2:41
Peter’s no nonsense preaching was rather successful! Some three thousand were added to the church that day. Some may wonder how that could happen. The answer is quite easily. The society had a keen interest in religion, they were aware of God and sin. They also knew what had been happening in recent months. Moreover, the Holy Spirit was convicting people in their hearts. So the number of three thousand is entirely plausible, Those who accepted the message were baptised.
2:42
We now get a picture of what was involved in the life of the very early church. The key ingredients were:
- The apostles’ teaching
- Fellowship
- Breaking of bread
- Prayer
These are things that continue to need to be part of church life. Obviously we do not have the apostles as they had in the early church, but we should devote ourselves to Bible teaching, and any church that neglects this will be impoverished. Note also that they “devoted” themselves to the teaching, they were not passive consumers.
We are part of the body, not just people who happen to be in the same building once or twice a week. There needs to be a closer relationship.
Jesus commanded us to break bread in remembrance of Him. His death and resurrection is the foundation of it all.
Prayer is essential. “Apart from me you can do nothing”, as Jesus said (John 15:5). We are meant to work in partnership and dependency upon the Lord.
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