Day 926: Joy filled Christians - Acts 2:38-47

38-40 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. 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.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41-42 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe (fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

44-46 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people. 47 And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:38-47 English Standard Version

That Pentecost Feast day in Jerusalem, when about three thousand people from many parts of the world believed on Jesus Christ for salvation, was a foretaste of what was to come over the centuries that have followed. We may not see such large numbers turning to God at one event, but we know that throughout the world men, women and children are still being saved. What does vs 47 tell us about how such salvation comes about?

They were not saved by the cleverness of Peter's speech, or because a choir was singing a sentimental song to help them make a decision for Jesus. They were converted by the power of God through the straightforward message of Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension. That is how people are added to the Kingdom of God. We read that “with many other WORDS Peter bore witness, and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” The gospel isn’t about gimmicks – it’s a MESSAGE to be conveyed through words. And when those words are faithful to what God has revealed, God will draw lost sinners to His beloved Son.

What happened to those whom God was drawing to Christ? (vs 41-42)

They were baptized – and they committed themselves to learning how to live now that they were followers of Jesus Christ. They also met together with others who had believed, to encourage one another, to keep their focus on Christ , and to pray even as Jesus had taught His followers to pray. There’s no command in the Bible to stop baptizing people. It's a step that every new believer should still take, as well as to meet as often as they can with other Christians.

What is the significance of vs 43?

Wonders and signs (miracles) were not something every new Christian started doing. They were something unique which God gave to the apostles to authenticate the message they were bringing. But what was common among new believers? (vs 44-46)

There was an outbreak of spontaneous kindness, generosity and sharing. The Holy Spirit was already turning their hearts away from self-centredness and greed, and to start loving those around them with the love they now realized God had shown to them. They were realizing that an abundance of earthly possessions wasn’t the most important aim in life. The message of the gospel proclaimed a greater treasure of eternal life in God's presence. What was the impact in vs 44-46 of their simplistic new lifestyle, and of the joy others could see as these Christians met in one another's homes to share a meal?

They were “having favour with all the people.” This doesn't mean there may not have been some who looked down on what they thought might be a sect. But it implies that the joy and generosity of the Christians must have touched many hearts. And it may have led to others asking the question “what must we do to be saved?”