The Family of God
Acts 2:41-47 ESV
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. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 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 favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 ESV
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 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 favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
John 13:35 NIV
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
ORTHODOXY – Right Belief
ORTHOPRAXY – Right Practice
Acts 2:42-47 TAV
They devoted themselves to Christian influencer’s 30 second TikTok videos and sometimes to a monthly small group, to receiving occasional communion at church and to praying alone before they fell asleep. No one was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles, because there were none. Few of the believers were together and only a handful had anything in common. They held onto their property and possessions and gave at Christmastime through Salvation Army to ensure they got that last big tax write-off of the year. Once or twice a month they met together at church, but they would check out the sermon on YouTube sometimes when they missed it. They broke bread in their homes solely with their own family and ate while watching TV with discontent and bored hearts. They praised God with their lips, while being enemies of all the people with their lives. And they never saw anyone get saved except when their pastor prayed at the end of the service while they were running to their car to beat traffic.
The 4 Marks of the Church
- The Apostles’ Teaching
- The Fellowship
- The Breaking of Bread
- The Prayers
What Happens When We Live The 4 Marks?
- Awe
- Unity
- Power of God
- Provision
- Joy
- Salvation
“It is the task of the visible church to make the invisible kingdom of Christ, visible, to manifest to people what it would be like to live in a Commonwealth ruled by Jesus.”
-- John Calvin
“When Jesus’ followers behave like this, they sometimes find to their surprise, that they have a new spring in their step. There’s an attractiveness, an energy about a life in which we stop clinging on to everything we can get and start sharing it, giving it away, celebrating God’s generosity by being generous ourselves. And that attractiveness is one of the things that draws other people in.”
-- N.T. Wright
Maybe you made a decision to follow Jesus today, or maybe you’re curious what life with Him is all about. Wherever you are on your journey, we invite you to share with us so we can help you discover your next step.
