Peter's Sermon (Day 4)

In Acts 2:42–47 we see the start of the Church that you and I are a part of today. These new believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, prayer, and gathering together in fellowship. Notice that their faith was not something they lived out alone, it was something they shared as a community with the other believers.

One note, big 'C' church refers to all believers past and present throughout the world.

One of the things that stands out to me about the early Church was how self-sacrificial the people were. They cared deeply for one another and were willing to give up their own possessions to help meet each other's needs. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 describes the Church as a body with it's many parts, the parts are ourselves and the gifts God has given us. When we share those gifts together the Church functions as one body. We see that play out in this passage. Each believer brought their different gifts, abilities, and resources, to be used by the group. Instead of focusing on themselves, they looked for ways to serve and support the people around them.

Next, the believers regularly spent time together, shared meals, worshiped God, and genuinely enjoyed being with one another. Their lives were marked by joy, generosity, and gratitude for what God was doing.

Lastly, in verse 47, we see that their love extended beyond the Church itself. "Having favor with all the people", meaning they treated others well and earned the respect of those around them, even people who were not believers. Their faith was visible in the way they lived, and as a result, God continued to add more people to the Church every day.

All of these things are what we should mimic as members of the Church today.