Acts 2:42-51 Have you ever experienced a sense of awe? In nature? In life? Awe is also inspiring. Research suggests that awe can make you happier, healthier, more humble, and more connected to the people around you. Our text focuses around the fact that everyone kept feeling a sense of awe!
What did the first church look like?
No purpose built buildings, but the first church nursed public areas and homes for their gatherings. Compare what the first church looked like in relation to what we tend to think church looks like. People tend to do what Jesus leads them to do rather than follow a fixed set of expectations. The birth of church life was not organized by administrators, but was directed by the Holy Spirit as individuals responded to his guidance.
Who and what makes up a church? The church is a group of those who are called out from sin, the flesh and the world. There are specific things they did do:
A road of discovery that uses both the local customs and manners that are not sinful in their work and worship of God. They sold things to care for those who were downtrodden. Widows who had no access to income. Helping those who were in need. They were not forced but responded to God’s direction. Their giving was generous but not taxed.
The natural way the church grew and developed.