Friends in Christ Message for April 16, 2005

Friends in Christ

Home

Weekly Messages

About Us

Spiritual Practice Handouts

Friends in Christ on Facebook

Site Map

Contact Us

Friends in Christ Weekly Message
April 16, 2005

They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.

Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 (CEV*)

This passage tells about the Christian church in its very early days. It behooves us to look at the kind of faith community they had.

Those of us who have accepted Christ's invitation have been adopted into the family of God. The early followers of Christ lived that out by being "like family to each other." They ate together, prayed together and shared everything with each other. They found real joy in this family life together.

This kind of family has real power. God was able to bring about many miracles and wonders through them. This kind of family is also one that is open and welcoming. Many others were attracted by what they saw in this spiritual family, and were gladly added to the family.

Are our own faith communities this kind of spiritual family? Do others see the joy and power in our faith communities, and want to become a part of them? As individuals, do we have this kind of relationship with other followers of Christ?

Bill Samuel