“They devoted themselves to the apostles'
teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… All the
believers were together and had everything in common.” Acts 2:42, 44 (NIV)
Most of
my life I’ve wanted to belong to something greater than myself. Something more
than a club or political party, or even church. Something that made the “we”
transcend the “me”. . So as a college student it was only natural for me to
embrace the “Jesus” movement that was sweeping our campus. This “organic” community
of young believers was a magnet for me because the only kinds of “community” I
had known were full of rules that focused on behavior and lifestyle. My parents
had recently divorced, so discovering a group as open and full of authenticity,
equality and spiritual passion felt like I was getting a new family. The common
ground among us in those days was not dress codes or food laws or theology – it
was pretty much faith in the living Christ. When we prayed we felt like kids
talking to our dad – and we got answers! When we sang it was with joyful
abandon and holy awareness. When we shared, it was unscripted, spontaneous and
straight from the heart.
Like
the first Christians, we came from the same religion – we were raised with
“Thou shalt’s” and “Thou shalt not’s”. We had the Sabbath, dietary
restrictions, and a cultural identity as powerful as circumcision was for 1st
century Jews. We were SDA’s to the core. But then Jesus happened – to all of
us! In different ways, at different times our lives were turned upside down by Christ.
Like those original believers, we found ourselves drawn into true “fellowship”.
No one organized it or strategized it – it was a “New Community” experience.
Often staying up all night studying the Bible together, we shared whatever we
had – transportation, food, clothes, even the little money among us. This sense
that God was taking care of us prevailed – had Jesus not freed us from our
fears and failings? Had He not forgiven our sins and made us part of His family?
What could be better than sharing life with each other and sharing Christ with
those who didn’t know Him?
Now when
I read about the believers in Acts 2, I have an idea what they experienced because
I also heard God’s call to “koinonea”, as did my “brothers and sisters” – we
felt the connecting power of His Spirit among us.
God continues
to build His family. Even as you read this, His Spirit is inviting people – you
and me and anyone who will listen – into a life that is abandoned to Christ. A
life so enamored with Jesus that we can’t stop thinking about Him and studying
His word together. A life so confident and trusting that we willing share the
resources God has given us with each other. A life so connected to one another
that even mealtimes become an opportunity to fellowship with our brothers and
sisters in God’s family.
Wouldn’t you like to be a part of something greater
than yourself? The New Community is not just you with God or me with God, but we
with God. We are better together!
T.B.
Think
about it: How would you characterize your connections to your
church family? Where do you think God is taking you in that regard?
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