Saturday, April 30th, 2016
"Both/And" by Jay Richard Akkerman
Acts 2:38-47
Acts 2:38-39 Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”
40 He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!”
41-42 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43-45 Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
46-47 They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
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Today we scan some images of Christianity’s first converts. Following his preaching in Acts 2:14-36, Peter’s listeners considered the apostle’s promise of grace to “all who are far off” (v. 39). Luke paints an almost idyllic preaching portrait in the early church. Unfortunately, it’s never been that simple for preachers. In verse 40, Luke reveals that Peter had to wrestle in his preaching, noting that, “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’” Fortunately, a great many “accepted his message” (v. 41). In fact, roughly 3,000 people accepted Peter’s invitation that day and were baptized.Acts 2 concludes with an ideal summation of life in this first-century community of faith. Marked by a common engagement with worship, study, prayer, celebration, and service, these throngs of early converts seemed to understand that repentance calls for both a changing attitude and a change of action.
In spite of these wondrous signs, the phrase "those who accepted" (verse 41) implies that Peter's preaching had not yet achieved universal acceptance. Seemngly every generation struggles to attend to economic responsibilities through voluntary, corporate commitment. Both then and now, Christian community calls for changing attitudes and changing actions.
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Hymn for Today: "Rise up, O Church of God" by William P. Merrill
1. Rise up, O Church of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.
2. Rise up, O Church of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
3. Rise up, O sons of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task,
Rise up, and make her great!
4. Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
As foll'wers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O Church of God!
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Thought for Today: Romans 12:11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
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Thought for Today: Romans 12:11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
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Please pray: That many people in Bolivia will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of His Holy Spirit.
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