Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. English Standard Version (ESV)
The Christian faith is a personal faith. We have personal knowledge, accountability and a personal relationship with God through the forgiveness of sins. The Christian faith is also one of community. The Apostle's Creed speaks of the "communion of saints. This communion is at the core of this passage from Acts chapter two, which many use as the basis for their church ministries. The heading for the passage in the New Living Translations says "The Believers Form a Community" and so it is to be.
Edward Schillebeeckx writes, "In the church of Christ we are concerned with the story of a Jew who appeared in our human history and who after His death was confessed by fervent followers as "the Christ, God's only Son, our Lord". In that story, set down in writing in the New Testament, we read how particular people reacted to the historical appearance of Jesus and how as a result began to lead a new different life."
It is still the same today. Through the Bible we learn how Jesus lived, what inspired Him and even what angered Him. We don't have direct writings from Him but we do have the writings of His followers, the apostles who also offer a testimony of what it means, what it looks like to be a follower. This following is also in community, we are partners, sharing life with each other, stimulating each other and encouraging one another to live in Him, for Him and through Him and for His glory.
May we never take for granted the importance of living in community with fellow believers as we worship, celebrate communion, as we learn and grow,and as we serve, and as we pray. May others still see what it looks like to be a follower and followers.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Acts 2:41-43
New Living Translation (NLT)
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
The Believers Form a Community
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper[a]), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
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