This morning, as I am getting ready for the worship services at church, I can't help but think of the ways that the church gets things right! Hospitals, education, human rights, foster parenting and adoption, these are just some of the causes that the church has and continues to champion. There are some ways, however, we fail, and fail big. And that is the cause of "one another." The Church sometimes becomes about the "Corporate welfare," and we let things go through the cracks. The Early Church looked after the welfare of "one another." It was an important! They even went so far as to sell property to help one another. The Church is supposed to be a place of rehabilitation. It's a place where we reflect Christ, and sacrificially live for one another. Here's an example of what I'm talking about: " 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. " (Ephesians 4) They took in sinners, got them on their feet, and taught them to go and contribute to the needs of others, as had been done to them! The Church is not a system, it's not a building, it's a community that seeks to be one with Christ and all believers! This is important. When the world fails us, we have Christ, but we also have to look after, you may have guessed it by now, one another! Holy Communion is not merely community with God, but it is also community with (need I say it?) One another! The Great Commandment is to "love the Lord Your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength," but the second is just like it (and thus on par with it!), "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Acts 2:38-47 English Standard Version (ESV)
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Footnotes:
Acts 2:43 Or fear
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