GROWING TOGETHER IN CHRIST [ACTS 2:42-47]

The Very Rev Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye
Provost.

One preacher said Acts 2:42-47 is short enough to memorize, and yet big enough to shape years, even decades, of life in the local church, and captures for us at least four markings of true Christian community that grows together.
Relentless Devotion, Not Casual Indifference verses 42, 46.

Disciples devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. . . . And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts. The disciples’ passion and devotion to God’s word was not just faithful attendance or reliable, spiritual routine. It was relentless joy and love — together.

As we talk about cell ministry, let us walk together as believers in true love and devotion to one another and kingdom business.

Heartfelt Affection in verse 43 Christianity is not simply about getting the truth right, but about having the truth capture our hearts. There has to be true transformation of heart that drives us to heartfelt affection to Christ and one another.
We need to be fascinated with Christ and live out our faith in the community. We need to go beyond the moment of conversion and seek the Lord genuinely, from milk to solid food.

Sacrificial Generosity, Not Selfish Ambition 44-45 Generosity in our context has been overtaken by individualism, greed and selfish ambition. Families no longer want to meet together, children grow alone without mixing. Covid 19 has increased our individualistic lifestyle. First century Christianity did not isolate believers to focus exclusively on their own relationship with Jesus, but made each believer another vital vein in the body of Christ. We share the grace of God with others as in 1 Peter 4:10. But without selfless and sacrificial compassion, grace ends up in storage, not in action. See what happened in Macedonia in 2 Corinthians 8:2. Joy faced with need always looks like compassion and sacrifice. 

Contagious Joy, Not Secluded Cliques verse 47 And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:47. All the devotion and affection and compassion became irresistibly contagious 1 Corinthians 3:7. If our Christian community is committed, but not compelling to anyone, we should be asking serious questions about what we’re committed to. Every community is called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)
May God bless you all as you purpose to grow and unite through Home Cell.

The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye,
Provost, All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala.