- Chapter: [[Acts 2]]:40-47 # Recap Continuing from [[2025-09-28 All Souls 1130]], recall what [[Peter]] said: 1. [[Jesus]] is the ultimate hope that they waited generations for and they crucified him rather than crowning as king (cross not crown) 2. The same [[Jesus]] they had killed was no longer rotting in the grave but has risen and is ruling at [[God]]'s right hand (reigning not rotting) 3. [[Jesus]]'s resurrection was not bad news for those responsible for His death, but good news if they would only return to him (repentance not revenge) # Shape and commitments of The Church Now we have thousands of spirit-filled people gathered in the newly formed church -- people who have left everything behind and have joined a new spirit-filled community. So what then should one expect? [[Jonathan Gillepsie]] is both a British citizen and an Irish citizen, but being a [[Christian]] is not like that -- cannot be a citizen of "two nations" simultaneously. It's more like being a [[Singapore]]an, where ties to other nations must be renounced. Christianity requires us to abandon our old life and begin a new one > The fellowship of those given by Christ to be to each other what he has been to them, so that they can be to the world a demonstration of the new humanity he died and lives to make possible -- [[Lloyd Ogilvie]] ## A fellowship of what Christ has been to them - Without [[Christ]], there is no church. - Our lives must be centered around Him > Christianity means community through [[Jesus]] [[Christ]] and in [[Jesus]] [[Christ]]. No christian community is more or less than this - Some secular community-builders believe that all one needs is the right ingredients - Some have attempted to make something "like church, but without God" - They wanted the "horizontal" relationships, without the vertical one - Gathering, playing music, delivering a talk, etc - But in reality, that's just a gathering of the world, a gathering of the same corrupt generation that [[Peter]] warned us from - [[Church]] without [[God]] is the very thing that [[Peter]] is speaking against in [[Jerusalem]] - The reality is that [[Jesus]] cannot be done away with - Despite the acts against him, [[Jesus]] offers brotherhood and not belligerence so that they can be one with Him, and therefore can be one with each other - We are a congregation from a wide variety of countries and cultures, but can live together as one since we are one in [[Jesus]] and glued together by the power of the [[Holy Spirit]] - Because of this we are able to submit to one another -- nobody needs to be top dog, and nobody needs to hang on to hurt and anger - We can then be for each other what [[Jesus]] has already been to us ## A fellowship to be with each other - Verse 43: "everyone" - Verse 44: "all the b. elievers" - Verse 45: "anyone who had need" - The first thing [[All Souls Langham Place]] asks people who come in is to belong - In order to belong, 4 commitments are necessary: ### a. Committed to [[God]]'s word. - v. 42: "They devoted themselves to the [[Apostle]]s' teaching". Hard commitments, to words from [[Jesus]]! - With [[Holy Spirit]], why settle for "second-hand" transmission of words? [[Holy Spirit]] guides but does not teach, but the [[Apostle]]s are the only source to have of [[Jesus]]'s words - No prophesy has ever been spoken without the word of man - [[Holy Spirit]] does not mean you can abandon apostolic teaching - Not necessarily "worshipping the [[Bible]]" -- the [[Holy Spirit]] has inspired the scriptures in order to bring us closer to Him ### b. Committed to good works - Others-first instead of me-first attitude - "everything in common" -- sold possessions etc to give to anyone in need - No need to go as far as [[Franciscans]] and dedicate to poverty - Christianity began as a house religion -- people broke bread **in their homes** - Transformation speaks more of a spirit of radical generosity, a determination that no- one should be in need. Financial inequality should not be a barrier to unity and a reason for conflict and division ### c. Committed to worship - In [[Bible/Characters/New Testament/Luke|Luke]]'s [[Gospel]], many events are centered around food -- [[Jesus]] was a foodie! - He ate with all sorts of people in all sorts of places - But despite being accused of being a drunkard or glutton, these shared meals are a demonstration of his love for others and meeting physical and spiritual needs -- even the one who would eventually betray him - So his followers are doing the same thing -- break bread together in their friends. Common friends with common food - We should strive to do this more -- invite people to our homes for a meal, or even just out to coffee - Meals are seen as something more than physical nourishment: [[God]]'s rescue and provision is symbolized by breaking bread together, and to remind them of [[Jesus]]' final meal together - Fellowship has become the site of worship - v. 46: "...with glad and sincere hearts, praising God..." - Praying together is important: "the [[Holy Spirit]]'s oxygen for the church" ## A fellowship that demonstrates [[Christ]] to teh world ### d. Committed to witness - v. 46: "...enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily" - Both distinctive and attractive: how we live together matters - Not only passive, but also active: continuing evangelism by the people - v. 47: "The **[[Lord]]** added to their number daily". The mission is still very much His work. No true belonging in this community without first believing - The church gathered in fellowship is also the church going out in mission, as they scatter back among their workplaces, families, and community beyond # Conclusion - Next Sunday [[2025-10-19]] is [[World Mission Sunday]]!