church.” When we have a right relationship with the Lord, we will see His Presence manifested in our midst. We need reverence for the Lord in the church today.
Verse 44-45 – “Met together and they shared everything they had and ministered to those in need.” We see that they knew one another; there were no spectators, but they all participated in the life of the church. And they gave to “Reach the city and Touch the world for Jesus.” They were building the kingdom of God!
Verse 46 – “They worshiped together the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.” They worshiped together – it is great to worship alone, but we need to come and worship the Lord together. They broke bread with other believers and shared meals. They did life together! They were connecting.
Verse 47 – “All the while praising God and enjoying goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
People were coming to Jesus because they saw Jesus in the church! The followers of Jesus were different because of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring! The Holy Spirit should change us to be more like Jesus, and this is the kind of evangelism that we need today. Lord, pour out Your Spirit in my life, that You will be seen in my life today!
Lord, help us to have these characteristics in our lives today!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and from significant emotional experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.
