Our Scripture reading today is Acts 2:46-47.
"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
The fellowship of the first church is an example that should continue to be followed today. Technology has brought with it many new ways to get the Gospel to the lost world. We praise God for this. Technology, however, can bring with it a complexity that moves us away from the personal relationships that we need within our local church. As I read these two verse this morning, there is definitely a simplicity to what was happening in the 1st century church. The end result was what every church would like to see today...the church grew!
The church can grow in more ways than numbers. Praise God for visitors and returning visitors. Praise God for new members and those who are in discipleship. Another way to grow as a church is in our influence. How is Anchor Baptist influencing your home? How is Anchor Baptist influencing the community? The simplicity of community in the 1st century must not be overlooked and quite possibly we need to get back to it. For instance...is Sunday the only day of the week you fellowship with the church? IF so, why is that? Having a brief conversation with a brother or sister in Christ on Sunday does not speak much to community or fellowship. In recent days we have seen far too many Christians be with God's family less and less. This is exactly the opposite of what God's Word tells us to do. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
I pray that each of us will evaluate our own lives and see if we should change how we function within the Anchor Baptist Church. (Faithfully attending the services is a good place to start!)