Fellowship of believers

The fellowship of believers in Acts and today

You should never start with an apology, but I’m sorry!  I was preparing for a sermon on becoming a missional community and the words that got stuck in my mind were ‘enjoying the favour of all people’.[1]  So I went to that wonderful passage in Acts 2 that describes the early believer’s community to see why they were held in such favour… and I saw that passage for the first time through different eyes.  The reason I begin with an apology is that I did not preach that sermon as I felt it wasn’t uplifting or encouraging enough!  But here are some thoughts… First let’s look at Acts 2 and then let’s rewrite it for an average Christian community today…

Acts 2:42-47

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47 (Today)

They devoted themselves to the worship leader and their favourite pastors preaching.  They prayed together and remembered the Lords supper once a month.  Some were filled with awe as they heard about wonders and signs performed in Africa and India, others received the news with cynicism.  All the believers were divided and had very little in common other than the need to be in church on a Sunday morning and maybe a midweek group.  They sold their property to get better property.  When unable to sell their property, they gave it to a charity shop to distribute amongst the poor.  They met together weekly in a church building.  They broke bread at the church picnic and odd social and once in a blue moon in their own homes.   The people did not look at them favourably but as those who do not think woman are equal and are anti-gay and responsible for many of the world’s problems (especially war).  And the church grew with dissatisfied worshippers from other churches and very (very) rarely the lord added to their number those who were being saved. 

I did apologise at the beginning!!! 

I have preached many times on this passage whilst in church pastorate.  Always with the desire to become more like those early Christians.  I came with fresh eyes this time as I no longer lead a church.  I can begin with a blank page.  But how do we and our communities (those in churches and those pioneering) become more like the early Christians? I do not have the answers but here are a few thoughts and questions…

1).  How do we move away from an institutional form of church?  I have been to three churches recently who all consider themselves welcoming.  We had a welcome at the door, invited to church quiz, picnic, welcome lunch… lovely!  But all we have been invited too is more church activity.  How do we get to the point where we are inviting people to our houses and into our lives? 

2).  How do really become family?  It is often said that we are the church family, but does it look like family?  I would do anything for my kids.  If I have not seen them for a day or two I miss them.  If they have a big thing going on I support it.  I would love to be in a community where others felt that way about my family and I would love to view others that way.

3).  How do we begin to expect the miraculous?  Yes, I have heard the stories and been at the big events.  But how do we get to the point where the miracles we are talking about are the ones we have been involved in recently?

4).  How do we become radical with our (God’s) money?  How do we counter the culture of more and better to become those who want less and give to those in need? How do we move away from the tithe to seeing everything as God’s?

5).  How do we concentrate less on acts of mission and more on becoming the people God called us to be?  Because God calls us to be faithful.  The only thing that had nothing to do with the early believers is the very last line of Acts 2, ‘God added to their number daily those who were being saved’.  We strategize and strategize how to get bums on seats when that is down to God, our role is to be faithful and to live out our part in a radical community. 

6).  How do we get the people around us to see us with favour?  What doctrines/viewpoints do we need to lower in our list of importance?  What is our overriding message?  How do we show the gospel in our lives?  Are we good news for the poor?

My desire is to be a part of a community like that recorded in Acts 2.  Except wiser!  We have learnt from past mistakes.  I want to be a part of a community where I deeply love and live out my faith with those who have differing opinions and viewpoints.   I want to be a part of a community where everyone is bringing a word/a teaching/an exhortation.   I want to be a part of a community that sees God miraculously at work and bringing his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  I want to be a part of a community that is fighting for equality and leading the way in sharing its gifts with those in need.  I want to be a part of a community that meets so often, loves so deeply that it feels like family.  I want to be a part of a community where we hear and see what God is doing around us and with mutual encouragement join in.  I want to be a part of a community that stops strategizing about mission and stops getting tired out with programme after programme but releases me to be all that God has called me to be in the world.  I want to be a part of a community that is one… one in worship… one in prayer… one in Jesus.  And my prayer is that God will add to our number daily those who are being saved!

If you are reading this and are a part of an institutional church, I’m sorry!  But do have a go at rewriting Acts 2 for your specific community.  How can it become even more radical?  But be honest! I did not write this to do harm but because I think that people living like Acts 2 would see transformation in the lives of those around us.

With that in mind, please can I be so bold to ask that you pray for Ez, me and the kids as we strive to see this community come to fruition in Charlton Down and the villages of Dorset.  We need it!  Because the major problem of creating a wonderful community is that we will be in it!!!

God bless you and your community. 

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[1] Acts 2:47a