Acts 2:42-47
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
I love these verses of the early church. A group of men, women, and children who were living there lives in every possible way to serve the Lord. These church members studied doctrine, prayed, and witnessed to others together. It goes on to say they were all together, they looked out for each other financially they ate together, and they were glad to do all of it.
Fast-forward 2000 years and we see a church that’s very different. On average we come together once a week for an hour or so. We sing songs that were upset our song leaders choose. We try to count out an exact 10% of our check to place in the offering plate. We doze during a 25 minute message, and then rush out the door before we have to talk to two many people.
Hopefully this example doesn’t hit home for you personally. But I do believe we could all handle to take a step backwards in time. Now let me assure you I’m not promoting a form of communal living. Perhaps we should try to just step back 50 years. A time where people fellowshipped with others in there homes, where we looked out for a neighbor in need. A time where when the church had a function everyone showed up to is. (I know I didn’t live in the 50 and have probably watched far too much Andy Griffith).
I guess this has all come to mind, because I felt just a touch of that "Old Time Religion" the other night. My church has what we call Shepherding Groups, which is basically a split of the church members among the church elders. All in order to better meet people’s needs. A couple times our Shepherding Groups have gotten together at the homes of various people. It’s just so good to see people opening their homes, and opening there pocket books to cook for a group of 20 to 30 people. We gathered together running in age from 1 to 50 and beyond. We sing songs led by a simple guitar, and spoke directly from the word of God. But in this simple meeting, I truly felt each heart was sincere before the Lord, and the Lord was pleased to have us there.
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